Jordynne Grace becomes the new Knockouts Champion. Gisele Shaw wins the Knockouts Ultimate X. Mickie James officially joins Ohio Valley Wrestling, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Jordynne Grace Dethrones Trinity
The era of TNA Wrestling is back, and so is the age of “The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace.
Saturday’s Hard To Kill pay-per-view marked the first event to be held under the banner of the newly revived TNA Wrestling, and as expected, it delivered a mix of surprises and exciting action. For the semi-main event of the evening, Trinity was tasked with defending the Knockouts World Championship against Jordynne Grace, who previously won the 2023 Call Your Shot Gauntlet to earn a title shot. Trinity and Grace weren’t alone for this title match, however, as Ash By Elegance (formerly known as Dana Brooke in WWE) watched on at ringside.
Trinity and Grace battled for nearly 15 minutes until Grace shifted the tide in her favor, laying out Trinity with a German suplex and a spinning back fist. As Trinity staggered, Grace then nailed her with a Juggernaut Driver to capture the pinfall, and the Knockouts Championship. With this win, Grace begins her third reign as Knockouts Champion, while Trinity’s win ends at 182 days.
Grace wasn’t the only new champion crowned within the Knockouts division that night. Earlier in the evening, Rosemary and Havok defeated MK Ultra (Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich) to start their third reign as Knockouts Tag Team Champions.
RELATED: Jordynne Grace: TNA Wrestling Reinvented Me
Gisele Shaw Sees Victory In Ultimate X
While Jordynne Grace revels in her victory at TNA Hard To Kill, an eager challenger waits in the wings.
Hard To Kill’s opening contest saw six women compete in the second-ever Knockouts Ultimate X match. The winner would secure themselves a future shot at the Knockouts Championship. This year’s field of competitors included Gisele Shaw, Alisha Edwards, Dani Luna, Jody Threat, Xia Brookside, and the match’s inaugural winner, Tasha Steelz.
The ending of the match featured a three-way face-off between Steelz, Luna, and Shaw as all three were hanging from the cables above. When Luna attempted to inch closer to the red “X” in the center, her hand slipped. As a result, Luna fell to the ground. Shaw then proceeded to use the X as a weapon, slamming it into the head of Steelz. After Steelz also plummeted, Shaw quickly seized the opportunity to unhook the X for the win.
With this victory, Shaw has now secured herself a shot at the Knockouts Championship. The date and location of this title match has yet to be determined.
READ MORE: TNA Hard To Kill Results (1/13/24)
Mickie James Named Creative Director & Head of Female Talent For OVW
Backed by 25 years of wrestling experience, Mickie James embarks on a new journey behind the scenes as she aids Ohio Valley Wrestling in elevating their women’s division.
Last week, OVW revealed James has come on as the company’s new Creative Director and Head of Female Talent. James will also act as Executive Producer for all of OVW’s wrestling shows.
James officially returned to OVW earlier this month. On January 6, James served as a special commentator for the Women’s Nightmare Rumble Match at the Nightmare Rumble event. Now, she looks to further boost OVW’s women’s division.
OVW’s lead commentator Bryan Kennison recently commented on the news of James joining OVW, sharing his praise for James’ contributions to the wrestling business.
“Mickie James is a name synonymous with excellence in the wrestling industry. We are incredibly excited to be working with her,” Kennison said. “Her experience, talent, and vision will be invaluable in elevating our programming and our women’s division to new heights.”
In addition to her aforementioned backstage positions, James will also be involved in a new television series centered around female empowerment in professional wrestling — a project that is near and dear to James’ heart.
“To be working with OW again in this role is a full circle moment for me,” James said. “I owe a lot of my success to OVW and the foundation it gave me to become an 11x Women’s World Champion. Now I get to pay it back and pay it forward in a way. I’m excited for a new year, a new vision, and a bright new future with OVW in 2024.”
RELATED: Kingsley Is Really Happy Mickie James Is Putting A Spotlight On Australian Wrestling
Interviews
Former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley joined Gabby AF to discuss her epic rivalry with Bianca Belair, her confidence heading into this year’s Royal Rumble, setting her sights on Rhea Ripley, Naomi’s potential return to WWE, and more.
TBS Champion Julia Hart appeared on Busted Open Radio to talk about working in AEW, her character development journey, horror movies, looking up to the likes of AJ Lee and Alexa Bliss, and more.
“The Stunner” Emily Jaye chatted with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful about her rookie year in wrestling, training with Tyler Breeze and Shawn Spears, working with Renee Michelle, developing herself as a performer, and more.
TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim appeared on Ring the Belle to discuss the TNA Wrestling rebrand, the Knockouts division, her in-ring return for IMPACT’s 1000th episode, her reunion with Awesome Kong as Kharma in WWE, the story behind getting bangs in WWE, and more.
Former WSW Women’s Champion Steph De Lander spoke with Chris Van Vliet about how she reinvented herself after being released from WWE, how meeting Matt Cardona completely changed her wrestling career, her lipstick line, her appearances in IMPACT Wrestling and AEW, her goals for the new year, and more.
