Many women’s lives have been changed because of Awesome Kong. Since 2002, she has crisscrossed the globe in her professional wrestling career. She introduced a new perspective to the U.S. independent circuits by hosting championships in Japan. Respect her because she has represented so many people in so many different ways, and she deserves it. She has always been the leader of the pack, never flinching from taking down her rivals. She is widely regarded as one of the best TNA Knockouts. She is a former TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion alongside TNA veteran Hamada and a two-time TNA Knockouts Champion. Her rivalry with Gail Kim is still one of the best in TNA, IMPACT Wrestling, and the Knockouts division’s history today. She competed in the 2012 WWE Men’s Royal Rumble as Kharma, becoming well-known in the wrestling community as a result. She joined WWE Legends Chyna and Beth Phoenix as the third woman in the company’s history to enter and continue to break down boundaries for Women’s Wrestling. When it comes to wrestling, her legacy has spread to other organizations like AEW, ROH and Shimmer. In every match, she has shown her superiority over the other fighters. The public learned about her retirement back in October when she took part in NWA Empowerrr, an all-women pay-per-view event. Later that month, she made history by being the first black wrestler and the first black woman to be inducted into the IMPACT! Wrestling 2021 Hall of Fame. As a fan, I’d want to see Kong vs. Kim face off once again, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for it. Finally, thank you for all of your contributions to women’s wrestling and wrestling in general, Kia Stevens! Every ring, promotion, and nation in the world will carry your name. #AEW #AwesomeKong #Impact #WWE

Linda Miles participated and was victorious in the second season of the Tough Enough reality television competition show. Miles was then promoted to RAW shortly after, where she began competing against main roster talent like as Trish Stratus as she began to acquire experience in the industry. However, it wasn’t until Linda made the switch to Smackdown that she finally found her niche in the form of the tough and outspoken Shaniqua. Shaniqua looked stunning in her sultry locks and leather boots, and she had legs for miles. Legs that she would utilize to throw one of the finest leg finishers ever, as well as a devastating power bomb, if she had them. Her role was a dominatrix who made it obvious to her patrons, the Basham Brothers, that if they did not deliver the victory, they would face quick penalties from the opposing side. Backstage, Shaniqua put her lads through the ringer with whippings, chokeholds, and even tied them up for everyone to witness, and she had no qualms about doing so. Shaniqua was on her way to assisting in the establishment of a women’s division on Smackdown. With her brief rivalry with Nidia and Dawn Marie, there was a glimmer of optimism that she could’ve turned out to be a huge heel for these two ladies to contend with and defeat. The ladies on the roster had a great opportunity to put on some good matches and perhaps even win a championship. Despite just spending a brief period of time in the WWE, Shaniqua left a lasting effect during the Ruthless Aggression Era. #LindaMiles #Shaniqua #WWE

The first week of February and the love for looks in the air. Now, we know this is the month of love, and of course, love is on the brain. However, in this arena, we put looks over love. Catch the look, not feelings! Glam Special These looks are all about the glam! For the glamorous, to the flossy, glossy! https://www.instagram.com/p/CZhjOXXpIsw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZad-nJpD8P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZf0iHdORst/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZaBE46PqPo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcASahOm_x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZmpviiun4M/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZiHd5TLeq0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Gear of the Week Calling all show stoppers!! Looking good while putting on for the crowd starts with the ring! https://www.instagram.com/p/CZf3h28Ok8_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZacymogGUX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZlCLfJM0r4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZkteAZPWrO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Selfie Queens Serving looks while serving face, this category is all about the selfie game! https://www.instagram.com/p/CZf-IWzsS53/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZhQqY8rCBs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcdk4lJjGf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZndIw6Pcjc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZlS8NfLcOY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcR5l0JSSm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Gym Hotties Working out and looking good! Let’s stop and take a pic! https://www.instagram.com/p/CZaY5qyp_C9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZb3L16uhHy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZZwu-HJ2uj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CZZ1HTYp0Yd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Be sure to check out our Looks of the Week available here every Sunday! The looks from January Week 4 along with all the looks for this month will be discussed on #TurnbuckleGlam, Saturday, February 26 at 1 pm EST / 12 pm CST exclusively on Women’s Wrestling Talk! #miayim #Carmella #RedVelvet #giseleshaw #sarray #JordynneGrace #kaylabraxton #JadeCargill #athena #wendychoo #CharlotteFlair #MercedesMartinez #Naomi #LashLegend #TashaSteelz #RaquelGonzalez #alejandrathelion #BrittBaker #ThunderRosa #Paige #SerenaDeeb #Natalya

In March of last year, I finally had the opportunity to see the long-awaited documentary on Lady Wrestler. First-generation African American female wrestlers are featured in this video, which examines their careers in the wrestling industry between the 1950s and 1960. Columbus, Ohio, became the center of women’s wrestling during this period. Women’s wrestling began to take off thanks to promoters like Al Haft and Billy Wolfe. Intergender cards were introduced by Billy Wolfe, who held a seat on the NWA Alliance’s executive committee. Ethel Johnson and Babs Wingo were Billy Wolfe’s first stable of African American women. Marva Scott was the next to follow. All of the female wrestlers were still in high school. When she was 22, Ramona Isabell took up wrestling, becoming one of the sport’s greatest female competitors. In order to stay in shape for wrestling, Ethel and Babs learned some new tactics from their coaches. Their stomachs were pelted with medicine balls for three hours at the gym. Billy Wolfe wanted all the women to have strong bodies and beautiful calves that fit perfectly into the glamorous, yet muscular appearance he desired. When he married Mildred Burke, the NWA women’s world champion, he initially patented this formula. Bigger promotions still use the sex, muscles, and diamonds blueprint that we see today. The women expanded their skill set by taking classes at the local YMCA in tumbling and judo. What a revelation, showing how far ahead of their time these women truly were. Women like Janai Kai, Nicole Savoy, and Trish Adora have blended mixed martial arts into their wrestling technique to the point where it’s now considered novel. A lot like the Joshi wrestlers in Stardom or the old All Japan Women Pro Wrestling, these women put in long hours of training in dojos to prove themselves. The Harlem Globetrotters, Joe Louis, and Ike and Tina Turner were just some of the celebrities that Ethel Johnson and the other women began to meet and interact with. Marva Scott’s children would help their mother design her clothing and witness her sporting the latest hairstyles. Upon their return from their globetrotting adventure, the women would be decked out in furs and have amassed considerable wealth. Visiting the Nile River, Australia, Korea, and Japan. Ethel Johnson, Mary Horton, Babs Wingo, and Louise Green all had the chance to be featured in Jet Magazine during this time period. During this time, it was the most widely read black publication in the United States. Surely, this was a high point in their professional lives. When Bobo Brazil and the original Sheik would come over to their house, the women felt like they were part of a family. These real-life superheroes would have the neighborhood in awe. Although there were some downs, it was a good experience all the same. Despite the fact that America was still quite segregated at the time, Not only did the ladies have to deal with racial constraints, but they also had to deal with gender ones. Prior to the Civil Rights Era’s big successes, many of them were threatened with death or forced to face the dangers of the South. Throughout it all, the women remained steadfastly united with their people. They wouldn’t play a show if they saw black patrons being turned away. As a black wrestler, that was a dangerous stance to take because it could get you blackballed. The consequences of standing up for your rights could be lethal. For black people, it’s still the case. When a police officer pulled a gun on Babs, she was stabbed in the leg with a shattered glass bottle in Mexico. When the mafia requested that Marva Scott throw one of her matches in favor of her opponent and she refused, Marva had to fight for her life in Japan. She couldn’t take the chance of being ejected from the ring since she was certain to be assaulted if she was. Marva had a mental collapse as a result of all of this stress and was sent to a hospital. We’re now hearing more and more in our day and age about the importance of taking time to look after one’s mental health. You should be proud of yourself for being honest with yourself and seeking help when you feel overwhelmed. It’s true that these women didn’t grow up in a time when this was acceptable. They were both black women. Nobody cared about their physical or mental well-being, not even themselves. So they had to put it in a can or jar. These women were called upon to be strong mothers and wives. There’s no time to pity yourself, as baby boomers like to say. Indeed, these ladies paved the way for others. As the story progresses, their children’s faces light up with pride as they reminisce about their parents’ lives. Ethel Johnson and Ramona Isabell appeared in the documentary, and it was a joy to hear their stories directly from them. It was a pleasure to meet so many eloquent, witty, and mature women. Ethel Johnson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s legacy wing in 2021, but the montage included another black female wrestler Sandy Parker instead of Ethel. Inevitably, her family was outraged, and they were not involved in the decision-making process. In my opinion, the women in this film deserve more recognition because they accomplished so much. It is critical that this documentary continues to be seen by a wide audience. This is really an amazing story. These women’s wrestlers have made an incredible journey, and it should be celebrated. The documentary is now available on Amazon Prime: Filmmaker Chris Bournea also created a podcast series to highlight more details of these ladies careers: Use the hashtag #LadyWrestler and #BlackWrestlingDraws to spread the word about this documentary and how marketable black female wrestlers are. Want more coverage of The Lady Wrestler documentary? Check out this throwback WWT interview with Chris Bournea: #LadyWrestler

Co-owner of the biggest independent wrestling promotions in the states, ROW. The former Ms. Black America, former WCW Nitro girl, former WWE backstage interviewer, former back up dancer for James Brown, former manager of the legendary King Booker and now actress that is Sharmell. Sharmell has worn several jobs in the entertainment world, and when she discovered pro wrestling and joined the World Championship Wrestling (WCW), she was immediately captivated. Sharmell began her professional wrestling career as the dazzling nitro dancer Storm in 1999, then tested the waters in the ring under the ring name Paisley. By the 2000s, she had enough experience under her belt to feel comfortable transitioning to WWE as a backstage interviewer. Following her appointment as Booker T’s manager, she elegantly transitioned into the statuesque Queen Sharmell, a persona that she held for a quite sometime. Following a very successful tenure in WWE, the Queen and King went on to Impact Wrestling, where they were instrumental in the formation of the main event mafia group, which featured other luminaries from the business. Sharmell is now a proud co-owner of the famous independent wrestling company Reality of wrestling. ROW is committed to providing top-notch training in order to develop the next generation of talent. Sharmell is a woman who feel in love with the profession and is dedicated to making it a better place than it was when she first started. You will always be our queen, no matter what. #Sharmell #WWE

The Royal Rumble is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Pat Patterson’s brilliant idea for a wrestling contest has been duplicated many times, but it has never been reproduced. When it comes to PPVs, I go out of my way to watch the Royal Rumble, no matter how horrible the booking is. In the anticipation of the next player’s arrival, the game has an inherent sense of thrill. Surely every wrestling fan can recall at least one memorable Rumble moment. An additional dimension of uncertainty was introduced to the Rumble this year. Due to the WWE cutting its roster to the point where not even half of a rumble would have adequate talent, Before Wrestlemania, there wasn’t an obvious front-runner destined to be the main event. I was looking forward to seeing something new and different, so I turned the TV on with a big smile on my face. What a mistake it was. For some reason, the Royal Rumble seemed less exciting to me when Joan Jett started belting out her gruff punk voice to signify the match’s conclusion. It’s no longer the exhilarating and heart-wrenching battle royal that once sent me to my knees with joy and sorrow. A new set of priorities has taken hold. The Rumble’s previously gleaming golden brilliance has gone away. In favor of one of the appearances, plot development and career-defining performances were pushed on the back burner. No, this change hasn’t been that drastic. Star-making has been steadily decreasing during the last five years… So, this has always been the case, right? However, the absence of any WWE programming for an extended period of time accentuated this point. So what’s the big deal about this year’s Rumble? Why have I lost my enthusiasm for the event? This is the purpose of this article. To find out whether WWE’s reorganization has had any impact on the final product’s quality. Let’s start with part-time workers. It’s common knowledge that part-timers have a terrible reputation. Criticized for working a lesser schedule, earning more money, and taking the place of a more worthy full-time wrestler. In the past, fans of professional wrestling had scorn towards part-timers, particularly if their primary purpose was money. In recent years, the negative connotation associated with working just a few days a week has begun to wane. When Beth Phoenix, Maryse, and Lita returned to the concert, they were met with enthusiastic applause. Rather than a second run with the title, wrestlers are assisting younger wrestlers instead. The Royal Rumble is the place where the most part-time talent is employed. One-off appearances or triumphant returns have been commonplace for years. It was a whole different story this time around, however. WWE wasn’t going through the motions only to appease the crowds. Part-time workers were not a choice this year; they were a necessity. Is this a good return on your investment? They can not only generate a tremendous pop, but they can also be a highlight of the Rumble if done well. This year’s comeback of Ivory is a sure bet. One of the cleanest displays of professional wrestling I’ve seen in a long time was Rhea Ripley’s top rope drop on a puritanical Ivory. These brief cameos throughout the Rumble were entertaining but very ephemeral. Sure, seeing Nikki A.S.H eliminate Mighty Molly was amusing. Another highlight was Melina’s short encounter with Sasha Banks. In the end, these triumphs have little or no significance. These moments have the potential to develop into feuds, which could go to Wrestlemania and beyond with the right talent. Fireworks are here, a brilliant show that fades away almost as fast as it appears. Despite the fact that their performances are so short-lived, they nonetheless have a positive effect on the wrestlers. To honor the ladies of the past, the Royal Rumble is a great opportunity. For many, it was a period when women weren’t given the same respect as they are now. It’s an opportunity for them to shine one more time in front of a public that’s more open-minded towards women’s wrestling, and they should take advantage of it. Many memorable events have resulted from the Royal Rumble, which is why it’s so beloved by fans. A site where feuds started, people’s identities formed, and impetus was acquired. Occasionally, these tales cover the whole of the Rumble. A Wrestlemania bout might be only a few seconds long and leave us salivating. This year’s rumble was littered with these kinds of moments. The Naomi vs. Sonya Deville rivalry was still going strong, and the countdown to Charlotte vs. Lita at Wrestlemania was well underway. We also got to watch current Knockouts champion Mickie James knock out her longtime adversary, Michelle McCool. However, all of these ladies have one thing in common: they are already well-known. Very little was done to draw attention to any female rising stars. As a matter of fact, there was almost no fresh talent throughout the whole contest. There were no NXT promotions, and there was no spotlight placed on a mid-card star with significant potential. For the first time, the Rumble is no longer utilized as a launching platform for new stars. The Rumble is a great chance to give people a lift, but so many people are missing out on it. Just a few stunning eliminations, an hour in the match, and a respectable performance are all that’s required. Even if they do, it’s unlikely they’ll become a household name. That being said, it can undoubtedly give them an edge in the fight. Royal Rumble is all about building excitement for Wrestlemania, and that’s the whole point of it, right? Every year, we have a “stare and point” at the Wrestlemania sign location. Now, WWE’s main focus is on other things. The Rumble has acquired new connotations. When it works, as when it helps to solidify Bianca Belair or puts Becky Lynch on the path to becoming Becky two belts, it works. In terms of the previous twelve months, this one was a flop. I’m disappointed by the conclusion, which is certain to lead to a win but does not inspire the awe and emotion that you should experience at WrestleMania. #SashaBanks #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #RheaRipley #BeckyLynch #WWE #RondaRousey

Known professionally as Jazz, Carlene Moore-Begnaud first appeared on the wrestling scene in 1998. Wrestling was her next step after dropping out of college since it wasn’t what she wanted to do. Six to eight months were spent there under the guidance of Rod Price. Jazz was influenced by Jackie, and in what I like to call a nice circle moment, she made her debut against Jacqueline in 1998. When Jazz joined Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), her ring name was Jazzmine. As a member of the Impact Players alliance, she had a lot of power. When ECW was still going strong in 1999, she defeated Jason Knight in the same arena. Jazz has appeared in a variety of professional wrestling promotions, including Women Superstars Uncensored, Chikara, SHINE, AEW, and the WWE. In the WWE, Trish Stratus was a frequent victim of her running attacks. WCW/WWE Women’s Champion two times. Jazz was the last WWF Champion to hold the championship. Jazz in the NWA was, in my opinion, a remarkable achievement. Her opponents included Thunder Rosa and Jordynne Grace when she was in that arena. After The Fabulous Moolah and Debbie Combs, she held the title for the third-longest period of time, at 948 days. To far, Jazz has only appeared in IMPACT wrestling. The IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championships were on the line, so she paired up with Jordynne to attempt to win them for the first time. With 2021, at Hardcore Justice, she challenged Deonna Purrazzo for the Impact Knockouts Championship, her last appearance in the company. This was a championship vs. career matchup. Having been beaten, she was given the task of managing Jordynne and Rachael Ellering. There aren’t a lot of women in wrestling, and I’ve been a fan of Jackie and Jazz for a long time. Strong, independent, and fiercely dominating black women, it was a pleasure to meet Jazz in person. In 2021, one of the highlights of my year was a quick conversation I had with her. Jazz was also a part of one of my favorite matches in 2021, cementing her place in wrestling history once again. You can’t go wrong with praising her. #Impact #Jazz #WWE

There’s a lot of buzz on Twitter today concerning former WWE Superstar Nia Jax’s remarks about athletes paying to get COVID-19 immunization cards. Jax revealed that she did not get the COVID-19 vaccination prior to her WWE release in November when she spoke on Renee Paquette’s “The Sessions” podcast earlier this week. There have been rumors that Jax’s immunization status was a factor in WWE’s decision to let her go. That she had not had the vaccination, and that she was aware of the consequences if she did not, was corroborated by her. “I stood my ground on certain things that I know they weren’t happy about,” Jax said. “I was choosing not to go and get the vaccine. And it was a personal choice, and I remember sitting down with Vince because the whole entire two years I was there we were tested every day. I never popped positive, I never caught COVID the whole time. And it was like ‘well kid, you’re not going to be able to fulfill some of your contractual duties.’ And I was like ‘well if that’s the case, then that’s the case.’ It’s a business and I understand you’ve got to run your business. But I made a decision for myself, and I stood by how I felt. I always go by my gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right in my stomach, I just can’t force myself to do something I don’t feel good with. That’s just how I’ve lived my entire life.” Jax received social media feedback this week from both proponents and detractors of the vaccination as a result of his remarks. As far as I know, Jax had previously shared a graphic on the vaccine’s efficacy and tagged it with the words, “God made my immune system and I trust him the most [folded hands emoji] [hands raised emoji]” The screenshot’s caption, provided by the user, reads, “nah but clearly yk a thing or two about being unsafe” In response to a tweet from a fan, Jax said that she knows of professional athletes who have purchased for a COVID-19 vaccination card from a doctor in order to avoid receiving the injection. “Hahaha! I stand by that too. Honey, if you really think that all your favorites don’t feel the same as I do, you’re sadly mistaken. I know a lot of people in many professional sports that just paid & got a real card from a doctor..sooooo,” she wrote. https://twitter.com/LinaFanene/status/1489694663913222145?s=20&t=BCXWX6R-bRlM8uNl4xCyOg This week, Jax has engaged in a Twitter back-and-forth with followers, as she tweeted earlier today, “There’s a support group starting for all the trolls who want to give me their opinion, its called ‘Eat shit you loser and get a life’ @StevenMKaye is starting it, please contact him to be included. It’s an exclusive group so spots will fill up quick!!” Is it also full if unvaccinated wrestlers who injure people? — NuGGz THE PRIN❌️E (@NuGGz_fgc) February 4, 2022 We’ll keep you post on Nia Jax. #NiaJax #WWE

On the heel of accepting the challenge, Jordynee Grace was defeated by Matt Cardona as he became the new Digital Media Champion. It was Cardona that took a chair to the head of Grace before getting the 1-2-3. Like many of us, Gia Miller had questions of her own as she stopped Cardona before leaving the building. The main question on everyone’s mind is what does Chelsea Green think of the handling of the victory? Speaking of Green, it was announced that she will go head to head with her long-time friend and current Knockouts World Champion, Mickie James. As James gears up for their match next week, she might want to keep some of the focus on her opponent at No Surrender. She spoke briefly about her time at the Royal Rumble and the importance of being represented. However, the first-ever Knockouts Ultimate X winner, Tasha Steelz was not too impressed with the overall performance. .@MickieJames got a few sentences out before she was interrupted yet again by @RealTSteelz!#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/RG6ru9iqxX — IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 4, 2022 From one champion to a champ champ, Gia Miller caught up with Deonna Purrazzo as she issued a public message and gave a swift “You’re Welcome,” to the current Knockouts World Champion. The current ROH Women’s World Champion and AAA Reinas de Reina champion gave anyone the opportunity at either one of her championships next week. As she left, she made it clear, “The Age of The Virtuosa will live on forever!” .@DeonnaPurrazzo issued an open challenge for either one of her Championships next week on #IMPACTonAXSTV! Who do you think will step up to challenge The Virtuosa!?@IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/D3glzSC6um — IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 4, 2022 After their loss last week, Madison Rayne and Kaleb with a K discussed briefly before they were surprised with a gift. The IInspiration showed up with a little gift for Kaleb and Kaleb only, which did not sit too well with Rayne. It seems like The IInspiration has turned up the mind games and there is no plan to stop insight. Masha Slamovich showed us once again that her presence and dominance in this division will be felt. She defeated Kaci Lennox and increased her winning streak yet again. As the Knockouts division continues to grow, The Quintessential Diva, Gisele Shaw, is making her way to the Impact Zone soon. It is safe to say we may see Slamvoich and Shaw cross paths along the way. Be sure to check out our #IMPACTRecap every single Friday, exclusively here Women’s Wrestling Talk! #giseleshaw #ImpactZone #ChelseaGreen #SavannahEvans #ImpactWrestling #kalebwithak #giamiller #kacilennox #thequintessentialdiva #IMPACTRecap #deonnapurrazzo #MadisonRayne #TashaSteelz #MickieJames #mattcardona #mashaslamovich #TheVirtuosa