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.


Allie vs. Tessa Blanchard

Despite all of Allie's infectious babyface fire, Blanchard worked her over with the kind of cruelty she is loved for, winning over the former Knockouts Champion aggressively and decisively.

Blanchard's charisma is electric no matter where she is. I've seen her work in several different companies, but she keeps the same, reliable character, and it helps. She is so assured in every aspect of her game: the way she struts, the way she talks and the way she decimates her opponents.

Winner: Tessa Blanchard
Rating: 3/5

Su Yung vs. Madison Rayne (Knockouts Championship match)

I must admit that I was slightly disappointed by the length of this match, but the character work done here made everything worth it. Su Yung, with the help of distractions from her undead brides, won the match with her horrifyingly mystical mandible claw that left Rayne out cold, not merely down for the count.

In the future, I hope Yung's gimmick doesn't hide the fact that she can actually really go in the ring as much as it did here. She's so talented, she deserves the chance to showcase it.

That said, the character stuff absolutely KILLED. Su looked like an actual horror movie character, and I could watch her perform endlessly.

Winner: Su Yung
Rating: 3/5



Evolution

Covering women's wrestling every week gives me a unique perspective on this historic announcement from WWE. It's my job to look at women's matches and rate them individually, but also look at big-picture booking and, over time, analyze how WWE books its divisions independently and in comparison to the men.

To start, this news is spectacular. I felt so much joy for WWE's female superstars when this pay-per-view was announced. They deserve this kind of spotlight. That said, I cannot help but squint when WWE praises itself for spearheading its own revolution that was only necessary because of how it treated its women for decades. The Attitude Era wasn't that long ago. The Diva Era was even more recent. The women of today's WWE have made history, but it's not like women in wrestling suddenly became talented this decade. So many women never made it to WWE because they weren't supermodels. So many women DID make it, but never got the chance to truly showcase what they could do. So many women had Hall of Fame careers anyways, but those careers still have segments where they had to get on their knees and bark like a dog.

WWE was the last mainstream wrestling company to realize that it could portray its women as true athletes, and even then it took a controversy to spur it to action.

WWE is shouting its own praises for this pay-per-view, but it still books its women in meaningless tag matches and shortens their matches on pay-per-views. This is still the same company that booked James Ellsworth to grab the women's Money in the Bank contract. This is the same company that makes Nia Jax's weight a storyline, and then has her end up as a villain anyways. This event is only a big deal because WWE dug itself into a hole of misogyny and objectification in the first place. We can be excited, but we cannot just accept WWE's narrative without acknowledging its flaws.

I will watch this pay-per-view. I will probably get emotional. But we still have a very, very long way to go. And we as fans cannot become complacent.

Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Samantha Simon & Karen Lundy

The two totally stable friends declared themselves at peace before dismantling two unnamed (I had to look it up) local ladies in the blink of an eye.

Yay...?

I never thought I'd live to see the day when I'd be sick of seeing these two together, but alas, here we are. Kudos to you, Creative.

Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks
Rating: 1/5

Mickie James vs. Natalya

James got an early advantage following some distraction from Alexa Bliss on the apron, locking in a sleeper hold. However, Natalya powered out and built momentum up to a near-fall via basement dropkick. However, James got a blindsiding big boot in for the pinfall following more interference from Bliss.

Winner: Mickie James
Rating: 2/5

Ember Moon vs. Liv Morgan

Moon got her revenge on Liv Morgan, whose interference last week cost her a (meaningless) victory against Sarah Logan. The match was quick-paced and busy with athletic moves, most notably Moon's ever-awesome Eclipse.

But...it still meant nothing. I crave the day we get to see Ember Moon in a 15-minute long match with a real storyline behind it.

Winner: Ember Moon
Rating: 2/5



Asuka vs. Billie Kay

Asuka caught Kay in an armbar almost immediately after Kay was distracted by her own trash talk (glorious). Kay reversed and slammed Asuka to the ground, but she was unaware that no mere mortal (not named Carmella) can keep Asuka down!

Asuka evaded interference from Peyton Royce and pinned Kay following a roundhouse kick to the face.

Winner: Asuka
Rating: 2.5/5

Becky Lynch vs. Carmella

Following an impressive start from Lynch, Carmella took control of the match, slapping Lynch around while yapping about her champion status. Lynch caught her with a kick, and got a flurry of moves in on Carmella, who responded with an STO for a near-fall. Carmella went for more pins, but Lynch refused to stay down, finally locking int he Dis-Arm Her to earn herself a title shot at SummerSlam.

Winner: Becky Lynch
Rating: 3/5



Tessa Blanchard vs. Rebel

Guys, it's my favorite wrestler!

Heh, I obviously kid. Onto the match, After some early offense from Rebel, Blanchard rallied and pinned Rebel with a hammerlock DDT.

Winner: Tessa Blanchard
Rating: 1.5/5

Hotshamed

In other Impact news, there's a new Knockout in town, and she's carrying on Impact's tradition of VERY dramatic characters. Meet the Smokeshow: Scarlett Bordeaux, who wants to be a feminist icon like, and I quote, "Marilyn Monroe or Cardi B." And this Knockout refuses to be hotshamed.

Her promos are gonna be fire, I can sense it.



Son of Havoc, Ivelisse & The Mack vs. King Cuerno, El Dragon Azteca Jr. & Dezmond X

Though what, for the purposes of this article, the team I'm going to call "Team Ivelisse" controlled much of this match, King Cuerno pinned Son of Havoc, and Team Ivelisse came away with the L. Because of this, the Gift of the Gods match was contested between the three winners, and Ivelisse was not involved.

Winners: King Cuerno, El Dragon Azteca Jr. & Dezmond X
Rating: 3/5


Lacey Evans vs. Tenilla Price

Lacey Evans and talent like Bianca Belair are the heirs incarnate of NXT, and it couldn't be more clear than by watching her dismantle the unlucky young lady who had to face NXT's First Lady. Evans' post-Sane hot streak is raging on, and we're all just along for the ride.

Elsewhere, Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler signed their title match contract, and it seems like Baszler has gotten to her familiar foe. August can not get here fast enough!

Winner: Lacey Evans
Rating: 2/5



Miz and Mrs

Oh my God, I take back everything I ever said about reality television. I laughed so much during the (cleverly) short Miz and Mrs premiere, I forgot I was watching my least favorite kind of television. Miz and Maryse are hilarious and genuine in the best possible way. I mean for god's sake, we got to see their nude pregnancy shoot, which Miz hilariously flubbed up, and we also got to meet their adorable dogs.

I hate my life less now.

Total Bellas

...just kidding, I hate it again. For some reason, even though she is having a bachelorette trip that could pay for my college tuition, Nikki is still waxing poetic about being uncertain about marrying John. This whole storyline, which is the crux of this season and the heart of a faux breakup that still has me soured on this whole show, is tiresome and feels at best, not genuine and at worst, the work of privileged people who are determined to be unhappy.

But hey! Daniel Bryan is a good person who gets to continue pursuing his dream! That's great!



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

STARDOM

Match: Kagetsu vs. Viper (World of STARDOM Title match)
Winner: Kagetsu

PROGRESS

Match: Jinny vs. Millie McKenzie (PROGRESS Women's Title match)
Winner: Jinny


It's been a long time coming. Lynch showed off with the spotlight she was given, and absolutely delivered. I am excited for the next time these two lock up!


It's brilliant to have Lynch back in the title picture once more. She's such a unique and reliable talent whose slide down the rankings can only be attributed to lazy bookings and a very saturated roster. I, for one, would be thrilled to see her donning the belt she won first once more.

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!