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
Alexa Bliss, Nikki A.S.H., Naomi, & Asuka vs Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Eva Marie, & Doudrop
Terrible. Absolute trash! This is not a good sign for Eva Marie that she is receiving just as much backlash this time round. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing was good about this contest. Nia Jax hit a Samoan Drop for the pinfall victory, with Marie taking the plaudits as per usual.
Winner: Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Eva Marie, & Doudrop
Rating: 1.5/5
AEW Dark: Elevation
Thunder Rosa vs Leila Grey
Squash City!
Winner: Thunder Rosa
Rating: 2/5
Hikaru Shida vs Dani Jordyn
Essentially an extended squash, however, I was pleasantly surprised to see Hikaru Shida receive so much offense from Dani Jordyn. Jordyn indeed worked hard, but the former AEW Women's Champion was too much to handle, hitting a Katana for the victory.
Winner: Hikaru Shida
Rating: 3/5
Serena Deeb vs Tesha Price
Squash City!
Winner: Serena Deeb
Rating: 2/5
WWE NXT: The Great American Bash
The Way vs Zoey Stark & Io Shirai
This was a more than solid contest, with all four women putting on a pretty spirited performance. My issue with this match is how Tegan Nox's return actually came off as a more important event than the NXT Women's Championship changing hands. Zoey Stark hit the K360 to win the titles for her team, which at least shows that she can more than hold her own in tagging with Io Shirai.
Winner: Zoey Stark & Io Shirai
Rating: 3.5/5
AEW Dark
Natalia Markova vs Abadon
Squash City!
Winner: Abadon
Rating: 2/5
Viva Van vs Kris Statlander
Squash City!
Winner: Kris Statlander
Rating: 2/5
Kilynn King vs Tay Conti
This was an extremely fun match to watch, with both women working hard. Tay Conti may not have had the match she wanted in terms of domination, but she certainly underlined the threat she poses by pinning Kilynn King following a DDTay. Overall, it was refreshing to see such a fun contest on AEW Dark.
Winner: Tay Conti
Rating: 3/5
Ashley Vox vs Red Velvet
Squash City!
Winner: Red Velvet
Rating: 2/5
AEW Wednesday Night Dynamite: Road Rager
There were no women's matches this week (as I don't review intergender matches). It is of note, however, that Kris Statlander teamed up with Orange Cassidy to take on The Bunny and The Blade in an inoffensive, if not impressive tag team match.
Impact Wrestling
Deonna Purrazzo vs Lady Frost
This was an open challenge for Deonna Purrazzo's Knockout's Championship, but it failed to inspire, which has been a common complaint from myself in regards to Purrazzo's reign. Lady Frost looked hungry, but fell to a Venus de Milo. This was all done in order to set up her mystery opponent at Slammiversary.
Winner: Deonna Purrazzo
Rating: 2.5/5
Susan & Kimber Lee vs Havok & Rosemary
A rather dull and by the numbers bout, Havok and Rosemary were able to capitalise on miscommunication to allow Rosemary to pick up the victory for her team, hitting a Spear for the pinfall.
Winner: Havok & Rosemary
Rating: 2/5
WWE NXT UK
Blair Davenport vs Laura di Matteo
Squash City!
Winner: Blair Davenport
Rating: 2/5
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
Natalya and Tamina vs Shotzi and Nox
So, it appears that Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart have lost parts of their names. Why? Because fuck you, that's why! Vince McMahon's insistence on re-tooling NXT superstars for the worse continued, but at least they were able to pick up a non-title victory over the Women's Tag Team Champions. Does this mean they are now members of the main roster? I hope not, for selfish reasons. But for a main roster debut as a team, they did pretty well here.
Winner: Shotzi and Nox
Rating: 2/5
MATCH OF THE WEEK:
The Way vs Zoey Stark & Io Shirai
In a week full of middling matches, this was a fun contest, if only let down slightly by feeling overshadowed by Tegan Nox's return.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK:
Tegan Nox
Well done for coming back from a serious injury! Tegan Nox's return was great, but I am curious to see where she fits in now she has a taste of main roster action.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE WEEK:
Bayley's ACL Injury
Simply put, this is devastating to WWE's women's division, which once again looks poor and under utilised.
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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