This past week in wrestling saw women across multiple brands take over. These female wrestlers not only showed out in matches, but also in promos, backstage moments and ringside antics. It was refreshing to see and a trend I hope is continued in the future.
Impact Wrestling, or should I say Trinpact, caused an uproar on social media as Trinity won her first championship with the company. And, aside from the ongoing Bloodline storyline, the match between Bianca and Belair was the talk of Smackdown.
Here are the top pro wrestling matches from the past week:
Asuka vs. Bianca Belair (WWE Friday Night Smackdown, July 14)
Asuka and Bianca Belair are already two of the biggest draws in Smackdown’s women’s division. Add in the efforts of Iyo Sky with the aid of Bayley to cash in Sky’s “money in the bank” contract for Asuka’s championship and Charlotte Flair’s efforts to thwart that, and you have a killer main event. Asuka’s speed versus Bianca’s pure strength is magic to watch, because even though they both have different wrestling styles, they still match each other so well in the ring. Before the chaos started outside the ring with Sky, Bayley and Flair, Bianca hit Asuka with her KOD finisher on top of the announcer’s table. The match ended in disqualification due to all the interference.
Trinity vs. Deonna Purrazzo (Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary, July 15)
Trinity made the biggest impact in her career since joining Impact Wrestling (pun intended) by winning the Knockouts World Championship over Deonna Purrazzo. Trinity hit Purrazzo with everything in her arsenal, as well as some newer moves, such as her use of the Samoan Drop. Her picture-perfect face kick with the aid of the ring ropes sent Purrazzo into shock and almost won the match. Purrazzo came back with her own power moves and even a submission, but the momentum soon shifted back to Trinity, who hit a facebuster and split-legged moonsault. Purrazzo hit Trinity with her finisher, but somehow Trinity kicked out and was able to earn the victory with her own submission move, becoming the new Knockouts champion.
Finn Bálor and Damian Priest vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams (WWE NXT, July 11)
After seeing Hayes and Bálor fight one on one, it was great to see them battle again with tag team-style wrestling. Hayes’ speed came into play throughout the match, hitting move after move on Bálor without a second to breathe. Meanwhile, on the outside of the ring, Priest planted Williams’ spine first on the announcer’s table, effectively isolating him from Hayes. As Hayes began to run out of steam and tried to avoid Judgment Day’s cheating antics, Priest hit his finisher, followed by a quick tag to Bálor for his finisher to get the victory over Hayes and Williams. Even though only Bálor and Priest were competing, it was nice to see the rare appearance of the Judgment Day on NXT.
Ricky Starks vs. CM Punk (AEW Collision, July 15)
Two of the most talented in-ring performers met in the finals of AEW’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Starks’ leg drop to Punk on the side ring apron was devastating, as was his second take at his satellite DDT. Punk’s technical ability also was a highlight of this match. He countered multiple efforts from Starks and even hit a piledriver. These two brought out the best in each other, or maybe the worst, as Starks pulled off the victory by cheating and using the ropes for the pin.
“Sports Entertainment Solidified” is a pro wrestling column by Maddy Myer that runs every Monday.