The WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament kicks off. The TBS & AEW Women’s Championships will be defended. Gabby Forza chats with WrestleZone and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
WWE Women’s United States Title Tourney Continues, While Women’s IC Tourney Begins
Within a matter of weeks, two new women’s champions will be crowned in WWE. Last month, the company first announced the introduction of the Women’s United States Championship, exclusive to the SmackDown brand. Shortly thereafter, WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce unveiled the Women’s Intercontinental Championship soon coming to the red brand.
So far, three women have solidified their spots in the Women’s U.S. title tournament semi-finals, while one has advanced in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament. The latter tournament began on the November 15 episode of SmackDown, with “The Role Model” Bayley defeating B-Fab and Candice LeRae. The following week, Cheslea Green moved on a win over Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport, though the former notably left the ring after seeing her tag team partner Jade Cargill laid out on top of a car. Most recently, Michin beat Piper Niven and Lash Legend in the third opening round matchup.
The remaining semi-finals position will either by filled Naomi, Tiffany Stratton, or Elektra Lopez, who are slated to face off in a triple threat on SmackDown this week.
Elsewhere on WWE Raw, Damage CTRL’s Dakota Kai became the first advancer in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament with a victory over Shayna Baszler and Katana Chance. Looking ahead, she will either face Zoey Stark, Raquel Rodriguez, or Kayden Carter in the semi-finals. The tournament will continue next week when Lyra Valkyria and Zelina Vega and Ivy Nile battle in a quarterfinals contest from the other side of the brackets.
As of now, it remains unknown when exactly WWE will crown the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. WWE’s inaugural Women’s United States Champion, however, will take their throne at Saturday Night’s Main Event, scheduled for December 14.
RELATED: Dakota Kai: I Deserve To Be Intercontinental Champion More Than Anything
TBS & AEW Women’s Titles To Defended
Over in All Elite Wrestling, Mariah May will soon defend her AEW Women’s Championship against her “best friend” Mina Shirakawa. Meanwhile, TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will lay her title on the line against the fiery Anna Jay.
At AEW All In, Mariah May defeated her former friend Toni Storm, and in doing so, took possession of the AEW Women’s World Championship. After seeing May turn her back on Storm, Mina Shirakawa felt that she too would eventually face the same fate. At AEW Full Gear, Shirakawa’s gut proved to be right, as May attempted to smash a champagne bottle over her head from behind. Shirakawa, however, saw it coming and speared through a table off the stage.
Now, the former Goddesses of STARDOM Champions will face off against each other at AEW Winter Is Coming, with May’s AEW Women’s Championship on the line.
Ahead of this title match, May appeared on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, vowing to make Shirakawa “work.” In response, Shirakawa handed over a champagne bottle and challenged May to strike her with it to her face, instead of behind her back.
Elsewhere on Dynamite, Anna Jay defeated Penelope Ford in singles action, then called out TBS Champion Mercedes Moné. Moné, however, insisted that Jay come back in ten years after she’d “actually done something in the business.”
Unamused by the comment, Jay slapped Moné, prompting her to retreat and declare that they’d fight on “CEO” time. Shortly after, AEW confirmed Moné vs. Jay for the TBS Championship at AEW Dynamite: Holiday Bash on November 18.
READ MORE: AEW Dynamite Results: Review, Grades, Card For December 4
NXT Deadline
The card for WWE NXT Deadline is set, with one Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge and a notable Underground match pitting two of NXT’s toughest women against each other.
In recent weeks, the likes of Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, Sol Ruca, and Zaria cemented their spots in the 2024 Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. With one slot remaining, four women battled in a Last Chance qualifying match on this week’s episode of NXT — Cora Jade, Jaida Parker, Wren Sinclair, and Kelani Jordan.
Parker appeared to be closing in on victory when she set up Jordan in the corner for a springboard seated senton. Lola Vice had other plans, though, as she attempted to surprise Parker with a spinning backfist on the apron. Parker ultimately dodged Vice’s line of fire, causing Sinclair to be hit with it instead and collapse onto Jade, specifically in a pinning position. Before Parker could stop the referee’s count of three, Vice pulled her to the outside. As such, Sinclair claimed the final spot in the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
Fuming from the loss, Parker challenged Lola Vice for an NXT Underground, which NXT General Manager Ava penciled in for NXT Deadline. This announcement prompted the return of Vice, who vowed to knock Parker out. In response, Parker tossed her brick toward Vice, knocking to the ground with a back elbow.
RELATED: Eddy Thorpe Qualifies For Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge At NXT Deadline
INTERVIEWS
“Your Homie The Gnomie” Gabby Forza spoke with WrestleZone’s Ella Jay about her recent honeymoon in Jamaica, her and Bulk Bronson’s encounters with B3cca and Aaron Rourke at Beyond, the announcement of Rourke’s WWE ID signing, reaching her 100th professional wrestling match, her upcoming return to Uprising, favorite Christmas traditions and film, and more.
“The Brickhouse” Kamille chatted with MuscleManMalcolm about her experience at WrestleCade, her recent split with TBS Champion Mercedes Mone, potentially going after her title, her order at Waffle House, and more.
Former WWE Divas Champion Layla appeared on the No Name Wrestling Podcast to discuss the possibility of renewing LayCool with Michelle McCool, her journey through WWE Diva Search, serving as a mentor for Kaval in NXT, her thoughts on today’s women in WWE, winning the Divas Championship, and more.
WWE NXT star Jaida Parker joined Busted Open After Dark to talk about her rocky relationship with Lola Vice, losing the Last Chance Iron Survivor Challenge qualifier, her NXT Underground match against Vice, her thoughts on NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez, and more.
Former ROH Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez spoke with the Ropes N Riffs Podcast about her 24-year journey in wrestling, the significance of entrance music, the evolution of her themes, the collaborative process of creating tag team themes, and the critical role of timing in wrestling music, and more.
WWE Raw star Raquel Rodriguez spoke with The Takedown on SI about the Women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series, her previous contemplation of retiring, her friendship with WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, her absence from WWE television, and more.
