As the year 2021 draws to a conclusion, we can’t help but reflect on all of the incredible accomplishments in women’s wrestling. Women have dominated in so many ways this year, from all-women PPVs to becoming the “first-ever,” that we can’t ignore it. There were so many memorable moments and matches that it was impossible to choose just ten. We’ve seen outstanding performances in a variety of promotions, ranging from historical events to real-life issues played out in the ring. Women wrestlers have outperformed their male counterparts in terms of putting on amazing matches, and the future will be much brighter. Here are the top ten moments of 2021 as chosen by our outstanding writers. 10. Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair (Survivor Series) Charlotte and Becky’s Survivor Series match, which will be remembered more for its buildup, is surely another encounter in what WWE will one day depict as one of the greatest rivalries in women’s wrestling. It’s questionable whether the quarrel’s dispute was real or not, but it did add some spice to a feud we’d seen before. The contest was exactly what it needed to be. It wasn’t a wrestling match; it was a drag-out confrontation between two people with “genuine fire.” Becky stealing the victory by grabbing the ropes was another step in her evolution from The Man to the slick heel willing to do whatever to win. 9. Jazz & Trish Adora vs Brooke Valentine & Willow Nightingale (Black Girl Magik) Originally, this match was supposed to be Trish Adora vs. Jazz for the Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling World Championship, which Trish had held since the sport’s inception. However, just before the competition began, it was announced that Trish would be teaming up with Jazz vs. Willow Nightingale and Brooke Valentine (Thick And Juicy 2.0). This contest lasted approximately 15 minutes, but it was a good one. Trish, who has been taking names and checking them off as dominating the indy scene and having her team with the Fighting Phenom, legend Jazz, was a match of magic as the event is named Black Girl Magik. Many people are unaware of this match, yet it featured fantastic spots, situations, and four ladies dominating in wrestling. Without a doubt, one of the finest matches of 2021. 8. NWA Empowerr On August 28th, 2021, the National Wrestling Alliance held EmPower, an all-pay-per-view women’s in St. Louis, Missouri. This was the NWA’s first all-wrestling women’s event, and it was exclusively aired on FITE TV. Mickie James, a veteran, has been named executive producer for the pay-per-view. James remarked that she wants the finest female talent in the world “regardless of contractual problems.” Names from AEW, Impact Wrestling and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide were on the card. Unfortunately, all women’s events are still sparse to this day. We want to applaud Mickie James for advocating for all-female events and not giving up until she found a firm prepared to offer female talent a shot. We hope that EmPower, or something similar, will become an annual event to promote rising female wrestlers. 7. Diamante vs Big Swole (Three Strikes Match) This encounter marked the climax of Diamonte and Big Swole’s rivalry. The match’s rules were as follows: the first fall was by pinfall, the second fall was by submission, and the third fall was by knockout. The first fall went to Swole, who landed a back suplex, followed by a knee strike, which almost finished this fall. Swole then attempted a Dirty Dancing rolling elbow, but Diamante rolled her up for the victory. In the second, these two went back and forth, but Swole locked in the heel hook and Diamonte tapped out. During the final fall, knockouts were the only way to win, and Swole prevailed. Swole discovered a chain sitting under the ring and wrapped it around her arm for the Dirty Diana finishing after a hard-fought, no disqualification match. are the only way to triumph. This match was an incredible exhibition of talent and tenacity by these girls, who put on a show. This match deserved to be on TV more than Dark, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it deserves to be on this list. 6. Awesome Kong Impact HOF Introduction Kong, actual name Kia Stevens, worked for the corporation for more than six years in two consecutive runs. During her stay with the promotion, she was a two-time Knockouts Champion and a Knockouts Tag Team Champion alongside Hamada. Kong made his TNA debut in 2007. Within four months of her debut, she defeated Kim to win the Knockouts Championship. Her first reign lasted 169 days when she relinquished the championship to long-time rival Taylor Wilde. Kong reclaimed the throne from Wilde later that year and began her second reign, which lasted 178 days. Kong welcomed the recognition for her life’s work, but her main aim was to honor Daffney’s legacy. Daffney paved the way for women to compete in events such as Monster’s Ball. Kong’s final statement was to leave the door open for the future generation. If not you, then who? When, if not now? Kong was picked as the promotion’s first and only African American because she paved the way for TNA’s ladies by placing that division on the map and garnering attention to what women’s wrestling should be during her stint with the company. 5. Bianca Belair vs Bayley (Hell in a Cell) Bianca Belair had to step inside the cell to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship. Bayley has been fighting with her since her victory over Sasha at WrestleMania 37. They were supposed to face one other at WrestleMania Backlash, but Bayley claimed she was deceived leading up to the match at Hell in a Cell. Bayley utilized her familiarity with firearms to gain an advantage in the jail. Bayley once tied Bianca’s hair to the ropes. Bianca won and successfully defended her championship. Both ladies dominated this match, exhibiting their talents, smarts, and moments that demonstrated how good both women are. This was undoubtedly one of the year’s underappreciated matchups. 4. ROH Tournament Rok-C demonstrated in the Ring of Honor women’s summer tournament that she isn’t a challenger who can stay in the underdog role for long and that real babyfaces in the wrestling profession are still required. Quinn McKay, an announcer, demonstrated that she was a worthy contender, earning her place in the tournament. When Max the Impaler entered the ring, she demonstrated that they were among us, and it was about time we had some terrifying characters on the women’s roster. Holidead made certain that her name was remembered when the summer was over. Willow Nightingale and Nicole Savoy demonstrated their abilities to compete in the main event. Miranda Alize demonstrated what a genuine villain would do to obtain their desired outcome. Angelina Love and Mandy Leon kept up their cruel girl antics. Trish Adora became the darling of the wrestling industry in the summer of 2021 when Allysin Kay established that AK does not play in that ring. In a couple of months, Maria Kannelis revitalized a dormant women’s division and turned it into the buzz of the wrestling world. Tell me that isn’t Willy Wonka’s enchantment! Her golden tickets, which she distributed to each contender, were genuinely made of magic. Maria, in my opinion, demonstrated this year how to fly when you have freedom in your work and believe in wrestling. 3. Deonna Purrazzo vs Faby Apache (TripleMania XXIX) The intensity felt in the ring was palpable. This was a crowd-pleasing battle from the start. Faby Apache and Deonna Purrazzo gave spectators one of the most heated fights of 2021 from start to end, resulting in yet another surprise victory. This demonstrates Apache’s technical ability and demonstrates The Virtuosa’s superiority in women’s wrestling. 2. Britt Baker vs Thunder Rosa (AEW St. Patrick’s Day Slam) The blood on Dr. Britt Baker’s face tells it all. This battle is still generating a lot of hype as one of the most difficult contests of 2021. In the first-ever Unsanctioned Lights Out match on AEW Dynamite, these women utilized everything at their disposal to damage one another. Thunder Rosa got a well-deserved triumph, while Baker captured the eye of many. 1. Bianca Belair vs Sasha Banks (WrestleMania 37) When Bianca Belair was promoted to the main roster, we knew she’d be a star. After being recruited from Raw to Smackdown, the EST of WWE made her presence known by entering the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble at number three. Belair would finally win after eliminating Rhea Ripley, becoming the first Black woman to win the Royal Rumble. Belair teased fans for weeks about whether she would go after Raw Women’s Champion Asuka or Smackdown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks. The Knoxville native opted to take against The Boss at WrestleMania 37, and we knew this battle was destined to be the big event on night one. Despite their lackluster feud, we were more interested in the history that was being established between these two. The audience exploded in excitement as Banks and Belair stood across the ring from each other, struggling to hold back their emotions. The challenge these women faced during the match had everyone’s attention focused on their every move. Numerous reversals of the “Banks Statement” and the “KOD,” as well as Belair’s final straw with Banks using her hair as a weapon. The EST struck Banks with her long hair, which could be heard throughout the arena, and then hit The Boss with her last KOD to win her first WWE championship. Banks and Belair’s match is still talked about since they won an ESPY to cement their match at WM 37 as the match of the year. Women’s wrestling is advancing, and we can’t wait to watch what they achieve in 2022. #AEW #Impact #ROH #WWE

As the year comes to an end, Josh Matthews and Impact Wrestling EVP, Scott D’Amore, led us down memory lane of some of the best moments of Impact Wrestling in 2021. Three awards were handed out, including Knockouts Match of the Year and Knockout of the Year. Knockouts Match of the Year went to Deonna Purrazzo and Mickie James for their match at Bound for Glory. This match set the tone for their feud moving forward and displays the dominance these Knockouts have over the division. Purrazzo led the category with a total of three matches nominated. From the return of Mickie James to the domination of The Virtuosa, her story continues to be made as we make our way to Hard to Kill. Before the award was announced, Purrazzo left a message to James, reminding her and everyone else of her will to adapt to any situation. Purrazzo has made it clear all year this is the Age of The Virtuosa. She went on to win Knockout of the year. She gave yet another message after the win and had quite to say in her acceptance speech. “When I get my hands on you at #HardToKill its going to make ending your reign that much sweeter!” @DeonnaPurrazzo @DramaKingMatt #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/Q3Jj0ReVYB — IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) December 24, 2021 “Well, honestly. I mean, are we all surprised? Is anyone surprised that I’m Knockout of the Year for the second year in a row? I mean, I held the championship for nearly the entire 2021. I waved our Impact Wrestling banner all over the professional wrestling community. In NWA, in Ring of Honor, I am the current and defending AAA Reina de Reinas Champion. So, Impact Knockouts World Champion or not, I am the greatest, and we are forever in the Age of The Virtuosa.” Hard to Kill takes place on January 8th, and we will be there for all the action! Be sure to follow us on social media. Here at Women’s Wrestling Talk, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season! #deonnapurrazzo #ImpactWrestling #MickieJames

For many years, the women in WWE were just looked at as eye candy until AJ Lee redefined what it meant to be a “diva.” Lee was one of the key elements for giving women the proper treatment in WWE being looked at as equal to the men. During her time in WWE, AJ held the Divas Championship for a record combined reign of 406 days. Lee was a crucial component in storylines for some top superstars, including Dolph Ziggler & John Cena. Having retired from the ring in 2015, Lee has advocated for mental health awareness and is a NY Times best-selling author for her 2017 memoir titled: Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules. After six years away from the wrestling industry, Lee was announced as executive producer of WOW’s all-women’s wrestling show (Women Of Wrestling). She will also serve as a color commentator for the promotion in late 2022. Here are my top 5 AJ Lee moments. 5. Vickie Guerrero’s Divas Championship Invitational – Wrestlemania 30 Credit: WWE The feud between AJ Lee and Vickie Guerrero was consistent for several years in WWE. The two women never really got along during their time with the company. Lee had the rare habit of getting under all of the women active on the roster during this time. Lee and Guerrero would come to blows when she announced that Lee would defend her Divas Championship against all women on WWE’s Main Roster at WrestleMania 30. The match would follow the Undertaker’s streak getting ended. The women worked hard to get the crowd engaged in this match, and they did just that. AJ would retain with a “Black Widow” submission hold forcing Naomi to tap out. 4. AJ Lee vs Kaitlyn – Divas Championship – Payback 2013 Credit: WWE During their time in WWE, AJ & Kaitlyn became best friends and would refer to themselves as “The Chick Busters.” That made their downfall into becoming enemies even more emotional. The feud would see with Kaitlyn getting a “secret admirer,” which would end up being a clever humiliation move by AJ Lee when it was revealed that Big E was Kaitlyn’s admirer. Kaitlyn would come into fury against Lee and would overwhelm her with a ray of attack. The whole match was terrific from start to finish. The ending would see AJ lock in her “Black Widow” submission hold on Kaitlyn and allowing her to become the new Divas Champion and would start her iconic 300+ day reign as champion. 3. AJ Lee vs Paige – Divas Championship – Summerslam 2014 Credit: WWE The rivalry between Paige and AJ was supposed to be a game-changing rivalry between these two women as Paige had debuted the night after WrestleMania 30 to answer AJ’s open challenge for her Divas Championship. Paige would dethrone Lee’s reign as the longest-reigning Divas Champion at three hundred days. Lee would return on the June 30th, 2014, episode of Raw and win back her Divas Title from Paige the same night. This rivalry looked to be going strong, but most of the contested matches were disappointments except this match. Their moves came off very fluidly and told the story of frenemies. The match would end with Paige countering AJ’s Black Widow submission into her finisher, “The Rampaige DDT,” giving Paige the Divas Championship in the process. 2. AJ Lee vs. Natalya – Divas Championship- TLC 2013 Credit: WWE This match was Natalya’s first shot at the Divas Championship in 3 years. However, she was determined to dethrone AJ Lee and become a two-time Divas Champion in the process this night. Natalya and AJ would put on an enjoyable titular bout. This match was one of AJ’s best title defenses of her Diva’s Championship reign. Natalya would show an aggressive side during this match as she would ram AJ into the barricade. Both women would then counter each other’s holds and submissions. Natalya would hit AJ with a discus clothesline, but it was not enough as Lee would roll up Natalya and retain her Divas Championship in the process. AJ Lee, Naomi & Paige Vs. Natalya & The Bella Twins – Lee’s Last Match Credit: WWE The WWE Universe did not know that they would be seeing AJ Lee for the final time in 2015 when she tagged with Naomi and Paige to defeat the team of Natalya and The Bella Twins. The main reason Lee would walk away from WWE during this time was that WWE unceremoniously fired her husband CM Punk on their wedding day. This match was given 15 minutes which was a rarity as this was on the crisp of the #GiveDivasAChance movement. Naomi ended winning the match with her finisher “The Rear View” as AJ said goodbye to the WWE Universe for the final time. Be sure to check out more OF AJ’S Legendary Career only on the WWE Network, and be sure to check out more top 5 moments from me dropping soon. #AJLee #WWE

I know that there are a lot of choices for ladies in this generation of women’s wrestling. We’ve watched the ladies of ROH serve up five-star matches and become the buzz of the town in the last year. Many people believe that ROH now has a women’s division. However, like with any excellent novel, there are numerous chapters that make a tale memorable. With this post, I want to highlight the first chapter in the women’s division of the Ring of Honor. On June 22, 2002, the legendary Sumie Sakai faced Simply Lucious in Ring of Honor’s inaugural women’s contest. The women would make only rare appearances after that, but when they did, they left an indelible impact. Sara Del Rey, Daizee Haze, Amazing Kong, Mschif, Allison Danger, and Lacey, in my humble opinion, demonstrated that they could garner fans and viewers just as much as the guys. They had to endure coming in many times as valets or managers, but when they were able to demonstrate their ability in the Ring, they made certain that everyone in that building knew their names. If CM Punk is the guy who helped develop ROH, Sara Del Rey is the woman who helped build Women of Honor. Del Rey was recognized as one of the greatest female wrestlers to never compete in a big organization during her peak on the indie scene. In 2012, she became the fourth woman to be named to the PWI list of the world’s top 500 wrestlers. Del Rey has had fantastic wrestling adventures in locations like Japan, Mexico, and Canada. However, in 2005, Del Rey began to make an impression on ROH. She began a fight with Daizee Haze, one of my favorite babyfaces of all time. Del Rey was a member of the Dangerous Angels, who included Allison Danger, an unsung hero in women’s wrestling. Del Rey began collaborating with Chris Hero and then added Claudio Castagnoli (now known as Caesaro) to form the wildly famous faction The Kings of Wrestling. Sarah was demonstrating how much of an attraction she was for both male and female followers by joining the all-male sect and not only being viewed and appreciated as an equal but also being one of the primary factors that made the group so successful. This was not the standard at the time for a woman who was all about showing off her wrestling skills. Sarah Del Rey, also known as the Death Rey will be remembered as one of the greatest and most respected ladies to ever lace up a pair of boots. Despite never working for a big US promoter, no female independent artist has ever received as much praise or acclaim. Awesome Kong’s initial appearances in the United States after conquering Japan were so anticipated that spectators were on the edge of their seats from the time she walked down the ramp. Kong would normally crush her opponents in a matter of minutes. That was her honest opinion. Her standing. Kong, on the other hand, realized she had to put in some effort with someone like Del Rey. The ROH fans gobbled it up. Kong’s tenure in ROH was regarded as a once-in-a-lifetime event that could only be witnessed by a live audience. Daizee Haze was the babyface I wanted to cheer for long before Bailey donned her characteristic ponytail and Macho Man-inspired outfit with tassels. When it came to her capacity to win a match, her weight was viewed as a weakness or a bad feature. She, on the other hand, exploited her petite height to her advantage and had a cool demeanor that seemed to soften up even the coldest critic. Daizee Haze made her Ring of Honor debut in 2004. Haze began a program with Allison Danger and quickly became a member of the faction Generation Next. Soon after, Daizee Haze and Sara Del Rey competed for the Shimmer title. They demonstrated that Shimmer (ROH’s sister company) could create the same dedicated fans who were entirely involved in the sheer athleticism and interesting stories that ROH fans were drawn to. In her feuds, Haze was known to take up massive and challenging obstacles. Though she did not always win, she always survived to fight another day. Daizee Hazes joined the ROH Wrestling Academy as a trainer in 2009. Daisy Haze has been out of the ring since 2011. Allison Danger, who, in my mind, was the bricklayer who wanted to help construct a smoother route for this generation and help create the fact that women could work behind the camera and in the commentators’ booth, was such a light in my path to finding good women’s wrestling in the 2000s. Allison Danger entered ROH as part of the Christopher Street connection team, and soon after, she took over as manager of the prophesy faction’s Christopher Daniels. A heel stable that did not uphold the principles of the code of honor. Danger had a brief conflict with Daizee Haze, but he shone as a manager who enjoyed playing mind games and sticking it to the babyfaces. Danger rose to prominence as a champion of women’s wrestling and began to lay the groundwork for Shimmer Wrestling. She helped run it, wrestled, and commented on the shows. She demonstrated that you could truly cheer for other women to succeed and contribute to the business. You didn’t have to try to restrain other ladies. Lacey was the heel wrestler who didn’t mind burning your mother alive to win a match or achieve what she wanted. She also thrived on leading teams of people that had the same dark hearts. Lacey first appeared in 2004 as the girlfriend of the Special K faction. She had a few catfights with Becky Bayless before forming her own faction, Lacey’s Angels. Soon after, a tag team featuring Colt Cabana and Jimmy Jacobs was hinted at when the two guys tagged together a few times. When Colt joked about doing things with Lacey, Jacobs appeared to have an issue with it. Cabana rejected to join the organization on an official basis, and Lacey was not pleased. Lacey and Daizee Haze had a notable long-running dispute. Lacey finally won the Shimmer championship bout as a consequence of this. Lacey was also a part of the Jimmy Loves Lacey YouTube series. Jimmy Jacobs genuinely desired to battle for her poisonous love and proclaim it to the public! The Age of the Fall stable was comprised of Jacobs, Necro the Butcher, and Lacey. Lacey later betrayed Aotf by departing with Austin Aries and falling in love with him. Lacey and Jacob’s bizarre affair continued when Jacobs uploaded videos on YouTube telling her she had a week to contact him. He later stalked her, and it was soon revealed that she was quitting wrestling to attend college, thus it appeared like they intended to leave the conflict on a mysterious note. Fans would then be able to speculate on what happened to Lacey when Jimmy snapped. With the pairing of Lacey and Jimmy Jacobs, my teenage metal heart was fed with this very dark, passionate, and an extremely psychotic storyline that kind of ended with Lacey kayfabe’s kidnapping. Lacey and Jimmy Jacob deserve credit for using YouTube’s rising popularity to promote their feuds and storylines to become a successful stable in ROH during the mid-2000s. Lacey was designated a Woman of Honor in 2006 and 2007. Mschif is noted for her banshee gimmick, shrieking at her opponents, her signature green and black hair, and her remarkable flexibility, which she used to her advantage but also got her caught in some weird submission holds. Mschif made her ROH debut at Supercard of Honor 1 in 2005. She triumphed in the six-woman mayhem match. Mschif would team up with one of her rivals, Daizee Haze, to go against the Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew in 2007 at ROH’s driven (Lacey and Rain). At numerous Shimmer events, this gang had been attacking Mschif. As a result, this had to be resolved. Mschif clashed with Sara Del Rey in 2009 and effectively prevented Sara from reclaiming the championship. Mschif briefly joined The Age of the Fall stable and even teamed up with Jimmy Jacobs to take on Delirious and Daizee Haze. Mschif was a triple champion in 2009 and 2010. Currently holding the NWA global women’s championship. The Midwest women’s championship and the Shimmer championship are both held in the Midwest. Mschif was unquestionably a champion that any promotion would want on their card at the moment. This generation of Ring of Honor ladies established the standard for what to expect in the ROH ring. They suffered receiving little time, but generated such a buzz and inspired more women to go into the business that Shimmer was founded and is still functioning today as a gift to the fans. That is a legacy to be proud of. A legacy worth debating and, more importantly, a heritage worth learning from. We honor the inaugural Women of Honor. #ROH

This week: Case closed for @biancabelairwwe , who @dabigswole tryna square up with, #TayConti being cyber bullied, @chelseaagreen a domestic turn around, @havokdeathmachine to the rescue #womenswrestling #womenswrestlingtalk #wrestling #wrestlingblog

Last week, I discussed my love of wrestling, the spectacle, the splendor, the humor, and everything else that makes wrestling unique. While it is OK for me, it is not the case for everyone. Let’s be honest: wrestling is perhaps one of the most inaccessible forms of entertainment available today. Fans are seldom created. They’re lifers, people who have spent most of their lives watching wrestling, with the exception of the odd break. Wrestling is similar to smoking in that you become addicted when you are young. It’s unusual to wake up in your late twenties and realize, ‘you know what? I’m going to start watching wrestling today.” Even if you are one of the few brave souls who decide to enter the wrestling industry, the barrier to entry is very high—learning WWE’s 30-year history. Wrestling mechanics, character histories, all while attempting to stay up with the pile of wrestling stuff released monthly. It’s more than enough to make folks reconsider. Add to it an overly protective group that punishes new fans for failing to meet their unattainable high standards. Gatekeeping was an essential element of wrestling, and it is terrible that this mindset has now permeated wrestling fandom. However, a small subset of the internet wrestling community is devoted to breaking through these restrictions. Some have made it their entire aim, while others unwittingly do so by offering inclusive and accessible information. Whatever their motivations, the one thing these podcasters and YouTubers have in common is a love of wrestling. A wish to welcome both old and new fans. So, here are some of my favorite wrestling content pieces that might introduce new fans to the amazing world of wrestling. Wrestling With Wregret What began as a modest YouTube channel dedicated to investigating wrestling’s most tragic and hilarious low points, Wrestling With Wregret, has grown into something far more. Wrestling with Wregret has grown to include PPV evaluations (both famous and infamous), wrestling product testing, and a weekly news recap show called This Week in Wregret (a personal highlight of my Thursdays). Brian, who has worked both behind and in front of the camera, gives a unique viewpoint to his program, one that covers almost every area of wrestling. Above all, Brian is a fan, just like us. He’s a seasoned pro whose wide knowledge permeates his formal analysis and production values. Brian injects a degree of theatrics into his channel that few can equal as someone who has spent some time in the ring, which he is forced to relive in the My Wreggetable Matches series. Having just adopted the credo “Like what you like, but don’t be a jerk,” Wrestling with Wregret fosters optimism, which counteracts the tribalism that now afflicts wrestling. While the majority of the Z Man’s content is not primarily focused on teaching new fans, it is all enjoyable and approachable. Excellent for anybody interested in learning more about wrestling’s history. Wrestling With Wregret YouTube Brian Zane Twitter Wrestling With Wregret Patreon How2Wrestling How2Wrestling is the ideal introduction to the world of professional wrestling. Kefin Mahon, a podcaster and lifetime wrestling enthusiast, has always wanted to get his partner, Joanna Graham, into wrestling. Kefin made the audacious decision to do it himself and create a podcast out of it after quickly learning that there was no easy method for new fans to be ingratiated into wrestling. How2Wrestling is a wealth of information for anybody interested in wrestling. How2 has gone deep and investigated all parts of wrestling since its start in 2015, from megastars like John Cena and Kurt Angle to underappreciated talent like D’Lo Brown to little intricacies like music and jobbers and referees, the things that make wrestling, wrestling. How2 has something for everyone, whether you’re a novice or seasoned enthusiast. One of the quickest and easiest ways to get into wrestling is through Kefin and Jo’s fun chemistry and insider/outsider viewpoints. How2Wrestling Podcast How2Wrestling Twitter How2Wrestling Patreon Botchamania Botchamania, a wrestling mainstay, has been running since I was in high school, nearly a decade ago. Botchamania was a fridge wrestling YouTube program back in the early teens, and it is now an institution of wrestling fans. Botchamania is a compilation of the finest and worst wrestling blunders. It’s a wonderful cross-section of wrestling culture, anime, 8-bit gaming soundtracks, and Simpson’s allusions. It’s an excellent introduction to the wrestling scene for newcomers. To acquire a sense of wrestling fans’ humorous senses and to see the iconic slip-ups that are the secret language of wrestling fans. How has it lasted this long? Maffew, the most major thing to come out of Newcastle since Pac and Toon great Alan Shearer, is a part of it. Maffew is a wrestling enthusiast through and through, enduring innumerable account suspensions, copyright strikes, and the wrath of a few wrestlers. His passion is unrivaled; without him, most of us would not be aware that Billy’s t-shirts are too tight, or that the Shockmaster rocked the globe. Maffew’s Twitter Botchamania YouTube Botchamania Patreon Tights and Fights Tights and Fights is a fun wrestling podcast dedicated to summarizing the week’s happenings in the wrestling industry with a banging theme. As wrestling enthusiasts, hosts Lindsey Kelk, Danielle Radford, Hal Lublin, and producer Jullian Burell treat the sport with the respect it deserves. The show takes numerous shapes, whether it’s career retrospectives, interviews with wrestling legends like RVD, or another of their many guests. Tights and Fights cover the whole spectrum of wrestling fans. Tights and Fights is an underappreciated treasure. A safe haven on the internet for people seeking to escape the gloom of the wrestling Twitterverse. Their Facebook page is jam-packed with incredible individuals and debates. It is a safe haven for like-minded fans to share their passion for all aspects of wrestling without fear of being judged. Tights and Fights is the place to go if you want to meet new wrestlers or enjoy the ice-cream Christmas Wrestlemania. Tights and Fights Podcast Tights and Fights Facebook Page These are only a few of my favorite programs. All of these are terrific places to start for new fans who want to learn more about the strange and wonderful world we live in. But, tell me, what are some of your favorite wrestling videos? Please let us know. #Botchamania #YouTube #TightsandFights #Twitter #womenswrestling #WrestlingwithWregret #AEW #How2Wrestling

With Hard to Kill just around the corner, Impact Wrestling Interviewer of the Year, Gia Miller, asked Chelsea Green the feeling she felt of being in such a historic match. She said, “This is going to be legendary for women’s wrestling, and I know that the entire world has been waiting to see Chelsea Green versus Mickie James or Chelsea Green versus Deonna Purrazzo. So, I will be walking out of that Ultimate X Match as the new number one contender, and when I do, my fiancee is going to be walking out as the new Impact World Champion.” Green was briefly interrupted by Impact World Champion Moose, who had some words for the power couple. She made it clear that she would be with her future husband, Matt Cardona, in the ring during their contract signing. After the signing, Green was accidentally attacked with a chair by Cardona as Moose left the ring in laughter. Cardona aimed at Moose, who ducked the attack, where Green was struck across the head. No update on Green has been released at this moment. The thought of a supergroup between The IInspiration and The Influence vanished quickly as Tenille Dashwood, and Jessica McKay faced off in singles competition. The Influence seemed to be the better team, taking selfies during the match while helping Dashwood gain the victory. The assistance from Kaleb with a K allowed Dashwood to get the win over the Knockouts World Tag Tag Champion. This victory puts Dashwood and Madison Rayne in a good running for those championships shortly. It is quite possible that this match could be set for Hard to Kill. The feud between Deonna Purrazzo and Mickie James has reached points beyond the Knockouts Championship. Purrazzo and James met yet again in a brawl before the show aired. There was a brief altercation between the two as James walked in during Purrazzo’s meet and greet. Purrazzo clapped and taunted James for showing up for work on time. James laughed and responded, “Why don’t you keep your mouth shut and sign these autographs,” approaching the table where Purrazzo and Matthew Rehwoldt were seated. Security stepped in, and the interaction was settled. So we thought. As James opened the door to the arena, Purrazzo attacked James, and the two fought until they were taken to Impact Wrestling EVP, Scott D’amore. He ordered a no-contact clause between Purrazzo and James that includes Rehwoldt due to his notable involvement in their feud. Gail Kim helped D’amore control the situation and announced that Hard to Kill, The Virtuosa, and Hardcore Country would meet in a Texas Death Match. Each competitor seemed quite pleased with the result as James welcomed Purrazzo to Hardcore Country. Knowing that The Virtuosa and Drama King work well together, they might have a few tricks up their sleeve in Dallas. Be sure to catch our #IMPACTRecap every Friday exclusively here on Women’s Wrestling Talk! #Impact #ImpactWrestling

Women’s Wrestling Talk catches up with NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions Allysin Kay and Marti Belle to talk about how they became a tag team over the pandemic and the importance of being NWA World Tag Team ChampsHosts: TK Trinidad & Leslie Colon #womenswrestling #womenswrestlingtalk #wrestling #wrestlingrankings

ROH World Women’s Champion, Rok-C remains undefeated in ROH, defeating Willow in a clean victory. However, the success did not go over too well with some of the crowd. Willow seemed to be the crowd favorite, bringing her energetic style to the ring. Each of these women put on a clinical and made fans unsure of who would come out on top. The mutual respect carried on until the end of the match while an Impact Knockout decided to make her presence felt at Final Battle. A surprise appearance gave us the return of ROH veteran Deonna Purrazzo. The Virtuosa made it very clear that Rok-C has a championship that she wants. She assured her victory at Hard to Kill against current Knockouts Champion Mickie James, challenging Rok-C to a winner-take-all match once the dust settles. Does this mean we will see Rok-C appear in the Impact Zone? One thing is clear, either one of these women could easily be double if not a triple champion soon. 👀 #FinalBattle pic.twitter.com/OxVWXlQAA9 — ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) December 12, 2021 In Hour One, The Allure, Mandy Leon and Angelina Love teamed up with Miranda Alize to defeat Chelsea Green and The Hex, Marti Belle, and Allysin Kay. Belle and Alize kicked off the match, looking to gain an advantage for their teams. Love and Kay used their tag team experience and knowledge for their respective teams to take down any opponent that got in the way. Green displayed her high flying ability, taking a falcon-like dive off the top rope. She took to her Instagram story and said: “There’s a first time for everything, and why not attempt this at Final Battle.” In the end, Leon gained the victory and made a last kiss to the camera. As she reached out her hand to Green, the women finally hugged it out in a monumental moment for Ring of Honor and women’s wrestling altogether. Check out the full article on Mandy Leon discussing her last ROH television taping by our very own Candace Louise-Julie exclusively on Women’s Wrestling Talk! Mandy Leon’s Last ROH TV Tapings #RokC #ChelseaGreen #angelinalove #MandyLeon #RingofHonor #WillowNightngale #AllysinKay #MirandaAlize #martibelle

Last week I had a conversation with my work colleague, Frankie. It was the usual Sunday lul, the till was quiet, and our manager was off. Like most things in my life, our chat inevitably boiled down to wrestling. As someone with very little knowledge of the wrestling world, Frankie, in the kindest way possible, asked, “How can you like something that you know will happen?” It’s a question that I have heard in various guises since I was seven. “You know that’s fake, right? And “Wrestling? That’s so gay.” (Ah yes, that classic piece of 90s culture). Except for this time, it was said with genuine interest, not derision, after throwing a word salad at poor Frankie, that included me giving a hastily put-together intro into wrestling lingo and calling a match. I like to think Frankie had a better understanding of wrestling. Hopefully, my description of the Hangman Omega feud was a good enough example of the inevitable catharsis wrestling offers. Regardless of how effective my whistle-stop explanation was, Frankie’s words got me wondering, why do I love wrestling? My love of wrestling is something I often come back to. Many people grow out of wrestling, but for some unexplained reason, I haven’t. As I have gotten older, I have gained some clarity on my love of wrestling, one that is rooted in its flamboyance, grandeur, and athleticism. This isn’t a definitive list of reasons for why everyone should love wrestling, but my reasons. You may connect to them or disagree entirely. But with the wrestling world moving at such a breakneck pace and the inherent shame of trying to speak to a non-fan about wrestling, we often do not reflect on why we love it. Like most children who caught a glimpse of wrestling, I was drawn to its larger-than-life characters. The vast and wacky range of characters that stood in the ring each week talking about reeking of awesomeness or shoving various items up their opponent’s candy asses. My Saturday morning cartoons brought living, breathing superheroes, villains, monsters, and lords of darkness. It is something that has never left me, even to this day. Whether you’re the king of sloth style, an obnoxious, entitled rich boy who thinks he’s god’s gift to wrestling, or a genie girl, I love it all. But it is more than just these personalities themselves. It is how they are conveyed. The ability to distill an entire persona into a look, a walk, an entrance. It is a vital skill, the key to catching someone who’s channel hopping or doom scrolling. In that brief moment that they see a wrestler, they should instantly know who they are and what they’re about. It’s a talent the women’s roster has in spades. Maybe it is because of entrenched gender roles or love of channeling their personality into their appearance. Still, the wrestling women have some extra flair when getting their characters across. There are small black boots, black trunks, no BS mentality in women’s wrestling. The focus is showcasing who they are, and their personalities span a broader scope. You have the traditional all-business badasses like Rhea Ripley and Shayna Baszler. The spectacle of Charlotte Flair or Naomi. The power of Bianca Belair. All of it is great. All of it is different. All conveyed in a matter of seconds. It’s not just the pageantry of wrestling I love. Deep inside the lizard part of my brain is a love for the violence and the spectacle of wrestling. The thrill of seeing something that makes me wince and cringe. Even the goriest video nasty has trouble eliciting the same response as seeing a Coffin Drop or that famed Cactus Jack elbow from the ring apron. This love of violence isn’t just wanton bloodlust. There’s also the side of me that appreciates the beauty and strength it takes to pull off a move. Again, this is an aspect that I have enjoyed with age. Despite what I was told at seven, taking bumps hurts. It hurts. There is a tremendous amount of coordination, timing, and athleticism that goes into it. It’s this skill that I am constantly in awe of. Every Black Arrow, every One-Winged Angel, moves I’ve seen countless times still fill me with the same wonder as the first. The other defining reason for my love of wrestling is comedy. It is this silly pantomime stuff that I consider wrestlings special sauce. It’s a divisive part of wrestling that more archaic members of the wrestling business believe cannot draw or make money. I, on the other hand, love it. The gooeyness of acts like the Dark Order or Young Bucks only adds to their characters. Some people argue that it detracts from the seriousness of wrestling. I say it adds to it. The ability to not take yourself too seriously is the sign of a great wrestler. Think back to your favorite backstage segment. Odds are there was always someone willing to act the fool. It could be riding a milk truck to the ring, turning your championship belt into an eco-friendly hemp belt, or riding a lawnmower with your best friends. These little comedy pieces are one of the final flourishes that make wrestling, wrestling. To me, wrestling has always been a variety show, one that should just as easily make you laugh as it does cheer. We all have our reasons for falling in love with wrestling, and my opinions are just that, opinions, not gospel. You may disagree with my love for the silliness of wrestling, and guess what, that is perfectly fine. But what we as wrestling fans should never forget is why we fell in love with wrestling in the first place. It is something that so often falls to the wayside and has us stuck in a rut, watching wrestling we don’t love. Knowing why we fell in love with wrestling helps maintain our fandom. Always remember that wrestling is unique. It’s ballet with blood. It’s a trapeze without the net. It’s unlike anything else out there, and I love it. #womenswrestling #BiancaBelair #womenswrestlingtalk #AWE #WWE