Nyla Rose appears to be the new challenger for the ROH Women’s World Champion.
Athena had taken a step back after her successful title defense at Final Battle in order to heal up some. She has been working with a few injuries but was seen being the Minion Overlord and instructing her minions in training. Rose surprised Athena by coming up behind her on the ring apron and the attack began.
Rose took out several trainees before Athena went for a kick. A powerbomb took Athena down as Rose went to find a door that she choke-slammed the champion through.
Elsewhere on this week’s ROH, Billie Starkz stakes her claim to the new ROH Women’s TV Title. There will be an upcoming tournament to determine who the inaugural champion will be, but Starkz is already calling it her title.
ROH TV Jan. 11 Results
Queen Aminata def. Diamante, Lady Frost, and Trish Adora
Mickie James has become a prime member in control of OVW’s talent. She is reported as the Creative Director and Head of Female Talent along with Executive Producer for all OVW shows, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reports.
Mickie James has joined OVW as Creative Director and Head of Female Talent. In addition she'll be Executive Producer for all OVW wrestling shows, Fightful Select has learned. pic.twitter.com/DHdKjN05hQ
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 11, 2024
The last we heard about Mickie James was that she was a free agent and the time she had with IMPACT since her last run with WWE was all done without a contract.
In November, James mentioned she was taking a step back as her husband Nick Aldis was chasing his dream in WWE.
OVW, which has served as developmental for NWA and WWE, has had a developmental agreement with IMPACT/TNA. The promotion is partially owned by former WWE talent Al Snow.
OVW confirms the news in the press statement below –
All week long in preparation for Hard to Kill this Saturday and the full relaunch of IMPACT to TNA, the company has been unveiling new championship belts.
Up until now they have done all the mens but today the new TNA Knockouts World Title belt has been revealed. As the current champion, Trinity was presented with it.
Here’s a close up look –
The Knockouts World Tag Team Title belts will be unveiled on Jan. 13. The current champions are MK Ultra.
See Trinity with the new belt as she takes on Jordynne Grace this Saturday at Hard to Kill.
NXT did their Level Up tapings prior to the Jan. 9 episode. Here is the one women’s match result that will air Friday, Jan. 12 after SmackDown on Peacock.
TNA producer Gail Kim spoke with Ring the Belle’s DS Shin at the last Big Event in New York. They spoke on various topics, including the upcoming TNA rebrand, some questions from her time in WWE, and her time back in the ring at IMPACT 1,000.
One question that did stand out was with the new regime at WWE, would Gail make a Royal Rumble appearance?
“First off, I don’t think they would ask me [laughs], which is okay. You saw Mickie and what a great relationship. Scott D’Amore, as our leader in IMPACT, has done some amazing things. Whatever happens happens,” she said. (Fightful)
Kim also states that when Awesome Kong was briefly in WWE as Kharma, that she was supposed to be her first singles competitor. She is glad that didn’t happen as it kept their feud in TNA the legendary moment that it was.
Do you think Gail could or would ever show up in the Royal Rumble?
The January 10 episode of AEW Dynamite emanated from Daily’s Place and featured a big eight-woman tag team match: Thunder Rosa, Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue, Julia Hart, Saraya, and Ruby Soho.
Ruby and Anna started the tag bout, but the heel team ended up in control by the time the commercial break came around. Harley Cameron tripped Willow off the ropes allowing for Skye to go on the attack.
Former #TBS Champion Kris Statlander is cleaning house!
After the break, we were treated to a quadruple suplex spot. From there, everyone took turns hitting their signature moves until Jay and Hart came face to face and duked it out. Ultimately, Jay trapped Blue in the Queenslayer to score the submission victory for her team.
There is no love lost between Anna Jay and Julia Hart!
Backstage, Renee Paquette spoke to Toni Storm to get her reaction to what happened last week. Mariah May quickly interjected and asked if Storm watched her in-ring debut. The champ made it known that she only saw clips of May’s match and nothing else, meaning she was not aware of Deonna Purrazzo‘s debut. When Paquette explained what happened with Purrazzo, Storm said the name sounded familiar and asked for Luther to set her up a meeting with “The Virtuosa.”
“Timeless” Toni Storm is ready for her close-up at @dailysplace and delivers a message to Deonna Purrazzo!
Renee later spoke to Purrazzo, who said she’s still on “cloud nine” from her big debut. Regarding what Storm said, Purrazzo will have “her people send her people” a screener as Deonna will make her Collision debut this Saturday. Red Velvet interrupted and made it known she’s making her Collision debut this Saturday as well, seemingly setting up a singles match. Purrazzo made fun of Velvet’s “stirring” before exiting.
Deonna Purrazzo has a message for the #AEW Women's World Champion "Timeless" Toni Storm.
It was also announced that Friday’s Rampage will include Hikaru Shida vs. Queen Aminata, while Battle of the Belts IX on Saturday will see Anna Jay challenge Julia Hart for the TBS Championship as a result of her win on Wednesday.
What did you think of this week’s Dynamite? Sound off in the comments below!
The NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria may want very little to do with Tatum Paxley, but come next Tuesday she won’t have a choice. From what transpired this past Tuesday, the two will team up to face Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez.
Paxley continues to save Valkyria from the attacks of Vice and Lopez as Vice still holds the Breakout contract for a championship match.
Paxley, Vice, and Lopez are all also scheduled for the 20 woman no. 1 contender Battle Royal that is set next week as well.
Additional women’s matches have been added to NWA Paranoia which is set to take place this weekend on Jan. 13. The NWA World Women’s Title will be on the line as Tiffany Nieves will challenge the champ, Kanzie Paige.
Other matches include Pretty Empowered defending the tag team titles against the King Bees. And a six woman tag match was added as Natalia Markova, Ruthie Jay, and Taylor Rising takes on CJ, Miss Starr, and Missa Kate.
BREAKING: Four NEW matches have been announced for #NWAParanoia on January 13th!
It was previously confirmed that the NWA Women’s TV Title and the NWA TV Title are set to be unified at this event. Max the Impaler will be taking on Mims.
Queen Aminata appears to have been signed with AEW according to a new report from Fightful Select.
Aminata had returned to AEW in December and has recently debuted for ROH in a win against Maya World. She appeared on last week’s first episode of Dynamite for 2024 where she lost to the debuting Mariah May. This led to many wondering her contract status.
A top independent women’s talent isn’t as much of a free agent as many think.
After last week’s impressive performance against the debuting Mariah May,. many of our readers and viewers inquired about the contract status of Queen Aminata.
Fightful Select was informed that several talent on the AEW roster were told that Queen Aminata was signed to All Elite Wrestling, though we aren’t sure if it’s full time or tiered per appearance. She’s been appearing for AEW for over two years, competing in over matches along the way. She actually picked up a win in September 2022 on AEW Dark when teaming with Skye Blue, and multiple ROH wins.
Aminata has long been a standout on the independent circuit. She was sidelined for much of 2023, and noted on Twitter that she’d “come back healthier.” Since returning December 20, she’s wrestled four times for AEW/ROH.
CJ Perry continues to need our good vibes as she has had to return to the hospital.
Perry, who was able to return to AEW TV at Worlds End to close out 2023, has now stated she’s had to return to the hospital. This is due to complications from healing of her prior infection and that it may be back. She says she may require a second surgery.
For those of you who may not know, Perry had an infection to her finger following a small splinter. The infection had affected her arm when she went into the hospital the first time. She had surgery and then was kept to make sure the infection wouldn’t spread elsewhere.
A number one contender for Lyra Valkyria’s NXT Women’s Title will be decided next week in a Battle Royal with a twist. The winner will face Valkyria at Vengeance Day on Feb. 4. The twist was explained by Valkyria in the ring on this week’s NXT.
Valkyria announced the Battle Royal will be a 20 woman match. Once it gets down to the final four, it will turn into a Fatal Four-way. Twist!
The champion, who successfully defended against Blair Davenport last week, was interrupted during her announcement by Lola Vice and Elektra Lope. Vice still has her Breakout contract where she can opt for any championship match whenever she wants. Even Lopez who has mentioned them going for the tag titles.
Valkyria tries to get into both Vice and Lopez’s heads. She says she hasn’t seen the bad MMA fighter Vice actually do much other than talk. And when Vice says she is Latina Heat, Valkyria says the only Latina Heat she sees is Lopez. Things boil to Valkyria wanting a match with Vice right then and there, but the two on one attack took place. Tatum Paxley came in for the save, stalkers are good as back up.
Valkyria did state that there would be 20 women in the Battle Royal but only 18 are on the graphic. So we’ll have to see if it keeps 18 or if two will be returns or surprises.
In case you missed this week’s NXT, match results were –
Blair Davenport def. Nikkita Lyons
Cora Jade def. Gigi Dolin
Tiffany Stratton was paying her dues as a ranch hand following her loss to Fallon Henley last week. Stratton was mortified and embarrassed by the experience to say the least.
Brinley Reece is showing a fitness trainer gimmick, becoming very Muffy coded. She was backstage trying to talk up Edris Enofe and Malik Blade about getting six packs. But they already have them.
The Chase U girls including Jacy Jayne, Thea Hail, and Madi Wrenkowski (her NXT on screen debut) discuss hows to save Chase U financially.
Adrianna Rizzo joins The Family ringside which pays off for them retaining the tag team gold. SCRYPTS was attempting to help OTM when the referee’s back was turned. Rizzo knocked SCRYPTS off the turnbuckle.
Part of the allure for a Royal Rumble match is who we get to see outside of the main roster. Surprises, returns, NXT talent, everyone and anyone can show up!
Below will be a list of surprises we at Diva Dirt will want to see at the Royal Rumble on Jan. 27. Please note these picks are subjective and also they will not include any current roster members. So this will NOT include those out with injury (Liv Morgan, Sonya Deville, Dakota Kai) or those who haven’t been on TV for a while (Trish Stratus, Jade Cargill, Tamina). This will solely be those who aren’t not signed and are back for just a Rumble appearance or perhaps a new run.
Now of course we do not expect all of these names to be in the Rumble, it is just names we would like to see.
If it takes Triple H in control of creative and her husband Nick Aldis as SmackDown General Manger to get Mickie a successful run and huge push in WWE then so be it. Mickie is a legend, despite how her last run with WWE went and especially how it ended. Currently, Mickie is considered a free agent so this choice is wildly possible.
Also, with Trish still technically on the WWE roster, lets have a run back of Mickie vs. Trish at WrestleMania. The title doesn’t need to be involved and it would certainly be a huge match. Jump on this opportunity!
Out if everyone that will be on this list, Naomi now seems the most likely to be in the Royl Rumble. This would also be her return as it has been reported that she will be wrapping up her time with TNA at the Orlando tapings mid-January.
WWE is her home. And what better way to have this homecoming then have her win this and go on the WrestleMania? Her taking on either Rhea or IYO seems like a treat.
Layla is on this type of list every year. And personally, I will continue to put her on this list every year.
As a former multi-time champion and a member of one of the most popular women’s tag teams in LayCool, we need a Layla appearance. We’ve seen Michelle McCool multiple times and although she has been around the industry more, we need her partner. This choice isn’t one expected to have a run such as Mickie or Naomi, but she is a name that could be HOF potential.
Layla is the final OG WWE Women’s Champion and one of only five women who have held both the OG Title and the Divas Title.
Lita has been in a couple of Royal Rumbles in the past, but this one is needed to finish the story. Back in last April, Lita was set to defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles with Becky Lynch. However, she was attacked by her best friend/long time rival Trish Stratus backstage. Stratus would take her spot in the championship match but would lose to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
Lita has been off TV since and although not an official member of the roster, she can return to get her revenge.
Giulia
This is more of a long shot, but with all the rumors of her signing with WWE, a Rumble appearance to introduce Giulia would be great. Of course she will likely go through NXT when/if she signs, but it would be a way to show that she indeed is joining the company. It would be a nice tease as they were doing with Jade Cargill.
Can you believe that Maryse has never been in a Rumble match? Me neither. She’s always a crowd favorite, she is on frequent enough to be relevant to the crowd, and she is a former two-time champion.
Plus who wouldn’t want to hear Maryse’s music hit after a countdown
Much along the same lines as prior Divas, Maryse and Layla, Eve Torres needs to make a Royal Rumble appearance. For this one I feel is a little different for at least me personally. I have always felt that Eve left right at the height of her career. When she was looking the best she has ever in the ring. And although I would never expect another run, a Rumble appearance would make me and I am sure a lot of Diva fans happy.
Plus, Eve has kept very low key since her time in the company despite still being listed as a WWE Ambassador since 2014. She has appeared on Table for 3 with Kelly Kelly and Maryse in 2017, presented a Slammy to The Bellas in 2013, and appeared in the pre show of Evolution.
She was most recently seen at Raw Reunion in 2019 in a backstage segment with Maria, Mike Bennett, and Eric Bischoff. Eve also appeared in the ring at the end of the show with other Legends.
Her making an appearance would certainly be a surprise.
You didn’t think I wasn’t going to include her, did you? In fact, she needs to not only make an appearance but get the Trish treatment and come out at number 30.
AJ Lee is a pioneer during the Divas era and much like Eve was a three time champion. There’s not much to say besides her resume speaks for itself and if you want to get one of the loudest pops in women’s rumble history, this is it.
Plus having CM Punk back is a green light for her to at least make an appearance.
Let’s Light It Up!
What surprises would you like to see in the Rumble? Comment below!
If you missed what happened on the Jan. 8 episode of Raw, here you go.
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are still the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions after a hard fought battle against former champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. During this match the tag teams of Raw were watching backstage.
The final moments of the match had some miscommunication between Niven and Green. Green was helping Niven up to do a Vader Bomb on Carter. What Niven didn’t realize was that Chance pulled Carter out of the ring and it was Green left in her place. Niven landed on Green pretty much sealing the deal for the champions. The champs hit Keg Stand for the win.
Also on Raw, Nia Jax was brought out by Michael Cole for a promo. Jax talked about breaking Becky Lynch’s face again and how she will win the Rumble and face either Rhea Ripley or IYO SKY.
Ripley answers and comes out to the ring. She says that Jax may have defeated Lynch last week but Lynch isn’t Rhea bloody Ripley. Rhea warns Jax from saying her name, but Jax reiterates that she will win the Rumble and challenge her.
Becky Lynch had a backstage interview earlier in the night. She states that Jax didn’t put her in the hospital this time and she is back up and ready to fight. She feels this may be the beginning and not the end of what she has between Jax.
An eight-woman tag team match has been added to this week’s upcoming AEW Dynamite. It will be Anna Jay, Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Thunder Rosa vs. Saraya, Ruby Soho, Skye Blue, and the TBS Champion Julia Hart.
AEW is returning to Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Fla. where they made their home. This Dynamite will be named Homecoming.
Tonight, we will see a rematch for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. The former champs, Piper Niven and Chelsea Green will be taking on the women who took the gold from them, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.
The Jan. 6 NXT lLive event from Sebring, Fla. had a 15 woman Battle Royal event. Lash Legend pulled out the win by last eliminating Nikkita Lyons with help from Jakara Jackson who also participated.
The other 12 women included –
Other results:
• Fallon Henley def. Stevie Turner • Roxanne Perez, Kelani Jordan & Gigi Dolin def. Kiana James, Izzi Dame & Cora Jade after Roxanne hit PopRox on Kiana.
Jakara Jackson makes her return to the ring after over three months out of action. She suffered an injury to her wrist in September but has remained on screen with Meta-Four.
She returned in a six person tag team match on the Jan. 5 house show in Melbourne, Fla. She teamed up with Lash Legend and Oro Mensah in a loss against Thea Hail, Jacy Jayne, and Riley Osborne.
Jakara Jackson has been cleared and she’s finally back in the ring! She competed in a 6-Person Mixed Tag Team Match against ChaseU tonight at #NXTMelbourne
Very glad to see Miss Jackson back in the mix. #BoutThatAction
Believe it or not, Becky Lynch has never been in an Elimination Chamber match. And now she wants in.
“There is a big ol premium live event coming up, but first there is Elimination Chamber. Did you know that I’ve never been in Elimination Chamber? I’ve been in many matches, nearly all of the types of matches one could do in a wrestling ring, but I’ve not been in Elimination Chamber. So, I’m looking at that and thinking maybe it’s time Becky Lynch makes her debut in an Elimination Chamber match, maybe she wins, and maybe she goes on to main event WrestleMania once again,” said Lynch on the Casual Podcast with Brad Tate.
The winners have been earning a championship match at WrestleMania since Baszler’s win in 2020. This year it takes place in Perth, Australia on Feb. 24.
The field is set with the upcoming Knockouts Ultimate X match as Dani Luna takes the last spot.
Luna will join Gisele Shaw, Xia Brookside, Tasha Steelz, Jody Threat, and Alisha Edwards. The match takes place at Hard to Kill next Saturday on Jan. 13. Edwards and Steelz are the only two with experience in this match with Steelz winning the inaugural match in 2022.
Also at Hard to Kill, Trinity defends the TNA Knockouts Title against Jordynne Grace.
BREAKING: @DaniLuna_pro is the final competitor in the Ultimate X match at TNA #HardToKill on January 13 LIVE on PPV from the Palms in Las Vegas.
IMPACT’s rebrand into TNA is in full swing and with that comes new championship belts.
We know you've all been waiting for the reveal of new title belts. They start tomorrow!
– TNA X-Division Title on January 7 at 1pm ET – TNA World Tag Team Titles on January 8 at 1pm ET – TNA Digital Media Title on January 9 at 1pm ET – TNA World Title on January 10 at 1pm ET -…
According to an official post by TNA, all the belts will be redone. The TNA Knockouts World Championship will be unveiled on Jan. 11 at 1 PM ET. The TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championships will be unveiled on Jan. 13. The tag belts likely will be unveiled at the Hard to Kill event because a time was not given.
Michin started the year on a high as she received the biggest match of her WWE career. She faced IYO SKY on the Jan. 5 episode of SmackDown for the WWE Women’s Championship. She came up short, but in a WWE Digital Exclusive she shows she has the fight to make 2024 her year.
Michin states that this was the biggest match of her WWE career and she lost it. But did she? She proved that she has what it takes and the loss against SKY just fueled her to show more. She vows 2024 will be the year of Michin.
The match itself resulted with SKY finally hitting the Over the Moonsault on the second try and getting the pin.
Bianca Belair has declared for the Royal Rumble match.
In a backstage segment, all of Damage CTRL (who were not at ringside for the match) congratulated SKY for her win. Bayley says her vision is still clear for all of Damage CTRL to win gold. She wants The Kabuki Warriors to take the tag titles and she intends to win the Rumble herself and take the gold off of Rhea Ripley.
Belair entered the conversation to declare herself for the Rumble match. She says she will be the first woman to win it twice. SKY says as the leader, it is up to Bayley to take care of Belair. Bayley vs. Belair is set for next week.
Names so far in the Rumble – Bayley, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair
In another Digital Exclusive, B-Fab checks in on Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. Lashley and company were jumped and attacked by the new group of Karrion Kross and a returning AOP. Feeling down about it, B-Fab tries to lift their spirits. She says it was a cheap shot and that the three of them are multi-champions. So they will get the next shot.
The first SmackDown of the year, titles New Year’s Revolution, has a WWE Women’s Championship match set.
It will be a first ever WWE title opportunity for Michin as she faces the champ, IYO SKY. She earned this title shot by pinning the champ in a tag team match a couple of weeks back.
It was reported earlier this week that former NWA World Women’s Champion Kamille had interest from WWE. Now it is being reported that she has been offered a contract for NXT.
News broke earlier this week that the TNA Knockout’s World Champion Trinity (Naomi in WWE) would be returning to WWE. However, the time frame wasn’t provided. More information has been confirmed.
One source has since contacted PWInsider.com to state they believe Trinity will finish up with Impact at their Orlando tapings.
The Orlando tapings will be taking place on Jan. 19 & Jan. 20 after Hard to Kill. Yours truly will be at those tapings and will post the spoilers for those who wish to know.
