Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of WOMEN'S WRESTLING WEEKLY—a rundown of the events which have transpired in the world of women's professional wrestling over the past several days not just with the Superstars on WWE programming, but with Impact Wrestling's Knockouts, Lucha Underground's luchadoras, and even a glimpse at the women on the independent circuit.

I apologize for the break in weeks and the weird format for this week; I had a death in the family and was unable to get writing last week. However, there's a lot of great wrestling to talk about this week, and it's been a wonderful escape for me to watch the final build to WrestleMania. So, with all of that out of the way, onto the wrestling!



Sitting and Talking

You know, I do love opening the go-home Raw before WrestleMania with what looks like a ComicCon panel. Nothing gets my blood pumping quite like the thrill I get from seeing four people with an average age over 40 sit...and...talk. It's why I love the Star Wars prequels, after all. I tune into wrestling shows for CONFERENCES!

I think I've made my point, so here's what happened:

The four exchanged some harsh words as expected, and Rousey asked Stephanie which arm she'd prefer to have broken, which was fun. When the time came for a photo op (because that's normal), Rousey got in Steph's face and wound up being thrown through a table. It was cool, but. Like I said. It was still sitting and talking.

Winner: George Lucas' sensibilities
Rating: 2/5

Bayley vs. Sonya Deville

Sonya was aggressive to start, but she couldn't beat our lovable underdog Bayley, who pinned her after a fairly standard match with a Bayley-to-Belly. Of course, as is the formula, Mandy Rose came to aid Deville in beating Bayley down, but Sasha Banks emerged to make the save.

The pair fought off the heels, but when Sasha demanded that Bayley raise her hand, Bayley refused. The two started to fight, but then Absolution returned, laying the pair out.

Winner: Bayley
Rating: 2/5

Asuka & Dana Brooke vs. Alexa Bliss & Mickie James

Bliss

Winner: Bayley
Rating: 2/5



Charlotte Flair vs. Natalya

After Natalya claimed to be better than both Asuka AND Charlotte, she faced the Queen herself to prove it. Suffice it to say, she did not succeed. Though she put up her usual good fight, including a Sharpshooter and powerbomb, Natalya couldn't come up with a win against the reigning and defending champion...with a Sharpshooter

Carmella then ran in, ref in tow, distracting Charlotte and allowing Natalya to win with a schoolboy. But she never cashed in, only cost Charlotte the match while reminding her that she's still very much around.

Charlotte is a beast, plain and simple. She and Asuka are building to their inevitable clash with brilliance and intensity. Anything less than a slugfest will, at this point, be a letdown.

Winner: Natalya
Rating: 2.5/5

Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. the Riott Squad

Man, I miss when Lynch and Naomi had substantial storylines to pursue. I really do.

This match was very short and sweet, the babyfaces prevailed, and they will all be in the battle royale at WrestleMania. Boom, brevity.

Winners: Becky Lynch & Naomi
Rating: 1/5



Ember Moon vs. Aliyah

Aliyah took brief control of the match when Shayna Baszler entered to sit at the announce desk, but this match basically belonged to Ember Moon, who took the pinfall victory with her signature Eclipse.

After, Shayna and Ember yelled at each other, which was a lot cooler than this sentence makes it seem. These two bring out a welcome ferocity in each other, and Baszler looks more and more like a star every time she appears on NXT. She's got the personality and ring skills to go far with WWE. Though that's nothing new, if I'm being honest. She's always been phenomenal.

No video of this exists on WWE's YouTube, so here, enjoy some ICONIC.

Winner: Ember Moon
Rating: 2/5



Allie vs. Sienna (Knockouts Championship match)

Though Sienna started off strong, she couldn't overcome Impact's plucky new champion, who retained her title with a Superkick. However, after the match, she was ambushed by none other than Su Yung, who dropped her right on her head to make a definitive statement.

Su's here. She's a master of storytelling and character commitment with an impressively physical combat style that should be fun for impact watchers.

Look out, world.

Winner: Allie
Rating: 2/5



This section includes recaps of matches from around the world in various lesser-known independent promotions throughout the week.

Defiant Wrestling

Match: Millie McKenzie vs. Kay Lee Ray vs. Sammii Jayne
Winner: Millie McKenzie

STARDOM

Match: HZK, Io Shirai and Viper vs. Bea Priestley, Toni Storm and Xia Brookside
Winner: HZK, Io Shirai and Viper

Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment

Match: Flame vs. Shazza McKenzie
Winner: Flame


What a way to push multiple stories at once in an organized fashion! Asuka looked every bit the dominant empress that she is, and Bliss was as smarmy and ferocious as she needed to be. This is certainly not the last time we'll see these two square off. I can't wait for the next battle.


Promos have the ability to make or break feuds. Bad or problematic ones can suck the momentum out of feuds rapidly. Good ones, however, can actually add incredible depth and expand on storytelling already done. Sasha Banks and Bayley cleared the air, so to speak, before their tag match on Raw and further complicated their fracturing friendship. Their chemistry remains as palpable as ever, and I can't wait to see where their story goes from here.

We're not ready for Asuka.