Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up: WWE Women Tackle WarGames, Major AEW Women’s World Championship Change

The WWE Women’s division goes to war inside WarGames. AEW announces a major change to their Women’s World Championship. Alexa Bliss tease a character change, and much more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!

WWE Women’s Division Goes To War(Games)

The WWE main roster got its first taste of WarGames this past Saturday at Survivor Series. There, 10 women from RAW stepped inside the brutal dual-cage structure in hopes of gaining a leg up on the opposing team. Bianca Belair‘s team approached the weekend in need of filling one final spot, which they later announced on SmackDown.

“The Man” Becky Lynch made her surprise return to WWE following a four-month hiatus from the company. Lynch last appeared on the RAW after SummerSlam, suffering a backstage attack from Damage CTRL, which wrote her off television. In reality, she sustained a separated shoulder amidst her bout against Belair at SummerSlam, rendering her unable to further compete in the ring. On Friday, Becky Lynch made her official return.

Alongside Lynch and Belair, stood Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Mia Yim. On the other side, Bayley, Dakota Kai, IYO SKY (collectively, Damage CTRL), Nikki Cross, and Rhea Ripley gathered to face them. Dakota Kai and Raw Women’s Champion Ba Belair started off, as their teammates alternated their entrances nearly the bout. In a near 40-minute match, the women ferociously battled to gain the upper hand. Tables, chairs, trash cans, and even handcuffs were gradually introduced into the bout, with no restrictions.

In the end, Lynch ascended to the top of the cage to deliver a massive leg drop onto Dakota Kai and IYO SKY, sending them both through a table, to then pin Kai for the victory.

The closing moments of the match can be read below, courtesy of our live coverage page.

Bliss drops Cross on a trashcan. Ripley tries to catch Yim with Riptide, but Yim turns in into a sleeper. Ripley falls backward on a ladder, breaking it in half. Belair and Lynch hit a series of KODs and Mandhandle Slams. Belair lays Sky and Kai on a table. Lynch puts them both through the table with a leg drop off the cage. Bayley tries to break is up but Belair KODs her into the cage. Lynch pins Sky.

Winners- Team Belair

READ MORE: WWE Survivor Series: Women’s War Games Match Results

Shotzi Vies For SmackDown Women’s Championship

Later on the card, Ronda Rousey defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Shotzi.

The green-haired superstar previously won a six-pack challenge, granting her the opportunity to face Rousey at Survivor Series: WarGames for the title. “The Baddest Woman On The Planet” dueled Shotzi with her ally Shayna Baszler at ringside. At one point, Shotzi disposed of Rousey and Baszler at ringside, before launching herself onto them through the crowd. Independent standout Kayla Sparks was identified as one of the victims nailed by the collision.

Shotzi continued to put up a strong effort, but it wasn’t enough. In the closing moment, Rousey applied her signature submission, forcing her competitor to tap out.

Therefore, Ronda Rousey remains the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

READ MORE: WWE Survivor Series: Ronda Rousey vs. Shotzi Result

Major AEW Women’s World Championship Change

Last Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, Renee Paquette informed viewers that a major change had occurred in relation to the company’s Women’s World Championship.

Reigning title-holder Thunder Rosa had previously disclosed an ongoing back injury, rendering her unable to compete in the ring. As a result, an Interim AEW Women’s Championship was introduced at All Out in September. Toni Storm went on to defeat three other competitors to win the interim title, before going on a string of successful title defenses. At Full Gear in November, Jamie Hayter defeated Storm in an epic bout, effectively dethroning Storm for the title. Meanwhile, Thunder Rosa remained the official AEW Women’s World Champion…until now.

Renee Paquette soon revealed that AEW management and Thunder Rosa reached a mutual agreement, which saw Rosa officially relinquish the AEW Women’s World Championship. With the unpredictability of Rosa’s ongoing recovery, Jamie Hayter then assumed the title of AEW Women’s World Champion. In addition, Toni Storm’s reign was effectively recognized as a “World” title win.

Alexa Bliss Teases Character Change

It seems Alexa Bliss’ wish may be coming true.

Over the previous weeks, the former RAW Women’s Champion has appeared a little off in her recent on-screen outings on WWE programming. Bliss returned to competition earlier this May as a full-fledged babyface, but personally felt her new persona was “boring” compared to her previous personas in the the company. Amidst previous discussion of her character, Bliss revealed that she had some ideas in mind that she was “dying to get to,” but creative hadn’t mapped it out for her yet.

While no specifics on this future iteration were known at the time, perhaps Bliss’ recent deviations in demeanor serve as a sign that her wish has been granted.

On Monday’s edition of RAW, the “Five Feet Of Fury” appeared alongside Bianca Belair and Asuka in a backstage segment. As her WarGames partners reveled in their victory, Bliss seemed distracted, with other thoughts on her mind. In addition, a familiar image flashed behind the babyface star, perhaps as a salute to her former self, or foreshadowing to Bliss’ state of mind.

For a brief moment, Bray Wyatt’s logo once again appeared behind Bliss on a television screen. Prior to Asuka & Bliss’ WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship title defense at Crown Jewel, the same image emerged behind the “twisted” superstar — referencing Bliss’ previous work with Wyatt, under his “Fiend” persona.

Alexa Bliss recently stated that she wants to evolve her character in 2023, which may warrant the subtle changes she’s been displaying over the last month. Leading up to WarGames, Bliss also frequently appeared less-than-enthusiastic in her confrontations with the opposing team. She often stood afar from her teammates in group segments as well.

While a reunion between Alexa Bliss and Bray Wyatt remains unconfirmed, Bliss’ noticeable behavior differences could be indicative of an official character change.

RELATED: Alexa Bliss Would Love To Work With Bray Wyatt Again If He Returned To WWE

INTERVIEWS

AAA Reina De Reinas Champion Taya Valkyrie spoke with Denise Salcedo about her life post WWE, traveling and working in different promotions, the holidays, and more.

NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose chatted with Chris Van Vliet to talk about winning the NXT Women’s Championship, her thoughts about moving from Raw to NXT, how different things are with Triple H in charge, and more.

Former NXT UK Superstar Lizzy Evo appeared on Grapple Theory to discuss wrestling Mickie James at 1PW, representing Liverpool at TNT, her last year in wrestling, and more.

Former RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss joined BT Sport’s Rob Armstrong to discuss Women’s Survivor Series WarGames Match, her goals for 2023, her character evolution, and more.

WWE Superstar Mia Yim spoke with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri about the women’s WarGames match between Team Belair and Team Damage CTRL, Yim’s WWE release, union with The O.C, marriage to Keith Lee and more.

RESULTS:

WrestleCade: Ladies Night Out 12 – November 27th

• Battle Royal: Winner: Black Widow
• Six Woman Tag Team: Ameera Roze, Brittany Jade & Jada Stone defeat Gemma Jewels, JC Storm & Mazzerati
• Dream Girl Ellie defeated Freya The Slaya
• Fatal Five Way: Savannah Evans defeated Amber Nova and Christina Marie and Dani Mo and KiLynn King
• Imperial Pro Wrestling Women’s Title: Rylee Rockett defeated Judi Hendrix (c) – TITLE CHANGE 
• Ladies Night Out Championship #1 Contendership: Janai Kai defeated La Rosa Negra
• Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy & Kenzie Paige) defeat The Renegade Twins (Charlette Renegade & Robyn Renegade)
• No Disqualification: Su Yung defeated Alisha Edwards
• Lady Frost defeated Vipress
• Ladies Night Out Title: Janai Kai defeated Ivelisse (c) – TITLE CHANGE