Alisha Edwards is now the fifth name confirmed for the Hard to Kill Knockouts Ultimate X match on Jan. 13. She joins Gisele Shaw, Xia Brookside, Jody Threat, and Tasha Steelz.
Edwards did participate in the first and only previous Ultimate X match. Her and Steelz have, with Steelz being the previous winner. There should be one more name announced if they are going with six as they did in 2022.
Queen Aminata seems to be on the rise as she has officially debut on ROH TV. She was successful in her debut as she defeated Maya World.
Aminata was a mainstay on AEW Dark throughout 2021 and 2022. She then did some indie shows before taking a step back for most of 2023. She returned to AEW television on Rampage in defeat against Skye Blue in December. This past Wednesday she lost in a match of the debuting Mariah May.
Other results from this week’s ROH included –
This was also Red Velvet’s ROH debut. Velvet returned to AEW from an injury in November. Since then she has lost against Skye Blue, Anna Jay, and Julia Hart but has picked up a win against Ruby Soho.
The Royal Rumble event is rapidly approaching and will be held on Jan. 27. So far, there has only been Bayley and Nia Jax confirmed until now we can add on Becky Lynch.
Lynch is a former Royal Rumble winner where she won in 2019. She went on to become one of three women to first main event a WrestleMania. It was a Winner Takes All match where she walked out as both Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Lynch recently lost to Nia Jax on the last episode of Raw. A match that was five years in the making landed with Jax punching Lync in the favce. Lynch hopes that history repeats itself as the last time that happened she won the Rumble and then went on to headline WrestleMania.
Can she become the first woman to win the Royal Rumble twice?
It has been made official by Giulia that the Donna del Mondo stable is over. The team consisted of Thekla, Mai Sakurai, and Maika who all joined her in the ring for the announcement. This took place at the recent STARDOM Ittenyon Stardom Gate event.
Giulia’s match at this event was teaming with Suzu Suzuki in a 20 minute time limit draw against Divine Kingdom (Maika and Megan Bayne). Sakurai and Thekla of Donna del Mondo lost to Mei Seira and Mina Shirakawa.
Donna del Mondo has existed since 2020. Giulia disbanded the group stating, “arrivederci, see you later.” This exit is believed to be Giulia leaving STARDOM as her contract is up and rumors are she is heading stateside. Possibly WWE as a landing spot, but isn’t confirmed.
Natalya has taken to her social media to celebrate that she has been in WWE as of 17 years today.
She writes: Today is 17 years since I signed with @WWE, and my love for this business has only grown. I have never taken a single day for granted, because I learned early, that the amazing position I have is leased, never owned. So wherever the next 17 takes us, just know I’ll be calling someone B*tch! (IYKYK!) and locking them in Sharpshooter. Because this isn’t a career for me. It’s my life.
The 41-yo first entered the company working for its developmental Deep South Wrestling. This is where she wrestled against names such as Krissy Vaine and Angel Williams (Angelina Love) while she teamed up with Shantelle (Taylor Wilde). She then went to OVW and had matches with Katie Lea and Beth Phoenix before going to FCW and facing The Bella Twins, Alicia Fox, AJ Lee, and more.
Natalya debuted on the main roster on April 4 SmackDown in 2008 where she was with Victoria in a match against Cherry who was acxompanied by Michelle McCool.
Over the years, Natalya has accomplished many accolades in WWE.
Congratulations to Natalya on all of her accomplishments!
*Please note, this article contains spoilers*
The upcoming episode of AEW Rampage was taped on Jan. 3. There will be two women’s matches on the show.
The results are as follows –
*Please note this article contains spoilers*
The upcoming episode that will air on Jan. 5 after SmackDown on Peacock will have a women’s tag team match. Kiana James will continue to build up Izzi Dame as they face Brinley Reece and Kiyah Saint.
The result of this match had James and Dame defeat Saint and Reece.
And now there is four!
Tasha Steelz becomes the fourth woman announced for the upcoming Ultimate X match on Jan. 13 at TNA’s Hard to Kill. She joins Gisele Shaw, Xia Brookside, and Jody Threat so far confirmed.
Steelz has the upper hand so far. Not only is she the only Knockout currently in the match that has experience in an Ultimate X match, but she has won it.
The last Ultimate X match had six competitors, leaving two more names to be confirmed.
Jade Cargill is putting in the extra work. Not only is she training for her WWE in-ring debut at the Performance Center, she is also training at the Dungeon. This is the training center set up by TJ Wilson and Natalya. Natalya posted a video of Cargill training with OVW’s Jada Stone.
Natalya has helped trained many women before including Liv Morgan, Lana, Dana Brooke, and others.
Cargill hasn’t been seen on screen since Halloween Havoc where she watched Lyra Valkyria defeT Becky Lynch to become NXT Women’s Champion. It has been noted by both Cargill and Triple H that she will debut once ready.
STARDOM is coming back to the United States for the first time since 2019. It is being presented by NJPW. The event will take place in Philadelphia, Penn. and will take place on April 4 during WWE’s WrestleMania weekend.
In April of 2019, STARDOM performed in New York City for the Stardom American Dream In The Big Apple event. This event included Bea Priestly (now-Blair Davenport in NXT), Bobbi Tyler (now-Stevie Turner in NXT), Britt Baker (AEW), and Jamie Hayter (AEW).
The Wonder of Stardom Title was defended successfully by Momo Watanabe against Utami Hiyashishita.
Once matches for this year’s American Dream are announced Diva Dirt will provide details.
The first AEW Dynamite of 2024 featured the in-ring debut of Mariah May and the official arrival of Deonna Purrazzo.
Former STARDOM talent Mariah May successfully debuted with a pinfall victory over independent talent Queen Aminata, but her night was far from over.
While speaking to Renee Paquette post-match May trash-talked New Jersey until hometown girl and former IMPACT Knockout Deonna Purrazzo made her way out to a big pop. “The Virtuosa” reminded everyone where she’s from and who she is. Not only that, but she is officially #AllElite and has her sights set on Toni Storm‘s title.
Prior to all of that, Toni Storm appeared backstage and announced that she was heading to Manhattan to go to Broadway.
Later on backstage, Saraya and Ruby Soho seemingly welcomed Harley Cameron into The Outcasts. However, it’s becoming clear Saraya and Harley are plotting to keep Ruby away from Angelo Parker.
What did you think of this week’s Dynamite? Sound off below!
Deonna Purrazzo is a free agent as of the first if the year as she chose not to renew her contract with IMPACT.
She has spoken positively and seems very much excited about her free agent status and is looking forward to branching out in another company. AEW could possibly be a landing spot as she has reportedly had talks with the promotion.
Per Fightful Select:
Deonna Purrazzo is set to be a major free agent in 2024, and already has some interest from companies, and some talks.
Fightful has learned that before Purrazzo’s contract officially expired, there had already been interest expressed by multiple companies. Numerous sources indicated to Fightful that there have been some internal discussions with Purrazzo and AEW, and they’re hopeful they can land her in free agency. We’re told that was her preferred landing spot when finishing up with IMPACT.
We’re told there had been contact with WWE, but WWE sources indicated that most if not all of their free agent discussions had been tabled until the new year started.
Independently, Purrazzo has only worked the occasional independent date after 2022. Several independent promoters reached out to Fightful upon her free agency interview to ask if she was likely to take more independent dates, noting that she would likely be booked solid if she returns to the indies.
Purrazzo worked for IMPACT since 2020 in her second time with the company. In the past three years she has become three-time Knockouts World Champion, one-time Knockouts World Tag Team Champion, AAA Reina de Reinas Champion, and the ROH Women’s World Champion.
The free agents keep making the news!
Former NWA World Women’s Champion Kamille ended her time with NWA as of the start of 2024. She reigned as champion for 812 days and since dropping the belt in August she hasn’t been that active in the ring.
According to Haus of Wrestling, WWE could be the place Kamille ends up.
”Haus of Wrestling has learned from a tenured WWE source that the sports entertainment juggernaut is “super high” on Kamille. It was noted that she is high up on the company’s radar and that they are in signing mode following the UFC and WWE merger. Higher-ups at TKO are said to feel the company is in “acquisition mode” and is looking to land fresh talents that can make an impact.”
PWInsider shared this news as well.
Jody Threat becomes the third Knockout added to the Ultimate X match set for Hard to Kill on Jan. 13. She is added with Gisele Shaw and Xia Brookside. There will continue to be a Knockout announced daily at 1PM ET.
NXT’s New Year started with a bang as New Year’s Evil presented a NXT Women’s Title Match. From winning the Iron Survivor Challenge, Blair Davenport earned a championship match against Lyra Valkyria.
Final moments of this match had Davenport set up the champion at the announce table. She went to give a knee to Valkyria, but the champ moved and Davenport smashed her knee through the side of the table. Once back in the ring, Davenport attempted a high risk maneuver but Valkyria moved and Davenport landed on her knee. This sealed the deal as Valkyria hit a finisher to get the pin and the win.
This had Valkyria celebrating but not for long as Lola Vice appeared and attempted to implement her Breakout contract for a title match. Before Vice could even get to the champion, Tatum Paxley jumped from the crowd to stop her. Elektra Lopez joined the fight for Vice while Valkyria helped fight them off of Paxley. Paxley still creeping out Valkyria got a stand offish vibe in the end.
Other match results include Fallon Henley defeating Tiffany Stratton and Roxanne defeated Arianna Grace bur the decision was reversed in favor of Grace
Due to Henley’s win, Stratton is now a farm hand for Henley due to the stipulation. As for Perez, Grace got in her face post match telling her she has issues. But Perez snapped, attacked Grace, placed her in a crossface until Grace rolled out of the ring. The referee then said based on Perez not listening to his instructions to stop, he has declared Grace the winner.
A locker room segment between Gigi Dolin and Cora Jade leads to a match between the two next week.
Ava confirmed the men’s dusty rhodes tag team classic will start next week, but wonder if we will get a women’s?
First NXT of 2024 and we have New Year’s Evil.
Three matches are set –
Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley – Ranch Hand or Servant
Roxanne Perez vs. Arianna Grace
Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Blair Davenport – NXT Women’s Title
Mariah May will finally step into an AEW ring as she is set to face Queen Aminata on the Jan. 3 episode of Dynamite.
International talent, May, became All Elite at the start of November. Since then she has been at the side of Timeless Toni Storm in admiration.
As for Queen Aminata, she was a frequent on AEW Dark who recently resurfaced at the end of December in a losing match against Skye Blue and won a dark match on ROH against Maya World.
It looks like the glow will likely be returning to WWE.
Trinity, known in WWE as Naomi, will be a free agent soon and it looks like she will be making a return to WWE according to both WWE and IMPACT/TNA sources. She joined IMPACT in April and has been the Knockouts World Champion since July. A date of her free agent status has not been disclosed.
Per Fightful Select –
Trinity Fatu could be on the open market soon, and a major player is looking to land her.
Fightful Select has learned from sources within TNA Wrestling, that the longtime Knockouts Champion is expected to be a free agent very soon. Trinity debuted in IMPACT Wrestling last April 28, and quickly ascended up the card. By July, she was IMPACT Knockouts Champion, which she’s held for months. It is expected that Trinity is finishing up with TNA soon, but we haven’t heard whether or not that will be at the upcoming TNA Hard to Kill show.
In January of 2023, WWE sources told Fightful they were confident that they could get Trinity back in the company. However, there was an unofficial hiring freeze within WWE, though we aren’t sure if that had anything to do with why she didn’t end up there. However, in speaking with WWE sources, not only did they think there was a good chance she could end back up in the company, many sources claimed they expected it. There were also sources within IMPACT Wrestling who told Fightful that they expected it to happen sooner than later.
One WWE source told Fightful on Tuesday that “something huge would have to happen for her to not end up back in WWE sooner than later, but this is a crazy free agent period.”
What are your thoughts?
Xia Brookside has been confirmed as the second entry into the Jan. 13 Hard to Kill Knockouts Ultimate X Match. The first woman declared yesterday was Gisele Shaw.
Not only will she be in the Ultimate X match, but this will be her TNA debut. Brookside was a prominent on-screen talent for WWE’s NXT UK. Once the NXT UK brand was closed, Brookside went to Japan and performed in STARDOM. She was a member of Club Venus with Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa. She has since made her way to the United States and has worked on the indie scene.
TNA will continue to announce a new Knockout for the Ultimate X match daily at 1 PM ET.
Hard to Kill will also include Trinity (c) vs. Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts World Title.
It has been several weeks since we have seen Raquel Rodriguez on WWE programming. She last wrestled a Dec. 3 live show, but it has been since her Nov. 20 loss to Nia Jax on Raw since she has been on TV. She has now explained why in a social media post.
“What’s up, guys? Happy New Year. So long story short, last year I posted a video about being a WWE superstar with eczema. In the month of December, it got progressively worse, and I have diagnosed with something called Mass Cell Activations Syndrome. Basically, I was red, swollen, there was a lot happening in this area [points to her face] physically. It kept me from doing the things that I love, like traveling, going to the gym and wrestling. I also didn’t want to be on camera. I didn’t want to look in the mirror. I understand that all of those things can mess with someone, both emotionally and mentally, but thank god I moved back to Texas when I did because I had the best support system in the world during the time, which is my family. I’m so grateful to them and for everything they have done for me, and to you guys as well, who have sent me kind messages and reminded me that I didn’t have to go through this alone. So to anyone who’s been struggling or had to celebrate the holiday season a little bit differently this year, I just wanted to say, remember to give yourself a little bit of compassion and grace for the things that you don’t understand and the things that you can’t control. Life can be really hard sometimes, and it can throw us these crazy curveballs. I know they feel like they’re gonna last forever, but I promise they’re not. This is gonna pass. So let’s go into 2024 remembering to give kindness to others and give kindness to ourselves. I can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen this year.” (Fightful)
It is unknown at this time when Rodriguez will return to the ring.
Diva Dirt sends our best wishes to Raquel.
WWE’s first show of the year, Raw Day 1, is in the books and a lot took place for the women. The first match of 2024 would be the women, and five years in the making brought us to Nia Jax vs. Becky Lynch.
The match between Jax and Lynch was very competitive and everything you’d expect from this build of their history. It received plenty of time and one of Jax’s best showings in a long time. In the end, Jax would make sure to knock out Lynch with a punch to the face and then land on her with the anni(a)hilator to get the win.
After the match, on social media, Lynch was caught backstage and stated, “can only be uphill from here.”
We then saw the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven attempt to crash the party of the new champs – Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Green says if they don’t get their rematch from Adam Pearce then they will just have to go to Nick Aldis. Chance and Carter are going to be fighting champions so they easily accept having a rematch. Both Carter and Chance then tossed their drinks in Green’s face. The rematch is set for next Monday.
Next, we had Ivy Nile challenge Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship. It is important to note that this is Nile’s official first singles match on Raw since her call up. She previously was in a battle royal and a tag team match. The match was given plenty of time to show what Nile can do, and even though Ripley had her dominating moments, Nile was right there with her.
The final moments had Nile finally caught by a head butt from Ripley after jumping off the ropes. This kept Nile down in order for Ripley to hit the Riptide for the win. Very good showing for Nile.
Lastly, we had a tag team match between Tegan Nox and Natalya taking on Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. The final moments of the match had Baszler hit a german suplex on Nox which set her up for Stark’s Z360. Stark pinned Nox for the win. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae looked on from the back.
On Raw Talk, Baszler pointed out that she is a three time champion and has held the tag belts more than any other woman. She says she is tired of the division going to trash when she isn’t in it, so she found herself another bad ass in that of Zoey.
First day of the year, first Raw of the year, Day 1 special!
Below you can see the matches already set tonight –
Nia Jax vs. Becky Lynch
Tegan Nox and Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
Women’s World Title – Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Ivy Nile
For more about tonight’s matches you can read Diva Dirt’s preview.
The reports on where the hottest free agent will land continues.
Per Fightful Select, it is now being said that Mercedes Moné is back in talks with AEW and this will likely be her landing spot. It continues to be a back and forth between WWE and AEW on where she will be signing on the dotted line.
Fightful reported this past week that Mercedes, the former Sasha Banks, had been in conversations with WWE about a potential return to the company. However, the two sides were far apart on terms. In following up, we’ve learned that Mercedes Mone has continued conversations with All Elite Wrestling, just a month after it looked like the two sides couldn’t come to terms. Beyond that, those in the industry we’ve spoken to say that All Elite Wrestling is the likely landing point.
Those that we’ve spoken to expect her to land in All Elite Wrestling, though nobody could confirm she’s signed on the dotted line. Of late in both WWE and AEW, there have been instances – specifically with Will Ospreay and CM Punk – where the physical contracts were not signed until the day of their appearances with AEW and WWE respectively. One source claimed that they heard AEW and Mercedes were close to agreeing on terms, but said “it’s never official until it’s official.”
Mercedes was said to have been seeking one of the largest contracts in women’s wrestling history.
WWE sources claimed that the “former WWE Champion” rumored to appear on WWE Day 1 Raw was not Mercedes.
TNA’s Hard to Kill will air the second Knockouts Ultimate X match on Jan. 13. Gisele Shaw has been named the first entrant. TNA has stated that every day at 1 PM ET a new entrant sill be announced.
The first Knockouts Ultimate X took place in 2022 and had six women involved. That match was won by Tasha Steelz who would become champion as a result.
Jan. 1 will not only be the start of 2024, but will be the first Raw of the year – Day 1.
Three matches are on the card with a championship match included.
First, five years in the making, Becky Lynch takes on Nia Jax. Jax is still taking credit for The Man’s success that followed that vicious punch to the face all those years ago. Jax wanrs to finish what she started while Lynch wanrs the revenge she was never able to get. Jax had made it extremely person as of late by bringing Lynch’s child into her verbal attack which has taken Lynch’s anger to a new level.
Next we have a tag team match with potential number one contendership on the line. To end 2023 we have new tag champs as Kayden Carter and Katana Chance defeated Chelsea Green and Piper Niven on the Dec. 18 episode.
After Chance and Carter won the titles, backstage other tag teams were ready to step up as the first challengers. Tegan Nox & Natalya will be taking on Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark on Monday’s show.
Lastly, a championship match is on the car as then Pitbull Ivy Nile will be getting her first major championship shot against Rhea Ripley.A few weeks ago the Women’s World Champion made a quick squash of Maxxine Dupri which did not sit right with Nile. She is set to show how strong and powerful she is to stand up against Ripley.
Please celebrate the New Year with Diva Dirt as we resume the discussion posts this Monday night for Raw Day 1.
AEW’s last event of the year Worlds End took place Saturday evening. There were a total of three women’s matches, two of them being for the championships. CJ Perry also returned after her time in the hospital.
First on the Zero Hour preshow, Willow Nightingale took on Kris Statlander. This was a friendly competition between two women in their hometown of Long Island. With Stokely Hathaway at commentary, Nightingale would pick up the win after a Doctor Bomb.
The first championship match was between Toni Storm and the challenger Riho. Luther was ejected form ringside after helping Storm when he pulled the bottom ropes away from Riho. Storm ends up retaining and celebrates with Mariah May post match.
Abadon took on Julia Hart to try and win the TBS Championship. When Abadon was gaining momentum in the match, it would be Skye Blur who interfered and changed the trajectory of the match. Hart would win with a moonsault.
Lastly, CJ Perry returned right from her legit time in the hospital. She was there to support her client Andrade as he faced her husband Miro, but she had other plans in mind. As Andrade had Miro in submission, Perry would slap his hand away breaming up the hold. Andrade shocked at this allowed Miro to get his own submission locked in and Andrade tapped out.
In the post show media scrum, Storm was asked about a top free agent showing up. She joking called out Wendi Richter. “Wendi Richter, I’m gonna fuck you up.”
