5 WWE Women’s Wrestling Standout Moments This Week

Credit: WWE.com

The 2018 WWE TLC pay-per-view event is emerging as a major milestone for women’s wrestling. The first ever women’s TLC match with Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Asuka will likely make history not only for being the first of its kind, but for stealing the entire show. The build to this match has been exceptional, especially given the short amount of time given to hype it.

It’s surprising in some ways that TLC is serving as host to what could be one of the biggest moments in the women’s evolution considering many of the major steps WWE has taken to further the women’s division have come at some of the biggest shows of the year. Depending on how you look at it, that makes this even more special because the female Superstars are making history at literally every WWE show that takes place outside Saudi Arabia these days.

But it’s not all about the SmackDown Women’s Title picture. WWE is making great strides in every aspect of the women’s division, and nearly every woman on the roster is getting screen time. This week was no exception, so let’s just dive right in and start unwrapping the early Christmas gift that is this week in WWE women’s wrestling.

Everything’s Coming Up Spades

NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai this week in a match that furthered an ongoing story. After a competitive match, Baszler and her longtime MMA friends Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir assaulted a battered Kai only for Kai to be rescued by Io Shirai. Given Dakota Kai has something of a Sami Zayn complex and will probably always be an empowered underdog in the eyes of WWE, Io Shirai is likely headed for a title shot, especially since Kairi Sane was inexplicably missing in action.

Shayna Baszler is now in her second reign as the NXT Women’s Champion and well on her way to becoming the most enthralling woman to hold the title since WWE’s version of the Four Horsewomen left for the main roster.

Asuka was undefeated for almost two years, but because of that, her title defenses at times were a surefire win for her. Baszler has losses on her record which makes her vulnerable, and that’s why the addition of Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir makes this so interesting.

Of course, Baszler, Duke and Shafir, along with current Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, make up the original Four Horsewomen of MMA. Because of Rousey’s name value, everyone knew she’d be a megastar in WWE, but her connection to the others as well as their success in combat sports before coming to WWE has ensured that they, too, are on a shuttle to the top.

When the Four Horsewomen of MMA finally meet Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch somewhere down the line, WWE has a major era-defining moment on their hands.