WWE crowns new Women’s Tag Team Champions. Three matches were announced for the “Day 1” edition of WWE RAW. All Elite Wrestling confirms Thunder Rosa’s return match. Safire Reed chats with WrestleZone, and more.
Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
In the wake of Sonya Deville’s untimely ACL injury over the summer, Chelsea Green was tasked with finding a new tag team partner to fill the void. Luckily, it didn’t take long for Green to secure a suitable replacement, as Piper Niven assertively stepped up to become a Co-WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside her. Since officially beginning their reign in August, Niven and Green successfully defended the titles against the likes of Chase U (Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne) and Natalya & Tegan Nox.
During Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, the duo met their next challengers — Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Carter and Chance previously defeated three other teams to earn themselves this title shot. Unfortunately for Green and Niven, this contest didn’t end quite as they had hoped.
Toward the conclusion of the title match, Green attempted to nail Chance with her signature Unprettier — a move that Chance countered into a Lung Blower. With Niven positioned on the outside of the ring, Chance and Carter then double-teamed Green to deliver The After Party, securing themselves a pinfall in the process. As a result, Chance and Carter were crowned as the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Elsewhere on the show, WWE announced three women’s matches for the upcoming “Day 1” edition of RAW, which will take place on January 1. Coming off a victory against Maxxine Dupri last week, WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley will soon defend her title against recent RAW arrival Ivy Nile. Natalya and Tegan Nox will also take on the newly-minted team of Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. After weeks of brawling (physically and verbally), Becky Lynch will also meet Nia Jax in what will be the two’s first-ever singles match on the main roster.
RELATED: Freddie Prinze Jr: Chelsea Green Is Making The Most Of Her Opportunity
Thunder Rosa Returns
Last Saturday, former AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa returned to her position behind the Spanish announce desk to provide commentary for AEW Collision. That wouldn’t be Rosa’s only appearance on the show, though, as she later rescued Abadon from an ongoing attack in the ring.
Following a dominant victory over Jazmin Allure, Abadon was greeted by TBS Champion Julia Hart. When Hart began taunting Abadon with her title, Abadon charged at her, unloading a flurry of punches to her face. Skye Blue then made her way down to the ring, where she and Hart teamed up to take down Abadon. Luckily for Abadon, Thunder Rosa provided some assistance as she charged to the ring to even the odds against Blue and Hart.
Now, after a 16-month absence, Thunder Rosa will return to in-ring action as she and Abadon face Skye Blue and Julia Hart in a tag team match on the December 23 episode of Collision.
An Emotional AEW Comeback
When discussing her recent comeback on Busted Open Radio, Rosa admitted that she was slightly nervous (h/t to Fightful for the transcription).
“I was a little worried about botching that jump,” Rosa said. “I was a little nervous because it’s been 500 days and so much has happened during that time. There has been so much change in the women’s division. The new people, the new stars have risen. I was in the background for a long time. It was hard, in the beginning, to take that step. I learned it was important to take that role and learn about everyone in the ring, so when it became my moment, people were going to know when I was coming back. People kept asking, ‘When are you coming back?’ I said, ‘Everyone is going to know when I come back.’”
Despite the nerves surrounding her return, Rosa asserts that she is ready to get back into the action and showcase the talents she knows she has. “Even though I was afraid and had doubts, I never doubted myself that I still have it. I stopped listening to people who don’t like me and don’t want me to be successful,” Rosa said.
READ MORE: Thunder Rosa Talks AEW Return, Admits She Felt Nervous
Interviews
Pro-Wrestling EVE Champion Safire Reed spoke with WrestleZone’s Ella Jay about winning the 2023 She-1 at EVE, working with 23-year veteran Mercedes Martinez earlier this year, the origins of “The Radioactive One” moniker, her goals for 2024, her friendship with Amira, and much more
TNA Knockout Gisele Shaw chatted with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard about IMPACT rebranding to TNA Wrestling, what excites her most about the new era, her favorite match in the company, IMPACT supporting the LGBTQ+ community and its talent, DC’s Pennyworth, and more.
Former NXT UK star Xia Brookside joined Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful to discuss her departure from WWE, exploring the free agency market, staying in the United States, being scouted for the Mae Young Classic, and more.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena appeared on WrestlePurists to discuss her title defense against Billie Starkz, the AEW women’s division, forging her connection with Lexy Nair, the history of Ring of Honor, and more.
Former Knockouts Champion Mickie James joined Gabby AF to talk about running her 2nd all-women’s pay-per-view, Nick Aldis’ run as WWE SmackDown General Manager, CM Punk’s recent reference to her on RAW, NXT star Fallon Henley angling for a tag-title run with her, and more.
