AEW adds a TBS Championship match to Worlds End. Ring of Honor introduces the ROH Women’s Television Championship. IMPACT Wrestling crowns their Knockouts of the Year. Lena Kross chats with WrestleZone, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up.
AEW Announces TBS Title Match For Worlds End
Following their victory over Jazmin Allure on the December 16 episode of AEW Collision, Abadon was attacked by Skye Blue and TBS Champion Julia Hart. Luckily for Abadon, a returning Thunder Rosa helped fend them off. A week later, the four met in tag team competition on Collision, where Thunder Rosa hit the Tijuana Bomb on Skye Blue to score the win for herself and Abadon.
Earlier that day, AEW President Tony Khan made an important announcement regarding the upcoming AEW Worlds End pay-per-view. On December 30, Julia Hart will now defend her TBS Championship against Abadon in what will be Abadon’s first AEW pay-per-view singles match. It will also mark Hart and Abadon’s first-ever singles match against one another.
Abadon previously challenged Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s Championship in October, albeit in a losing effort. As Abadon looks to secure some AEW gold, Julia Hart looks to successfully defend her title once again.
After winning the TBS Championship at AEW Full Gear, Hart was tasked with defending her title against Emi Sakura and Lady Frost. Hart defeated Frost on the November 25 episode of Collision. Four days later, she earned a win over Emi Sakura on AEW Dynamite. Hart will now put her title on the line against Abadon this Saturday.
Elsewhere at AEW Worlds End, Toni Storm will defend the AEW Women’s Championship against Riho.
RELATED: Julia Hart Says It Was Really Difficult Translating Cheerleading To Pro Wrestling
Tony Khan Introduces The ROH Women’s Television Championship
Ring of Honor owner Tony Khan has revealed his next plan for the company’s women’s division.
On the December 21 episode of ROH on HonorClub, Khan announced that he’d be bringing forth a new title to Ring of Honor — the ROH Women’s Television Championship. The title will be instated in addition to the ROH Women’s World Championship, which is currently held by the long-reigning Athena. While it remains unclear as to how ROH will proceed with crowning the new champion, Khan did officially unveil the new title, which features the promotion’s signature red logo in the center of it.
Former ROH Board of Directors member Maria Kanellis later shared her thoughts on the news in a backstage segment with interviewer Lexy Nair.
“What do you think it means [to the ROH women’s division]? I mean, this is what I’ve been talking about — more opportunities for women. And finally, Tony Khan is listening, and giving those opportunities,” Kanellis said.
During the segment, Leyla Hirsch and Rachael Ellering also expressed their mutual interest in potentially going after the title.
RELATED: Athena Defeats Billie Starkz, Retains ROH Women’s Title At ROH Final Battle
IMPACT Wrestling Announces Knockout of The Year
As 2023 soon comes to a close, IMPACT Wrestling has begun to unveil the winners for the IMPACT Year End Awards. So far, three of the categories have produced winners within the Knockouts division.
On the December 21 episode of IMPACT on AXS, the company revealed some of the recipients of this year’s awards, which include categories such as Knockout of the Year, Knockouts Tag Team of the Year, and One to Watch in 2024. Nominees for Knockout of the Year saw several notable names such as Deonna Purrazzo, Mickie James, Jordynne Grace, and Gisele Shaw. In the end, though, it was the reigning Knockouts Champion Trinity who claimed the honor of 2023’s Knockout of the Year.
The Knockouts Tag Team of the Year nominations featured the likes of MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly), The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King), The Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka), and The SHAWtourage (Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans & Jai Vidal). As confirmed by IMPACT, MK Ultra emerged as the winners.
Later in the program, KiLynn King was revealed as the “One To Watch in 2024.” Other names up for the award included the likes of Jody Threat, Jake Something, Alan Angels, and Jai Vidal.
It should be noted that all of the winners were selected by fan voting.
RELATED: Trinity Reflects on Her Incredible Journey in IMPACT Wrestling So Far
INTERVIEWS
Former Newy Pro Women’s Champion Lena Kross spoke with WrestleZone’s Ella Jay about wrestling for Sendai Girls in Japan, teaming with Aja Kong, her various ventures in the United States, ranking on the 2023 PWI Women’s 250 list, her goals for 2024, and more.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus appeared on GAW TV to discuss her experience as a judge on Canada’s Got Talent, what she’s looking forward to in 2024, plans for the Christmas holiday, and more.
Former Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo joined Gabby AF to talk about her impending departure from IMPACT Wrestling, her potential next moves, the sisterhood within the Knockouts division, combatting her anxiety, and more.
Jade Chung chatted with Fightful’s In The Weeds about taking on the role as IMPACT Wrestling’s ring announcer, getting comfortable with her voice, working with Bully Ray and Moose, and more.
WWE broadcaster Kayla Braxton spoke with Chris Van Vliet about how she got her start working on TV in Orlando, getting hired by WWE, her on-screen feud with Paul Heyman, being backstage for The Rock’s return on Smackdown, and more.
