Ranking #10 – Rhea Ripley
Last Week – N/A
It was practically a given that Ripley would retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship this weekend but what was unexpected was the length of the match itself.
Her challenger, Natalya, is a veteran of women’s wrestling so to see her be squashed so matter of fact has divided fans on the booking decision. Some love the dominance of Ripley while others are questioning the good this does for the other women in the division given Ripley’s lack of involvement with them.
Regardless, Ripley remains champion and rightfully so, meaning the aftermath of Night of Champions is must see!
Ranking #9 – Trinity
Last Week – 1
Featuring two of Impacts top talents (and future champions, surely?) we saw an exciting singles match at Under Seige.
Trinity defeated Gisele Shaw in a match to also feature Savannah Evans and Jai Vidal at ringside, we saw Trinity bust up some old favourites but also some new moves including a tribute to Nikki Bella before forcing Shaw to tap out.
She vowed to go after whoever was champion after Under Seige so Trinity’s next target is now known: Deonna Purrazzo.
Ranking #8 – Toni Storm
Last Week – 4 (with The Outcasts)
In a history making move, Toni Storm would defeat Jamie Hayter at Double or Nothing to become the first 2x AEW Women’s Champion.
She hardly did this alone as The Outcasts had quite the hand in the decision by attacking Hayter not only before her entrance but also this past week on Rampage.
Hikaru Shida would attempt to even the odds but the writing was on the wall and Storm would defeat the legitimately injured Hayter. We wish Hayter a speedy recovery and offer our congratulations to The Outcasts.
Ranking #7 – Deonna Purrazzo
Last Week – N/A
In her second title defense since winning the belt, Purrazzo would fend off a very motivated Jordynne Grace at Under Seige this past week.
The two are no strangers to one another but this match was a do or die situation for Grace who was facing a ‘last chance’ stipulation, meaning if she lost she could not challenge for the belt again while Purrazzo held it.
The match carried the high stakes feeling throughout and at times could have gone either way but it would be the champion who prevailed and came out with the win.
With recent reports stating that Grace will be finishing up with Impact and wrestling for now, she has gone out on a stellar match regardless of the outcome.
Ranking #6 – Willow Nightingale
Last Week – N/A
After a four person single elimination tournament, NJPW has crowned its inaugural Strong champion in Willow Nightingale.
In an intense match at Resurgence against the popular Mercedes Moné, an unfortunate injury changed the tide of the match in a definitive manner and Nightingale would be crowned.
In a match taped before her title win, Nightingale also appeared on ROH this week continuing her win streak with a victory over Hyan.
Ranking #5 – Tiffany Stratton
Last Week – N/A
She told us it would happen and boy did she deliver.
Stratton defeats Lyra Valkyrie to claim the vacant NXT Women’s Championship in a singles contest that really put the two under the harshest spotlight on the biggest stage for the duo since arriving in NXT.
The match had several near falls throughout but the fans seemed to get really behind Stratton, getting to their feet whenever they thought she was about to get the victory.
The new champion basked in the response as she raised her title above her head, her era officially beginning.
Ranking #4 – Trish Stratus
Last Week – N/A
Thank you Trish!
In arguably the match of the night for the women, Stratus proved that she can still hang with the best of them when she defeated Becky Lynch at Night of Champions. While the ending had some assistance from Zoey Stark, the battle leading up to it had been evenly matched.
Stratus would escape a Dis-Arm Her and use the ropes to survive a Manhandle Slam, showing her grit and resilience to match that of Lynch in what has become a personal and heated feud. This is definitely far from over but with the addition of Stark, we are seeing Stratus forming an alliance with a newer star to give them the appropriate rub, as several of our readers have predicted/hoped for.
Ranking #3 – Kris Statlander
Last Week – N/A
Many have theorised that Kris Statlander would be the one to finally end Jade Cargill’s undefeated streak and snatch away the TBS Championship that she has held for 508 days. (Honourable mention to Cargill for this incredible feat!)
Returning from an injury she had suffered during an AEW Dark match in August 2022, Statlander would answer the claim made by Mark Sterling that there was nobody left for Cargill.
In an incredible feel good moment, Statlander took the TBS Championship and Cargill’s streak, ending it at 60-0.
Ranking #2 – Tam Nakano
Last Week – N/A
At Flashing Champions, we saw a Winner Takes All match featuring the World of Stardom Champion taking on the Wonder of Stardom Champion.
Both Tam Nakano and Mina Shirakawa had one their respective titles at the All Star Grand Queendom event but it would be Nakano who continued her reign and start a new one as a double champion with both top titles available.
Ranking #1 – Asuka
Last Week – 2
Another record setting reign came to an end this past week as the RAW Women’s Champion was finally bested in the ring by Asuka and a trick she had borrowed from The Great Muta.
Belair had fallen afoul of the mist before so she was almost two steps ahead of Asuka when she dodged the attempt to blind her during the title match but Asuka would then soak the tape on her fingers in the painful concoction and rub this in the eyes of the champion.
Asuka secures the victory, avenging her Wrestlemania loss and is now the top of the Smackdown Women’s Division while Bianca finds herself in the position of challenger, something she hasn’t been for over 400 days.
What did you make of this eventful past week of women’s wrestling? What was your favourite moment? Let us know in the comments!
