Women’s Wrestling continues to heat up: Mickie James unveils the entire NWA Empowerrr lineup, WWE crowns two new champions at SummerSlam, Ring of Honor begins the second round in their women’s tournament, Wrestle Queendom 4 reveals major match announcements, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Mickie James Unveils Entire NWA Empowerrr Card
NWA’s first ever all-women’s pay-per-view is finally here. This Saturday, August 28th, marks the premiere of this monumental event, known as Empowerrr.
Over the weekend, Executive Producer Mickie James revealed the entire match card for NWA Empowerrr via Instagram:
Battle of the Brands:
Kylie Rae (NWA) vs. Chik Tormenta (AAA) vs. Diamante (AEW)
NWA Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Semi-Finals
The Hex (Allysin Kay & Marti Belle) vs. Hell Of Heels (Renee Michelle & Sahara 7)
NWA Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Semi-Finals
Red Velvet & KiLynn King vs. The FreeBabes (Miranda Gordy, Jazzy Yang, Hollyhood Haley J)
IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Championship
Melina vs. Deonna Purrazzo (c)
NWA Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals
Team TBD vs. Team TBD
NWA Women’s Championship
Leyla Hirsch vs. Kamille (c)
NWA Women’s Invitational
Participants include:
- Tootie Lynn
- Jamie Senegal (with Pollo Del Mar)
- Chelsea Green
- Lady Frost
- Debbie Malenko
- Bianca Carelli
- Jennacide (with Taryn Terrell)
- Masha Slamovich
- Thunder Kitty
- Kiera Hogan
Also scheduled to appear:
Kenzie Paige, Paola Mayfield, Skye Blue, Christi Jaynes
Mickie also noted that Velvet Sky will be on commentary and May Valentine will running as a backstage correspondent. The winner of the Leyla Hirsch vs. Kamille Championship match will go on to defend the NWA Women’s Championship at NWA 73 against the winner of the NWA Women’s Invitational.
Empowerrr is certainly on track to be a history (or herstory) making event, with representatives not only from NWA, but also from IMPACT, AEW, AAA, Ring of Honor, and many independent promotions. Women’s wrestling is busting down that once “forbidden door” and bringing together a showcase of some of the best talent in the world. Mickie James’ vision is finally able to be on full display, along with the aid of wrestling legends like Alundra Blaze, Gail Kim, and Jazz as her co-producers.
The bar is set high for women’s wrestling this month, and NWA’s Empowerrr looks to fulfill and surpass that bar with a spectacular lineup of talent, producers, referees, commentators, and correspondents. NWA will be spotlighting their women’s division at this event, and also highlighting the past, present, and future of women’s wrestling with a lineup of veterans, superstars of today, and talent steadily on the rise. Empowerrr’s lineup perfectly blends all three aspects together and is on track to deliver a stellar pay-per-view–the first-ever all-women’s pay-per-view in National Wrestling Alliance history.
Empowerrr airs Saturday, August 28th on FITE TV.
RELATED: Billy Corgan Acquires Mildred Burke’s Championship, Will Be On Display At NWA Empowerrr
Two New Women’s Champions Crowned At SummerSlam, Kay Lee Ray Appears At NXT Takeover 36
WWE’s hottest pay-per-view of the summer has concluded from Las Vegas, and two new champions emerged. SummerSlam emanated from Las Vegas this past weekend, with three women’s wrestling matches on the card. The first match was Alexa Bliss versus Eva Marie.
Marie started the match attempting to stun Bliss, but instead Bliss moves out of the way in time, sending Eva Marie to the floor and landing on her feet. Marie reenters the ring where the two exchange blows Marie regains control and is able to maneuver her way to the top rope, where Bliss’ doll companion, Lilly, is perched. Marie then grabs Lilly, slaps the doll around, and taunts Bliss as she looks on. Marie then slaps Bliss with her own doll, which infuriates her even more and causes her to scream and take back control.
.@natalieevamarie just SLAPPED Lilly. ??#SummerSlam @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/7Y67zKL1iU
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2021
Bliss controls most of the latter half of this match, as Marie attempts to call her ally Doudrop for help from the outside, but Marie then argues with the referee about a close 2-count cover on Bliss, allowing Bliss to sneak in a DDT for the win.
Following the match, DouDrop walks away and announces Eva Marie as the loser of the match. Then, DouDrop grabs Eva Marie’s ring jacket and walks away with it on. Marie believes she’s made Doudrop though, as she yells back.
Later in the night, there was a slight change in the plans for the Smackdown Women’s Championship match. Originally, Bianca Belair was scheduled to defend her championship against “The Boss”, Sasha Banks. However, after Belair emerged to the ring, it was announced that Banks was unable to compete at SummerSlam. Former Smackdown Women’s Champion, Carmella, then appeared and seemingly claimed herself as Banks’ replacement for the match. Someone else had other ideas though.
Cue Becky Lynch. After 15 months away from in-ring action, the former RAW and Smackdown Women’s Champion had finally returned to an enormous ovation from the crowd. Lynch tossed Carmella out of the ring and then into the steel stairs before reentering the ring to stare down with Belair. A challenge was then laid down by Lynch for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, which Belair graciously accepted. This dream match was officially on.
?? @BeckyLynchWWE IS BACK!!! ??#SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/0AP6Vi1v5r
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2021
Things didn’t go quite as expected, however. After the bell rang, Belair offered a gesture of sportsmanship, but Lynch responded by delivering a swift forearm to Belair’s face and hitting the Manhandle before securing the three count pin. Becky Lynch is now the new Smackdown Women’s Champion.
RELATED: Becky Lynch Returns At SummerSlam, Wins SmackDown Women’s Championship
The RAW Women’s Championship was also on the line at SummerSlam, with Nikki A.S.H. defending it against “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and “The Nightmare”, Rhea Ripley. After cashing in her Money in the Bank contract last month to claim the championship, A.S.H. has grown a huge target on her back, with Ripley and Flair strongly expressing their desires for another opportunity to reclaim the RAW Women’s Championship, which they both previously held.
Accordingly, the three women met at SummerSlam in an intriguing triple threat matchup with the title at stake in Las Vegas. The odds were not in favor of the champion, however.
After Ripley was hit with a DDT, she rolled out of the ring, leaving just Flair and A.S.H to fight each other. Flair locked in the Figure Eight submission as A.S.H. struggled to crawl to the ropes. Ultimately, A.S.H. was unable to escape the devastating submission and was forced to tap out. Thus, Charlotte Flair was crowned the new RAW Women’s Champion.
QUEEN'S DOZEN.@MsCharlotteWWE is your NEW #WWERaw #WomensChampion! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/0PeTpuYWyg
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2021
Last night on RAW, Charlotte Flair attempted to celebrate her championship victory, but was interrupted by Alexa Bliss, who emerged with her doll, Lilly, to simply say “Hi”. Is Bliss next in line to challenge Flair for the RAW Women’s Championship? WWE should be giving us some answers next week.
RELATED: New RAW Women’s Champion Crowned At SummerSlam
To round out WWE’s weekend in Vegas, the NXT Women’s Championship was on the line at NXT Takeover 36 between the reigning champion, Raquel Gonzalez, and the challenger, Dakota Kai.
Kai would put up a valiant effort, but fell short as Gonzalez would retain her NXT Women’s Championship. After the match, Gonzalez would celebrate briefly before someone’s music hit.
Former NXT UK Women’s Champion, Kay Lee Ray emerged atop the stage to stare down Gonzalez, as the crowd basked in Ray’s presence. No words were exchanged, but it was clear that Kay Lee Ray has her sights set on Gonzalez’s championship gold.
The longest-reigning @NXTUK #WomensChampion @Kay_Lee_Ray is HERE at #NXTTakeOver 36?!
? https://t.co/O4Pyhh5k3P
? https://t.co/aEwGYUp0uE pic.twitter.com/wLbLUZ1Nu8— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2021
Kay Lee Ray cemented herself as the longest reigning women’s champion of the modern era through her 649 day reign as NXT UK Women’s Champion, before losing it to Meiko Satomura earlier this summer. Ray would not be seen any WWE programming following her loss, until Sunday night at NXT Takeover 36. The NXT women’s division is surely put on notice with its recent addition of Kay Lee Ray.
RELATED: Kay Lee Ray Confronts Raquel Gonzalez After She Retains NXT Women’s Championship At NXT TakeOver 36
ROH Women’s Championship Tournament Begins Quarter Finals
The Ring of Honor Women’s Championship Tournament has officially begun its second round matchups, with two of them taking place last night on ROH Episode 518.
Firstly, “The Prodigy” Rok-C took on fan-favorite Quinn McKay in a back and forth matchup, but Rok-C ultimately lands the Code Red to pick up the victory, advancing to the semi-finals where she will face the winner of Angelina Love vs. Max the Impaler.
. @TheRokC_ advances!
Watch the latest episode of ROH TV for FREE here: https://t.co/i2jLIS1sG1#WatchROH #ROHWD pic.twitter.com/5PWF1BIse7
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) August 23, 2021
Then, Miranda Alize and Nicole Savoy squared off in an intense battle before Alize struck Savoy with a drive-by kick to secure the win. Alize will go on to the semi-finals to face the winner of Allysin Kay vs Trish Adora.
. @MirandaAlize_ advances!#ROHWD #WatchROH
Watch the latest episode of ROH TV for FREE here: https://t.co/i2jLIRJRhr pic.twitter.com/KCIWvGed5c
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) August 23, 2021
Next Monday, Ring of Honor revealed that the Women’s Tournament will conclude the quarter-finals with the following matches:
Allysin Kay vs Trish Adora
Angelina Love vs Max The Impaler
RELATED: ROH Wrestling Results (8/23/21): Demonic Flamita vs. Rey Horus
Ring of Honor also held their two-night professional wrestling event, Glory by Honor over the weekend at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This event also marked Chelsea Green’s official in ring-debut for ROH. Here is a rundown of women’s wrestling results from ROH’s Glory by Honor event:
Night 1
Rok-C and Miranda Alize defeated Chelsea Green and Sumie Sakai
Vita VonStarr and Max The Impaler defeated The Allure (Angelina Love and Mandy Leon)
Night 2
Trish Adora defeated Sumie Sakai
Miranda Alize and Rok-C defeated Chelsea Green and Willow
Pro Wrestling Eve Announces Several Matches For Wrestle Queendom 4
Pro Wrestling Eve will be returning to host their fourth-annual Wrestle Queendom event this weekend from London, with a stacked card of women’s talent.
Here is a breakdown of the card so far:
Mercedez Blaze vs. Clementine
Skye Smitson vs. The Gambler
EVE International Championship: Gauntlet Match
Kasey (c) vs. Emersyn Jayne vs. Maddison Miles vs. Nightshade vs. Hyan vs. Debbie Keitel
Laura Di Matteo vs. Angel Hayze
Alex Windsor vs. Zoe Lucas
EVE Championship: 30-Women Rumble Match
Rhia O’Reilly (c) vs. Jetta vs. Emersyn Jayne vs. Alex Windsor vs. Kasey vs. Lana Austin vs. Livvii Grace vs. Laura Di Matteo vs. Nightshade vs. Skye Smitson vs. Alexxis Falcon vs. Hyan vs. Debbie Keitel vs. Mercedez Blaze vs. Natalie Sykes vs. Ava White vs. KT Hawkins vs. Maddison Miles
EVE puts together a good display of veteran names like Rhia O’Rilley and Jetta and some up-and-coming performers like Natalie Sykes and Gia Adams for Wrestle Queendom 4. In addition, Alex Windsor is making her in-ring return for the first time in four years! The EVE International Championship is going international, as it is being defended against competitors from all different parts of the world: England, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Canada, and the United States.
There is currently no word if the EVE Tag Team Champions, Medusa Complex will be appearing, as Millie McKenzie (now Emilia McKenzie) is currently signed to NXT UK, and Charli Evans is currently back home in Australia, where travel restrictions have hindered any possible overseas work. WrestleZone will keep you updated on this as more details become available.
Wrestle Queendom 4 is EVE’s biggest event, and has featured and delivered stellar women’s wrestling on numerous occasions. It is surely going to be a show to watch.
RELATED: Pro Wrestling Eve Announces Return of Wrestle Queendom
INTERVIEWS:
Battle Arts Academy Women’s Champion, Bianca Carelli chatted with Bell to Belles about completing her biology degree, her upcoming move to the States, NWA Empowerrr, competing in the first-ever NWA Women’s Invitational, and much more!
GSW Women’s World Champion, Masha Slamovich joined Spencer Love of Love Wrestling to discuss her AEW Dark debut, her impending appearance for the NWA, the Dynamite Kid, her time in Canada, wrestling in her hometown of Moscow, Sam Leterna, and more!
Independent star, Kaia McKenna also joined Spencer Love of Love Wrestling to discuss her training under Marek Brave and Seth Rollins, her recovery from her shoulder injury, misconceptions about witches, her first year in professional wrestling, and more!
Taylor Holly Combs recently spoke with O-Face Wrestling to talk about her journey to becoming a professional wrestler, her goals for the business, skateboarding, and much more.
Former EVE Tag Team Champion, Jetta appeared on A Wrestling Gal to discuss Wrestle Friends (with Erin Angel), bringing the entertainment value to wrestling, Wrestle Queendom 4, her thoughts on Nikki A.S.H and much more!
RAW Superstar, Doudrop spoke with Scott Fishman about her WWE callup, working with Eva Marie, growing as a performer through Alexa Bliss and Lilly’s story, how Florida has bad drivers and more.
Former WWE Women’s Champion, Melina spoke with WrestleZone about her IMPACT Wrestling debut, competing at NWA Empowerrr against Deonna Purrazzo, her mixed tag team match at IMPACT Emergence, the status of her knee injury and much more.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, Natalya appeared on The Ringer Wrestling Show to discuss the recovery process from her most recent injury, her family ties to wrestling, and what she’s looking forward to at SummerSlam.
IMPACT Knockouts Champion, Deonna Purrazzo spoke with WrestleZone about facing Melina at NWA Empowerrr, finally working in front of crowds again at IMPACT tapings in Nashville, possibly breaking another singles title record, the most challenging part of her title run now, Mickie James, and much more.
WOMEN’S WRESTLING RESULTS:
IMPACT Wrestling: Emergence
Deonna Purrazzo & Matt Rehwoldt defeated Melina & Trey Miguel
Madison Rayne (w/Kaleb With A K & Tenille Dashwood) defeats Taylor Wilde
Warrior Wrestling: SwitchBlade Series
Warrior Wrestling Women’s Championship Match
Thunder Rosa defeated Kylie Rae (c)
