WWE Night of Champions 2023

Zoey Stark helped Trish Stratus take down Becky Lynch, Asuka overcame Bianca Belair to capture the Raw Women's Title, SmackDown Women's Champion Rhea Ripley made short work of Natalya,

## Results

### Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus

In a dream match for the ages, Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus collided for the first time after Trish Stratus betrayed Lynch and cost her the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles a few months ago.

Despite being in her first singles match in more than four years, Trish Stratus was all over The Man, overwhelming Lynch with top-rope headlocks and repeatedly slamming her face-first into the announce table.

Trish Stratus continued the onslaught, even ruthlessly prying at Lynch’s mouth. Lynch was able to withstand the punishment, hitting Trish Stratus with whirlwind offense, including a massive Exploder Suplex.

The Man almost had the match won after hitting diamond dust and a top-rope leg drop. When she went for the Manhandle Slam, Trish Stratus rolled through and attempted to lock on the Sharpshooter, but Lynch craftily evaded. Lynch then put Trish Stratus in a submission attempt of her own, dragging her adversary to the middle of the ring in a Boston Crab.

After barely beating the 10-count, Lynch rushed into the ring only to be greeted with the Chick Kick. Lynch showed great resolve, kicking out at two and angering Trish Stratus. The WWE Hall of Famer took too long berating Lynch, allowing The Man to snap on the Dis-Arm-Her, but Trish Stratus escaped.

In a shocking moment, Zoey Stark appeared from the under the ring to hit Lynch with the Z-360, allowing Trish Stratus to blast Lynch with Stratusfaction for the three-count.

### Raw Women's Championship: Asuka vs. Bianca Belair (c)

In a WrestleMania rematch, Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair took on an increasingly more deadly version of Asuka.
Asuka had The EST’s number from the start, with The Empress of Tomorrow weakening the arm of Belair with kicks.

Belair answered with a moonsault and used her strength to take down Asuka with a vicious spinebuster, but Asuka continued to fight. Asuka quickly applied the Asuka Lock, but Belair wisely went for a pinning attempt for a close two.

As the WWE Official was trying to get Belair to back off from Asuka, The Empress of Tomorrow went for a mist attack, but The EST ducked out of the way.

While on the apron, Asuka spit her devastating mist into her hand. Seconds later, Belair lifted Asuka for a K.O.D. attempt, but The Empress of Tomorrow dug her fingers into Belair, blinding The EST with the mist. Asuka quickly followed with a savage kick and pinned Belair to win the Raw Women’s Title, snapping Belair’s record-breaking reign.

### SmackDown Women's Championship: Natalya vs. Rhea Ripley (c)

As Dominik Mysterio berated Natalya before the bell, Ripley took advantage, obliterating Natalya into the ring steps.
The Nightmare wasted no time demolishing Natalya, hitting the Riptide to win the quick match.

## Quick Results

1. Singles Match: Trish Stratus def. Becky Lynch (14:52)
2. Raw Women's Championship Match: Asuka def. Bianca Belair (c) to win the title. (14:55)
3. SmackDown Women's Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (w/ Dominik Mysterio) def. Natalya (1:07)

## Critical reception

Dave Meltzer of WON graded the two longer matches **\*\*\*¼** out of 5 stars, while avoiding giving a rating to the Ripley/Natalya match as it was a squash.

The Bleacher Report, when reviewing Stratus/Lynch, remarked "these two kept a good pace throughout the match, but it was a little sloppy at times. They didn't botch anything big, but small moments stood out that held this back from being as good as it could have been." Grading it a **C+**. On the topic of Asuka/Belair, "Belair and Asuka have built up great chemistry as opponents. They put on a fun show in this bout, but it may have fallen short of their 'Mania encounter." giving it a higher grade of a **B-**. On Natalya/Ripley, they kept the general consensus of most reviewers, "There wasn't much to this, so it's hard to grade. It made Ripley look dominant, but she always looks that way, so having The Queen of Harts job to her seemed a little pointless."