IYO SKY cashes in her Money in the Bank briefcase. Kris Statlander defends the TBS Championship against Mercedes Martinez. Ava Lawless chats with WrestleZone, and more. Let’s break it all down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
IYO SKY Cashes In Her Money In The Bank Briefcase
IYO SKY has traded in her “Miss Money in the Bank” title for a new one — WWE Women’s Champion.
Heading into WWE SummerSlam, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair were slated to challenge Asuka for the WWE Women’s Championship. None of those women would be walking out as champion though.
During Saturday’s premium live event, Belair, Flair, and Asuka brought out everything they had. As the action intensified, Flair sent Belair flying over the top rope to the outside. Unfortunately, Belair’s landing seemingly caused an excruciating pain in her leg, prompting medical staff to rush down to ringside. Belair was then escorted to the back.
With Belair momentarily out of the equation, Flair and Asuka continued to fight inside the ring. While Flair trapped Asuka in the Figure Eight, Belair limped back down to the ring. After ascending to the top turnbuckle, Belair nailed Flair with a 450 Splash. Flair eventually turned the tide, locking Belair into the Figure Eight. As Flair appeared to be closing in on victory, Asuka reentered the ring and spit mist into Flair’s face. When Asuka then attempted to ground “The EST” with a head kick, Belair countered with a roll-up to secure the pinfall, crowning her as the new WWE Women’s Champion.
The Cash-In
Belair’s celebration didn’t last long though, as “Tokyo Shock” began blaring from the arena speakers, indicating that IYO SKY was on her way to the ring. After Bayley beat down Asuka and Flair, SKY seized the opportunity to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase on Belair. Before the bell rang, SKY nailed Belair’s damaged leg with the briefcase. SKY then handed off her briefcase to the referee to officially cash it in.
Upon the sound of the bell, SKY hit Belair with a Moonsault. Unfortunately for Belair, the damage was too much to overcome, as IYO SKY successfully covered her for the three count. With this win, IYO SKY became the brand-new WWE Women’s Champion, marking her first singles title on the main roster.
Elsewhere on the card, Shayna Baszler defeated Ronda Rousey in an MMA Rules match.
READ MORE: WWE SummerSlam Results (8/5/23)
Kris Statlander Defends TBS Title
Kris Statlander continues her winning streak.
During Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision, Kris Statlander defended her TBS Championship against 23-veteran Mercedes Martinez. The match itself gathered multiple “women’s wrestling” chants from the live crowd in Greenville, South Carolina as Statlander and Martinez battle back and forth. Despite Martinez’s experience advantage, it was Statlander who emerged victorious, surprising Martinez with a roll-up bridge to secure the pinfall. Therefore, Statlander retains the TBS Championship.
After the match, Martinez began attacking Statlander until Diamante rushed down to seemingly make the save. In a shocking turn of events, Diamante turned her back on Statlander, siding with Martinez to finish to beatdown. This move prompted former NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale to even the odds on Statlander’s behalf, forcing Martinez and Diamante to retreat. With this win, Statlander has now successfully defended her title eight times.
Following Statlander’s victory over Martinez, former AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm appeared backstage with Tony Schiavone. After losing her title to Hikaru Shida last week, Storm was freaking out.
As Storm attempts to regather herself, the new AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will defend the title against Anna Jay on Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
READ MORE: AEW Collision Results (8/5/23): CM Punk Defends Against Ricky Starks
Interviews
“The Hellion” Ava Lawless spoke with WrestleZone’s Ella Jay about the Oppenheimer movie, wrestling Athena in Ring of Honor, meeting Bret Hart, the origins of her nickname, and more.
Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair chatted with WrestleZone’s Bill Pritchard at WWE Community Day in Detroit about giving back to local communities, how this year’s SummerSlam compares to last year, how the depth of the women’s division makes her a better competitor and more.
Maxxine Dupri joined MuscleManMalcolm of SE Scoops to talk about her favorite Total Divas characters, who she’d like to see on a reboot, her love of Otis, and more!
Former NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler appeared on The Angle Podcast to discuss her MMA Rules match with Ronda Rousey at WWE SummerSlam, how she and Rousey wanted the feud when they first arrived in WWE, and more.
Results
Capital Championship Wrestling: Blood in the Sand – August 5
- Harleen Lopez (w/Brittany Blake & Vita VonStarr) defeated Damaris Dawkins (8:20)
- JC Storm defeated Clara Carreras
- Sara Leon defeated Miranda Vionette
- CCW Network Championship Four-Way: Ultra Violette defeated Christina Marie (c) and Delmi Exo and Jade
