On the Dec. 21 episode of ROH, Tony Khan unveiled a new championship for the women, the ROH Women’s TV Championship.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was interviewing Maria Kanellis-Bennett on her thoughts. Maria states that Khan was finally listening about the women’s division and that this new belt is a great opportunity for the women.
Maria was interrupted by an angry Leyla Hirsch and Rachael Ellering. During Ellering’s match, Maria grabbed her foot but claims it was her shor that she had to tie was the real situation. Ellering won her match regardless. Maria states she was only trying to help.
Ellering attempted to refocus on the fact a new championship has been introduced. Hirsch says she doesn’t want any part of Maria’s “help” moving forward. Maria says to go ahead and move forward without her help, however, her spotlight will out shine both of them. As Maria walks away, Ellering and Hirsch realize the new TV Championship is a big opportunity for the both of them.
Tony Khan appeared on the ramp, where he announced the creation of the ROH World Women’s Television Championship. More details will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.
2023 was memorable for WWE in that we saw what we rarely see and that is a female Hall of Famer have another go in the ring. Lita has return in 2022 and then in 2023, but her moments were brief. Whereas Stratus stuck around for a good portion of the year. And she didn’t just stick around, she mentored Zoey Stark’s move to the main roster and feuded with one of the bests to actively do it – Becky Lynch.
While speaking on GAW TV, Stratus says she loved all the nostalgia 2023 brought her and looks to do more of that in 2024 –
“Honestly. 2023 was probably the most insane year I’ve had on all fronts. I did not expect…I returned to wrestling, obviously, a little mini-program turned into six months. So much fun. I have a lot of things that are percolating and we’ll let you know when we can let you know. I’m excited. We’re on a roll here. Good things are happening, new opportunities and stuff that I didn’t even think I could tap into that I am. It’s been fun. I can’t wait. Honestly, at the end of the day, the support from my Stratospherians, we are so thankful for everyone. They are what drive us; they’re what make us, and your interests are what make the interests, and therefore, we are a thing. Thank you to all my Stratospherians for coming out, for supporting, and it was so fun when I went back to wrestling, tapping into ‘if you know you know’ moments and having that ‘Oh, I loved when she did that back in the day.’ That was fun. I look forward to doing that again next year. I’m so excited,” she said. (Fightful)
Stratus just wrapped up her time doing Canada’s Got Talent, so maybe a Royal Rumble return is in her future?
The December 21 episode of IMPACT Wrestling served as the first part of the company’s 2023 Year in Review featuring “best of” matches and the reveal of who won certain Year-End awards.
During the program, it was revealed that former Knockouts World Tag Team Champion KiLynn King was voted by fans as “The One To Watch In 2024.” King then cut a promo reacting to the news while being none too surprised.
Meanwhile, reigning Knockouts World Champion Trinity was voted as the Knockout of the Year for her first year with the company.
This episode was a treat for Knockouts fans as highlights were shown of Mickie James vs. Jordynne Grace at Hard To Kill, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Grace from Rebellion, the 10-Knockouts Tag from IMPACT 1000, and Trinity vs. Purrazzo at Slammiversary.
More highlight matches will air and Year-End awards will be revealed during the December 28 episode as we officially close out another year and another era.
WWE sources claim to Fightful that Bayley has signed a new multi-year deal with the company. WWE has been rapidly locking down numerous high level talent to long-term contracts.
Bayley has been a fixture in WWE for a number of years, and is well liked backstage among staff and talent. As one would expect, Bayley’s contract extension is one that was seen as a priority within WWE.
This news on Bayley re-signing comes on the heels of Charlotte Flair reportedly signing a new deal as well. Also Becky Lynch’s contract expires in Summer of 2024 but she has recently made comment on wanting to retire with WWE once it is time to do so.
The former NXT UK talent has been seen recently on IMPACT programming in 2023 where she has had a handful of matches. She has faced the likes of Jody Threat, Deonna Purazzo, and in July teamed with Trinity to defeat KiLynn King and Taylor Wilde.
She is a member of the group SUBCULTURE which developed in NXT UK and also includes Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews. There has been no confirmation on the contract status of Webster and Andrews.
CJ Perry confirmed over the weekend that she went into the hospital due to an infection in her finger that spread to her arm. She had surgery to which she says was successful.
She provides more insight on how she got the infection – from a small splinter.
The surgery was Monday evening and on Tuesday she wrote –
“I have been in the hospital since Saturday fighting a fatal infection that came from getting a small splinter backstage at work this past Wednesday. Please keep me in your prayers. And everyone really take care of any cuts you get. As small as a splinter can turn into a deadly infection. Love all of you guys and thank you to everyone who has reached out”
Now on Wednesday via TikTok, Perry has stated she is still in the hospital and still isn’t feeling very well. She says she is having trouble breathing and digesting food. She thanks everyone for their kind words and for reaching out to her. They will continue to keep her hospitalized so that her breathing and digestion becomes normal and to make sure the infection hasn’t spread.
Diva Dirt continues to wish CJ the best and hope she gets better soon.
The AEW Women’s World Championship match has been confirmed for AEW Worlds End.
During the December 20 episode of AEW Dynamite, former champions Riho and Saraya clashed to determine Toni Storm‘s new number one contender.
Saraya controlled the bout early on by going for pinfalls and hiding behind security at ringside. She then capitalized on the dirty tactics and slammed Riho around against the barricade.
How far will these former #AEW Women’s World Champs go to get a shot at the title?
After the break, it was mostly Riho’s showcase with several kicks and leaps off the top rope. A running knee strike finished things off as Riho pinned Saraya to win to secure her title shot on December 30.
Afterward, Toni Storm left commentary to confront Riho in the ring but Riho was able to take the champ down when things turned physical. Mariah May ultimately made the save and helped Storm back to her feet.
No new matches were announced for upcoming TV, but this Saturday’s Collision will include Thunder Rosa’s in-ring return as she teams with Abadon to take on Julia Hart and Skye Blue.
What did you think of this week’s Dynamite? Sound off below!
The artist formerly known as Sasha Banks, Mercedes Moné, is reportedly asking for the big bucks when it comes to what is next for her.
Moné left WWE in 2022 and appeared in Japan working for NJPW at the start of 2023. During that time, she became the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion and had her sights on becoming the inaugural NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion, suffering an injury in that match. She has been out of action since May due to that injury.
We revealed on today's episode of The Hump that word within the industry was that Mercedes Mone's asking price was above what we heard Charlotte got on her new WWE deal pic.twitter.com/ul4MLW6uQs
According to Figful, on the Dec. 20 episode of The Hump, Fightful added some new information about Monè, reporting that she is asking for a price that was above the amount that Charlotte Flair was paid in her new deal with WWE. Moné is currently a free agent and has recently spoken about returning to the ring in 2024. She has also been training for her return, but has kept where she is going tight lipped.
Wherever Mercedes winds up, she will want her money’s worth.
NXT talents Blair Davenport and Riley Osborne are now engaged.Davenport shared the news on her Instagram with the caption “I said yes.” Osborne is current being showcased more on NXT as a member of Chase U and has made the semi finals of the men’s NXT Breakout Tournament. On screen, he is currently receiving attention from one Thea Hail.
Davenport won the Iron Survivor title at Deadline and will be facing Lyra Valkyria for the NXT Women’s Title at New Year’s Evil on Jan. 2.
TNA is returning with a bang as the second ever Knockouts Ultimate X match has been confirmed. It will take place at Hard to Kill on Jan. 13. The participants have not been confirmed at this time.
BREAKING: For only the second time in history, the Knockouts will compete in Ultimate X at #HardToKill on January 13 LIVE on PPV from the Palms in Las Vegas!
The first Knockouts Ultimate X match took place at Hard to Kill in 2022. The winner of that was Tasha Steelz who defeated a field that included Jordynne Grace, Rosemary, Chelsea Green, Alisha Edwards and Lady Frost. Steelz went on to cash in her championship opportunity on Mickie James and won the Knockouts World Title for the first time in her career.
Hard to Kill - 2024
Knockouts Ultimate X Match
Trinity (c) vs. Jordynne Grace – Knockouts Worls Title
Fallon Henley and Tiffany Stratton’s rivalry only gets deeper as the week’s go by. On the Dec. 19 episode of NXT, the show opened up with a match between the two. Stratton had a jack knife cover on Henley but she flipped it to get a pin of her own and the win.
Stratton doesn’t take kindly to the loss as she goes right on the attack. She drives Henley face first into the announce table multiple times before throwing her into the barricade. She drags Henley to the back and dumps trash on her.
Later on, Stratton had a promo where she challenges Henley at New Year’s Evil. She calls he trash and says when she wins that Henley will have to be her servant.
Other match results from Dec. 19 includea a big win for Izzi Dame and Kiana James as they defeat Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail. Dame gets the pin.
After Tatum Paxley put her hands on Nikkita Lyons last week to get to Lyra Valkyria, Lyons took on Paxley this week. Lyons picked up the win.
Two segments took place in the women’s lovker room. First, Roxanne Perez slapped Arianna Grace. Perez said she wasn’t done with Dame and James but Grace had to put her two cents in.
We also have Cora Jade returning and taking back her locker space and disposing of Karmen Petrovic’s belongings.
A vignette aired for the upcoming NXT Women’s Title match at New Year’s Evil.
Becky Lynch has made WWE her career since first signing her developmental deal in 2013. Since then she has become one of the most decorated Superstars and a house hold name.
Not that the 36 year old is planning to hang up her boots anytime soon, Lynch was asked by Strutting From Gorilla will she want to end her career in WWE.
“Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. Growing up, WWE is what I watched, it’s what I loved, it’s the reason I became a professional wrestler. Now, having been in it, I love it. I love the people, I love the audience, and I love being able to being an important part of change. I love that I get to continue to drive that and that my voice matters in WWE. I feel listened to, and I feel we’ve been able to change the landscape of women’s wrestling forever. That feels very special to me. It’s my home. It’s where I was born as a professional wrestler in many ways in terms of my influence, and it’s where I’ll retire.” (Fightful)
Lynch’s current contract expires in June 2024 but by the sounds of this she won’t have any problem re-signing.
Charlotte Flair has reportedly re-signed with WWE according to Fightful Select.
Charlotte Flair was believed to have signed one of the biggest contract extensions for a woman in WWE history, sources tell Fightful Select.
Madusa had said she'd heard much of the same this fall on her podcast. We have more details for subscribers. pic.twitter.com/KYyGEjtvpD
— FightfulSelect.com! Exclusive Pro Wrestling News (@FightfulSelect) December 19, 2023
Fightful Select has learned that Flair agreed to a contract extension with WWE recently. It is said to be for several more years. WWE Hall of Famer Madusa had said on her podcast recently that she’d heard this as well. It took a while for other people within the company to hear the same.
Further notes:
Charlotte Flair was the first extension we’ve heard of since the TKO merger, as it happened before the recently reported Dominik and Rey Mysterio deals. In addition, we’ve heard that it is a huge money increase over her last contract, and one of the highest-paid deals to a woman in WWE history. In addition, we’re told that a travel bus was included in the deal, which are becoming increasingly more common among professional wrestlers.
Flair is currently out with a knee injury that with have her out for nine plus months.
NXT is busting at the seams with talent and as time goes by new talent is being introduced and shown every week. From this, more room has to be made and veterans of the NXT brand need to gradually make their way on Raw or SmackDown.
Being a developmental brand and depending on if someone is homegrown or indie experienced should show who could be called up. Also, those that have been in NXT or the former NXT UK for years should have enough experience under their belts to make the move.
Lately, WWE has been organically calling up talent from NXT outside of a draft situation. Dragon Lee, The Creed Brothers, and Ivy Nile have recently been moved up. We’ve also seen Axiom showcase his talents and may be a future call up. This would be nice to continue throughout 2024.
Knowing that this is subjective, here are Diva Dirt’s five women who should be called up and successful in 2024.
Elektra Lopez
Elektra Lopez just looks like a star! It can be argued that she should already be on the main roster based on her affiliation with Legado del Fantasma which eventually turned into the LWO. When the members of LDF were called up, they were placed with Zelina Vega while Lopez stayed back. Since then, Lopez may not be standing put on her own, but she has become a mentor to the 2023 NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament winner Lola Vice.
Come February of 2024, Lopez will have been with NXT for three years and she has prior indie experience and time with Ring of Honor.
Lately, storylines have been woven together and we see not only talent on both NXT and the main roster but the storylines can intertwine. So now that Santos Escobar has broken away from LWO by turning heel, a call up of his former cohort Lopez and a feud with Vega just may be fun to watch!
Wendy Choo
It is hard to believe, but in February, Wendy Choo will be with WWE in NXT for five years! She also appeared in the second Mae Young Classic in 2018. She has had five years experience before WWE in the indies along with Ring of Honor making 2024 – 10 years in the business.
The amount of potential Choo has on the main roster is out of this world. We already know she can work a character whether it be the Wendy Choo character or Mei Ying from the Tian Sha stable. She has shown how good she can be in matches including a memorable Lights Out match with Tiffany Stratton.
Let’s get her to the main roster so she can shine like the star she is!
Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne, & Thea Hail
Okay, okay, so there will be technically more than five women on this list, so I cheated. But hear me out. Toxic Attraction reformed. Now it could be named different or perhaps when Sonya Deville comes back from injury she could be their leader or at least introduce them to the main roster.
I feel at some point in 2024 will be long enough for Jacy and Gigi to “bury the hatchet.” And I feel that Thea’s work with Jacy has only become stronger so why not include her at that point?
Both Gigi and Jacy have prior indie experience, with Gigi being a 10 year veteran. Both have been in WWE for about three years and have certain cemented their mark in NXT. Thea, who is the newest in this scenario still has what it takes to be called up. Maybe this all can happen late 2024 to give Thea a bit more seasoning?
Blair Davenport
Much as Gigi Dolin and Wendy Choo, Blair Davenport has plenty of wrestling experience and can go beyond NXT. She will be a 12 year veteran in wrestling in 2024 and has been with WWE for over two years.
The one thing that escapes her is a championship. She has had numerous attempts at both the NXT UK Women’s Title and has also gone for the NXT Women’s Title. She is currently set to face the current champion Lyra Valkyria in two weeks. At some point she should either become champion on move up to Raw or SmackDown. Perhaps SmackDown who can use the depth.
So I cheated again, this should be “eight women who should be called up.” But oh well.
Much like Toxic Attraction, I feel that come 2024 we can have a Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez tag team run on the main roster. With Perez feeling a bit darker these days she could team back up with her former best friend. This time havinf Perez eventually turn on Cora on the main roster. We’ve seen this done with the men dozens of times between NXT and main roster so why not the women?
Roxanne had her breakout year last year, stayed relevant this year, and next year could take the main roster by storm. Not many people at the age of 22 can say they already have 5 plus years of training under their belt. This works for Cora as well. Cora has become way better as a heel and gets great crowd reaction.
Having both Cora/Roxanne and Toxic Attraction reform at some point in 2024 would be a fun way to keep the women’s tag team titles relevant.
Who do you think should be called up? Discuss below.
AEW’s CJ Perry revealed on Saturday, that she had an infection in her finger that ended up going up to her arm. She had to miss both the CMLL show on Friday and AEW Collision on Saturday as a result because she had to go the ER.
#CMLL Please keep me in your prayers I’m at the ER @vphcares. The infection from my small finger has gone up my arm. I am so sorry I had to miss last night and @AEW tonight. I look forward to debuting in Mexico with @AndradeElIdolo. Good luck @ToBeMiro and my client… pic.twitter.com/UcFAg9WLU2
In a new update, Perry explained that the infection has gotten worse and she has spent the past two plus days in the ER and hospital. She was slated to go into surgery tonight.
I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours. The infection has gotten worse and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all ?? pic.twitter.com/P5JdwfQqu2
WWE will not have its normal Raw air on Dec. 25 as it is Christmas Day. The show will return on Jan. 1 for its Day 1 episode. On this episode are three women’s matches confirmed.
First, five years in the making, Nia Jax and Becky Lynch will go one-on-one. On the Dec. 18 episode there was another Lynch promo with Jax. This time it almost led to a match as Jax was fired up asking for an official to come out. Lynch almost got what she wanted, but Jax backed down saying their match will be in 2 weeks in her hometown at Day 1. After bringing up Lynch’s daughter, Lynch was enraged and attacked Jax from behind.
Second, we are set to have a tag team match between Natalya & Tegan Nox vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark. We have new tag team champions as Katana Chance & Kayden Carter dethroned Chelsea Green & Piper Niven on the Dec. 18 episode of Raw. The winner here could get a future title opportunity.
Lastly, Ivy Nile has called out the Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley after Ripley made short work of Maxxine Dupri. Nile did get physical with Ripley in the main event where Ripley tries to assist Judgment Day in their title match against the Creed Brothers. Nile lifted Ripley up on her shoulders and slammed her face first into the ring apron. Nile gets her first shot at the Women’s World Title in two weeks.
New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions will round out 2023 as Kayden Carter and Katana Chance are the new champions. They defeated Chelsea Green and Piper Niven on the Dec. 18 episode of Raw.
In the final moments of the match, Carter & Chance hit the Keg Stand on Niven but Green broke up the pin. They were able to put Green in position for the After Party as Carter pinned Green to win the gold. This ends Green’s reign at 154 days while Niven’s is 126 days. Niven became champion after Sonya Deville was injured from her initial win with Green.
After the match, Carter and Chance celebrated backstage with some fellow tag teams – Candice LeRae/Indi Hartwell, Tegan Nox/Natalya, and Shayna Baszler/Zoey Stark. After LeRae and Hartwell walked away, Natalya noted that now that we have new champs we need new challengers.
WWE Raw will not air on Dec. 25 due to it being Christmas Day. Raw will return with a Day 1 special on Jan. 1.
Jade Chung is taking over the position as ring announcer for TNA. Chung takes over for David Penzer, who departed the company following IMPACT Final Resolution.
Chung has been a member of IMPACT/TNA’s broadcasting team since earlier this year. She us also the wife of Josh Alexander who is a former champion where she has appeared on screen in storylines.
Chung has been an active wrestler in the past, with her last match being in 2019 for the Canadian Alpha-1 promotion.
KiLynn King looked to have hurt her knee tonight while performing for Florida independent promotion Mayhem on Mills at their “The GLOW” event in Sanford, Florida.
King was defending her Mayhem on Mills Championship against Eli Knight, who was draped over the ropes. King came off the middle rope with an attempted kick and looked to have landed awkwardly. The match, which went about seven minutes, ended shortly thereafter.
King needed to helped to the back after the bout and was minding her knee as she exited.
King was last seen in a TNA match in November where she teamed up with Steve Maclin in a losing effort against Jordynne Grace and Bully Ray.
Hopefully KiLynn is okay and Diva Dirt sends out our best wishes.
After two weeks of victories against teams such as Tegan Nox/Natalya and Indi Hartwell/Candice LeRae, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter will be getting their title shot. This is against the champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven who have held the gold for 125 days while Green herself who won the titles with Sonya Deville has held it for 153 days and counting.
Chance and Carter hold the longest single reign of tag team champs in the modern era at 186 days with the now defunct NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships. Can they become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions to end 2023?
In addition to the tag team match, we should be getting follow up from the tensions growing between Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and Ivy Nile.
Make sure that you check back in with Diva Dirt during show time to chat about Raw live.
Charlotte Flair was injured on the Dec. 8 episode of SmackDown in her match against Asuka.
On Dec. 15, commentary broke the news that Flair will be out for at least nine months due to a knee injury. What commentary did not disclose was just how bad the injury was.
PWInsider is stating that she suffered a torn ACL, a torn meniscus, and a torn MCL when she fell from the top rope during the match. It is also believed, but not confirmed, that she has suffered a strained neck as well due to the fall and how she landed.
Flair will be having surgery once she can be scheduled due to the holidays.
Diva Dirt continues to send our best wishes and hope for the best healing for Charlotte.
During the Dec. 16 ROH tapings, Tony Khan has introduced a secondary title to the ROH women’s division. It will be the ROH Women’s World TV Championship.
It is unknown who will be the inaugural champion and in what manner at the time of this writing. More will be provided as more information comes about.
Currently, Athena is sitting at 371 plus days as ROH Women’s World Champion. She retained against Billie Starkz at Final Battle on Dec. 15.
Who would you like to see as the first ROH Women’s World TV Champion?
AEW Collision witnessed a brutal Texas Street Fight between two teams – Kris Statlander and Willow Nightgale vs. Mercedes Martinez and Diamante.
As the two teams walked down the ramp to the ring, Statlander and Nightingale carried a briefcase and a chain, checking what was in the briefcase to make sure. Martinez and Diamante were equipped with a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire and a lead pipe. All four items brought to the ring were used as weapons during the match.
Willow was busted open first and quickly by a bottle to the head. Diamante would soon be busted open by being driven into the wired baseball bat.
During a picture in picture commercial break Martinez used the wired bat on Nightingale’s forehead. These two would continue the fight while Diamante and Statlander went at each other.
Martinez and Diamante would set up a piece of plywood which had Statlander become the victim as she was planted through it by Martinez. During Statlander being laid out, Nightingale finds herself fighting off both of her opponent.
Moments later when Statlander was back on her feet, she delivered her finisher on Martinez but only got a near fall. Diamante would gran the briefcase brought to the ring by Nightingale to find it full of glass and thumbtacks. Martinez rubbed Statlander’s face into it. Diamante executes a sunset flip to Statlander on the glass and tacks.
Final moments of the match takes place on the ring apron as Nightingale goes for the Death Valley Driver to Martinez with a table set up at ringside. Martinez flips it over and tries to powerbomb Willow through the table as she holds onto the ropes. Diamante kicks Nightingale which allows Martinez to successfully put her through the table.
Back in the ring, Statlander has the chain and knocks out Diamante, getting the pin and win for her and Nightingale.
“Timeless” Toni Storm will face the winner of Riho and Saraya for the #AEW Women’s World Championship
After this match we get a Timeless Toni Storm promo with Mariah May holding Storm’s championship belt. May was asked when he first match would be. She said that Tony Khan has helped her get her American wrestling license and she wants Storm on commentary for the match. Storm says she is far to busy.
Storm then addressed the upcoming match between Sarary and Riho on Dynamite. The winner will face Storm at Worlds End on Dec. 30.
For more of what happened on Collision, you can click here.
Thunder Rosa has returned from her long injury hiatus on the Dec. 16 episode of AEW Collision.
Before we get into Rosa’s return, let’s talk what led up to it. Shockingly, AEW has two women’s matches on this week’s Collision. This one had Abadon taking on Jazmin Allure. It was quite the squash match as they took out Allure with the Black Dahlia finisher in a matter of under a minute.
The lights went out and the TBS Champion Julia Hart appeared as she has in the past several Abadon matches. This time, Abadon went after Hart and the two started to fight. When Abadon had Hart in the corner, Skye Blue appeared behind Abadon. At first it looks like Blue was going to help them and go after Hart but in turn, Blue attacked Abadon from behind. The double team on Abadon was stopped once Rosa returned through the crowd.
After over a year away, Thunder Rosa returns to the ring in San Antonio next Saturday teaming with Abadon vs TBS Champion Julia Hart + Skye Blue! pic.twitter.com/2DIJCRQc4N
Tensions with Willow/Stat vs Martinez/Diamante have escalated for weeks, all 4 demand immediate resolution, which has been granted: STREET FIGHT TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/av63tUNaBH
