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.

Mania fever set in yet? I'm sitting in my parents' house visiting them for spring break and thinking about just how much one year can change things. I mean honestly, remember Asuka one year ago? I feel like Charlotte being booked like a monstah is the world's only constant. Her success is my North Star. Anyways, enough of my reminiscing, let's get to it!



The short...

The competition has changed.

The long...

Bayley and Sasha Banks took to the ring to remind us that they can and will defend their titles anywhere against anyone, and were interrupted by, God bless, not Nia and Tamina (yet) but Natalya and Beth Phoenix, who challenged them for the titles at no other event than WrestleMania. Bayley pointed out that their competition was different from when the Glamazon and Nattie were a team., and Sasha, pot-stirrer that she is, accused Natalya of riding Beth's coattails to a Mania match. Insert brawl here.

This brawl became a match, because this is how we should always resolve workplace conflicts, shut up, but it didn't get far before Tamina burst in, attacking everyone while Nia Jax talked trash on the mic. The women's tag title match picture remains... murky and confusing. Mania is soon. Some clarity would be... nice.

As for the title match between Rousey and Brooke, it ended in two moves. Hook, line, sinker. This is, honestly, exactly how this match should have gone. Then, Ronda beat up some security. It was, I'll admit, very cool.

Ronda Rousey is one of the most protected wrestlers I've seen on WWE television in a long time. I'm fine with it, too, but really, what happens if Becky doesn't win? I know about the rumors about Ronda's future with WWE, but man. I'd love to see a world where the likes of Asuka are given the Rousey treatment, if only booking-wise.

Grade: B-



The short...

You get a champion pin! And YOU get a champion pin!

The long...

Hey hey hey, we've got an episode of SmackDown with all Four Horsewomen! Pardon me while I wipe away the single tear of joy falling down my cheek. Speaking of tears, I think I shed one of joy for my girls Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, who picked up an impressive (albeit rare) televised win over Banks and Bayley.

Are we setting up a gauntlet? Is this what we're doing? Because after Raw and considering the fact that champs just... losing isn't normally the kind of thing you do when building a title, that's the only thing I can see them doing logically.

Later on, Kevin Owens had Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair on The Kevin Owens Show to discuss a topic they all know intimately: failed friendships, and the rivalries that spring from them! Owens recapped their beef, then just stepped aside so that Lynch could punch Charlotte in the face. This was a fantastic segment that fit both Charlotte and Becky perfectly. Kevin was the perfect mirror to put up against them, and their charisma carried the segment far.

Thanks, Kevin. You a real one.

Grade: B



The short...

No matches, A+ trash talk.

The long...

Bianca Belair rolled up to Io Shirai and Kairi Sane, who said that their friendship wasn't threatened by facing each other for the NXT Women's Championship. Belair wasn't too worried either, saying her strategy is undefeated.

She's not that wrong, honestly.

Give me this match. My body is ready.

Grade: N/A


The short...

Ego trips abound, and Rosemary's going way down, to Hadestown.

The long...

Johnny Impact's title reign is a massive ego trip not only for him, but also for his boss of a wife, Taya Valkyrie, who said that all Knockouts Championship shots go through her. Elsewhere, Rosemary is going to the Underworld or something to talk to Him. So. Your average Friday. And Scarlett Bordeaux? She's gonna beat the hell out of Disco Inferno. Eventually.

Gail Kim was put into a bind by Tessa Blanchard's lawyers, who proclaimed she could not do anything else lest she lose her backstage position at Impact. But she said that she'll do what she has to do.

Bring on the chaos.


Grade: C



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

Tokyo Joshi Pro

Match: Misao & Sakisama vs. Miu Watanabe & Yuki Aino
Winner: Misao & Sakisama

STARDOM

Match: Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita vs. Andras Miyagi & Natsu Sumire (Goddesses of STARDOM Title match)
Winner: Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita

Asuka Project

Match: Masato Tanaka, Masaya Takahashi, Mitoshichi Shinose & Shota Nakagawa vs. Josh O'Brien, Shunma Katsumata, TAJIRI & Yusuke Kodama
Winner: Masato Tanaka, Masaya Takahashi, Mitoshichi Shinose & Shota Nakagawa


I love surprises. And even if I don't love seeing champions eat pins, I still love seeing two women as talented as the Iconics get televised wins. This match felt right out of old-school NXT


What a cool way to return, even if there was an awkward moment of the audience not knowing how to respond to Beth putting Nattie over as if she were the second coming of Jesus. Beth Phoenix looks and sounds great, and it's really cool to see her back in the spotlight in an environment that will let her shine the way she always should have.

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!