Three women's matches- one in the kickoff which was a surprise for me and two titles on the line. One new Champion and one retained belt. This is what the second and last part of WM 36 had to offer as a presentation of the WWE women's division.
LIV MORGAN defeated NATALYA,
In a KICKOFF MATCH
I am sure that I haven't seen a graphic and announcement for this match. Maybe I just missed it while I was busy writing my wrong predictions with all my heart LOL!
What was the idea? To show how good is Liv? Well, it worked.
It started sort of a friendly, with smiles, with a shadow of sportsmanship. A lot of friendly giggles through the match it was like a joke at one point. Then everything got serious after the Queen of Hearts found herself smashed in the corner. Natalya took control for a while and she was angry as hell. No more friendly smiles and games, girl.
Well, when Liv Morgan took things in her hands it was really nice. Surprising roll-up, double knees to the face - near fall after near fall. Beautiful running double knees in Nattie's back, while she was set on the second rope. That is why I like Liv so much since NXT, she always tries to do something new, something unexpected. She is one of the most progressive young Superstars.
In the end, one Step-up Ezugiri by Morgan and some victory rolls exchanges lead the former Riott Squad Harley Queen's victory.
Overall:
Small, kickoff match, with some twists in it. Without a plot. Just to fill the time before the following matches.
It's nice to see these ladies in the ring, but I am not sure that this is leading somewhere. Just a small showdown.
CHARLOTTE FLAIR defeated NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPION RHEA RIPLEY,
TO WIN THE NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP FOR A SECOND TIME
Woo!
Woo!
How was I supposed to even dream that WWE will allow their favorite Queen to lose at WrestleMania?! They might prepare her for the female equivalent of the Undertaker and we will wait 20 years someone to beat her.
I am feeling horrible about Rhea Ripley and all of us who believed that she might win. I still believe in her and there will be more title opportunities for the Nightmare in the future to win. Stay strong, girl, because you are a winner!
Psychological warfare! This is what spices-up The Queen's perfect technique and athleticism. It wasn't just the hits and the moves that she trow at the Nightmare. I won't describe the match move after move, many others will do it. I will take a break. I am watching it, at the time I am writing this and I am stopping to write a thought about it.
It's not only moves and strikes.
We know how physically dominant are these two women and that's why their clash is more epic even than Shayna vs. Becky. The ring was a battlefield of the current and the future. And sadly it looks like the future comes short.
Ripley really relied on her in-ring abilities, no mind games like her opponent did. Pure physical collision. Kicks, punches, throws, hoping to get a clear advantage for a while. But this not works when you against Flair!
The Queen uses every opportunity to hurt you and to make it hell for you to continue the match (you can ask Sasha Banks' back about that). Injured Ripley's limb was the top advantage of Flair.
The match ended with Figure Eight, after a back and forth clash, between those two.
Overall:
It was a great match! Everything was in it and I think it was the best of the 1 vs. 1 matches this year. Except for the result!
Rhea Ripley took an amazing stand against The Queen and we will remember this. Now, the only thing I can say is: god help the NXT Women's division! Don't forget that this Wednesday we might see the first victim of the newly crowned champ.
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPION BAYLEY defeated SASHA BANKS VS. LACEY EVANS VS. NAOMI VS. TAMINA,
IN A FATAL FIVE-WAY ELIMINATION MATCH, TO RETAIN THE GOLD...
So what happened:
In the beginning, Tamina found herself out of the ring so Banks and Bayley can try to take on Lacey and Naomi which didn't work as well as planned. Lacey and Naomi cleared the ring so they could deal with each other but Tamina crashed the party and what we were expecting happened after some twists and a short team B.A.D. 'reunion' that ended in a slaughter. The mighty Samoan was eliminated first with combined effort from the rest of the participants who takes turns jumping on her with different moves (as Banks set the stage with 619).
Naomi made the besties work harder for their money as she even doubles roll-up them. She got a really strong momentum until she received a Bank Statement and tap out under the pressure of being one against two vicious enemies.
Lacey Evans was next!
Well, it was easy to plan it, then execute it, because Lacey proves to be a tough nut and even eliminate Banks dropping her cold after a vicious Women's Right punch, as Bayley watched. Then she and Bayley had a really good final leg of the match, as Evans was able to nail stunning moonsault for the two counts.
In the end Banks, interference were enough to secure Bayley's victory. The champ was kind of worried when Sasha entered the ring with the belt which she put on the winner's waist.
Overall:
It's not over and it's actually coming. I think Sasha Banks had enough from babysitting Bayley, around. So, Bayley might be dominant, but how long will this dominance last with a backstabbing friend behind your back. It's sure that Sasha will put her money in the bank for an opportunity, somehow in the following months.
Lacey Evans was perfect last survivor from the challenges in a way that I can understand it now - she was the delay of the Banks vs. Bayley's rivalry. Naomi shined, Tamina was where they needed her to be.
Overall a nice five-way package. Intensive, filled with drama and expectations. Nice job!
