Cattie’s Catch Up – Week Beginning February 13th 2023 (February 19th 2023)
Hello all, and welcome to the second edition of Cattie’s Catch Up since doing some changes to the site. Its a new week, and that means its time to discuss the events of the week womens wrestling wise from RAW, Smackdown, NXT, IMPACT etc etc. From a reported change on RAW, to the explanation of a heart wrenching betrayal on NXT, to even more, lets get right to it…
RAW
Opening RAW is the women, more specifically Becky Lynch who has been in a lengthy program with Bayley, who she one upped in last weeks Steel Cage Match all thanks to the surprise assist from Hall of Famer, Lita. Flanked by Adam Pearce, a smiling Becky watches back that moment, and the assist, and admits it felt great, shouting out Lita for having her back despite the past differences. Eventually interrupting her is a much booed Bayley, fuming when she hears Becky trying to get herself into the Elimination Chamber Match. Their arguing is interrupted not by Pearce, but by the RAW Womens Champion, Bianca Belair. She recognises that theres already six women in the Chamber, but welcomes adding Bayley and Becky, but that will only happen, as revealed by Pearce, if Bayley and/or Becky can win the main event, a triple threat non title match against Belair herself.
Not long on from that opening segment, the Street Profits clash in tag team action against Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor of the Judgment Day. Balor and Mysterio take the win, and add more punishment post match by firstly superkicking Montez before escalating into a full on beatdown. Emerging to make the save are Hall of Famers Edge and Beth Phoenix, but the Judgment Day unleash their recently missing weapon, Rhea Ripley, returning from a weeks hiatus to save Dominik from a possible second Glam Slam and sending Beth to the mat with the Riptide. Edge rushes to the ring, but Dominik and Rhea have already made their escape, smirking over the Judgment Days switch back in momentum.
Then, not so long later, we get the first womens match of the night, Mia Yim one on one with the heel Piper Niven. This comes after Piper ambushed Candice LeRae backstage last week after coming up short in the womens fatal four way, prompting Mia to make the save for Mrs Gargano. The few minute match concludes with Piper deflecting the Eat Defeat set up by Mia and catching her mid rope run, connecting with a spinning powerslam for the three count.
Backstage later in the evening is Carmella, the winner of last weeks Fatal Four Way. She quizzes Nikki Cross ahead of the six woman tag on her whereabouts, with Nikki replying that shes been playing with her new friend (spying on Candice). Carmella tries to move the focus to tonight and to eventually winning the Elimination Chamber, but wonders as to the whereabouts of their other tag partner, Asuka, who emerges behind them. Carmella is weirded out by the grinning two and exits, but an unafraid Candice steps into the scene to confront Nikki on her stalking antics. Nikki just laughs and Candice is left with a quizzical look.
Speaking of backstage team meetings, Asuka, Nikki and Carmella’s opponents from the Smackdown brand, Liv Morgan, Natalya and Raquel Rodriguez flank each other in Guerrilla. However, Natalya and Liv are quick to burst into an argument with one another, prompting Raquel to shout at them and shut it down. Raquel demands refocus on tonight, and to save the tensions for Saturday at the Chamber.
The RAW versus Smackdown Tag Team Match quickly follows, Asuka, Nikki Cross and Carmella against Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Natalya. Towards the end, Natalya invades the ring to crash one last pinfall attempt by Asuka and gets sent away for it. Raquel misses an attack to Asuka but catches a leaping Carmella before having Nikki leap on her from behind. Asuka takes them all out with one single kick. Carmella and Nikki soon shake it off to showboat, but Asuka is quick to blindside the tag partners, first Nikki with a kick and german suplex, then Carmella with a kick and another suplex. Asuka then executes the codebreaker and armbar combo to tap out a screaming Liv Morgan.
Then, Chad Gable and Otis of Alpha Academy are talking backstage. Gable doesnt take kindly to Otis munching a hot dog and tosses it carelessly, which lands on RAWs newest acquisition, Mansoor. Despite the hot dog leaving Mansoor tattered, Maxxine Dupri deflects her focus to Otis as she greets him and introduces herself. She attempts to recruit Otis into the Maximum Male Models, and Gable tries to get attention on himself. Maxxine clarifies she was speaking to Otis and hands a business card to him.
Also later, backstage are Edge and Beth Phoenix with Cathy Kelley. Following the recap of Rhea Ripley’s return and her one upping of Beth, Cathy welcomes the far from smiling Hall of Famers and gets their comments. Edge admits how long his issues have gone on with the Judgment Day, and hes sick of them. The Judgment Day got the better of them, but it doesnt matter because on Saturday, they will show them exactly whats going to happen, which wont be pretty. A menacing Beth Phoenix warns that she and Edge will show them on Saturday why they’re known as the GRIT Couple.
And even later is Chelsea Greens latest antagonising of Adam Pearce. Confronting him backstage, she feels he is aware of who she is, that shes a star who doesnt deserve humiliation. She warns that she’d sent strongly worded emails after her treatment on both RAW and Smackdown, to which he received and would take under advisement. Chelsea sees that as Pearce finally being ready to treat her like a star and considering she wasnt ready for her selected opponent last week, she demands another chance to get into the Elimination Chamber. She wants into the triple threat, but Pearce denies it. Chelsea feels threatened by him and turns away briefly, so Pearce uses the chance to hilariously scarper away.
Then the women main event for another week, as its a non title triple threat between Bayley, Becky Lynch and the RAW Womens Champion Bianca Belair, where a win for either Becky Lynch or Bayley would mean both ladies are inserted into the Womens Elimination Chamber Match. The current qualifiers, as well as Iyo Sky and Dakota get involved, but in the end, Bianca pulls Becky from Bayley post Manhandle Slam to K-O-D her onto the already fallen Bayley, then covering Bayley to follow up, pinning the former nemesis. As a result, Becky and Bayley will NOT be in Saturdays Elimination Chamber Match.
NXT
While NXT initially opened with the men, the first womens segment wouldnt be far behind, as NXT Womens Tag Team Champion Fallon Henley walked into a discussion between Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs. Fallons presence interrupted their discussion, and lead to Briggs revealing Jensen has never kissed a woman. Fallon is about to also reveal that Kiana is likely cheating, but is interrupted by Jensen, who urges how his valentines day has to be perfect, as Kiana is the woman of his dreams. Fallon, putting aside what she was about to reveal, advises Jensen that if Kiana rattles her keys at the end of the night, thats the call for a kiss. Jensen is nervous, but Briggs has his back.
Over to the ring itself, a newly solo Jacy Jayne emerges, speaking for the first time since the betrayal of GiGi Dolin. Upon stepping foot in the ring, a bragging Jacy would talk about how its all about her now, the Jacy Jayne story, that the proof is in the boot and for a whole week she’d been the talk of NXT, not Roxanne, Bron, Carmelo or GiGi. She watches back the betrayal in a video package, then calling herself the real victim and GiGi….Jannetty because her once security blanket (Jacy) no longer protects her. Moving away from GiGi, she has something important to say, and thats screw the fans who called her the third wheel, who questioned her part in Toxic Attraction, despite them becoming the most dominant faction in history. And, in the end, look who is the last woman standing.
Andre Chase and Duke Hudson also flank Thea Hail backstage, with Andre concerned for Thea’s wellbeing after she was napped by Ava. He considered pushing back her match with Tiffany Stratton, but Thea refuses, as she sees it as Schism winning if so. Thats not Chase U, so she needs to look fear in the face tonight.
Then theres a vignette for the fast rising Sol Ruca, who talks about her training and being a free spirit, also about balancing sports with school. She also recalls perfecting her finisher, the Sol Snatcher, which shes now utilised in the ring for a few times. She calls on Zoey Stark for another match.
Following is Thea’s match with Tiffany, with Andre and Duke remaining in Thea’s corner. Late into the match, Thea would take over, but would become scared again with the presence of Ava, who emerged amongst the crowd. Thea would try to re-focus, but in the end, took the BME from Tiffany for the three count, scoring Tiffany the win.
Javier Bernal also entered the Diamond Mines lair to try and chat up (his real life girlfriend) Tatum Paxley, rejected as Tatum revealed that shes taken. Ivy would try lure Javier into a date, but instead applied her dragon sleeper to him, to Tatum’s amusement. The twos moment of amusement would be cut short by the echoes of Isla Dawn, who insisted that she could feel Tatum being held down by Ivy. Tatum, however, refuses to listen, as does Ivy.
Later on, Roxanne Perez and the returned Meiko Satomura prep for the later tag match, when in walks their opponents, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, apologising for coming across a little aggressive last week, admittedly due to their championship losses, but that had nothing to do with Roxanne. They apologise, but Roxanne wonders if they are trying to bow out of the match, but the opposing pair confirm otherwise, adding that its also an honor to go up against Meiko. They bow and leave, letting Roxanne give her thanks to Meiko. Meiko’s response is that she has her reasons for helping Roxanne.
Indi Hartwell also gets her requested time with McKenzie Mitchell. While admitting that due to Toxic Attraction being despised by the locker room that she enjoyed GiGi getting the boot to the face, she listened to what Jacy had to say, which she called hot garbage. Jacy may think shes going to the top of the division, but just like Toxic is dead, Jacy is dead wrong. The only place she will end up is behind Indi. They go one on one next week.
Prior to the main event, Kiana and Jensen conclude their valentines date, but Jensen is too awkward to get in on a kiss, but by time he gets the courage to, in walks Briggs and Fallon, and Fallon ends up revealing that Kiana is cheating on Jensen. Kiana denies this, and Fallon recalls overhearing her concluding a phone call with somebody named Zack, but the Zack in question is Kiana’s brother. Fallon just stares in shock and Kiana, angered that Fallon just cant learn to trust her, storms into her home.
Then the main event of the show sees former NXT Womens Tag Team Champions Katana Chance and Kayden Carter square off with Roxanne Perez, the NXT Womens Champion, and the freshly returned Meiko Satomura. Roxanne and Meiko pick up the win, and post match Meiko takes the mic to state that shes done a favor for Roxanne, so she must do a favor in return. Its made clear that she wants to face Roxanne for her championship, and Roxanne accepts, the match taking place at Roadblock.
IMPACT
This weeks IMPACT serves as the second to last show before No Surrender, which, on top of a first time IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship defense with the Death Dollz defending against the Hex, also sees Mickie James Knockouts Championship on the line against Masha Slamovich. But before the main show itself, theres Knockouts action, and with Gia Miller now on commentary, a seemingly now babyface Deonna Purrazzo goes up against recent debutant, Steph DeLander, who she defeats. Emerging after the bout to attack is Gisele Shaw, and shes even brought Chilli to rebound from Deonna sending some in her face. However, Deonna escapes the clutches of Jai Vidal and it ends up spilled and smeared on Jai, backfiring for Gisele once again. An amused Deonna walks off.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8ideln
Then its off to the main show, and not too far into the night, Gia conducts a sit down interview for the first Knockout related segment of the night with the current contender, first asking Masha if she believes Mickie isnt taking her challenger seriously as suggested by Bully Ray, and Masha replies yes and that was the motivation behind her latest attack on Mickie. Gia questions if that attack sent a message that shes a threat, and Masha’s response is that if that hadnt become clear enough, then today she will learn, for she welcomes her to sit close for her singles match tonight.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8idf2x
Later in the show, the Hex, Allysin Kay and Marti Belle, who resurfaced last week in IMPACT, stand by with Father James Mitchell, the man responsible for bringing them in to execute revenge on behalf of Rosemary’s Father. James trash talks the Death Dollz and refers to Allysin and Marti as the next Knockouts Tag Team Champions, the present he brought to Rosemary for her disrespect. Allysin recalls its been a while since she was last in IMPACT, but they have come to hex-tinguish the competition. Marti also brings up how they have won tag team championships around the world, and that the Death Dollz hold something that belongs to them. Allysin warns them that at No Surrender, Hex marks the spot. James reveals that Rosemarys father is over the moon with them and is preparing them something special. He adds that the problem with selling his soul is that he doesnt get enough sleep, so he has things to do, including attending to some Havoc. He vanishes and Allysin and Marti comedically question whether they’ve sold their souls, that they havent signed anything.
Following is Masha’s singles match against Alisha Edwards, and as instructed, Mickie James is sat at the commentary table to get a close up look at the challenger in competition. Poor Alisha takes a battering from Masha, who concludes the match with the Snowplow to the fellow Knockout for the singles win. Post Match, she unleashes on Mickie, locking the screaming champion in a submission.
Smackdown
This weeks Smackdown would be the last main roster programming before the Elimination Chamber Pay Per View emanating from Montreal, Canada. It even opened with womens action as Shotzi teamed with Natalya against Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey, in what was Ronda’s in ring return. The home country favorite, Natalya, seemed on the verge of winning after applying a sharpshooter to Ronda, but Shayna entered the ring to attempt interference, only to be chucked from the ring. Shotzi tagged in and a double team was set up until Shayna swept Natalya from the outside. This switched momentum, as Ronda then ended up applying an armbar to Shotzi to tap her out. Shayna and Ronda get the successful tag team win in front of a booing crowd.
Hit Row, including B Fab, unleashed a rap to diss Canada. However, they were interrupted by Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy, with the tandem taking out Hit Row.
Valhalla was also present this week, as the Viking Raiders Ivar and Erik finally got their tag team match against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. Towards the end, Valhalla commanded Ragnarok but Sheamus made the save for Drew, who then unleashed the Claymore to grab him and Sheamus the victory.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux also emerged backstage during Kayla Braxton’s interview with Rey Mysterio. Kross would recall he and Scarlett’s dreams of being parents, before belittling Rey, who Kross would call a pathetic excuse for a father, taking the side of Dominik. He would urge Rey to do something about that.
Asuka also visited the blue brand this week for one last battle of momentum before Elimination Chamber, and against her fellow Chamber entrant, Liv Morgan. At ringside also were Raquel, Nikki Cross, Natalya and Carmella, Carmella being on commentary. Asuka would end up applying her armbreaker to Liv for the submission victory. Post Match, Carmella would clear out Asuka with a superkick, before being blindsided by a discus clothesline from Natalya. Cross also enters and delivers the twisting neckbreaker to Natalya, before being downed by Raquel’s Tejano Bomb. Raquel then respectfully helped Liv to her feet, gesturing to the chamber above before Liv blasted her with ObLIVion suddenly. Raquel would stay standing after that, until a fresh kick from a resurfacing Asuka took her down. Liv and Asuka then ended up locking eyes before Liv left.
The last match of the night saw Madcap Moss receive his Intercontinental Championship shot against Gunther. Emma would be in the real life partners corner, while Gunther was also expectedly accompanied by Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser. The lengthy showdown, officiated by Jessicka Carr, ended with Gunther powerbombing Moss after a length of time trying to tap him out. Gunther retains.
WWE Main Event
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8iclwe
This weeks WWE Main Event also played host to womens action, and Wendy Choo’s first match on the show since her one on one bout with Tamina. This time, the NXT babyface took on Dana Brooke, with Choo rolling up Dana post pillow throw for the upset victory. Wendy Choo wins the match, and despite her antics, received a handshake from Dana.
NXT LVL Up
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8iejj6
Also hosting womens action is this weeks episode of NXT LVL Up, as Ivy Nile took on Valentina Feroz, who has almost fallen under the influence of Elektra Lopez over the weeks. Beforehand, Valentina would be questioned by Kelly Kincaid about the interactions with Elektra Lopez, and Valentina admitted that she doesnt know about Elektra’s motivations, but tonight, she has something to prove. The women would then main event, as Ivy would make her way to the ring with Tatum Paxley in her corner. Again Elektra Lopez would emerge, setting off Valentina, who, despite trying to regain focus, ended up ensnared in Ivy’s dragon sleeper, causing her to tap out.
– Catherine
Cattie's Womens Wrestling 