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.
WWE Monday Night Raw
Charlotte Flair vs Lacey Evans
This match would determine the number one contender to Asuka's Raw Women's Championship at Elimination Chamber, but in all honesty, Lacey Evans should be nowhere near the title. Charlotte Flair caused her own disqualification, which is evidence of how poorly set out this match was.
Winner: Lacey Evans (via DQ)
Rating: 1.5/5
Naomi vs Shayna Baszler
Can you remember when Shayna Baszler was a vicious wrestling machine? No? Me neither. Naomi picked up the victory, but neither woman looked great here. Baszler taking the loss at least made sense from a Women's Tag Team Championship point of view.
Winner: Naomi
Rating: 2/5
Lana vs Nia Jax
'My hole!'
This was honestly the only thing to enjoy about such a dire Table Match.
Winner: Lana
Rating: 1/5
Impact Wrestling
Kimber Lee vs ODB
This was a disappointing contest, as both women are definitely capable of much better. One positive aspect to the contest is the fact that Kimber Lee is slowly building momentum, which if used correctly, could easily lead to a challenge for the Knockout's Championship. ODB took out Deonna Purrazzo, leaving her vulnerable to a Small Package from Lee, which allowed her to pick up the pinfall victory. This was ok, but it should have been more fluid and entertaining.
Winner: Kimber Lee
Rating: 2/5
Kiera Hogan vs Nevaeh
Unsurprisingly, a Nevaeh singles match resulted in a disjointed performance, with this match mercifully ending quickly thanks to interference from Tasha Steelz. Certainly not a match to check out.
Winner: Nevaeh (via DQ)
Rating: 1.5/5
AEW Dark
Miranda Alize vs Nyla Rose
A squash victory for Nyla Rose was enough to set her up well for the AEW Women's Championship Tournament, which was underlined by Rose being stared down by Ivelisse and Diamante post match.
Winner: Nyla Rose
Rating: 2/5
Tay Conti vs Alex Gracia
Tay Conti once again impressed on Dark, fully justifying the current push she is receiving. In terms of technical ability, Conti is one of the better wrestlers in AEW's women's division, and by winning in such dominant fashion on Dark, she is developing her momentum and standing in the rankings to be featured on Dynamite on a regular basis. Winning via submission was a great way to showcase her undoubted talent.
Winner: Tay Conti
Rating: 3/5
Red Velvet vs Diamante
Coming across as rather dull and boring, this contest was just not enjoyable. Red Velvet won following a kick to the head of Diamante, however both women rather phoned in this performance.
Winner: Red Velvet
Rating: 2/5
AEW Wednesday Night Dynamite
Thunder Rosa vs Leyla Hirsch
This was a fabulous match, with both women working stiff. Thunder Rosa overpowered Leyla Hirsch, but this was not the easy victory she would have been anticipating. Hirsch initially seemed to be a match for Rosa, but the former NWA Women's Champion managed to hit a rather crushing Powerbomb to pin her. Easily the best Hirsch match in AEW so far.
Winner: Thunder Rosa
Rating: 3.5/5
WWE NXT
Kora Jade vs Xia Li
Squash City.
Winner: Xia Li
Rating: 2/5
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
Both teams would be great choices to face Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez in the finals of the women's Dusty Rhodes Classic, but I have to admit that I am happy Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart won, if only for the fact we will have a face vs heel contest. Both teams worked hard to make the prize seem important, with the finish of the match coming off really well. Moon and Blackheart picked up the pinfall victory, with Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell losing absolutely nothing in defeat.
Winner: Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
Rating: 3/5
WWE NXT UK
Isla Dawn vs Meiko Satomura
This was quite simply a showcase of Meiko Satomura and what she will bring to NXT UK. This match was good for what it needed to be, however, I would have preferred for Satomura to have won in a quicker timeframe to really drive home what kind of threat she poses.
Winner: Meiko Satomura
Rating: 2.5/5
Amale vs Piper Niven
Squash City 2: Electric Bugaloo.
Winner: Piper Niven
Rating: 2/5
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
Liv Morgan vs Bayley
Unfortunately for fans, Bayley appears to be stuck in limbo on SmackDown as she is nowhere near the SmackDown Women's Championship, whilst Bianca Belair has seemingly moved on from their fued. On the flip side, The Riott Squad are trapped in a storyline with Billie Kay which is going absolutely nowhere. Once again, a distraction finish led to defeat for Liv Morgan, but neither she or Bayley benefitted from this contest. Wholly disappointing.
Winner: Bayley
Rating: 2/5
WWE Main Event
Dana Brooke vs Peyton Royce
Considering the women in this match, I was pleasantly surprised to see both women put on a strong effort. Both Dana Brooke and Peyton Royce looked better here than they have on Raw, with Brooke in particular looking rather effective. A Spinning Neckbreaker secured the pinfall victory for Brooke, and hopefully, both she and Royce can translate this performance into a renewed push on Raw.
Winner: Dana Brooke
Rating: 3/5
Impact Wrestling: No Surrender 2021
Fire N Flava vs Havok & Nevaeh
Coming across as a rather flat match, this only served to seemingly break up Havok and Nevaeh, as Nevaeh walked away from Havok post match in frustration.
Winner: Fire N Flava
Rating: 2/5
Deonna Purrazzo, Kimber Lee & Susan vs Jordynne Grace, Jazz & ODB
Whilst not a bad match on paper, I was expecting more than I received. Jazz secured the victory for her team by locking in an STF on Susan, but I preferred the tease of more dissension between Jordynne Grace and Jazz. This was an acceptable match, but I would have enjoyed a straight up match between Grace and Jazz instead of this effort.
Winner: Jordynne Grace, Jazz & ODB
Rating: 2.5/5
NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
The winners of this match would make wrestling history as the inaugural winners of the women's Dusty Rhodes Classic. Both teams were capable of securing such a prestigious accolade, but Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez were the slight favourites on paper.
Gonzalez was her usual intimidating self, whilst Kai played the slimy heel to perfection. Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart came close to pulling off an upset, but the upward momentum of Gonzalez proved too much. One Chokeslam later and we had our women's Dusty Rhodes Classic winners. Overall, this was a memorable encounter.
Winner: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez
Rating: 4.5/5
Io Shirai vs Toni Storm vs Mercedes Martinez
This match was surprisingly disappointing, with the action coming off as slightly disjointed. Toni Storm performed well, but she was unable to capitalise, with Io Shirai pinning Mercedes Martinez following a Moonsault.
This was a fine match, but I anticipated a hurricane, but all I got was a tepid storm in a cup.
Winner: Io Shirai
Rating: 3/5
MATCH OF THE WEEK:
Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
This match was absolutely off the hook, with all four women putting on an absolute classic.
WOMEN OF THE WEEK:
Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai
Instead of one Woman of the Week, we have two! Both Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai impressed in winning the women's Dusty Rhodes Classic, signalling just how dominant they are in NXT.
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!
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