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.



Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane (NXT Women's Championship match)

With the other three Horsewomen of the UFC in her corner, Shayna Baszler looked poised to do what she's done to every other challenger in her way: humiliate and demolish them. However, one woman in NXT has a history of coming up victorious over Baszler, and this woman also had one hell of a chip on shoulder by the time TakeOver came around.

The entire story surrounding this match was reminiscent to the feud between Alexa Bliss and Bayley on Raw last year. Kairi Sane wasn't vicious enough to beat Baszler. She didn't have the guts, the predatory instincts, the drive. Shayna, meanwhile, had a methodical plan, targeting Kairi's leg and drinking in Brooklyn's boos. She survived the Insane Elbow and the Anchor. However, Kairi Sane's killer instincts materialized at the perfect moment, as she reversed the Kirifuda Clutch for a pinfall victory and her first NXT Women's Championship.

I'd like to take a moment to laugh right in the face of anyone who still claims that Shayna Baszler can't wrestle. Shayna was the perfect heel in this match, every bit the fierce lioness she was meant to be, cruel and calculating and physical. And yes, it was time for a change. NXT is ready for the reign of Kairi Sane, and Shayna will undoubtably be bound for the main roster soon enough.

If this is the future, we are in good hands indeed.

Winner: Kairi Sane
Rating: 4/5



Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch (SmackDown Women's Championship match)

This match was a sleeper for me going into SummerSlam. Becky Lynch and Charlotte have a long history of delivering, and Carmella thrives in multi-man matches that allow her to play to her cowardice without detracting from match quality.

Each woman shone. Carmella hit a dive that puts even Seth Rollins' suicide dive from earlier in the night to shame. Charlotte was dominant. And Becky Lynch, embraced by the crowd, showed out, earning the hearts of everyone in the arena. There were so many moments where I was convinced the title was hers, where I let myself believe. That was Becky's magic.

Unfortunately, Becky got screwed over once more. She was pinned by a timely Natural Selection from her best friend, who had inserted herself into the match int he first place. Carmella soon retreated, but Lynch and Charlotte remained. They embraced, but finally, Becky Lynch snapped. She dismantled the new champion to an uproar of approval from the crowd, and then strutted out with more swagger than I've seen in months.

Winner: Charlotte Flair
Rating: 4/5

Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey (Raw Women's Championship match)

I was never so horrified/thrilled at the fact that Alexa Bliss can contort her body in unnatural ways than I was when Ronda Rousey popped her arm out of place.

Rousey dominated Bliss both physically and mentally, enduring Bliss' offense with the kind of practiced and unworried ease of a woman without fear. When she finally did make Bliss tap, it felt like a foregone conclusion.

Winner: Ronda Rousey
Rating: 3/5



Sasha Banks, Bayley & Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan

If it feels like you've seen this match before, it's because you have. I don't even have the patience to properly recap this.

Riott Squad wins. None of this matters when one of the faces faces one of the heels next week.

Yay.

Winners: Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan
Rating: 2/5

Getting Rowdy

After a speech where Stephanie McMahon thanked herself for starting feminism, basically, Ronda Rousey berated her for making the evolution of women in WWE about her. She invited the rest of the women's roster to join her in the ring, praising the likes of Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley. She then proceeded to put McMahon in an armbar and stand tall with the faces.

It's a bit odd seeing Rousey talking about how change in WWE was a group effort, considering it's her meteoric push and rise that is keeping lifelong wrestlers like Sasha Banks, Ember Moon and Bayley from having real title programs. She obviously cares, but the fact remains that even though her push makes sense and she has risen to the occasion, the women who made this shift possible in this company are relegated to endless tag matches with no stakes.

Obviously, this is not Rousey's fault. All she has done is come in and do her job. Part of the reason WWE even bothered to change their stance on women is Rousey's fame. But the fact remains that as much as Rousey wants to champion the women of Raw, she is the only one with a meaningful storyline at the moment. The spotlight is hers, and while it is not her obligation to share it, WWE should remember that one women does not a division make.



Naomi vs. Peyton Royce

Naomi! My beautiful, glowing neon angel! Oh, how I've missed you!

That said...despite early offense from Naomi, Billie Kay turned the tides for her ally, distracting the former champ long enough for Peyton Royce to capitalize and land a bridging suplex for the victory.

Winner: Peyton Royce
Rating: 2/5

Zelina Vega & Andrade Almas vs. Lana & Rusev

A noble sacrifice by Aiden English allowed Lana and her magnificent husband to take one from rival power couple Vega and Almas. Vega and Lana have fun chemistry, and Lana's in-ring progress is definitely showing.

Happy Rusev/Lana Day!

Winners: Lana & Rusev
Rating: 2/5

The Becky Problem

Here's the thing: crowds are not booing Becky Lynch.

It's not for a lack of talent on Becky's part. She carries herself with a newfound intensity and a massive chip on her shoulder. She shouts into the microphone with the passion that made her a groundbreaking talent in NXT and beyond. She is angry because she is being screwed over and looked past time and time again despite being one of the talents responsible for the women's revolution in the first place.

How in the hell is she the bad guy?



Kiera Hogan vs. Alisha Edwards

Kiera Hogan, with Allie in her corner, came out victorious against Edwards with a mean-looking neckbreaker. After the match, Allie took the mic and said her purpose was taking Su Yung down, but that Tessa Blanchard kept getting in her way. She then challenged both women to a triple threat next week.

Two words: YES PLEASE!

Winner: Kiera Hogan
Rating: 2/5



Holy sh-

Before the Haunted House match between Mack and Mil Muertes, Melissa Santos forgot to introduce Catrina. Catrina, of course, did not take it well, shoving Santos, calling her a bitch, an telling her to introduce her properly.

Santos refused, and Catrina proceeded to beat Santos down so badly that she had to be taken to the hospital. If only Fenix were around to offer her some of his handsome comfort...

Elsewhere, I'm fairly certain Taya and Johnny Mundo committed murder to celebrate their engagement.

Yeah.



Bianca Belair vs. Deonna Purrazzo

After some mind-blowingly athletic grandstanding from both women, Bianca Belair used both her size and strength advantage to take an unsurprising win over Mae Young Classic participant Deonna Purrazzo. It was a short and sweet bout that showed how well Belair is coming along. She should be in line for a title shot within the year, if you ask me.

Winner: Bianca Belair
Rating: 2.5/5



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

Ring of Honor

Match: Kay Lee Ray vs. Ayesha Raymond
Winner: Kay Lee Ray

STARDOM

Match: Kagetsu vs. Rachael Ellering
Winner: Kagetsu

Bar Wrestling

Match: Heather Monroe, Laura James, Katarina Leigh & Taya Valkyrie vs. Peter Avalon, Ray Rosas, James Ellsworth & Joey Ryan
Winner: Heather Monroe, Laura James, Katarina Leigh & Taya Valkyrie


These two put on a clinic of masterful face and heel work, and capped off a wonderful feud of two very different personalities. They got physical, but they also told a brilliant, insulated story that can only get better. I'm down for a rematch. How about you guys?


Yes, Ronda Rousey won her first WWE title. Yes, Charlotte reclaimed hers. Yes, so much else happened, but what has the wrestling world been obsessing over since last week?

Becky Lynch.

WWE is going to have to carefully examine how to proceed. Because no matter how much Lynch disparages the crowds, they are still behind her. She is still the underdog. Everything she says still makes sense.

And as long as those things remain true, crowds will cheer her.

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!