Women's Wrestling Wrap-Up Deonna Mickie
Photo Credit: IMPACT Wrestling

Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up: Deonna Purrazzo Set For Empowerrr, Thunder Rosa Signs With AEW, RevPro’s Queen Of The Ring Tourney

By Ella Jay

Women’s wrestling continues to shine: Deonna Purrazzo accepts Mickie James’ invitation to NWA’s Empowerrr, Emi Sakura returns to AEW, Thunder Rosa officially signs a new contract, RevPro announces a Queen of the Ring tournament, and much more! Let’s break it down in this week’s Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!

Deonna Purrazzo Accepts Invitation To EMPOWERRR, More Talent Revealed for PPV

The now unhinged forbidden door is proving to be highly beneficial for women’s wrestling fans, as Knockouts Champion, Deonna Purrazzo, is now on track to compete at NWA’s Empowerrr pay-per-view. Purrazzo has successfully run her way through the entire IMPACT Knockouts division, and established herself as one of the top stars in professional wrestling today. Insisting on new competition over the last few months, Purrazzo’s prayers have finally been answered in the form of Mickie James. After meeting NWA executive producer, Mickie James, at IMPACT’s Slammiversary event, Purrazzo was presented with an intriguing opportunity to be a part of NWA’s upcoming Empowerrr show. However, this moment led to a physical altercation, with Purrazzo telling James to leave the ring, and James firing back with a slap and kick.

Things have turned around for the better on last week’s edition of IMPACT Wrestling. Mickie James returned to the IMPACT zone to apologize to Purrazzo and extend the invitation one final time. In turn, Deonna finally said she would only join the card if Mickie groveled at her feet. This tense moment was interrupted, as Gail Kim emerged and revealed that she was responsible for sending out Mickie at Slammiversary. Kim and James convinced the Knockouts Champion that Empowerrr would be a prime opportunity to cement her legacy even further, and thus, Purrazzo shook James’ hand to officially accept the offer.

No official opponent has publicly been named for Purrazzo at this time.

RELATED: Deonna Purrazzo Agrees To Wrestle At NWA Empowerrr 

Purrazzo isn’t the only IMPACT representative joining in on the historical Empowerrr event though, as Mickie James also extended an invitation to the 7-time Knockouts Champion, Gail Kim as well.

Last week, Mickie James also announced via GAWTV the official second entrant in the NWA Women’s Invitational: Jamie Senegal.

Senegal has previously worked for the likes of GCW, SHIMMER, and more. Pollo Del Mar was also announced to be accompanying Senegal at NWA Empowerrr.

WrestleZone will provide more details on the NWA Empowerrr pay-per-view as they become available.

Emi Sakura Returns To AEW, Thunder Rosa Officially Signed

Wrestling legend and ChocoPro creator, Emi Sakura is headed back to All Elite Wrestling. Sakura announced via Twitter that she is returning to All Elite Wrestling on a full-time basis:

Sakura says she’s coming back to America with “a one-way ticket” to the AEW Women’s Division, after last appearing earlier this year for the Japanese bracket of the AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament. Signed to AEW in 2019, Sakura wrestled on the first official pay-per-view Double or Nothing and challenged for the AEW Women’s World Championship against Riho for the championship at AEW Full Gear 2019, in a losing effort.

Emi Sakura brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and is another huge asset to the ever-growing All Elite Wrestling women’s roster.

RELATED: Emi Sakura Announces Full-Time Return To All Elite Wrestling

Last week, All Elite Wrestling also revealed via Twitter that they’ve officially signed former NWA Women’s Champion, Thunder Rosa to their brand.

Thunder Rosa has been consistently appearing on AEW television since September 2020, notably challenging for the AEW Women’s World Championship and headlining Dynamite in a spectacular Lights Out Match against Britt Baker on March 17th. She was previously under contract with the NWA, and recently appeared at IMPACT Wrestling’s Slammiversary pay-per-view as the surprise opponent for Knockouts Champion, Deonna Purrazzo.

ROH Kicking Off Women’s Championship Tournament

Ring of Honor has highly strengthened their women’s division over the last few months, in time for their upcoming Women’s Tournament, which will crown the inaugural ROH Women’s World Champion at Death Before Dishonor in September. ROH previously revealed the official bracket for the tournament at their Best in the World pay-per-view. Now, the chase to gold officially begins.

In the latest edition of the Eck’s Files, three first-round matchups were announced to be kicking off ROH’s Women’s Championship Tournament this weekend:

  • Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia
  • Mazzerati vs. Nicole Savoy
  • Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C

Chelsea Green recently made her debut for at ROH’s Best in the World, but she was unable to participate in this tournament due to injury. However, she will be on commentary for the upcoming tournament.

One spot does still remain open in the tournament. Quinn McKay had previously competed against Mandy Leon on Ring of Honor television in hopes of solidifying her spot, but ultimately fell short, due to Angelina Love’s passing of brass knuckles to Leon, who then nailed McKay in the head with them to secure the victory.

Maria Kanellis-Bennett also made an announcement regarding the “tainted win” of Leon, and Quinn McKay’s final chance at guaranteeing the last spot in the tournament:

CATCH Pro-Wrestling Hosts The Great British Heritage Tournament, Crowns Inaugural Women’s Champion

The British wrestling scene is finally returning to some normalcy, and the action is starting off hot at CATCH2.

CATCH Pro-Wrestling recently held their second-ever show with an eight-woman tournament to crown their first ever CATCH Pro-Wrestling Women’s Champion. Among the competitors, were the following:

  • Lizzy Evo
  • Lucia Lee
  • Clementine
  • Ivy
  • Alexxis Falcon
  • Chantal Jordan
  • Rhio
  • Heidi Katrina
catch-2-poster
Photo Credit: CATCH Pro-Wrestling

The Great British Heritage Tournament featured four qualifying matchups, where the winners advanced to a Fatal Four Way, 30 Minute Iron-Woman Match with the CATCH Pro-Wrestling Women’s Championship at stake. Here are the qualifying match results:

  • Great British Heritage Tournament Semi-Final: Lizzy Evo defeated Lucia Lee
  • Great British Heritage Tournament Semi-Final: Clementine defeated Ivy
  • Great British Heritage Tournament Semi-Final: Alexxis Falcon defeated Chantal Jordan
  • Great British Heritage Tournament Semi-Final: Rhio defeated Heidi Katrina

Evo, Clementine, Falcon, and Rhio then advanced to the finals in an intense, unique fatal-four-way like no other, in the form of a 30-minute iron woman match. The final score of falls unfolded with a 2-1-1-1 decision.

Lizzy Evo (2) defeated Rhio (1), Alexxis Falcon (1) and Clementine (1) to become the first-ever CATCH Pro-Wrestling Women’s Champion!

While Evo has enjoyed her time as the new champion so far, she is already set to defend her newly won championship in ANOTHER fatal-four-way match at Wrestle Carnival on August 1st, against Heidi Katrina, Ivy, and Skye Smitson.

RevPro Announces Queen Of The Ring Tournament

The UK’s Revolution Pro Wrestling looks to crown their Queen of the Ring in their upcoming tournament. With an amazing talent pool, this tournament is surely going to be one to watch. It is worth noting that the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship is not on the line in this tournament, but nevertheless, the women’s wrestling action is sure to deliver

Rev Pro Queen of the ring
Photo Credit: RevPro

RevPro recently released their quarter-finals matchups for their July 31st show:

  • Chakara vs Clementine
  • Zoe Lucas vs Maria De La Rosa
  • Mariah May vs Hyan
  • Gisele Shaw vs Skye Smitson

The semi-finals and finals will also be held on the same day, as RevPro will be hosting two shows in one day. This event will also mark the beginning of Hyan’s United Kingdom debut in wrestling.

Additionally, it is worth noting that WWE is reportedly considering a “Queen of the Ring” style tournament with their women’s roster as well, but we will see if those plans actually come into fruition.

RELATED: WWE Reportedly Considering a Queen Of The Ring PPV, $10,000 On The Line In New WWE Hidden Gem

WrestleZone will keep you updated with the results of RevPro’s Queen of the Ring Tournament as more details become available.

Toni Storms Makes Smackdown Debut, Jacy Jayne Debuts On NXT

It’s officially “Toni Time” on Friday Night Smackdown. A former NXT UK Women’s Champion, Toni Storm made her SmackDown debut last week in a match against Zelina Vega. Storm dominated much of the match, successfully hitting German suplexes before perfecting the Storm One on Vega for the victory.

Storm joins the latest batch of NXT call-ups alongside Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart to the Smackdown brand.

RELATED: Toni Storm Easily Wins WWE SmackDown Debut Against Zelina Vega

Last week’s edition of WWE NXT also featured an in-ring debut, with that of Jacy Jayne (formerly known as Avery Taylor) in a loss to Franky Monet. Jayne has previously worked in SHINE and EVOLVE before signing with WWE earlier this year in the February 2021 Performance Center Class.

Jayne’s loss to Franky Monet (fka Taya Valkyrie) intertwined multiple storylines in the process. Mandy Rose was seen scouting talent from the top of the announce table, after returning to NXT the week prior.

The NEW Robert Stone Brand also continued its dominance, with Jessi Kamea standing close by to aid her new ally, Franky Monet.

INTERVIEWS

Former RAW Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair recently appeared on Out of Character with Ryan Satin to discuss Wrestlemania, WCW appearances when she was a teenager, traveling around the world, her love for food, how she got started in wrestling, and more.

WUW Women’s Champion, Jada Rhosem spoke with O-Face Wrestling about her experience training under Johnny Rodz at World of Unpredictable Wrestling, the inspiration for her ring name, making her own ring gear and more.

Former SHIMMER Champion, Nicole Savoy appeared on the ROHStrong podcast to discuss being in the ROH Women’s World Title Tournament, facing Mazzerati in the first round, suffering a torn ACL during her WWE tryout, being a self-proclaimed nerd, and much more.

The “Hardcore Daughter”, Kennedi Copeland chatted with Under The Ropes about Rickey Shane Page, ladder matches,  advice to aspiring wrestlers, and much more.

Former Knockouts Champion, Gail Kim, spoke with Busted Open Radio about her passion for producing, working with IMPACT female talent, her chances of stepping back in the ring, and more.

NWA Executive Producer, Mickie James recently spoke with WrestleZone’s Bill Pritchard about NWA Empowerrr, assembling the talent and how it can be an annual event, who is helping Mickie produce the show, how it will complement the NWA brand, Tootie Lynn, and much more.

Professional wrestler and manager, Jade Chung recently chatted with Straight Talk Wrestling about Su Yung, her favorite wrestling memory, The Canadian women’s wrestling scene and more.

Independent star, Gin Sevani recently appeared on A Wrestling Gal podcast, discussing the California wrestling scene, her strategies to wrestle while deaf in one ear, ring gear inspirations, her wild-child persona, and much more.

Former Knockouts Champion, Lisa Marie Varon chatted with Wilde On to talk about her WWE Departure, online body shaming, the Jericho Cruise

Read More: Mickie James ‘Overwhelmed’ By The Response To NWA Empowerrr So Far, Says Tootie Lynn Has A Certain Spark About Her

WOMEN’S WRESTLING RESULTS:

T-Mart Promotions: The Gathering II, July 24th

  • NWA World Women’s Championship Match: Kamille (c) defeated Kenzie Paige
  • Samantha Starr (w/Baby Doll) defeats Shalonce Royal (w/Dark Journey)

UPCOMING EVENTS:

East Coast Wrestling Association: Women’s Super 8 Tournament, July 31st

Due to injury, however, Kaia McKenna’s replacement has been named in the form of Megan Bane.

 

Ella Jay
Ella Jay

Ella Jay is a writer, podcaster, interviewer, and host in the wrestling space.
Her love for professional wrestling sparked at the age of 11, finding Friday Night SmackDown while scrolling through channels. Ella watched and attended numerous wrestling events growing up, captivated by the likes of Jeff Hardy, Mickie James, and Shawn Michaels. 

Ella currently resides in Buffalo, NY and has a Bachelor's in Psychology and minored in Creative Writing at Canisius College. She also highly enjoys reality television and crime shows, specifically: Survivor, Big Brother, Law & Order: SVU, and NCIS.
Follow Ella on Twitter: @itsellajay

EMAIL: [email protected]

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