Women’s wrestling certainly does matter: Ruby Soho joins AEW, NWA Empowerrr shines a light on women’s wrestling, ROH Women’s Tournament sets the final round matchup, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Ruby Soho Is All Elite
The destination is now known for Ruby Soho.
After it was announced that Soho (formerly known as Ruby Riott) was released from WWE earlier this summer, Soho went on to reveal a name change and several video teasers about her next moves in professional wrestling. That move has now landed her in All Elite Wrestling.
AEW recently hosted their annual All Out event on September 5th, featuring the Women’s Casino Battle Royale. 21 competitors entered, vying for a future title opportunity against Britt Baker for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
After the first 20 participants entered, it was time for “The Joker” to reveal themselves. When the music hit, Ruby Soho appeared to a thunderous ovation.
.@realrubysoho is the Joker in the Casino Battle Royale at #AEWAllOut! pic.twitter.com/b92fw7jXgk
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 6, 2021
Soho managed to find herself in the final three, alongside Thunder Rosa and former AEW Women’s Champion, Nyla Rose. Nyla had demolished the competitors up until that point, but Soho and Rosa were able to wear her down enough before Thunder Rosa eliminated “The Beast”, leaving the match down to two. Soho and Rosa squared off in a lot of back and forth action, each earning massive pops from the crowd. The two competitors eventually found themselves staggering on the ring apron, trading blows, before Soho knocked Thunder Rosa off with a swift kick, cementing her victory. Ruby Soho will now go on to face Britt Baker for the AEW Women’s World Championship in the future.
Following her appearance in the Casino Battle Royale, AEW took to Twitter to reveal that Ruby Soho is indeed… All Elite.
Destination Known!
Welcome to the team…@RubySoho is #AllElite pic.twitter.com/vsDmH6dmTE— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 6, 2021
RELATED: Ruby Soho Debuts At AEW All Out, Wins Women’s Casino Battle Royale
NWA Empowerrr Shines A Light On Women’s Wrestling
NWA recently celebrated and concluded their first ever all-women’s pay-per-view from The Chase in St. Louis, Missouri. Spearheaded by executive producer, Mickie James, the event known as Empowerrr beautifully blended relevant champions, legends of the squared circle, and the next great wave of talent in women’s wrestling. James brought together a spectacular evening of dream matches, returns, new champions, and great professional wrestling.
Here is a rundown of results:
- Skye Blue def. Chrystie Jaynes
- Paola Mayfield def. Kenzie Paige
- Diamante def. Kylie Rae and Chik Tormenta
- The Hex def. Hell on Heels – NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Semi-Final
- Red Velvet & KiLynn King def. The Freebabes – NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Semi-Final
- Deonna Purrazzo (c) def. Melina – IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Championship
- The Hex def. KiLynn King & Red Velvet – NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Final
- Kamille (c) def. Leyla Hirsch – NWA World Women’s Championship
- Chelsea Green def. Bianca Carelli, Debbie Malenko, Lady Frost, Jamie Senegal (with Pollo Del Mar), Jennacide (with Taryn Terrell), Kiera Hogan, Masha Slamovich, Thunder Kitty, and Tootie Lynn – NWA Women’s Invitational Cup Gauntlet
Empowerrr featured multiple championship matches, including a tag team tournament to crown new NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions, which saw Marti Belle and Allysin Kay (The Hex) claim the titles in the finals. “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo retained her IMPACT Knockouts Championship against Melina in a hard-fought battle, and Kamille and Leyla Hirsch garnered immense crowd reactions during their NWA Women’s Championship bout. Chelsea Green ended the night in the final two of the Women’s Invitational with St. Louis’ own Tootie Lynn before claiming the victory and the Invitational Cup. Perhaps the most emotional moment of the evening, however, was the return of Awesome Kong.
Gail Kim, a co-producer of Empowerrr, appeared in the ring to express her gratitude for professional wrestling and being a part of the historic show. Her speech was interrupted by Taryn Terrell, Jennacide, and Paola Blaze, however. Terrell proclaimed that there was only room for one legend at Empowerrr, and then gestured for Jennacide and Blaze to take care of business.
Cue Awesome Kong. The St. Louis crowd erupted in cheers as Kong stepped into the ring, before clearing the ring by striking Jennacide and Blaze and sending Terrell to the floor. Gail Kim handed a microphone to Kong, who then confirmed her retirement before the two legends shared an emotional hug. “Thank You” chants erupted as a sign of respect to Awesome Kong and Gail Kim, two of IMPACT’s most decorated and iconic Knockouts.
Awesome Kong announces she is done with pro wrestling and wanted to go out with Gail Kim.❤#NWAEmpowerrr | #EMPOWERRR pic.twitter.com/lKMbboQqFf
— ?????? (@WrestlingCovers) August 29, 2021
Ultimately, Mickie James accomplished what she had set out to do from the start: shining a light on women’s wrestling. Empowerrr sold out, and made that money. Empowerrr proved that women’s wrestling is a major draw, and with the forbidden door now open for business, the possibilities are endless.
Finals Set For ROH Women’s Championship Tournament
Throughout the summer, Ring of Honor has brought together over a dozen talents to showcase a tournament to claim the new ROH Women’s World Champion. After months of qualifying matches and multiple rounds, we are finally down to the final two.
On the latest episode of ROH Television, the semi-finals of the women’s tournament concluded with two strongly anticipated matchups. Firstly, “The Lucha Baddie” Miranda Alize defeated “The Afro Punk” Trish Adora by submission with a cross-face. Then, “The Prodigy” defeated the veteran, Angelina Love by submission via the armbar.
QUEST FOR GOLD ?
It’s official! @TheRokC_ vs. @MirandaAlize_ in the FINALS to crown a new ROH Women’s World Champion!
It all goes down this Sunday at the Death Before Dishonor PPV at @2300arena in Philly!
Join us live in person: https://t.co/TTkDabyNq8#WatchROH #ROHWD pic.twitter.com/II5svOZ4iW
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) September 6, 2021
RAW Women’s Championship Match Set For Extreme Rules
Charlotte Flair may have retained her RAW Women’s Championship against Nia Jax on Monday Night RAW, but her next competitor is already in line. Following a successful defense against Jax, “The Queen” was met by Alexa Bliss, with Lilly, and asked if she wanted to play. Flair seemingly accepted Bliss’ request as WWE announced via Twitter that Charlotte Flair will now defend her RAW Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss at Extreme Rules.
#WWERaw Women's Champion @MsCharlotteWWE defends against the unpredictable @AlexaBliss_WWE at #ExtremeRules! pic.twitter.com/V70t9q4zgQ
— WWE (@WWE) September 7, 2021
Flair has steadily regained her momentum ever since reclaiming the RAW Women’s Championship last month, while Bliss has been on a hot streak as well since defeating Eva Marie at SummerSlam. Bliss is a former five-time WWE Women’s Champion in her own right across RAW and Smackdown, while Flair is currently in her 12th reign overall as Women’s Champion.
INTERVIEWS
Ruby Soho spoke to the media after AEW All Out about her debut, future title shot against Britt Baker and how her arrival felt like “home” from the first moment.
“The Hellbent Vixen” Viva Van recently chatted with VoyageLA about getting into professional wrestling, future goals, challenges she’s faced, and more!
Former IMPACT Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong spoke with Bell to Belles about reuniting with Gail Kim, retiring, NWA Empowerrr, the future of women’s wrestling and more.
Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina Perez appeared on Women’s Wrestling Talk to discuss leaving IMPACT, her relationship with Deonna Purrazzo, what’s next for her, and more.
Former Warrior Wrestling Women’s Champion Kylie Rae recently spoke with The Hashtag Show to discuss NWA Empowerrr, facing Mickie James, and more.
Former IMPACT Knockouts Champion, Angelina Love chatted with Liam A Stewart about the evolution of women’s wrestling, the Knockouts division, competing against Max the Impaler in ROH, and more.
RAW Superstar Rhea Ripley recently spoke with the Miami Herald about her feud with Charlotte Flair, Riot City Wrestling, being a fan of the Miz, and more.
Independent Star Leila Grey appeared on the The RodCast PodCast Show to discuss modeling, acting, AEW, working with Bad Bunny & Drake, and more.
Former MCW Women’s Champion Renee Michelle recently chatted with WrestleZone about Hell on Heels, her history with Mickie James, NWA Empowerrr, and more.
WOMEN’S WRESTLING RESULTS
Pro Wrestling Eve: Wrestle Queendom 4
- Mercedez Blaze defeated Clementine
- Alex Windsor defeated Zoe Lucas
- Laura Di Matteo defeated Angel Hayze
- EVE International Championship Gauntlet: Kasey (c) defeated Debbie Keitel and Emersyn Jayne and Hyan and Maddison Miles and Nightshade
- EVE Championship Rumble: Jetta defeated Rhia O’Reilly (c) and Alex Windsor and Alexxis Falcon and Amira Blair and Angel Hayze and Ava White and Baynz and Clementine and Darcy Stone and Debbie Keitel and Deborah Dahmer and Erin Angel and Gia Adams and Jayla Dark and Kasey and Kira Chimera and KT Hawkins and Lana Austin and Laura Di Matteo and Leah Owens and Livvii Grace and Maddison Miles and Mercedez Blaze and Natalie Sykes and Nightshade and Ronnie Knocks and Zoe Lucas – TITLE CHANGE
- Charlie Morgan defeats Skye Smitson
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Capital Championship Wrestling: Kingdom Take Over
https://twitter.com/CCWAction/status/1431623063616069632?s=20
