3 wrestling matches worth a rewatch: Week of Sep. 10-16

We’ve reached the end of another action-packed week in the world of professional wrestling, which means that it’s time to reminisce over the good matches we saw during that span. Even though there weren’t as many to choose from this week, there were still a few that stood out from the rest.

Among the standouts were a pair of women’s championship matches and Jon Moxley attempting to topple a monster to retain the International Title. Quality title matches have become more commonplace in this era as fans expect marquee clashes on television, and this trio of offerings certainly lived up to fans’ expectations.

So, let’s not waste any more time and get to discussing them.

These three wrestling matches are worth your time.

Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Becky Lynch- NXT Women’s Championship (WWE NXT Sept. 12, 2023) (***1/2)

It’s clear to everyone that WWE sees Tiffany Stratton as a possible main-event superstar. Even though the 24-year-old still has some things to work on, she has shown enough potential in the ring to warrant those lofty expectations.

Her title defense on the Sept. 12 episode of NXT against Becky Lynch was another test for her while also hoping that Lynch — one of the promotion’s top stars — could deliver the big ratings boost that WWE has yearned for.

On the viewership front, the company got the numbers it was looking for. As for the workrate, the two overcame a couple of clunky moments and put together a compelling main-event match, as Lynch kept things on track while Stratton flashed her elite athleticism and improving skill.

Lynch scored the pin with the Manhandle Slam to win her first NXT Women’s Title, so we’ll get to see more of “The Man” in NXT for at least the next few weeks.

Jon Moxley (c) vs. Big Bill- AEW International Championship (AEW: Dynamite Sept. 13, 2023) (***1/2)

After Orange Cassidy’s long and fruitful run as International Champion, AEW couldn’t have found a better wrestler to continue the belt’s tradition of good matches than Jon Moxley. After all, the man made a good living off of weekly high-quality AEW World Championship defenses, so doing the same with the International Title should be no sweat for him.

Moxley has gotten his reign as champion off to a good start with strong outings against AR Fox and Action Andretti, and his most recent defense against Big Bill was no different. In his hometown, Moxley played the babyface in peril opposite the massive Big Bill, even adding in his customary bladejob to further heighten Bill’s element of danger.

In the end, Mox retained his title, and fans won’t have to wait long for his next defense; it’ll be a grudge match against Rey Fénix at Grand Slam.

Kris Statlander (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D- TBS Championship (AEW Collision Sept. 16, 2023) (***1/2)

One night after successfully defending the TBS Championship over the departing Jade Cargill in a very good outing, Kris Statlander got back to business on Collision in a title bout against Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.

The match took place during the Saturday show’s main event at Baker’s alma mater, Penn State University, meaning that the crowd was heavily behind the challenger, and to her credit, Baker brought her A-game for the occasion, using her guile to match the champ’s power and quickness.

Baker proved that, despite her molasses-paced progression as a worker, she can elevate herself in big matches. Meanwhile, Statlander continues to show why she’s becoming one of the most reliable members of AEW’s women’s division.

Statlander fended off Baker by countering the Lockjaw with a rollup, so we might see these two tango over the title again in the future.