Some extreme face-offs occurred over the last week in women’s wrestling: Deonna Purrazzo battled Rok-C in a Winner Takes All match, Charlotte Flair met Lita face to face, Ring Of Honor debuted their Women’s World Championship Tournament documentary, and much more!
Deonna Purrazzo Captures ROH Women’s Championship
Deonna Purrazzo has made history once again.
The current AAA Reina De Reinas Champion raised her title on the line last week against Ring of Honor Women’s World Champion Rok-C in a winner takes all match. The two formidable champions recently met again at Ring of Honor’s Final Battle event last month, where Purrazzo interrupted Rok-C’s post-match celebration. There, “The Virtuosa” threw down a challenge for the “Prodigy” in the form of a winner takes all match for both championships. Rok-C would eagerly accept the match, and the two would finally meet again last week on IMPACT Wrestling.
Despite ROH being on a hiatus, Rok-C proudly represented the Ring of Honor Women’s Championship. She previously defeated the likes of Willow Nightingale, Killer Kelly, and Laynie Luck in her string of successful title defenses. Last week though, she met her true match against Deonna Purrazzo, who previously defeated her last April at New Texas Pro.
In the main event of the January 13th edition of IMPACT, Purrazzo and Rok-C collided with both respective championships at stake. Both competitors delivered an impressive series of back and forth maneuvers. Purrazzo targeted Rok-C’s arm throughout the match by stomping on it, but Rok-C gained momentum with a solid Code Rok and Rok Lock. Purrazzo managed to kick out and escape both, however.
Purrazzo managed to shift the momentum into her favor by locking in her signature Fujiwara Armbar. Rok-C began to fade, but stopped the referee from calling the bell by tugging at his leg. In response, Deonna Purrazzo switched to trap Rok-C in a vicious Venus De Milo submission. There, Rok-C would have no choice but to submit.
Ultimately, Deonna Purrazzo would reign victorious and now claim the Ring of Honor Championship, alongside her Reina De Reinas Championship.
.@DeonnaPurrazzo is the NEW @ringofhonor Womens World Champion but @MattTaven @TheHorrorKingVM @RealMikeBennett @MariaLKanellis & @PCOisNotHuman had to ruin the night again! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/LFj1BDFHQv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 14, 2022
After the match, Purrazzo was met by Ring of Honor Board of Direction member and former Knockouts Champion, Maria Kanellis. In addition, Matt Taven, Vincent, Mike Bennett and PCO would emerge to wreak havoc. Matthew Rehwoldt would make the save for Purrazzo, alongside Willie Mack and Rich Swan. The Ring of Honor crew proved too powerful though, and stood tall in the end.
Nevertheless, Deonna Purrazzo is now the NEW Ring of Honor Women’s World Champion.
READ MORE: Deonna Purrazzo Captures ROH Women’s Title From Rok-C
Charlotte Flair Meets Lita, Royal Rumble Updates
WWE Hall of Famer Lita recently appeared on Friday Night Smackdown last week.
After the announcement of her participation in the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, Lita returned to WWE to a grand ovation ahead of her appearance. Met by Michael Cole in the ring, Lita revealed she feels at home in WWE, and she feels she has one more run left in her. The four-time WWE Women’s Champion declared that she is prepared to plow 29 other women and go on to WrestleMania for a shot at gold.
However, Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair didn’t take too kindly to Lita’s declaration. Flair responded by declaring that she would be the one to eliminate Lita in the upcoming Royal Rumble, ruining her “fun little run” that she’s talking about will be over.
Lita immediately retorted with the following: “I’m just curious how you’re going to throw anyone over the top rope with that giant head that you have.” Flair responded back by bragging that she retired Lita’s “bestie”, Trish Stratus at SummerSlam 2019. Moreover, Flair claimed that was the same thing she was going to do to the Hall of Famer, Lita.
Lita then laughed before delivering a signature Twist of Fate to the Smackdown Women’s Champion.
RELATED: WWE SmackDown Results (1/14/22)
Lita and Charlotte Flair are both among this year’s Royal Rumble entrants, alongside a variety of legends and current roster talent.
As of Monday, two more superstars joined the fray of official competitors in the Women’s Royal Rumble. Former Smackdown Women’s Champion and last year’s winner, Bianca Belair and RAW superstar Liv Morgan confirmed themselves for this year’s highly anticipated matchup.
Welcome to the 2022 Women's #RoyalRumble Match, @BiancaBelairWWE & @YaOnlyLivvOnce! pic.twitter.com/hfLuS58WZG
— WWE (@WWE) January 18, 2022
As of this writing, 21 competitors have been confirmed for the bout, although it was reported by PWInsider that former WWE superstars Melina and Cameron were also expected to be part of the Royal Rumble. WWE has yet to confirm either competitor’s participation though.
Here is an updated list of confirmed entrants for the Women’s Royal Rumble:
- Nikki A.S.H.
- Nikki Bella
- Brie Bella
- Carmella
- Queen Zelina
- Michelle McCool
- Natalya
- Mickie James
- Kelly Kelly
- Rhea Ripley
- Shotzi
- Aliyah
- Shayna Baszler
- Summer Rae
- Tamina
- Dana Brooke
- Lita
- Naomi
- Charlotte Flair
- Bianca Belair
- Liv Morgan
ROH Launches Women’s Championship Tournament Documentary
Last weekend, Ring of Honor premiered its 2021 ROH Women’s World Championship Tournament documentary.
The hour-long documentary provided special behind-the-scenes action and moments from throughout the tournament. The ROH Women’s Tournament took place over the summer of 2021 with 15 competitors, before “The Prodigy” defeated Miranda Alize in the finals.
The full documentary can be viewed by clicking here.
INTERVIEWS
IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show to discuss her upcoming Royal Rumble appearance, her future with WWE, how she felt when she was released last year, the state of co-promotions in wrestling, her dream scenario for WrestleMania and more.
Former WWE Superstar Summer Rae joined Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette about why The Shield were the brothers she never had, why she left WWE, her upcoming appearance in the Royal Rumble, and more. Read more about how Summer Rae’s Rumble return came together at this link.
“The Queenpin” Katalina Perez chatted with A Wrestling Gal about her 2021 year in wrestling, dive into fashion style and inspirations, her admiration for Dolph Ziggler, Generation Championship Wrestling’s Diamond Cup Tournament, and much more!
Reina De Reinas Champion Deonna Purrazzo recently appeared on The Angle Podcast to discussed her main event match at Hard to Kill with Mickie James, learning from legends, her thoughts on Mickie James entering the WWE Women’s Royal Rumble, the Forbidden Door, and more!
Former IMPACT Knockout Taya Valkyrie spoke with MuscleManMalcolm about her time in WWE, wrestling Thunder Rosa, wanting a special dream match at AEW, and more.
“Miss Reality” Madi Wrenkowski joined It’s My Wrestling Podcast to talk about debuting against Wrestling Legend Jazz, training with Thunder Rosa, wrestling in AEW, and much more.
Ring of Honor Star Amy Rose spoke with Colin Tessier of WrestleZone about the premiere of Ring Of Honor’s new documentary highlighting the company’s women’s division, reviving the women’s division, the work that went into the tournament and documentary, what fans can expect and much more.
Independent star Janai Kai recently chatted with POST Wrestling about how ‘YoKai’ came together, her AEW and ROH appearances, TERMINUS, and more!
OVW Women’s Champion Freya The Slaya appeared on Putting You Over to discuss OVW’s Nightmare Rumble, WrestlePro, the Alaskan wrestling scene, Al Snow and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Generation Championship Wrestling: Diamond Cup
The 2nd Annual @GCWWrestlingPro #DiamondCup Women's Tournament is this weekend!
General Admission tickets are available online now at:https://t.co/ZsWdtD0OTu
Saturday / Tampa / 7pm BellPre-show Concert by @TeasyJones
Ppv via @TitleMatchWN #womenswrestlingmatters pic.twitter.com/kLNeei1DrH— Generation Championship Wrestling – GCW (@GCWWrestlingPro) January 18, 2022
