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, ROH's Women of Honor, and even a glimpse at the women on the independent circuit.

This week we have a brief intermission of writers here at WOMEN'S WRESTLING WEEKLY. My name's Ben and not only am I covering all things women's wrestling for Gabriela this week, I'm also making my Smark Out Moment debut! Following a week of some controversial booking decisions and a particularly controversial pay per view event, WWE is headed on a path towards Stomping Ground 2019 and so with that being said, let's get rolling!



Alexa Bliss and Lacey Evans vs. Bayley and Becky Lynch

Earlier in the evening there was a particularly dull split screen interview between Lacey Evans and Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch. The pair, who are at risk of becoming dangerously overexposed, go back and forth claiming they're both going to defeat the other in their championship rematch at Stomping Ground 2019.

We also got a backstage segment with Alexa Bliss essentially manipulating Nikki Cross to be in her corner for tonight's tag match. This Bliss/Cross pairing has the potential to be a really interesting story, should WWE decide to roll with it moving forward!

We get to the tag match and as promised; Nikki Cross is at ringside. Bayley and Bliss begin, with Bayley running wild and beating down Bliss. Bliss cuts her off and tags in Evans, who hits a slingshot elbow for 2. Evans ends up controlling a large portion of this match and actually looks pretty impressive doing so, a major step up from last weeks weaker performance against Charlotte Flair. The finish comes with Lacey nailing a Women's right on Bayley and pinning her. Bayley loses in her hometown... shocker.

Winner: Lacey Evans and Alexa Bliss
Rating: 2.5/5


The IIconics vs. Jenny and Jill Boots and Tights

So the IIconics are officially the longest reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, add that to the list of slaps across the face of Sasha Banks…

The champs make reference to their lack of title defenses since winning the championships and so are defending their titles against a pair of local competitors.

The match begins with Billie Kay immediately hitting a big boot at the bell. Royce follows with knee strikes, and their double team knee strike finishes it. There isn't really anything to say about this match, it lasted less than 2 minuets and did little to establish The IIconics as worthy champions.

Winner: The IIconics
Rating: 1.5/5



Sonya Deville vs. Carmella

We've got the first of 2 singles matches for the women of SmackDown, with Sonya Deville taking on Carmella.

Carmella goes after Deville as soon as the bell rings, seeking revenge for the last few weeks of torment at the hands of Fire & Desire. Sonya grounds Carmella and lays into her with some pretty brutal looking knee strikes. Carmella tries for her code of silence submission hold but, Mandy Rose sneakily places Deville's foot on the ropes. Carmella retaliates with a wicked suicide dive on her rivals before turning around to a bicycle knee strike from Sonya for the win.

This was a pretty solid match with both women working well in their respective roles. Sonya Deville continues to outshine Mandy Rose on a weekly basis, hopefully her impressive development can lead to bigger things for her!

Winner: Sonya Deville
Rating: 3/5


Bayley vs. Nikki Cross

Nikki Cross is taking on the SmackDown Women's Champion next with Alexa Bliss is at ringside.

They lock up and work to the ropes. Nikki then traps Bayley in the ring skirt and beats her down which is always a fun spot. The finish comes with Bayley heading to the top rope and nailing a diving elbow drop for the 3 count. Bayley continues to show signs of her developing and evolving into a much smarter character who isn't so easily fooled by basic heel tactics.

Provided she doesn't lose to Bliss at Stomping Ground, the Bayley redemption story could quietly become WWE's saving grace this year!

Winner: Bayley
Rating: 3/5



Havok vs. Masha Slamovic

Slamovic gets the unfortunate jobber spot as Havok makes her way out. This is essentially a glorified squash match with Havok absolutely decimating her opponent from bell to bell! Slamovic dodges a splash from Havok and attempts to get some offence in before being almost immediately booted back down to the canvas.

Havok nails a sit out black hole slam followed by a chokeslam and finally a piledriver for the pin and the win in a dominant performance.

Winner: Havok
Rating: 2.5/5


Jordynne Grace vs. Madison Rayne

We kick off the next match with Kiera Hogan joining the commentary team. Grace and Rayne begin by shaking hands whilst the crowd shows its clear support for Grace. They lock up and spend a few minuets trading holds back and forth before a pretty nasty looking spot with Grace tossing Rayne over the top rope with a rough landing.

The finish comes when Grace sets for the Vader bomb, Hogan distracts her from the floor and Rayne tries for a powerbomb but Grace fights free and kicks her in the face. Rayne slips off of her shoulders, hits the Cross Rayne off of a Hogan distraction and that ends the match.

Pretty solid stuff from all involved with Hogan doing a decent job of selling her heel character via commentary.

Winner: Madison Rayne
Rating: 3.5/5



Jinny and Jazzy Gabert vs Xia Brookside and Isla Dawn

We kick off the women's action in NXT UK with Jinny and Jazzy Gabert taking on Xia Brookside and Isla Dawn. Jinny and Dawn lock up and work into counters until dawn grounds the action. She works the arm, Brookside tags in and double teams follow.

The back and forth continues until Gabert and Dawn tag in and Dawn follows with knee strikes, but Gabert catches a kick and slams her down with the dominator. Jinny tags in and covers for the win. This match was fine enough for what it was, nowhere near an instant classic but perfectly enjoyable.

Winner: Jinny and Jazzy Gabert
Rating: 2/5

.@JinnyCouture is getting her money's worth with @Jazzy_Gabert as the #AlphaFemale is DOMINANT on #NXTUK! pic.twitter.com/95PvJdc2BZ

— WWE (@WWE) June 12, 2019

Candice LeRae and Io Shirai vs. Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke

This week's episode of NXT opens with Candice LeRae and Io Shirai battling against Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke.

NXT Women's Champion Shanya Baszler is at ringside keeping an eye on her lackies. Most of the match is Candice trying to fight off the combined efforts of Shafir and Duke before Io finally tags in and just runs house! She does the Baszler arm stomp on Duke, hits the double knees and a massive moonsault to the outside to take out Baszler. LeRae follows with a suicide dive. Baszler is tossed to the steps and the bell rings as Shirai kicks Baszler's ass in the crowd. LeRae fights off Duke and Shafir and they are finally separated.

This match was a whole lot of fun with all involved coming off great afterwards.

Winner: No Contest
Rating: 3.5/5



Match: Natalya vs. Sarah Logan
Winner: Natalya


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

Tokyo Joshi Pro

Match: Natsumi Maki vs Maki Ito
Winner: Natsumi Maki



In a week of pretty average matches, this one stood out as the most impactful overall. NXT's women's division is steadily getting itself back on track after a rather bumpy start to 2019. The introduction of Candice LeRae into the main storylines is only going to benefit the division as a whole and I look forward to see what magic she could make with Shayna Baszler one on one.


It's about time she became a focal point in NXT after years of simply being the wife of Johnny Gargano. LeRae is an excellent wrestler and a genuinely sympathetic babyface who has the potential to be a major asset to NXT as a whole!

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!