With Bayley out of the title picture, Lana suicide wish and Carmella pushing her Money In The Bank contract into the Glowing Champ's face, the situation before SummerSlam is heated than ever. And at top of it, we saw a footage of a ghost, behind Charly Caruso! Ghost we want ot see on the WWE ring as soon as possible.
This week was amazing. The better way to kick off the Road to SummerSlam for the women's division. And the tension is so heavy that we could barely breath.
Let's make our overview!
SASHA BANKS VS. EMMA VS. ALICIA FOX, QUALIFYING MATCH #1.
THERE ARE NO FRIENDS IN HERE
First I am happy that the Authorities (and writers) decided not to remind us and Bayley that the #1 Contender's spot is not like a inheritance - you can pass it to someone you like (Thanks God). You must earned it via fight.
And what a fight it was! RAW at last put its official active division in action. Even our veteran Alicia Fox was there. I enjoyed the way that WWE Universe reacted to Alexa Bliss appearance - she's our Evil Queen and we love her!
In this match there were no friends or allies. Every woman fought for herself. That was the match of the individualists, hungry for opportunity!
All of the girls were great as always. I loved the idea of Emma's domination and trying to win the match at any cost. That wheelbarrow suplex to the ring post, was dangerously stunning! Emma is well known for her hunger for powerful moves these days.
Alicia Fox, was always there where she was needed and did her job perfectly, despite some fans dislike. Come on - the women's division will never be the same without Foxy and her Northern Light Suplex or Scissors Kick. It was fresh and different with her.
Sasha put knees and kicks into motion. At the end she won undisputed locking Emma in the Banks Statement and opening the door for future extension of their rising rivalry.
I think that at the beginning of the match there was a chant, chant so close to our hearts so I can miss to repeat it "We want Paige! We want Paige!".
NIA JAX VS. MICKIE JAMES VS. DANA BROOKE, QUALIFYING MATCH #2.
ARE YOU FRIEND OR FOE?
Mickie James and Dana Brooke have good relationships in between each others. But this Monday all of these 'good feelings' were put aside in the name of the victory.
We expected both of them to work simultaneously on Jax. That was the logical strategy. But it didn't work that way on 100%. They didn't miss the chance to fight each other, suggesting that Jax is out, while she recovered and enter back to destroy both of the women, while The Boss and the Champ were watching. Both Mickie and Dana put really good efforts in this match, but at the end the physical strength of Jax seemed to be the highest toll for the both women.
Jax ended the match with her simple but effective Leg Drop. She perfectly preformed and display her improved craft, that night, making another serious statement. Next week she and Banks will revive their vicious rivalry from the beginning of the year and we hope that something will happen and none of them will reach to the title match.
LANA VS. CHARLOTTE FLAIR.
THE HARD WAY TO LEARN A LESSON
Lana learned the hard way that to be Ravishing is not enough to be on the top of the Blue brand women's division! But she is one of the charismatic, pretty and improving characters in WWE, these days. even professionally jobbing for Naomi or Charlotte.
The match was nice, even 'sweet'! I like the way that these two women played their roles - Charlotte as the powerful top athlete and Lana as the thirsty to prove herself rookie. They were a nice drop of deviation in the current pre-SummerSlam hysteria. I enjoyed the way Charlotte was rebuild into a strong face and how she even showed signs of respect for the Ravishing Russian's attempt to earn some credits!
Nice work!
CARMELLA VS. SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPION NAOMI,
NON-TITLE MATCH.
OH, NO! NOT THOSE ELLSWORTH AGAIN!!!
These two women worked so hard and had walked a long-long way to be here where they are. This match was kind of a preview, taste of what to expect.
Carmella and Natalya are kind of the heels on the front row, as Natalya is several levels over The Princess of Staten Island. Carmella went though a lot of turns since her days in NXT, to her draft. Now she, Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax, looks like they have been in the Main roster for decades. She deserves her controversial Money in the Bank contract at this point. She deserves even a title shot, why not and a reign!
Naomi - we have said all about her! She is one of the most athletic and skillful female talent in WWE! She is amazing!
We will finish with James Ellsworth's return and vital role for the end of the match! I don't like to admit it, Ellsworth became the spicy element of SDL's women's matches. I will not be surprised if one day we see him, repeating Hervie Wippleman's women's title reign! But for now he is like a 'pain in the a**' for every Carmella's opponent! The only way to neutralize him is to book him in a match and keep him busy, but even then, we are not sure, that he won't crawl under the ring, when you are less expecting to see him!
NO WOMEN'S MATCH BUT... HERE IT COMES -
THE RISE OF ZELINA VEGA IN NXT!
THE RISE OF ZELINA VEGA IN NXT!
Some fans know her as Rosita - 1/2 TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion with Sarita (Sarah Stocks - the trainer from WWE Performance Center).
Other knows her as Thea Trinidad, the amazing indie worker, with tones of experience, that is valuable for every promotion, who signed her.
After almost a decade(debut in 2010, at 20 years old) , of hard work, blood and sweat, she is here! In WWE NXT at last. This is not her first appearance with the company. In 2013 she participated in a tryout for WWE. In June 2014 she appeared as a part of Adam Rose's Rosebuds (like Taeler Hendrix and others). On October 26, 2016, under her real name Thea Trinidad, she lost a match against Asuka in NXT episode. Later she was involved into filming the biographical movie about Paige's life 'Fighting With My Family', where she portraits AJ Lee.
Now she is signed and debuted with new ring name (of course) - Zelina Vega. The mysterious woman who scold Andrade 'Cien' Almas about his bad behavior and constant lack of victories. Now Vega is the motivating power for Almas in his career and feuds. Yesterday she supported Cien and even instructed him to 'finish' No Way Jose and later accept the challenge for Almas for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III , where she will manage him against Johnny Gargano.
I hope that we will see more from Trinidad/Vega. That she will transition to an in-ring competitor as well, instead of being a valet - a role too, shallow and limiting for a talent like her! We expect a future title shot and many heated rivalries, that involve her!
Go, Zelina, go!
