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
Asuka & Rhea Ripley vs Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
This match was all about laying the groundwork for Asuka vs Rhea Ripley, with Ripley attacking Asuka to cost them both the match. Ripley will definitely consider the loss worth it, as it gives her the momentum heading into the biggest match of her WWE career.
Winner: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Rating: 2/5
AEW Dark: Elevation
Britt Baker vs Alex Gracia
A pretty swift and palatable squash for Britt Baker.
Winner: Britt Baker
Rating: 2/5
Big Swole vs Jazmin Allure
Another effective squash here, with Big Swole picking up some much needed momentum with the victory.
Winner: Big Swole
Rating: 2/5
Tesha Price vs Ryo Mizunami
This was the standard Ryo Mizunami match, which is not to say it is a bad thing. I just wish there was more substance to watching her control and defeat her opponents with ease.
Winner: Ryo Mizunami
Rating: 2/5
AEW Dark
Sea Stars vs Vertvixen & Jazmin Allure
I enjoyed this match, solely for the reason that this established Sea Stars as a potential force in AEW.
Winner: Sea Stars
Rating: 2/5
Red Velvet & Kilynn King vs Madi Wrenkowski & Vipress
This match was throughly enjoyable, with all four women working hard to put on a competitive contest. Red Velvet and Kilynn King were victorious, but Madi Wrenkowski continues to display the traits of a strong heel.
Winner: Red Velvet & Kilynn King
Rating: 2.5/5
AEW Wednesday Night Dynamite
Tay Conti vs The Bunny
Tay Conti has slowly become one of the most devastaing talents in AEW's women's division, and she once again displayed her undoubted talents this week against an improving opponent in the form of The Bunny. Hikaru Shida came out to even the odds, allowing Conti to hit a DDTay for the pinfall victory. Overall, this was a fun little romp.
Winner: Tay Conti
Rating: 3/5
WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1
Toni Storm vs Zoey Stark
This was a very entertaining bout, allowing Zoey Stark to get the win over an established name. Both women worked hard, but it was Stark who rode her current momentum to victory.
Winner: Zoey Stark
Rating: 3/5
Io Shirai vs Raquel Gonzalez
Quite frankly, this was one of the most anticipated matches of the week. Raquel Gonzalez has worked so hard for this opportunity, whilst Io Shirai has been one of the all time great NXT Women's Champions. Fans were treated to a hard hitting contest in which Shirai just could not put away Gonzalez, allowing the challenger to come away with the NXT Championship.
Winner: Raquel Gonzalez
Rating: 4/5
WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 2
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell
Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon can at least take solace in the fact that they are a more cohesive unit than the Women's Tag Team Champions. Unfortunately, this is no guarantee of a good match, and despite the best efforts of Candice LeRae, this bout was lacking in overall excitement.
Winner: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
Rating: 3/5
Impact Wrestling
Tenille Dashwood, Nevaeh & Alisha vs Rosemary, Jordynne Grace & Havok
Acting as more of a precursor to Hardcore Justice, this was a fair, if not memorable match from six women desperate to make themselves look strong.
Winner: Rosemary, Jordynne Grace & Havok
Rating: 2.5/5
WWE NXT UK: Prelude
Emilia McKenzie & Meiko Satomura vs Isla Dawn & Kay Lee Ray
Despite the star power in this match, it never really felt like getting into fifth gear. All four women worked hard, however, it was Emilia McKenzie who stole the victory with an Inside Cradle. The intriguing aspect to this finish was the lack of desire from Kay Lee Ray to break up the pinfall attempt.
Winner: Emilia McKenzie & Meiko Satomura
Rating: 2.5/5
WWE WrestleMania SmackDown
Tamina vs Nia Jax
Just awful. No-one was a winner here, especially not the fans.
Winner: Tamina (via DQ)
Rating: 1/5
Impact Wrestling Hardcore Justice 2021
Rosemary vs Su Yung vs Jordynne Grace vs Havok vs Tenille Dashwood vs Alisha
The winner of this contest would become the number one contender to the Knockout's Championship, therefore there was extra motivation to come out victorious. Everyone involved worked hard to create a fun and dynamic contest, but it was Tenille Dashwood who smartly stole the match by pinning Havok following a Vader Bomb from Jordynne Grace. Overall, this was a solid effort.
Winner: Tenille Dashwood
Rating: 2.5/5
Deonna Purrazzo vs Jazz
This was a Championship vs Career match, which created some intrigue over who would end up victorious. The issue was that this match never really got going, following the trend of recent Deonna Purrazzo matches failing to shine. Jazz tried hard, but she just couldn't elevate the contest to greater heights. A Gambit Piledriver was enough to supposedly end the career of Jazz, but I hope this isn't the actual end for her as she still has something to offer Impact Wrestling.
Winner: Deonna Purrazzo
Rating: 2.5/5
WWE WrestleMania 37 Night 1
Lana & Naomi vs Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose vs The Riott Squad vs Natalya & Tamina
This was a Tag Team Turmoil match, with the winners moving onto a match with Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler for the Women's Tag Team Championship on the second night of WrestleMania 37. The problem was, however, that this was an absolute car crash, featuring some of the worst wrestling I have seen at WrestleMania. The Riott Squad looked better than the other teams in the match, but having Natalya and Tamina come out and end their momentum just plain sucked. No-one will remember this match for the right reasons.
Winner: Natalya & Tamina
Rating: 1/5
Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair
This match more than made up for the terrible build during the Road to WrestleMania. Sasha Banks brought her fierce side, whilst Bianca Belair worked hard to break down The Boss with a power game. It almost looked to be the wrong strategy, but Belair was able to hit a KOD after a fine sequence to become the SmackDown Women's Champion. Props have to go to Banks for putting over Belair and taking one of the loudest and cringiest whips inside a wrestling ring. All in all, this was a match deserving of it's main event slot.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Rating: 4/5
WWE WrestleMania 37 Night 2
Asuka vs Rhea Ripley
This was a fantastic match to finally give Rhea Ripley the WrestleMania moment that she truly deserves. Asuka tried her very best to come away with her belt, but the ferocious and tenacious Ripley was not to be stopped. Ripley absorbed every blow, strike, kick and slam from Asuka, finally putting the Raw Women's Champion away with a Riptide to secure the title for herself. Whilst a step below Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair, this was still a strong match for all involved.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Rating: 3.5/5
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs Natalya & Tamina
As expected, this was not much of an improvement on the Tag Team Turmoil match. The issue is that the Women's Tag Team Championship scene is stagnant, and without much impetus to freshen up the division, it is clear that there won't be any significant improvement anytime soon.
Winner: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Rating: 1.5/5
MATCH OF THE WEEK:
Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair
Deservedly main eventing night one of WrestleMania 37, this was a fabulous way to end the show. Both women worked hard, creating a compelling narrative to supplement the frenetic in ring action.
WOMEN OF THE WEEK:
Raquel Gonzalez, Bianca Belair & Rhea Ripley
All three women deserve the plaudits for winning championship gold this week. Each and every match was compelling to watch, and they all deserve their respective success for the hard work they have put in. Well done women!
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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