SummerSlam 2022 was an exciting night for WWE’s women’s division.
WWE’s “biggest party of the summer” kicked off with the Raw Women’s Championship match pitting Bianca Belair against longtime foe Becky Lynch. The story focused on the full-circle moment harkening back to one year ago when Lynch returned from maternity leave to end Belair’s SmackDown Women’s title reign in 26 seconds. As the story goes, Belair fought her way back up the ranks and fulfilled her redemption by defeating Big Time Becks at WrestleMania 38.
In Nashville, Belair and Lynch entered the match bigger and better than they’ve ever been, ready to settle it all in this rubber match. The bout was non-stop in terms of action with both women pulling out all the stops in an effort to determine the true champion. The finish saw Belair flip Becky with reverse Spanish Fly off the second rope before landing the KOD in emphatic fashion.
Post-match, Lynch offered Belair a handshake and hug to signify the official end of their feud and perhaps a babyface turn for Becky. The story only escalated from there as Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY all made separate entrances to form a new faction. The trio faced off with both Belair and Lynch before retreating.
The other women’s bout at SummerSlam saw Liv Morgan defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship for the first time against Ronda Rousey. Morgan turned her dreams into reality earlier this month when she won the Money in the Bank contract and cashed in on Rousey later that night to win her first title ever in WWE. Naturally, “the baddest woman on the planet” would want her rematch.
Rousey vs. Morgan took place in the semi-main event of the night, and it did not last very long. Rousey targeted Morgan’s left arm to the point officials questioned if Liv could continue. Throughout the bout Rousey applied the armbar numerous times but the champ was able to make it to the ropes to keep breaking the hold, frustrating Rousey in the process.
The finish came shortly after as Ronda locked up the arm, but Liv was on top of Rousey for the three-count. In the midst of the ref counting, Liv tapped out but the ref never saw it. The referee ruled Liv Morgan the winner and still the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Ronda Rousey seemed to officially turn heel when she attacked both Morgan and the referee after the match before heading to the back.
With all said and done, Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan are still at the top of WWE while Raw‘s women’s division looks to be receiving a boost from the arrival of Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY.
What did you think of the women’s division action at WWE SummerSlam? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Relive women’s wrestling history by reading Ring Post Journal’s 2021 Women’s Wrestling Year in Review, available exclusively on Amazon. A portion of proceeds will be donated to National Alliance on Mental Illness in honor of Daffney.
