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.



Asuka vs Charlotte Flair

Asuka and Charlotte Flair have had some memorable matches recently, however this one was hindered by the fact Nia Jax had attacked Flair earlier on in the night.

Both Asuka and Flair worked hard, but the match was a clear step below what they are capable of. In a rather shocking twist, Asuka managed to trap Flair in the Asuka Lock, with The Queen left with no other choice than to tap out.

Although this was a solid match, it wasn’t as good as what we have been treated to recently between these stars.

Winner: Asuka
Rating: 2.5/5


Liv Morgan vs Natalya

Natalya was accompanied to the ring by Lana, which sets Natalya up as a threat in the women’s division. Natalya needed an x-factor to stand out, and in Lana, she has found that x-factor.

The match itself was rather by the numbers, but Natalya disposed of Liv Morgan after locking in her patented Sharpshooter. Natalya is on the up, whilst Morgan is stuck in creative limbo.

Winner: Natalya
Rating: 2.5/5


Sasha Banks & Bayley vs The IIconics

Once again Bayley and Sasha Banks were able to show how strong they are, whilst The IIconics were able to legitimise the threat they pose in the women’s tag team division.

Granted, it was the champions who dominated the match, but The IIconics didn’t exactly roll over. Peyton Royce was isolated in the ring, with Banks locking in a Banks Statement to Secure a submission victory.

This match was evidence of the increased focus on the women’s tag team division, with all four women putting on a great performance.

Winner: Sasha Banks & Bayley
Rating: 2.5/5



Alexa Bliss vs Nikki Cross vs Dana Brooke vs Lacey Evans

This match would determine the number one contender to the SmackDown Women’s Championship, with Alexa Bliss arguably the favourite to win.

Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke tried their best throughout, however it was Nikki Cross who stole the show. Cross showed the same resilience she has displayed over the past few weeks, but this week she also showed great tenacity. As Brooke fell to a Woman’s Right from Evans, Cross was able to steal the victory with a roll up.

Cross moves onto a title match with Bayley, which promises to be quite the encounter. This was a strong match, although Brooke never looked to be a credible threat.

Winner: Nikki Cross
Rating: 2.5/5



There were no new women's matches this week.


Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro vs Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez

This was a fun and enjoyable tag team match, especially considering how well both Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez have been booked as of late.

Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter both put in an energetic performance, however it was no match for the sheer power of Gonzalez. Catanzaro was Powerbombed by Gonzalez, only to be trapped in the Koji Clutch of Kai for the submission victory.

This was a fun sprint, with Kai proclaiming after the match that she is ready for Io Shirai.

Winner: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez
Rating: 3/5


Rhea Ripley vs Aliyah

This was less of a match and more of a vehicle to highlight the ongoing storyline between Robert Stone and Rhea Ripley. After taking out Stone, Ripley ended the match with a Riptide to secure a pinfall victory.

It is hard to judge the quality of this match as it wasn’t really much of a match, but it definitely kept me interested in the storyline. Aliyah looked like an afterthought, which has been the case for quite a while now in NXT.

Winner: Rhea Ripley
Rating: 2/5



Hikaru Shida vs Red Velvet

Falcon Arrow. Pinfall. Sly punch to Penelope Ford on the outside. This says it all really, with Hikaru Shida looking like an absolute badass here.

Winner: Hikaru Shida
Rating: 2/5



Tasha Steelz vs Neveah

This was a fair contest, with Neveah looking strong. Tasha Steelz didn’t look as confident as she has been recently, but this may be down to the fact that Steelz and Neveah didn’t really gel well here.

After a contest in which Neveah looked stronger, Steelz took advantage of a distraction on the outside to steal the pinfall victory with a roll up. This match was ok, but it could have been so much better.

Winner: Tasha Steelz
Rating: 2/5


Deonna Purrazzo vs Alisha Edwards

This was the perfect Impact Wrestling debut match for Deonna Purrazzo, as she looked extremely strong in defeating Alisha Edwards in under 3 minutes.

Following Purrazzo’s complete control of the contest, she was able to lock in an Armbar on Edwards to secure a submission victory. This great match immediately confirmed Purrazzo as a threat to Jordynne Grace’s Knockouts Championship.

Winner: Deonna Purrazzo
Rating: 2.5/5


Taya Valkyrie vs Susie

Despite Taya Valkyrie enjoying a renaissance of sorts, this match was a sloppy mess. Susie has never been a solid worker, and this showed as the match never really got out of second gear.

Valkyrie ended the match by hitting a sloppy Road to Valhalla, securing the pinfall victory. This match was bad, and it is a shame as some better editing could have removed the sloppy elements of the bout.

Winner: Taya Valkyrie
Rating: 1.5/5



Ruby Riott vs Bianca Belair

This was yet another match between Bianca Belair and Ruby Riott on Main Event, with Belair coming out victorious in their previous two encounters.

Once again, Belair and Riott put on a better performance than they have been able to put in on Raw. Belair looked strong and dominant, whilst Riott was able to highlight the clear talent she has in the ring. It was Belair that took the series to 3-0 by connecting with a KOD to secure the pinfall victory.

This was another solid match between the pair, with Main Event acting as a vehicle to show just why both wrestlers should be pushed on Raw.

Winner: Bianca Belair
Rating: 3/5


This was a fun tag team match to highlight the talents of both Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. Kai is a superb wrestler, but it is Gonzalez who is showing how talented she is as a wrestler in her own right. All four women put on a great performance to provide NXT with yet another strong women’s tag team match.


Hikaru Shida demonstrated just how dangerous she is with a phenomenal and dominant performance. Not only is she the AEW Women’s Champion, she is also a strong and intimidating presence in AEW’s women’s division.

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!