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.

Happy New Year! 2019 wll be a big deal for yours truly: I'll be graduating college in May! but that's then, and this is now! No NXT this week, but Impact returned! For all you women's wrestling fans, I suggest taking a look at the awesome product being put out in Japan; I watched Tokyo Joshi Pro's show this week right before Wrestle Kingdom, and it was brilliant!

Now, onto the action!



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

Ah, the joys of having a light at the end of the tunnel, am I right?

With a distant future of women's tag titles out there in the ether, the Boss'N'Hug'Ember Moon Connection took on the Riott Squad. The Riott Squad started strong and took control early, but it's hard to resist some classic babyface fire. Sasha Banks refused to be pinned by a rabid Liv Morgan late in the match and tagged Bayley in right in time for an elbow drop from the top rope, securing them a victory.

Winners: Bayley, Sasha Banks & Ember Moon
Rating: 2.5/5

Natalya & Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax & Tamina

After being beat down by Jax and Tamina backstage, Nattie teamed up with resident bad woman and champ Ronda Rousey to ring in the new year the right way. And by the right way, I mean brawling in the ring before the match. Once the bell rang, Rousey and Nattie were hot and on the same page. Jax imposed her will on the duo later on, but she and Tamina could not overcome the absolute grit shown by Nattie, and Rousey put the match away with an armbar on Tamina.

Yeah, predictable finish, but it's a holiday show, so I'll let it slide. Natalya had a rough year, so it's nice to have her close 2018 out on a good note.

Winners: Natalya & Ronda Rousey
Rating: 3/5



Naomi vs. Sonya Deville

Okay then, so it appears that Mandy Rose has gone full creepy obsession. After Naomi started the match off hot, Mandy Rose grabbed a mic and just told the world that she sent Naomi's husband Jimmy Uso a steamy towel selfie. So, um... yeah, Deville took advantage of the distraction that afforded her and pinned Naomi with a Rock Bottom, which seems fitting considering this segment felt like rock bottom to me.

Winner: Sonya Deville
Rating: 2/5

Becky Lynch & John Cena vs. Zelina Vega and Andrade Almas

Fact: Becky Lynch answered John Cena's open challenge and clowned him on the mic. Also fact: He then booked a match with her as his tag partner, and spoiler alert, she was the hot tag. Lynch threatened to be the second woman to drop Cena this year (which is the only joke about their doomed relationship I have ever truly enjoyed, so kudos) and yeah, it rocked.

Lynch and Vega started off, and Lynch definitely wanted a piece of Almas. The ref wouldn't have it, sadly, so we just had to settle for John getting in trouble and tagging our lord and savior Becky Lynch in hot. Oh, and she stole the pin for her team.

Legends. Only.

Winners: Becky Lynch & John Cena
Rating: 3.5/5



Allie vs. Kiera Hogan

Gothic Allie is a beast, my dudes. Physically, her clotheslines seem harsher and her movements more assured. But I still can't completely buy into the characterization of Allie, who still somehow oozes sweetness at times, even with Su Yung around. Hogan, however, is settling into her role nicely and showed a lot of, sigh, fire. She's fun to watch.

Allie picked up the win over poor, kind Kiera, and she and Su kept the beatdown going until Jordynne Grace ran out to defend Hogan and break up the beatdown. Grace and Hogan will face the two dark wonders at Homecoming. I hope this feud continues to feature Hogan as prominently as her recent performances deserve. She's a ton of fun to watch, especially now that Impact's purest babyface has fallen to the dark side. I'm excited, as well, to see Jordynne Grace going up against Su. Impact's giving us intriguing matchups as it prepares to move onto... um... whatever that new channel is.

Winner: Allie
Rating: 2.5/5



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

PROGRESS

Match: Jinny vs. Jordynne Grace (PROGRESS Women's Championship match)
Winner: Jordynne Grace

STARDOM

Match: Utami Hayashishita vs. Starlight Kid (Future of STARDOM Title match)
Winner: Utami Hayashishita

Tokyo Joshi Pro

Match: Meiko Satomura vs. Reika Saiki
Winner: Meiko Satomura

World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana

Match: Kyoko Inoue vs. Rydeen Hagane
Winner: Kyoko Inoue


What can I say? This match was a wonderful reminder of everything WWE programming has the potential be. John Cena was utilized to make Becky Lynch look good, and the funny thing? She didn't even need it. That being said, the segment was a huge amount of fun to watch. Vega and Almas were picture perfect heels, and Bex? 2019 looks to be just what she deserves.


She's back on top. I dare anyone to tell her to be anywhere but there.

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!