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.

Can you believe we're almost at the end of June already? We're a week removed from Money in the Bank, and going right into the buildup to Extreme Rules. With that in mind, let's get started!



Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan

The women opened up the Money in the Bank fallout episode, as Alexa Bliss rubbed her victory in all of our dumb faces. Yeah, yeah, Alexa, I guess we'll never learn to not bet against you. Someday. Anyways, she goaded Ronda Rousey and was treated to a briefcase beatdown (i'm proud of this alliteration, just so you know). So if you thought Alexa's bullying narrative was done?

Heh.

Elsewhere, Sasha Banks and Bayley made another truce backstage before agreeing to team up against the Riott Squad. This friendship proved to be...well, less than stable. Despite some cute teamwork early on, the pair failed to be enough against the heelish shenanigans of Morgan and Logan, who won with a cheap shot into a schoolboy.

After, Bayley and Sasha argued and shoved each other. Me? I just sighed deeply.

Winners: Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan
Rating: 2.5/5



Becky Lynch vs. Billie Kay

Well, folks, James Ellsworth is back, and Carmella is still women's champion. I won't SAY that those two statements are connected...but I won't WON'T say it...

Asuka comes out, beats up James Ellsworth, and is then caught by a Superkick, which is apparently her kryptonite. You know, the woman who was undefeated for over a year. Whatever, I digress, this didn't even have anything to do with the match we're discussing, which includes the wonderful Becky Lynch!

The match started out energetically for Lynch, who survived interference from Peyton Royce and Billie Kay's trademark fearsome strikes to score a submission victory.

Winner: Becky Lynch
Rating: 2.5/5



Taya Valkyrie vs. Madison Rayne

Madison Rayne: underdog. In a quick match, Madison Rayne took a good deal of punishment from known powerhouse Taya Valkyrie, but in the end she managed to score a surprise win against Valkyrie. In the wake of this victory, she announced that she would challenge Su Yung at Slammiversary.

Cue darkened lights and creepy laughter. Oh, Su....

Winner: Madison Rayne
Rating: 2/5



No women's matches this week, but let me tell you this much: Catrina's ghost is still very much around.


Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai

Dakota Kai started this match off strong, incorporating some acrobatics and kicks to avoid being grappled by Belair, but Belair survived enough to dismantle Kai with her strength and dominance, pinning her following her sit-out facebuster.

I'm loving this transition into the new generation of NXT women, the Mae Young Classic generation. Dakota Kai has the potential, as does Kairi Sane, to be a massive babyface for NXT and WWE both, if introduced and booked correctly. And as much as she loses, it still feels like she retained her star power and could be a big player in the future.

Belair, of course, is money. But I feel that goes without saying.

Winner: Bianca Belair
Rating: 3/5



Full disclosure: I detest reality television. I hate it. I like wrestling, where they admit that everything is scripted and solve conflicts with violence.

I was unable to catch Total Bellas this week due to being in exam-mode (I'm in college), but I promise that next week, I will give you my full, undivided opinions on the lives of strangers.

Here's a sneak peek of the episode I will be recapping next week.



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

STARDOM

Match: Momo Watanabe vs. Deonna Purrazzo (Wonder of STARDOM Title match)
Winner: Momo Watanabe

IWA: Mid-South

Match: Shotzi Blackheart vs. Kimber Lee (IWA: Mid-South Women's Title match)
Winner: Shotzi Blackheart

Conquer Pro Wrestling

Match: Santana Garrett vs. Renee Michelle (CPW Leading Ladies Title match)
Winner: Santana Garrett


There wasn't much in the way of extensive wrestling this week, so this match wins by default. That said, it won by an extensive margin, because out of everything I have seen this week, I enjoyed this match more. It was full of character, athleticism and intensity. It was, in short, everything that makes NXT so darn enjoyable to watch week in and week out.

Well done, ladies!


Bianca Belair is living her best life, you guys. This week, she picked up a televised win, got married to a magnificent specimen of a man, and did it all while being a class act in every sense of the word. Belair is a true WWE success story in that she came in, learned her craft, and moved to a high level quickly. She's bound for success at the trajectory she is on, and i cannot wait to see where she goes!

So there you have it, the breakdown for the week in women's wrestling. What were some of your favorite and least favorite moments from these women? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!