WWE Money in the Bank season begins. Deonna Purrazzo is set to defend her Knockouts Championship against Trinity. Charli Evans speaks with WrestleZone, and more. Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up.
WWE Money in the Bank Qualifiers
Money in the Bank season officially begins.
On Saturday, July 1, WWE will make its way across the pond to host Money in the Bank. This year’s event will emanate from the O2 Arena in London, England. In anticipation of the annual show, WWE has begun unrolling their qualifying matches for the men’s and women’s Money in the Bank ladder matches. On the women’s side, three competitors have qualified so far.
Last Friday on SmackDown, Zelina Vega and Lacey Evans fought to secure the first spot. Vega went on to score the victory after nailing Evans with a Code Red.
Last night on RAW, two more qualifying matches took place. First, Becky Lynch battled the numbers game as she collided with Sonya Deville. Deville came to the ring accompanied by her tag team partner, Chelsea Green. Later in the contest, Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark emerged onto the stage to look on. Stark recently aided Stratus to victory at WWE Night of Champions by hitting Lynch with a Z-360 as the referee’s back was turned. Against all the odds surrounding her, Lynch defeated Deville with a Manhandle Slam to advance to Money in the Bank.
Later in the evening, Stark competed in a qualifying matchup of her own as she faced “The Queen of Harts” Natalya. Thanks to some interference from Stratus, Stark managed to land her Z-360 finisher for the win. She now joins Lynch and Vega in the field for the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Lynch Is Laser Focused Heading Into Money in the Bank
After clutching her win on RAW, Becky Lynch revealed her heavy emotions heading into Money in the Bank. In a WWE Digital Exclusive with Cathy Kelley, Lynch reflected on her legendary career inside WWE. While Lynch has captured many championships, won a Royal Rumble, and main-evented WrestleMania, there is still one thing she’d like to accomplish — winning Money in the Bank.
“I’ve been the last person on that ladder, holding the briefcase. It has always been at my fingertips, but it’s always slipped away from me. So that’s haunted me, and it’s the one thing that I have left to do,” Lynch said. “It’s the one thing that I can do to feel like my career has been completed.”
Winning Money in the Bank isn’t her only objective though, as Lynch said she plans on beating Stark up with some ladders as well.
READ MORE: Becky Lynch: Money In The Bank Has Always Slipped Away, It’s Haunted Me
Trinity Will Challenge For Knockouts Championship At IMPACT Slammiversary
Upon her arrival in IMPACT Wrestling, Trinity made her intentions very clear: she wanted the Knockouts Championship. Now, she receives the opportunity to fulfill that goal.
After defeating Gisele Shaw at Under Siege, Trinity pivoted her attention to Shaw’s ally, Savannah Evans. Trinity and Evans battled back and forth on the June 1 edition of IMPACT, but in the end, it was Trinity who emerged victorious after locking in the Starstruck on Evans. In the wake of her victory, Trinity called out for the Knockouts Champion, Deonna Purrazzo.
Trinity then challenged “The Virtuosa” to defend her title at IMPACT Slammiversary next month. Purrazzo agreed, saying “Let’s dance.” As Purrazzo and Trinity initiated a staredown, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, and Jai Vidal surprised them with an ambush. Vidal then struck Purrazzo in the head with a purse. Trinity threw Vidal out of the ring and started unloading on Evans in the corner. Unfortunately, Trinity soon suffered the same fate as Shaw knocked her out with the same purse.
Jordynne Grace ran down to try and make the save, but the numbers game proved to be too much for her to handle. After Shaw decked Grace with the purse, she delivered three follow-up knee strikes to keep her grounded.
Despite the beatdown, Deonna Purrazzo will move forward in defending her Knockouts Championship against Trinity at IMPACT Slammiversary. This pay-per-view will emanate from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on July 15th. Before Purrazzo and Trinity battle over the title, they will team up to take on Shaw and Evans at Against All Odds this Friday.
Elsewhere on the Against All Odds card, Masha Slamovich will collide with Killer Kelly in a dog collar match.
RELATED: IMPACT Wrestling Results – June 1, 2023
INTERVIEWS:
“The Violence Artist” Charli Evans spoke with WrestleZone‘s own Ella Jay about the origins of her nickname, the wildest thing she’s ever done in a wrestling ring, why she’s yearning to have a match with Eddie Kingston, which Australian talent people should have their eyes on, and much more.
Former Divas Champion Kaitlyn appeared on Muscle Memory to discuss her time in WWE, the Mae Young Classic, when Stephanie McMahon called her out on RAW in 2014, wrestling AJ Lee at Payback, and more.
NWA Women’s World Champion Kamille chatted with Denise Salcedo about her 2-year reign, how she got her start in wrestling, how she almost left the industry, why she returned, and more.
Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss spoke with The Messenger about how she found out she was pregnant, Bliss’ pregnancy cravings, taking time off to compete on The Masked Singer, and more.
“The Real Mean Girl” Dani Jordyn joined the Bob Culture Podcast to discuss a potential faction, Mean Girl Influences, wanting to work with the IInspiration, helping create women’s divisions, goals, and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Mission Pro Wrestling: True Colors – June 10
Smash Wrestling x Femme Fatales: Girls Next Door – June 25