Bayley revels in her victory at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Serena Deeb returns to action. Maya World speaks with WrestleZone, and more. Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Bayley Points At The Sign
This year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match resulted in a giant victory for Bayley, as she outlasted 29 others to punch her ticket to WrestleMania 40. In doing so, “The Role Model” also set a new record for the longest time spent in a Women’s Royal Rumble match, 63 minutes and 3 seconds. A returning Naomi (aka Trinity) trailed closely behind this new record, as her performance spanned 62 minutes and 18 seconds before she was eliminated by a debuting Jade Cargill.
Upon her Royal Rumble win, Bayley must now weigh the options of challenging WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley or WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY at WrestleMania 40. Leading up to the Royal Rumble, Bayley loudly proclaimed that she intended to Rhea Ripley at “The Show of Shows.” Given the ongoing fractures within Damage CTRL though, this statement could simply be a diversion from Bayley’s true target — her Damage CTRL stablemate, IYO SKY.
On Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, Bayley informed the WWE Universe that she will reveal her decision on Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown.
The 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match also saw several surprises as well. This included the aforementioned appearances of Naomi and Jade Cargill. Shortly after Naomi made her entrance, her former rival, TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace joined the field. This led to the two having an emotional embrace. Grace lasted nearly 20 minutes before the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair eliminated her.
Three more surprises presented themselves toward the end of the contest. Following appearances from NXT’s Roxanne Perez and Tiffany Stratton, former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan entered the fray from the coveted number 30 position. Morgan was previously sidelined with a shoulder injury for six months. Upon her return, though, Morgan soared all the way to the final two before Bayley eliminated her.
Following her Royal Rumble outing, Roxanne Perez now pivots her attention to Lyra Valkyria, who she will challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Vengeance Day.
RELATED: Bayley On Winning Women’s Royal Rumble: It’s Pretty Crazy, What A Ride
Serena Deeb Returns To Action
19-year veteran Serena Deeb is officially back in action.
After a year away from the ring, Deeb returned to competition on Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision. There, Deeb took on Robyn Renegade. Renegade put up a valiant effort against “The Professor of Professional Wrestling.” In the end, however, she couldn’t escape the Serenity Lock.
Coming off her submission victory, Deeb addressed the AEW fans. She stated that she was back to elevate the women’s division and put the “wrestling” back into All Elite Wrestling. Deeb also proclaimed that she has her sights set on becoming a champion in the company.
Deeb had previously been sidelined from action after suffering a series of unexpected seizures beginning in late 2022. Luckily, doctors later informed Deeb that her health was back in good standing. As such, doctors then cleared her to wrestle again.
Elsewhere on AEW Collision, Mariah May defeated Lady Frost in what was her Collision debut match.
READ MORE: AEW Collision Results (1/27/24): Trios Elimination Cage Match
Interviews
Two-time DFW All-Pro Women’s Champion Maya World spoke with WrestleZone’s Ella Jay about her growth in the wrestling landscape, being presented a championship by wrestling legend Jazz, ring gear inspirations, backstage advice she received during her recent outing at Ring of Honor, ambitions to face STARDOM talent, and more.
Former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan chatted with Denise Salcedo about her return in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, making history with Natalya, her goals for the year, her personal fashion, and more.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus appeared on Inside The Ropes to talk about potentially returning to the ring in 2024, working with Charlotte Flair, her cage match with Becky Lynch, the romance angle between herself, Christian, and Chris Jericho, and more.
Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax talked with TV Insider about her rivalry with Becky Lynch, returning to WWE last year, a potential reboot of Total Divas, the possibility of seeing Roman Reigns and The Rock squaring off, and more.
WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley joined Chris Van Vliet to discuss the changes she has made since her WWE debut, getting over with the crowd, working with Dominik Mysterio in Judgement Day, drawing comparisons to Chyna, and more!
