It’s been a week of tournaments in the land of women’s wrestling: AEW sets the semifinals for the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament, NXT continues the Women’s Breakout Tournament, ECWA announces the 2022 Super 8, and more. Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
AEW Women’s Owen Hart Cup Updates: Semifinals Set
The inaugural Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament is quickly heating up as we head into the semifinals this week on All Elite Wrestling. But first, let’s recap the official first round.
On the May 11th edition of AEW Dynamite, the opening round began with Jamie Hayter colliding with Toni Storm. These two competitors were the first official matchup announced in the tournament, a few weeks prior to their bout. With multiple intense backstage segments a tag team match between these two participants, Hayter and Storm were poised to finally battle.
In the end, Jamie Hayter delivered a backbreaker to Toni Storm, but Storm managed to power out of the cover. In response, Storm landed her signature Storm Zero to gain the pinfall. This victory then earned Toni Storm a spot in the semifinals on the left side of the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament bracket.
And #ToniStorm advances into the semifinals of the #OwenHart Foundation Women's Tournament! Watch #AEWDynamite on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/37oJJX5a1t
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 12, 2022
Rounding out the left side of the bracket, former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker competed against a mystery opponent. Last week on AEW Dynamite, the identity of the mystery “Joker” opponent was finally revealed. To Baker’s shock, Maki Itoh emerged as “The Joker” to a large crowd pop. Itoh and Baker previously partnered at AEW Revolution last year to defeat Thunder Rosa and Riho. Now, these two fierce competitors stood on opposite sides of the ring.
Itoh put up a valiant effort against “The D.M.D”, but ultimately fell to the Lock Jaw submission. Before Baker could celebrate her victory, her semifinal opponent Toni Storm emerged to initiate a staredown.
Britt Baker will now meet Toni Storm in the semifinals of the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament on Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Dr. @realbrittbaker DMD advances in the #OwenHart Foundation Women's Tournament and she will face #ToniStorm in the Semifinals! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/0G2ZupWr0A
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 19, 2022
On the right side of the bracket, Ruby Soho and former AEW Women’s Champion Riho squared off in their opening-round matchup on the May 13th edition of Rampage. These two competitors demonstrated a great back and forth fight, but there could only be one winner.
In the end, Ruby Soho delivered the Blade Runner to gain the pinfall. Soho then now moves on to compete in the second semi-finals matchup this Friday on AEW Rampage. Her opponent, however, comes as a result of a last-minute shakeup in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament.
As announced on the May 13th edition of AEW Rampage, Hikaru Shida was no longer eligible to compete in the tournament due to an injury she sustained in her Philly Street Fight with Serena Deeb last month. Backstage, Tony Schiavone joined Red Velvet, Kiera Hogan, and the TBS Champion Jade Cargill to deliver the news, as Red Velvet was originally scheduled to take on Shida in their respective quarterfinals matchup.
With Hikaru Shida out on injury now, Velvet learned that her replacement opponent would be named in the form of Kris Statlander. The following week on Rampage, these two former friends now stood on opposite sides in hopes of advancing to the semi-finals. Statlander was able to reverse Red Velvet’s pin attempt to gain a pinfall of her own, and thus, moved on in the tournament.
Now, Kris Statlander will collide with Ruby Soho on Friday to determine who will compete in the finals of the tournament. The finals of the inaugural Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament will officiate at AEW Double or Nothing on Saturday May 29th.
Also slated to compete at Double or Nothing, Thunder Rosa will defend her AEW Women’s World Championship against Serena Deeb. In addition, TBS Champion Jade Cargill will defend her title against Anna Jay.
It's official!! #TBS Champion @Jade_Cargill defends her Title against @annajay___ at #AEWDoN (Double Or Nothing) LIVE from Las Vegas, NV on PPV Sunday, May 29th!
Tune in NOW to #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/lGmvKaBX8z
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 20, 2022
RELATED: Thunder Rosa Vows To Become A Professor Of Professional Wrestling By Beating Serena Deeb
NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Continues
The semi-finals of the inaugural NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament have officially been set. Nikkita Lyons will clash with Fallon Henley after both were successful in their opening round bouts. Last week, the right side of the bracket then completed the quarterfinal rounds.
Firstly, Lash Legend battled Tatum Paxley. In the end, Paxley tried to lift Legend for a slam but is countered by a bicycle kick to the face from Legend. Lash Legend then gains the pinfall victory to advance.
Later, Roxanne Perez and Kiana James collide in the final opening-round matchup of the tournament. James dominates early on, but the playing field evened with a series of strikes between competitors. The closing moment saw Perez deliver a surprise Code Red in the corner for the victory.
Now, Roxanne Perez will advance to the semi-finals of the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament to face Lash Legend. On the other side, Nikkita Lyons will square off Fallon Henley. The winners of those two matchups will then meet in the finals to crown a winner.
ECWA Announces 2022 Women’s Super 8
The East Coast Wrestling Association recently announced the return of their Super 8 Women’s Tournament.
On August 6th, eight competitors will battle to be crowned the winner of this prestigious tournament. Last year, “The Megasus” Megan Bayne emerged victorious in the tournament, as a last-minute substitute for Kaia McKenna, who sustained a prior injury.
This year, four competitors have been confirmed so far:
- Jordan Blade
- Abby Jane
- Riley Shepard
- Bonesaw Brooks
The 2022 ECWA Women’s Super 8 will take place on August 6th in Paulsboro, New Jersey.
In other ECWA News, “The Gummibear Kid” Erica Leigh made history last month by winning the ECWA Legacy Championship from Travis Lee. With that victory, Leigh became the first female ever in ECWA history to capture a company title outside of the women’s championship.
She did it. @EricaWrestles becomes the first female to capture a title other than the women’s championship in ECWA’s 55 year history! pic.twitter.com/J7FQ3NitXI
— ECWA Pro Wrestling – Established 1967 (@ECWA1967) May 1, 2022
INTERVIEWS
WWE Superstar Sonya Deville joined Sportskeeda Wrestling to discuss losing her role as an official in WWE, feuding with a returning Alexa Bliss, her journey starting from being a participant in WWE Tough Enough to her run as an official and an active superstar in WWE, and more.
IMPACT Knockout Mia Yim spoke with Denise Salcedo about her return to IMPACT Wrestling, having freedom, her release from WWE, how Gail Kim was the person who persuaded her to sign with IMPACT Wrestling and more.
The Hex Allysin Kay and Marti Belle chatted with the Wrestling Perspective Podcast about the NWA locker room, how the Hex came to be, winning the NWA Women’s Tag-Team championship and more.
Independent star Gabby Ortiz spoke with Fightful about her WrestleMania weekend, designing gear, working in Japan, and more.
AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa appeared on the TWC Show to discuss her upcoming match against Serena Deeb at Double or Nothing, the chip on her shoulder, getting signed to AEW, Mission Pro Wrestling, and more.
Former Knockouts Champion Chelsea Green appeared on The Universal Wrestling Podcast to talk about her time in WWE, the impact of Matt Cardona’s current run, her friendship with Britt Baker and Deonna Purrazzo, and more.
RESULTS:
Capital Championship Wrestling: The Capital Cup – May 21st
- Capital Cup First Round: Devlyn Macabre & Riley Shepard defeat Tiara James & Tina San Antonio
- Capital Cup First Round: The Good Sisters (Lizzy Blair & Payton Blair) defeat Mother Endless & Scarlett
- CCW Network Championship: Kayla Sparks (c) defeated Brittany Blake
- Capital Cup First Round: Dangerous But Fun (Gabby Gilbert & Valentina Vazquez) defeat Forces of Nature (Big Mama & Riley Matthews)
- CCW Championship: KiLynn King (c) defeated Trish Adora
Ultimate Women of Wrestling – May 21st
- Ashley D’Amboise defeated Jordan Blu
- Zeda Zhang defeated Gemma Jewels
- The Renegade Twins (Charlette Renegade & Robyn Renegade) defeat Delilah Doom & Myka Madrid
- Christina Von Eerie defeated Nevaeh
- Miranda Alize defeated Alex Gracia
- Jennacide vs. Lei’D Tapa (Double Countout)
- Santana Garrett defeated Christi Jaynes
- Ivelisse defeated Mazzerati
