Credit: WWE.com
What a week for the women of the WWE! We had a new NXT Women’s Champion crowned, Raw went head to head with SmackDown, a long awaited return happened, and there were five debuts! After all of that, who were the Top Female Superstars Of The Week?
Where do we even begin with the week that was in the WWE? Especially for our female superstars? So much happened and it was as Bobby Roode would say … GLORIOUS! NXT now has a new Women’s Champion, crowned at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, in Ember Moon. Survivor Series had the traditional 5 on 5 match with Raw vs. SmackDown and in the end there was one sole survivor with Asuka. Then we move to Raw and SmackDown where Paige made her long awaited return, and five NXT Superstars made their main roster debut in Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan.
With each brand gaining new superstars it seems something is certainly in the works. The speculation has begun as to what that could be. Are we seeing a weekly Women’s Show? A Royal Rumble Match? Women’s Tag Team Titles? Or even all three? We can only hope we get all three of those as it would be simply amazing. The path is certainly being paved for big change, and it is exciting to see it unfold and what those plans are.
With so much happening, to narrow down this list to just five is almost criminal so things are being done a little different to reflect all the action and in coming change. Most of the women on the rosters had their time to shine, there were however some that did shine a little brighter and made an impact. Let’s see who made … the list!
Credit: WWE.com
Asuka Sole Survivor/Raw Win
It was a mighty fine week for The Empress Of Tomorrow Asuka, she made her second PPV appearance and she became the sole survivor for Team Raw. Then the following night she had a strong victory over Dana Brooke, after their antics last week. The match at Survivor Series was good but it could have been better. There were some sloppy moments mixed in with some great moments. The order of eliminations made no sense (Becky gone first?!), and we finally got the very cool showdown between Nia Jax and Tamina.
The crowd however really wanted some Asuka, and boy did we ever get her! Her first tag was cheered for, and it was great to see Asuka mix it up with some SmackDown talent. But her real moment came later when she was the only one left for Raw, against Natalya and Tamina. The odds being against her, but this is Asuka! Of course she over came the odds, and she eliminated both women to become the sole survivor. The booking here really favours Asuka and it makes her the monster we know she is. They focused on her and it was what we needed, to show she will be booked well and they have faith in her.
Credit: WWE.com
Charlotte’s Win Over Alexa Bliss
Charlotte has had quite the awesome time lately, capturing the SmackDown Women’s Championship last week and having a successful win at Survivor Series. She went head to head with Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and they fought hard, with Alexa having the upper hand for a good portion of the match. But Charlotte fought back and she fought back hard, to eventually hit the Figure Eight and make Alexa Bliss tap out.
This win got one back for SmackDown and it was especially sweet for Team Blue after they lost the Survivor Series match earlier in the night. It was a great showcase of a match. There was lots of psychology at play, and both women showed just how much they have improved since their days in NXT. With hardly any build up, there was a question as to why perhaps we should care, but considering it was Charlotte and Alexa Bliss, it was easy to care and it didn’t take them long to have everyone’s attention.
While Charlotte did do a little better than Alexa and claimed her place on the list, both women now have some trouble brewing on their respective brands. Charlotte may have overcome Little Miss Bliss, who has something else to contend with now and that leads us to …
Credit: WWE.com
Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan Debut
This event was to be expected with Raw gaining some more women for the division, and eyes were glued to see who SmackDown may get. Well they certainly got a riot (pun intended) with three new additions to the roster, and boy did they make an impact! Making their presence known backstage, the trio confronted former champion Naomi and attacked her. Becky Lynch attempted to help but also got a beat down. Then during Charlotte vs. Natalya’s match with the title on the line the three ladies really made themselves known.
Attacking both Natalya and Charlotte, they interrupted the match and made their focus on the champion Charlotte. They each hit their finishers on her and left her lying in the ring. The debut of these three women from NXT certainly has made a huge impact. What do they want? Are they aligned with Raw‘s crew? Where could this all be leading? Hopefully these are answers we will get in due time, but whatever the case SmackDown‘s Women’s Division is going to be extremely heated. The women were extremely over as well, with the crowd cheering for NXT as they hit the ring. It was quite a cool sight to see, and the choices of these three is really interesting.
I honestly can’t wait to see what happens next and what these three will do next! Who will face their wrath next, and what will Charlotte, Natalya, Naomi and Becky Lynch have to say? Also where does this leave Carmella? Will she join them to keep herself safe? Perhaps even making it easier for her to cash in? We shall see!
WWE.com
Paige Returns, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose Debut
SHE’S BACKKKKK! Paige has finally made her long awaited return to the WWE and showed up on Raw during a pivotal match. Kurt Angle booked a fatal four way number one contender’s match with Bayley, Alicia Fox, Mickie James and Sasha Banks. It was during this match that Paige decided to make her return, but she was not alone. After the crowd went crazy for her return, Paige announced she wasn’t alone and NXT’s Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose hit the ring. The trio took everyone out and stood tall and strong.
SmackDown‘s event did mirror this, and this one gets placed a little higher because Paige is back, and boy did she ever make a great return! But they did do this first and it was unexpected and it certainly got everybody talking. Interrupting a match and making a statement is one way to get noticed and make an impact. But something tells me their actions may have consequences. However with Paige back will we see her back in the title picture? They did attack Alexa Bliss, so my gut feeling says yes.
It is going to be interesting to see where this storyline leads and what the ramifications will be for the division. Business has certainly picked up, Paige is finally back, and Raw has two new members. Things are absolutely going to change, and it is an exciting time to be a fan of the Women’s Division.
Credit: WWE.com
Ember Moon Crowned NXT Women’s Champion
NXT finally has a new Women’s Champion, and that champion is Ember Moon! After an incredible Fatal Four Way match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Ember Moon over came Sairi Kane, Nikki Cross and Peyton Royce to win the match and capture the title. The title has been vacated since Asuka relinquished it due to injury and her main roster call up.
Since then the chase has been on for these women, not only to gain a spot for that title match, but to actually capture the title. Ember was the hot favourite going in, but ultimately it was anyone’s game. This feels like it has been a long time coming for her, chasing the title and then sustaining an injury. Her feud with Asuka was great, and it even seemed that perhaps she may end her undefeated streak.
To see her finally get to the top of the mountain is fantastic, and she is the right choice to lead the division in NXT. There is a lot of talent for her to face and the prospect of new feuds has all of us salivating. There is no doubt Ember Moon will make the main roster in due time, but NXT does need her. She really has become the face of the division and now this just solidifies that. The woman is proof that hard work pays off, and the genuine emotion she showed post match was hard hitting. The icing on the cake was that Asuka actually presented her with the title, and the torch has been passed.
Next: Hoping new women’s alliances on WWE Raw, SmackDown grow in numbers
The landscape for the women’s divisions in the WWE is changing, and there are exciting times ahead. NXT has their Women’s Champion, Raw and SmackDown have been turned up side down and right now we need to expect the unexpected! Anything can and will happen, next week should be a must watch, and who knows which women will make the list!