Wrestlemania season is upon us, and as the world prepares to descend on Arlington, Texas, smaller federations are looking to capitalize on the influx of fans desperate for wrestling. In a weekend that sees Supercard of Honor, Part Six of Joey Janela’s Spring Break on top of Mania itself, the April 2nd weekend is shaping up to be jam-packed. Booker T’s Reality Promotion is also getting in on the action. Late last year, the Texas promotion revealed its plans to host an all-women’s tournament, the Sherri Martel Classic. With Wrestlemania 38 rapidly approaching, it has been confirmed that AQA, a recent ROW graduate who signed with AEW, will compete in the tournament on April 2nd in Irving, Texas. As an AWA and WWF Women’s Champion Sherri Martel was a wrestler and valet synonymous with the Hulkamania era and was responsible for some of its most memorable moments. Her name adds instant credibility to the tournament that bears her name. However, the usage of Martel’s name is about more than his wrestling credentials. Sherri played a pivotal role in ROW founder Booker T’s career, managing him and his brother Stevie Ray as part of Harlem Heat. Clearly, the classic is Booker’s way of honoring Martel, who guided Booker through his early career. This is a massive opportunity for all the women involved. You only have to look as far as the Mae Young classic to see how tournaments can turn women into stars. Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Marti Belle, and Deonna Purrazzo all appeared and made the most of their opportunity. The Sherri Martel Classic may provide the platform for female wrestlers that have been absent since 2018. In addition, it’s a terrific opportunity to acquire visibility during Wrestlemania. For that weekend, Arlington will be hosting the wrestling world. There will be a substantial international presence clambering for wrestlers. It is the perfect time for up-and-coming wrestlers to showcase their skills and impress fans outside their usual market. However, with this fervor comes added pressure. Athletes participating in the Sherri Martel Classic will definitely bring their A-game. What are your thoughts on the Sherri Martel Classic? Who do you want to see? What promotions are you checking out on Mania weekend? Let us know. We love hearing from you. #WrestleMania #SherriMartel #AQA #womens #womenswrestling #Wrestlemania38 #sensationalsherri #womenswrestlingtalk #RealityofWrestling #News

Wrestling’s indie circuit is full of the incredible talent that goes unappreciated. The majority of wrestling fans only watch the main leagues like WWE or AEW, but due to Fite TV, IWTV, and even AEW Dark, viewers can learn about these up and coming wrestlers and their careers. There’s a good chance you’ll see “The Little Blue Dragon,” Tootie Lynn, on one of these programs or streaming services. It was not until Tootie was in her early 20s that she began training for professional wrestling, despite having a 1st-degree black belt in martial arts. She made her professional wrestling debut in a three-way match against Savanna Stone and Raven Victoria after training at Dynamo Pro wrestling. Next year, Tootie participated in a number of Midwest campaigns. Tootie Lynn continued to work the Midwest wrestling circuit in firms like Glory Pro Wrestling, Cape Championship, and IWA Mid-South, all the while building her image as a tough and tenacious competitor. After making appearances on both AEW Dark and NWA’s Women’s Invitational Cup, Tootie Lynn has continued to shine in her career. Lynn, the last contestant, defeated Masha Slamovich in the semifinals. In the end, it came down to Lynn and first-place finisher Chelsea Green. The invitational was won by Green, despite the best efforts of Tootie. Anyone who has seen “Little Blue Dragon” in person or on the internet knows what a fantastic response she generates. Tootie brings a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy, and a lot of devotion into the ring, and we can expect to see her on more large stages in the future. #TootieLynn

Hosts Driune Santana & Stephanie Hardy discuss WWE’s Smackdown & AEW Rampage for the week of February 25th 2022 #wrestlingblog #womenswrestling #wrestling #WWE #AEW

Jordynne Grace and Matt Cardona faced again yet this time in a Dotcombat match. From old cell phones to computer keyboards, no weapons were off-limit as each competitor journeyed to destroy one another. The pairing between these two has come to the level of destruction where it seems that the championship itself does not even matter. After the disqualification last week, Grace wasted no time taking it to Cardona, with forceful knees and elbows to the back all throughout the match. This match made me forget there was even a championship on the line. It was Cardona who retained and stole another victory from Grace some would say. It is clear that this feud is far from over and we could see even more destruction as we make our way to Sacrifice. .@TheMattCardona just hit @JordynneGrace with a keyboard on #IMPACTonAXSTV!#IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/6IWKqIQFhK — IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 25, 2022 Deonna Purrazzo’s champ champ challenge returned to the IMPACT Zone and the challenger bought the cold. Lady Frost answered the challenge, facing off with Purrazzo in a close battle. She decided to challenge for the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship and felt confident with her selection. Frost pulled out all the stops, facing one of the greatest Knockouts of our time. The Virtuosa conquered yet another challenger and it is clear another is next. Let us not forget, the current number one contender for the AAA Reina de Reinas championship is Taya Valkyrie. We are not sure when this match will take place, and the anticipation continues to rise. Impressive Moonsault from @RealLadyFrost on #IMPACTonAXSTV!#IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/IMpjUcJz5p — IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 25, 2022 Alisha Edwards wanted answers from her husband’s actions at No Surrender just like the rest of it. She confronted her husband and got the answers she was looking for. Staying focused on her own career, Alisha Edwards faced off with Gisele Shaw in this week’s Digital Exclusive Match. Shaw picked up another victory and later showed up in the IMPACT Zone after Lady Frost was defeated. She seems to have more interest in feuding with Frost than winning a championship for now. Time will tell where this feud will take us next and who will be the Knockout to come out on top. It was announced this week that The IInspiration will defend their IMPACT Knockouts World Tag Team Championships against The Influence. More matches are being added to the event as we speak. Another announcement made, Tasha Steelz and Chelsea Green will face off to see who will face Mickie James. The winner will go to face James for her IMPACT Knockouts World Champion at Sacrifice airing live one week from Saturday. The Iinspiration and The Influence ran into each other in the back and had words about thier IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship match at #Sacrifice!@TenilleDashwood @MadisonRayne @JessicaMcKay @CassieLee @kalebKonley #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/lHJZAL9FG4 — IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 25, 2022 Be sure to check out our #IMPACTRecap every single week here exclusively on Women’s Wrestling Talk! #LadyFrost #giseleshaw #TayaValkyrie #scottdamore #ChelseaGreen #giamiller #deonnapurrazzo #JessicaMcKay #MadisonRayne #TashaSteelz #MickieJames #TenilleDashwood #mattcardona #CassieLee #alishaedwards

I’m sure we all have our favorite wrestlers in the business, whether they’re the huge names on television from WWE or AEW, or legendary figures from the past. We’ve read many articles, blogs, and interviews about these incredible individuals, and believe me when I say that I’m not belittling their accomplishments in any way, but what about our up and coming stars? While there are performance centers and company-grown athletes in the wrestling business, the independent circuit is where the sport’s long-term growth will occur. Brooke Valentine is a feisty heel who hails from the Midwest but is being booked from “anywhere but here,” She is a heel who you definitely want on your radar. For good reason, she is referred to as “Fite TV’s favorite ass,” and for good cause: she is well-known for using her ass-ests to her advantage in the ring. Another factor contributing to the popularity of wrestling is the storylines that the wrestlers bring to life on the mat. Yes, indie organizations might struggle to sustain long-term booking and storyline, but Brooke can be seamlessly thrown into any match and portray a credible, in-your-face villain persona without a hitch. When she shouts back clever comebacks to the audience, gets in her opponent’s face, and says what she genuinely feels, Valentine shows her true colors. She even goes so far as to deny high fives from the younger generation of followers. Watching all of this unfold makes you want to boo her and play into her heel persona’s disdain of you and others. However, you can’t help but notice how amazing she is at her character and want to see her achieve success in the role. Brooke Valentine will make certain that you notice her in some way or another while dressed in bright yellow plaid and black lace clothing. No matter what you notice about her, whether it’s her eye-catching attire (how does she pull off yellow plaid?! ), her ring work, her loud tongue, or her spit-fire comebacks, Brooke “Thicky Steamboat” Valentine will certainly make sure that you remember her name. #BrookeValentine

A recent virtual signing with Captain’s Corner featured AEW’s Red Velvet talking about TBS champion Jade Cargill and how the two always bring out the best in each other. Adding women’s tag team championships to the promotion is another something Velvet brings up. She expresses her desire for the introduction of women’s tag titles in AEW so that more women might be included. “My goal and hope are that T.K. puts together a women’s tag division. Absolutely there are enough women on the roster, so that’s something I’m gonna manifest so, I’m manifesting it now. I would love to be a part of that. Everyone wants to be a singles champion winner but being a tag winner… a tag champion with someone just also means more women get to be showcased every night, you know, in these matches. So, and I have fun doing tag matches or even three-on-three matches and stuff like that so I’m hoping that’s what we lean into so, or more tournaments, I’m down for the tournaments. I love competition so, let’s keep it coming.” The Queen of stirring it up spoke about Jade Cargill having a way of bringing out the best in her and expressed that Cargill is very underrated. “Jade as an opponent; we’d square off in the ring. To me, I am a very respectful person and I respect her. I respect her hard work, I respect her grind. I am not a person who’s jealous. If it’s her time to hold the title, she earned it. She’s not gonna hold it forever, but I do respect her. She is very dedicated, she wants to prove people wrong. I think a lot of people have a lot to say because she did come up and just started but she busted her ass so I have to give credit where it’s due and she brings out the best in me. She gets me really, really angry. She brings out a side of me that I haven’t brought out in a long time so I have to thank her for that. We will always share the first — her first match was against me and I hope we’re rivals forever because yeah, she always… she’s tough competition so she always makes me have to level up my game. So, defeat means nothing to me. It’s a lesson learned so, it’s only a matter of time before I keep getting knocked down and gonna keep getting up and I’m always gonna keep getting up so hold that belt tight honey because I’m coming for it.” “I think fanwise, I think Jade is very underrated. I think, yes, she was brought up quickly and she started really quickly but I have to say people underestimate her drive and her passion and her love for the business and she might be new but it’s growing and she’s one of the hardest workers in the room. Jade is at every practice, every practice. I don’t think she’s missed one since we started. So I’ll go with that for right now underrated talents in AEW unless I think of something else. But, I gotta give credit where it’s due, I’m not a hater.” #AEW #RedVelvet

During a recent interview with El Brunch de WWE women’s division standout, Doudrop discussed her Raw women’s championship showdown against Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view back in January, as well as her opinions on the Elimination Chamber matchup from the event in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Doudrop shared her reaction to the latest women’s Elimination Chamber showdown. “It was — it was such a fun day because there were so many mixed emotions. Like, all the girls, we were all excited, it was gonna be this historic moment having the women’s Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia but also, you know, a little scared because one, the expectation that comes with having such a big match but also, a little scary because the structure of the Elimination Chamber itself is frightening. The way that it’s built, I feel that it is — if you fall, if there are any accidents, it can be a real serious injury so it was — although it was — I created an experience and it was fun and exciting, it was also quite scary at the same time.” Doudrop continued to express her thoughts on her encounter with Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble and hopes to face Lynch for the title again in the future. “I did not expect it all [match with Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble]. I was really surprised that we were having this match but very grateful and it was a crazy match because you know, it was a heel-heel match so it was kind of like a little — not misplaced but you know, it makes it a little more difficult and then while we’re having the match, the WrestleMania sign went on fire and I was like, ‘Uh, I don’t know what to do.’ So it was a really — I really loved the match and I loved working with Becky, but it wasn’t without its challenges. But, I think we, again, even despite all the challenges, performed really well and I hope that I get to have another match with Becky perhaps for the title.” Do you think Becky Lynch and Doudrop will meet in the ring again for a Championship match? #BeckyLynch #Doudrop #WWE

Lita is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women’s wrestling in the professional wrestling industry, and many fans would agree. She has opened the road for the next generation of female professional wrestlers to follow in her footsteps. It seems she would want to engage in a serious rivalry with Charlotte Flair as well. The WWE Hall of Famer made a triumphant comeback to WWE television last month, as she slammed Charlotte Flair to the ground. She also participated in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, where she put on a fantastic performance that the audience was enchanted with. Lita challenged Becky Lynch for the RAW Women’s Championship at the WWE Elimination Chamber event after they had been involved in a rivalry with each other for some time. Lita put up an outstanding performance in her return to the ring after an absence of more than 16 years. Lita’s response throughout the bout was so overwhelming that WWE was taken aback. Lita said in an interview with Alistair McGeorge of Metro that she would be more than happy to start up where she left off with Charlotte Flair if the opportunity presented itself. “I had fun being in there with Shotzi, I think that would be cool to do something again. I was really impressed with Rhea Ripley, I’d love to do something with her. Of course, pick up where I left off with Charlotte Flair. I think I would be lucky to step in with any of those women on the roster. There are some standouts. Bianca [Belair] is an incredible athlete. And, you know what, Nattie! Nattie’s been there, tried and true. I’d love to be in the ring with her as well.” It is still unclear if Lita would be involved in a rivalry with Charlotte Flair, although fans would welcome the opportunity to see her fight again after her performance at WWE Elimination Chamber. #CharlotteFlair #Lita #WWE

Rhea Ripley has risen to become one of the most prominent female talents in the WWE, having won gold in NXT UK, NXT, and WWE Raw. Ripley claims she came close to being sacked from WWE NXT multiple times before altering her appearance. Rhea said, “A lot of things really. It was sort of the whole year between the Mae Young Classic I and II. I went through a lot mentally behind the scenes. I was having trouble at home. I was having trouble at work. I hated myself. I was very mentally weak at that time. I just didn’t feel like I was good enough. I was constantly being told that I wasn’t good enough and I had to do something to improve it.” “I was on the chopping block a couple of times and nearly got booted,” she continued. “I just had a lot going on and I was very down. I want to say, at that six-month period, I was like, ‘You know what? Stop this. I don’t care what anybody thinks about me. All they’re going to do is judge me anyway.’” “I had to change my mental game completely. I started going to a gym which is the first gym I’ve ever signed up for. I was terrified. I don’t like being around people, so I was absolutely terrified.” “We have this thing called car wash where you take photos and videos leading up to the Mae Young Classic so we can get all the footage we need. I rocked up in this new gear. I got my haircut of course. Every one of the coaches was like, ‘What’s this?’ I said, ‘The new Rhea Ripley.’ They were like ‘Okay.’ I knew that okay was like, ‘This is your a**. If it doesn’t work…’ I didn’t care. This was my one shot. This was the one opportunity that I have to take and I have to do it my way. If it works, it works, and I can shove it in their faces. If it doesn’t, then I’ll leave myself.” Ripley performed in the first two Mae Young Classic tournaments and, throughout the years, has modified her appearance from having long blonde hair and normal wrestling attire to the image that spectators see now. Rhea Ripley spoke on the My Love Letter To Wrestling podcast with Mark Andrews to discuss her time in the WWE up to this point and her future plans. On the subject of her ideal WrestleMania opponent, Ripley shared her thoughts. As a follow-up, Ripley revealed not just the opponent, but also where she would want the bout to take place and what title she would like to compete in as well. “I say this all the time, but I want to wrestle Beth Phoenix,” Ripley revealed. “I really do and if it was her that was holding, let’s say the Smackdown Women’s Championship because that’s one that I haven’t got yet. If it was me and Beth Phoenix for the Smackdown Women’s Championship in Adelaide, South Australia, dude, that would be absolutely incredible. “And then if I were to win like, that would just top it off as well because then I would be the first person to hold the NXT UK, the NXT Women’s Championship, the bloody Raw, the Team Team, and the Smackdown Championships.” Ripley was asked whether she was proud of becoming the first-ever WWE NXT UK Women’s Champion, and she responded affirmatively, stating that she is very proud of her accomplishment. “I do, I really, really do,” Ripley said. “And I’m proud that I got to be a part of that brand and like help sort of building it in a way as well. But yeah, being the first person to be the NXT UK Women’s Champion, it was a lot of pressure. But I felt like Hunter and Shawn sort of trusted me with that and that was a different sort of pride that I had in myself as well. And if I could go back and have another crack at it, I would.” The WWE Women’s Championship, the NXT Women’s Championship, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with former partner Nikki A.S.H., and the WWE RAW Women’s Championship have all been won by Rhea Ripley throughout her professional wrestling career. The questioner inquired as to which championship win meant the most to her. “It’s really tough to choose,” Ripley said. “They’re all so incredible and prestigious and you just, you feel so special when you do hold a championship; like you feel like you’re accomplishing so much. I think that for me, personally, the build of the NXT Women’s Championship was my all-time favorite. Being in the ring with Shayna, like, I can’t top that. Yes, I did win the Raw Women’s Championship from Asuka at WrestleMania and I had the band and everything and all the people and that was really, really cool as it was. But I think that the NXT one and having the crowd come in afterward and have like, my own little mosh pit and everything up to that moment was just so perfect and that makes it probably my top one to be completely honest.” Could you see Rhea and Beth in a match in the near future at a WrestleMania event? #RheaRipley #WWE

Hosts TK Trinidad & Driune Santana break down the women’s news for this week. #womenswrestling #womenswrestlingtalk #wrestling