WrestleMania Backlash is quickly approaching, with an “I Quit Match” already set, and another one possibly on the way. Raquel officially makes her Smackdown debut. Dakota Kai challenges for the NXT Women’s Championships, and more. Let’s break it all down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Flair & Rousey To Collide In “I Quit Match” At WrestleMania Backlash
Charlotte Flair will once again put the Smackdown Women’s Championship on the line against Ronda Rousey. After barely defeating Rousey 10 days ago at WrestleMania, Flair is now set to compete against Rousey in an “I Quit” match at WrestleMania Backlash on May 8th.
Last Friday on Smackdown, Rousey initially challenged Flair to an “I Quit” match, to which Flair declined. However, WWE has gone through with Rousey’s request anyways and officially set the match for WrestleMania Backlash.
"I challenge @MsCharlotteWWE to an I Quit Match."@RondaRousey | #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/wwwmNxnoO7
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 9, 2022
WWE released the following statement on the Smackdown Women’s Championship match:
Despite the fact that Rousey made Flair tap out at WrestleMania, she did not win the title due to the referee being knocked out when it happened. Although Flair was able to squeak out a victory, Rousey returned to SmackDown the following Friday and wasted little time challenging The Opportunity to an “I Quit” Match.
In response to the bold challenge, Flair refused and told The Rowdy One to get to the back of the line. Not to be outdone, though, The Baddest Woman on the Planet insisted the rematch will happen and that Charlotte will scream “no” when she turns the titleholder’s arm backward. She later petitioned to have the rematch, and WWE Management made it official on WWE Talking Smack.
RELATED: WWE SmackDown Results (4/8/22)
New NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Crowned, Raquel Officially Makes Main Roster Debut
After being crowned new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 2nd, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez hoped to change the fate of their second reign with gold. Initially being crowned the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions early last year, Kai and Gonzalez lost the titles within an hour to Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon. Now, the two teamed up yet again to defeat Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin during WWE’s most stupendous WrestleMania weekend.
Though the interference of Wendy Choo helped Kai and Gonzalez win back the tag team championships, it wasn’t enough to keep them for long. Three days after beginning their second reign as NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Dakota and Raquel defended their titles against the former champions, Toxic Attraction. Though Choo again attempted to aid Kai and Gonzalez, Toxic Attraction evened the numbers with the addition of Mandy Rose at ringside. In turn, Rose launched Choo into the steel stairs, which alarmed Dakota Kai.
The distraction left Raquel Gonzalez alone to fend for herself in the ring against Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne. In the end, Jayne managed to secure the victory with a pinfall on Gonzalez to reclaim the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships for her team.
Post-match, Dakota Kai was visibly upset with Mandy Rose for interfering in their matchup. Now, Kai is set to challenge Mandy Rose for the NXT Women’s Championship tonight on NXT 2.0.
.@DakotaKai_WWE challenges @WWE_MandyRose for the NXT Women's Title NEXT WEEK on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/XK68ZG4bzZ
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 6, 2022
Later that week on Friday Night Smackdown, Raquel Gonzalez officially debuted on the main roster with the blue brand.
Under a new last name, Raquel has now become Raquel Rodriguez. In a backstage segment with Kayla Braxton, Rodriguez recognized that SmackDown has one of the most incredible female rosters. Furthermore, she asserted that Smackdown is in store for something that hasn’t seen before. Before she could continue though, Los Lotharios joined the welcoming celebration with the hope to continue their tradition of a kiss. Wisely though, Rodriguez declined their advances.
RELATED: Raquel Gonzalez Debuts On 4/8 WWE SmackDown, Gets Renamed Raquel Rodriguez
Bianca Belair’s Next Challenger Revealed
Bianca Belair has a target painted on her after winning the RAW Women’s Championship at WrestleMania.
Her first challenger came in the form of Zelina Vega last night on RAW, in a non-title matchup. Belair impressed with a dominant victory over the inaugural Queen’s Crown winner. After the match, Belair was met in the ring by WWE authority figure, Sonya Deville.
With a contract in hand, Deville revealed that she knew who Belair’s next challenger would be. Furthermore, Deville convinced Belair to then blindly sign the contract without even knowing who she’d be facing. In an act of deceit, Deville gestured Belair to turn her attention to the entrance in anticipation of the emergence of her next opponent. However, with the RAW Women’s Champion’s back turned away, Sonya Deville then swiftly attacked Belair from behind, confirming herself as Belair’s next challenger.
Although an official date for this bout has yet to be announced, WrestleMania Backlash is right around the corner on May 8th.
Reality Of Wrestling Sherri Martel Classic Announces Rescheduled Date, Two Participants Announced
Reality Of Wrestling recently announced its new rescheduled date for the inaugural Sherri Martel Classic tournament. Originally slated for April 2nd, the exciting tournament will now take place on Saturday, April 30, at the Booker T World Gym Arena in Texas City, Texas.
With sixteen participants originally set to compete in the first-ever Sherri Martel Classic, Reality of Wrestling has finally announced the first two. “The Renaissance Woman” Hyan will join “La Fashionista” Rache Chanel in the rescheduled tournament. As of this writing, no other competitors have been officially announced.
? TALENT ANNOUNCEMENT ?
The first competitor for The Sherri Martel Classic on Sat, April 30th is @_thehyan
Hyan is truly a world traveled wrestler competing in Japan, Europe and across America including AEW, Ring Of Honor, IMPACT & WWE.
?https://t.co/gwHAEk8bE0 pic.twitter.com/OjZs69CEWw
— Reality of Wrestling (@TheOfficialROW) April 12, 2022
INTERVIEWS
Independent star Tatiana joined The Hot Tag Hooligans to talk about her career, who are some of the hardest hitters in the sport, evolving her character, overcoming injuries, Beauty and the Beast, and more.
Rhea Ripley spoke with WrestleZone about potentially main eventing WrestleMania with Bianca Belair and how the contest would be an “all out war.”
Ripley also spoke with TV Insider about tag-teaming with Liv Morgan, team bonding, potentially starting a business, and more.
Former RAW Women’s Champion Becky chatted with Notsam Wrestling about WrestleMania weekend, getting her hair cut, turning her bravado on and off, and more.
Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair appeared on BT Sport about her WrestleMania 32 match in Texas, Ronda Rousey journey to wrestling, her upcoming wedding, and more.
Independent star Lexi Gomez appeared on We Luv Wrestling to discuss her tag team V.I.B with Katalina Perez, entrance music, her tag team inspirations, and much more.
