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.



The Bella Twins & Natalya vs. The Riott Squad

I feel the need to point out that earlier int he show, Bayley and Alicia Fox brawled during Finn Balor and Jinder Mahal's match. I also need to state, for the record, that Finn and Bayley remain one of the best duos ever. Now, onto the match.

Early on, Brie's kicks nailed Liv Morgan right in the head, and Morgan was out of the match after that. The faces took control for a while, but the Riott Squad ultimately won with a hidden tag from Logan to Riott, trapping Natalya into a Riott kick for the pinfall.

Look, everyone has stated their piece on Brie Bella, so I won't try and stir up controversy. I think it's fair to say that Bella has had some ring rust since returning to competition, and that these mistakes can lead to injuries. But that's also the nature of the business. Her coworkers, who know wrestling better than I could ever hope to, do not blame her, therefore I say: leave her be. She clearly felt bad after the fact and I think that a lot of the vitriol comes from a malicious place. People look for excuses to criticize her; there's no margin for error.

So, should she be more careful? Duh, absolutely. But am I ready to grab a pitchfork?

Nah.

Winners: Riott Squad
Rating: 2.5/5

Alicia Fox vs. Nia Jax

Oh hey, Nia Jax still exists! Praise be! And apparently, she and Ember Moon are a team now. I like to call this pair: "Creative Doesn't Know What to Do With Us Since We're Not Petite and Blonde."

Too much?

Though Mickie James was there to assist her friend Foxy, Ember Moon neutralized her early on, making this a glorified squash that Jax won in true powerhouse fashion: with a beautiful Samoan drop.

Winner: Nia Jax
Rating: 2/5



Asuka & Naomi vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

If this isn't leading to tag titles at Evolution, then I just give up trying to understand WWE booking. Seriously, who sticks ASUKA in a tag match?!

Well, none of us got to catch the start of the match thanks to commercials, but somehow Sonya Deville took control of Asuka (because that somehow makes sense) . Naomi came in hot, and after a blind tag to Asuka, the babyfaces walked away with a (for now) meaningless victory.

Yay, I guess?

Winners: Asuka & Naomi
Rating: 2/5

Becky Lynch vs. Lana

After Lynch took control early int he match, Lana fought back with a well-timed spear to get some momentum, sending Lynch out of the ring. However, back in the ring, Becky was able to work her way into the Dis-Arm Her, and Lana tapped quickly after.

Winner: Becky Lynch
Rating: 2/5



Tessa Blanchard vs. Faby Apache (Knockouts Women's Championship match)

Faby Apache looked incredible as she challenged Blanchard for her title, all while carrying her own Reina de Reinas title. Dope title, by the way. Apache fought valiantly, kicking out of a wild Codebreaker from the ropes in a match highlight, but couldn't repeat the magic when Blanchard hit her buzzsaw DDT for the pinfall victory.

It was a good defense for Blanchard, whose heelish nature luckily doesn't keep her from showing some real grit in her matches. Blanchard cut a promo proclaiming herself the best at the match's conclusion, but was interrupted by Taya Valkyrie herself, who challenged her for the title at Bound for Glory.

Yes. Excellent. More of this, please!

Winner: Tessa Blanchard
Rating: 3/5

Allie & Kiera Hogan vs. Su Yung & Undead Maid of Honor

After a strong start, the babyfaces struggled to maintain their momentum when the Maid of Honor distracted Hogan, leaving Allie isolated. Su, however, couldn't quite hit the Panic Switch and Hogan tagged in hot, hitting a swinging neckbreaker on Su for the victory.

Winners: Allie & Kiera Hogan
Rating: 2.5/5



The Reptile Tribe vs Ivelisse, XO Lishus, & Joey Ryan (Trios Championship match)

Ivelisse looked like a total stud in her first team-up with LU's raunchiest duo, hitting a stunning sunset flip powerbomb and wiping out all of the Reptilian wonders outside of the ring. Unfortunately for her, Joey Ryan tapped to...some kind of submission before getting attacked by a bunny.

No, you heard that right.

Winners: The Reptile Tribe
Rating: 3/5



Kairi Sane vs. Vanessa Borne

Despite some power-based offense from Borne, Sane controlled most of the match and secured a pinfall victory with her lovely InSane Elbow. The interesting stuff, of course, came after.

Shayna Baszler emerged, and told Kairi to enjoy the reign while it lasted. Sane told her that she would get her rematch... at Evolution, and that she would beat her. Again. Sassy!Kairi is the best kind of Kairi.

It seems only right to have the original MYC finalists battling it at out a pay-per-view meant to celebrate progress in (WWE's) women's wrestling. This feud has remained engaging, and I can't wait to see where it leads.

Winner: Kairi Sane
Rating: 2.5/5



In the midst of WrestleMania magic, Paige has to figure out how to let go of wrestling, which is so completely tied into her soul and identity that she doesn't know how to be herself without it. As she struggles to write her retirement speech, she seeks the advice of Daniel Bryan in what turns out to be one of the show's most poignant moments. This isn't manufactured, it's an unfortunate reality that wound up on this show, rather than a staged vacation or faked breakup.

Elsewhere, Natalya was feeling neglected by her husband, who came through with some flowers and sweet lovin' after being told by the girls that Natalya needed affirmation. Good on Nattie. Nia Jax was nervous about her first Mania match, but she survived. Brie Bella decided to have an actual business person run her...business, which was smart, and, hm...they talked about Ronda. A lot. Which is...kinda odd, but whatever.



Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Rachel Evers

Despite a gutsy showing from Evers, who remains as likable as EVER (I'm so sorry), Lady Godzilla herself, after dealing a ton of damage to the resilient second-generation wrestler, hit a deadlift powerbomb for the victory.

Winner: Hiroyo Matsumoto
Rating: 3.5/5

Jessie Elaban vs. Taynara Conti

Jessie Elaban is the obnoxious kind of quirky and didn't really...wrestle much, so I took great pleasure in watching Taynara Conti hit her with a painful judo slam for the victory.

Winner: Taynara Conti
Rating: 2.5/5

Isla Dawn vs. Nicole Matthews

This match was a ferocious and wild battle of wills between the modern-day witch and a seasoned ring vet who is determined to be remembered. And boy, did the two deliver, performing a physical and enthralling match that ended with Nicole Matthews locking in the Lion Tamer for the submission victory. I expect that WWE has plans for Dawn else(UK)where.

Winner: Nicole Matthews
Rating: 3/5

Io Shirai vs. Xia Brookside

Oh, Xia. You beautiful, pure little angel. I almost feel guilty for so thoroughly enjoying watching absolute legend and monster on Earth Io Shirai dismantle you after your short burst of offense early on. Shirai hit an absolutely heart-stopping moonsault to send her into the next round.

Winner: Io Shirai
Rating: 3/5



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

STARDOM

Match: Mayu Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita
Winner: Mayu Iwatani

Ring of Honor

Match: Sumie Sakai vs. Tenille Dashwood (Ring of Honor Women's Championship match)
Winner: Sumie Sakai

Pro-Wrestling: EVE

Match: Charlie Morgan vs. Kasey vs. Rhia O'Reilly vs. Sammii Jayne (Pro-Wrestling: EVE Title match)
Winner: Charlie Morgan


Powerful women fighting with powerful motives is a powerful thing, wouldn't you say?


Io Shirai is a beast among peasants, a hard-hitting mixture of swagger and viciousness who is bound for big things in WWE. I can't wait to see her next squash.

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!