In the last few years, Bianca Belair has become an iconic figure. She has proven herself as one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling today, thanks to her impressive accolades, accomplishments, and undeniable talent. Despite her now-famous status, Belair isn’t afraid to talk about the difficulties she’s faced. Belair recently appeared with Ebro Darden on Apple Music’s ‘The Message’ series to discuss various topics. Black women, Belair said, don’t have the luxury of simply going out to the ring and performing; additional pressure comes with it. “Yeah, it’s a whole different level of not just being a woman but being a Black woman and being an athlete and being in WWE and being the representation. I always say that we don’t have the privilege to go out there and just perform as a Black woman. There’s so much that’s on our shoulders. When I go out there specifically, I can’t speak for everyone else, but I’m not just worried about performing. I’m worried about representing and making sure I’m doing it the right way and knowing that my role, the role that I play, I inspire so many different people being a Black woman so, it’s added pressure when it comes to that and you know, with being — me and Sasha Banks being the first two Black women to ever main event WrestleMania, that was such a huge deal and anyone that goes back and watches that match, I get so emotional in the beginning of that match because I understood the significance of that moment and how powerful that moment is and how it doesn’t come about very often and I can’t wait until it becomes the new norm and so it’s definitely added pressure there but you know, for me it’s all about knowing my why and knowing — I always say this; I always go back to when I was a little girl and I think about the role models that influenced me and how it changed the whole trajectory of my life and how it influenced where I am right now and to think that I’m doing that for other people, that’s my role and that’s my why. But that’s that added pressure. We don’t have that privilege to go out there and perform and compete, and that’s all we’re worried about. It’s that added pressure of representing and representing the right way.” Belair was also able to open up about her experience being married to a wrestler, Montez Ford. Belair says: from: metro.co.uk “Also, just being a woman wrestler, it’s so many times when I walk into a venue, or I walk into an airport or just a public space and people — I’m with my husband [and] they go, ‘Oh, you’re a wrestler?’ And they understand my husband being a wrestler, but sometimes they look at me, and they say, ‘You’re a wrestler? You? You don’t look like a wrestler.’ What does that mean? What do you mean I don’t look like a wrestler, you know? And I want to change that perspective. We can be whatever we want to be. We can define what it means to be a female wrestler, whether we want to highlight our femininity. Whether we wanna highlight our strength, our beauty, whatever we wanna do, we can do that, and I want people to realize there isn’t one type of female wrestler in WWE.” Belair wraps up the interview with insight into the WWE Women’s locker room, saying: “Anyone can watch WWE and find someone that they can relate to, and that’s what’s amazing and magical about WWE, and being a female in WWE and being a part of the female locker room is that we all define what beauty means to us. I want that to be what people think of when they think of female wrestlers, and it’s not just one thing.” In this interview, Belair’s openness is a refreshing and welcoming addition to the ongoing conversations within the wrestling industry. *Quotes from Ebro Darden’s ‘The Message’ series with a H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions. * #BiancaBelair #EST #womenswrestling

WWE has been making sure that the fans who are now in their thirties are getting the ability to go down memory lane with in-depth documentaries on the WWE Network or Peacock. The Ruthless Aggression Series is particularly spotlighting the superstars and storylines of the early to mid-2000s. This docu-series is incredible to me because of the nostalgia surrounding this time. This was the time when I, as a preteen, was defining what programming I liked to watch as a wrestling fan. The second season of Ruthless Aggression allows women wrestling fans to be in for a treat with an episode entirely dedicated to the golden era for women in the WWE. As it is entitled, the First Revolution documents women in WWE from 2001-2006 who had to face an uphill battle during this time. In the Attitude Era, WWE only hired the women for T&A, and their role didn’t get better when Vince McMahon acquired WCW. Their short time on screen became minuscule because of the wealth of talent under the WWE umbrella. Molly Holly They would cut their time short if a guy’s match went over. It hurt people like Molly Holly, who wanted to show off her talent and years of experience in places like WCW. Holly trained at the power plant, which was the early predecessor to the performance center in WWE now, with veterans like Madusa. She even had a solid amount of time wrestling in WCW as Miss Madness under the Macho Man’s all-women’s stable. Torrie Wilson Torrie Wilson wanted to prove that she wouldn’t be relegated to just being eye candy for the rest of her career. This was when Fit Finlay was brought in as a producer to help train the women’s roster. Initially as a joke or merely as a way to keep him busy. Yes, this is very disrespectful, but not out of the ordinary in this company. The joke was on them because Finlay was up for the task. He proved that he could mold these women into true athletes. He did his job so well that his bosses reminded him that he made the women look too much like wrestlers. Talk about being appreciative of someone doing the job they were ASKED TO DO. The women saw Finlay as their confidant, motivator, and, as Victoria described, best friend. Stephanie McMahon also got an upgrade on screen when she took on the general manager of Smackdown role. Her weekly battles with Eric Bischoff over which brand would reign supreme was must-see TV. She pulled no punches to make sure that Smackdown was on top. Stephanie McMahon Another coveted role that usually only consisted of men in the business was given to Stephanie during this time. The behind-the-scenes creative team tried to make it seem like Stephanie did a lot to help women once she got to this power level, but truthfully that wasn’t the case. There was much potential for the women on Smackdown, but they never had a title on the show. Most of the women were only doing specialty matches or Playboy photoshoots. Finally, women were getting storylines that led up to an anticipated PPV match. Trish Stratus soon became the head of the division on the Raw brand, and newcomer Victoria soon started a legendary feud with her. Even hardcore matches where you knew that both women held nothing back. Lita and Victoria had the first women’s ladder match on Raw during this time and helped the fans stop yelling ‘We want puppies’ during the women’s segments. Molly Holly vs Victoria – WrestleMania 20 For Wrestlemania 20, the women from both brands were told that there wouldn’t be a women’s title match on the card. Instead, Torrie Wilson and Sable, “the models” as Molly Holly called them, will have a playboy pillow fight. Holly threw some major shade with that comment, but I can’t say that I wasn’t entertained by this moment from the usually demure Molly Holly. However, the playboy pillow fight advertised Sable and Torrie’s joint playboy photoshoot. Devastated, Molly Holly asked if she shaved her hair off would she perform. It worked because Holly had a stellar match with Victoria but lost and had to keep her promise of getting her head shaved. The stipulation of their battle was made for great TV and one of the most memorable moments for women at Wrestlemania. Trish Stratus turning heel on Chris Jericho and joins Christian – WrestleMania 20 Wrestlemania 20 also saw a payoff from a feud on Raw with Trish Stratus and Chris Jericho, which ended with Trish turning heel and having a short affair with Christian to get back at Jericho for betting on her a few months prior. A true woman scorned storyline. In 2005, the dreaded Divas Search competition began and took valuable time from the women’s matches on Raw. However, a standout from the Divas Search, Michelle McCool, immediately showed her drive, athletic talent, and love for competition during the Divas vs. Models kickball competition. Lita and Trish were still trying to show that the women’s matches were necessary, so they continued their long-standing feud and were rewarded with main eventing on Monday Night RAW. Trish Stratus vs Mickie James – WrestleMania 22 As Lita was dealing with an injury after this match, Mickie James came in and started a perfect feud that genuinely paid homage to the single white female film and any other craze and obsessed women that you come to mind. The fans were into this storyline big time, and Mickie showed that she was the main event starting at her coming-out party during Wrestlemania 22 that same year. Mickie was the heel going into the match, but she was so good at being a freaking psychopath that she was cheered for everything that she did in that match. In 2006, Trish had her retirement match, and two months later, Lita followed her best friend. The two breviaries felt they couldn’t contribute any more to the company as it went back to the old way they viewed women wrestlers. Although I am not a fan of the mid to late 2000s in WWE, the divas’ search did bring in many women like Layla, The Bella Twins, Christy Hemme, Ashley Massaro, Maria Kanellis, and more. As I continued to watch this episode, it was a bit shady that they snubbed Jazz, Gail Kim, and the Smackdown women’s accomplishments during this time. Gail Kim winning the Women’s Championship Of course, we know that both Gail and Jazz have fallen out with the company. However, WWE does this thing to erase women from the industry, which can be downright infuriating. On her first night, Gail Kim won the Women’s Championship and had an excellent matrix-like character that added diversity to the roster. Trish Stratus became the face of the division, but that had a lot to do with how Victoria and Jazz framed her in those matches—making her shine like gold. Jazz also had two very successful title runs and was a champ when she tore the house down at Wrestlemania XIX with Trish and Lita, but they were never mentioned in the episode. Torrie Wilson & Dawn Marie Torrie and Dawn Marie had a great feud on the Smackdown side, but they usually end up half nude during their feud? Yes, but they seem to build up some steam behind their angle and provide a natural soap-opera-like storyline for the fans to indulge. Jacqueline winning the Cruiserweight Championship Phenomenal wrestlers like Nidia, Shaniqua, and Jacqueline were trying to bring solid matches to the roster, but we were cut off before they could get started. After developing a great feud with Chavo Guerrero, Jacqueline became the second woman to hold the Cruiserweight Championship. Once again, none of this was mentioned in the episode. WWE was so obsessed with Trish and Lita that they didn’t show any other fan favorites at that time. All in all, I would still recommend this episode because it did an excellent job of showcasing this precious moment in time for women’s wrestling in WWE. We can’t love this era we’re in now if we don’t honor this first Revolution during the Ruthless Aggression Era. Be sure to check out the Ruthless Aggression Era series on Peacock in the US and WWE Network everywhere else. Also, if you want to continue going down memory lane and revisit Mickie James’s feud with Trish, go on and look at Women’s Wrestling Talk’s Top 5 Moments of Mickie James. #Lita #RuthlessAggressionEra #Victoria #TrishStratus #Jazz #MickieJames #WWE

This past week on The Wrestling Inc. Daily, Nick Hausman sat down with former NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez. She opened up about her relationship with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and the other women in NXT. As a veteran, she discussed the difference between walking into WarGames this year versus last year. She said, “I feel like I am 100% the most confident I have ever been walking into a War Games match, even though it’s my second match.” She complimented her team from last year, showing her guidance through the match and leading to a team victory. She mentioned working with Candice LeRae, Toni Storm, and Dakota Kai, gaining their knowledge along the way. Getting that big win over Io Shirai gave Gonzalez the momentum to win her first NXT Women’s Championship. She discussed her teammates for this year, feeling like a leader amongst leaders. She talked about the excitement she feels working with such a stacked team. She spoke on the fantastic talent of longest-reigning NXT UK Women’s Champion, Kay Lee Ray, while reminding fans that anything is possible when former NXT Women’s Champion, Io Shirai, is involved. She commends Cora Jade, displaying heart and passion while wanting to “show her the ways of the WarGames.” She was asked about how she felt about the theme for WarGames this year, having the new generation clashing with the old. “It’s exciting because you know like change is good- it’s good to get fresh blood in the ring.” She continued to talk about the unexpected once the new talent and old generation clash in the double caged ring and how mixed the women’s side is versus the men. She discussed the pressure of the new talent coming in and becoming an OG of NXT. She explained about never getting comfortable even as a champion and keeping pressure on herself to make herself into a diamond. She went on to talk about the absence of Triple H, missing him being there on those important Tuesday nights and pay-per-view moments like WarGames. She jokes about him and Shawn Michaels being like the peanut butter of NXT while commending their team at NXT in the way they have stepped up amongst the absence. She ends by giving the fans her dream matches outside of NXT. WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, and WWE Raw Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch are at the top of that list. She discussed the inspiration she felt watching her dear friend and former NXT Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, get the opportunity with Flair at WrestleMania. As she awaits her chance at the OG Four Horsewomen, Gonzalez has no plans to end her domination anytime soon. Be sure to check out the full interview by Nick Hausman exclusively on The Wrestling Inc. Daily My top 5 Raquel Gonzalez NXT matches are available now exclusively on Women’s Wrestling Talk. Panel for this top 5 will take place on December 13th at 8 PM CST streaming live on all Women’s Wrestling Talk platforms. Top 5 NXT Moments – Raquel Rodriguez (Raquel Gonzalez) #ShawnMichaels #TripleH #CharlotteFlair #RaquelGonzalez #BeckyLynch #WWENXT #WWE

Kay Lee Ray is the Scottish-born wrestler who took NXT UK by storm when she debuted in March 2019. In four months, she became the NXT UK Women’s champion and currently holds the record for the longest title reign. It only makes sense that her moments in NXT UK are highly regarded and reviewed in this top five list. #5 War Games 2020 Kay Lee Ray was coming into this match as a champ and someone worthy of being on one of the women’s war games teams. However, US crowds can sometimes underestimate wrestlers that aren’t on the main roster. So I’m sure that Kay Lee Ray knew that she would have to prove herself. Ray took some brutal shots, but the fiery redhead dished them out as well. Her role, along with the other women on her team, proved that this no holds barred match is one that the women could handle and have the battle of the night in the eyes of the fans. This match solidified that Ray would eventually move on to NXT in the states. #4 Kay Lee Ray vs. Meiko Satomura June 2021 Up until this point, Kay Lee Ray was knocking out the competition. She was on top of the mountain and never thought that she would come down. When WWE finally signed Meiko Satomura, and it was announced, you knew that the women of NXT UK were going to get a run for their money. Kay Lee Ray knew that having a legend like Satomura on the roster would lead to a title match between the two. There was so much on the line. Honestly, neither woman could afford to lose. Satomura needed to solidify her pedigree and legacy on this roster, and Ray needed to make sure that no one could just come in and push her off of the mountaintop. Even if it was a wrestler that has been main eventing for over 30 years, I think this match was crucial in Ray’s career thus far because Meiko gave her seal of approval that Ray was worthy of that championship. Ray’s send-off to go to NXT in the states, have a bigger platform and reach more fans. #3 Kay Lee Ray vs. Toni Storm-NXT UK Takeover Cardiff August 2019 Ray won the NXT UK Women’s championship. Such a crucial time for Ray because she was showing the NXT UK fans that she would be at the top of the women’s division. Everyone who watched her work in promotions like ProWrestling Eve or ICW knew this, but the many fans across the globe that tuned in to the WWE Network needed to understand why she was indeed the scary queen of Scots. #2 Toni Storm vs. Kay Lee Ray “I Quit match” February 2020 This I quit match was crucial to Ray’s time as a champion because it helped build up the thought that no one could survive a match with her. They would come close, but Ray was always a bit more brutal. A bit more psychotic. A bit more crafty than they were. She is a true predator who loves to rip apart her prey, which was the most visible in this match. #1 Kay Lee Ray vs. Piper Niven This was the most thought-out and executed feud for Ray, in my opinion. Fans of Kay Lee Ray and Piper Niven were already aware of what both women could do in the ring together. They have competed in hardcore street fights, steel cage matches, your name in Pro Wrestling EVE and ICW. Piper came to the aid of Toni Storm during her I-Quit match with Ray, which immediately put a target on the back of Niven. Niven wasn’t shaking in her boots, though, and she welcomed the moment to slap the arrogant Lee straight in the mouth for thinking that no one would challenge her. During these matches, you see Niven pushing harder, but Ray somehow consistently got the win. Their feud showed that you need a nasty, rule-breaking heel like Kay Lee Ray for every babyface. Kay Lee Ray had a hell of a run as the NXT UK women’s champion. She was holding the title for a whopping 650 days. More success is to follow her; she tests the waters in NXT 2.0. Which airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm in the USA. #KayLeeRay #NXTUK #WWE

Over the last few weeks, one of the highlights of Dynamite for me has been the TBS Title Tournament. We have all been treated to a string of lengthy and fantastic matches. As anticipation builds for January 5th finals, there is a lot of debate over whether AEW can handle a second women’s title. The company has a reputation for not treating their women’s division the same as the men’s. Sure their champion sits pretty at the top, but anyone below Britt Baker is lucky to get more than five minutes on Dynamite. So can AEW handle a second women’s title? Is this a concerted effort to put their women over and give them more of a spotlight? Or is it another step in the ongoing pissing contest between AEW and WWE? As someone who always tries to see the positive in everything (There is too much cynicism in wrestling as it is), I believe it is the former, not the latter. Titles are rarely created out of spite. If done correctly, the TBS title could be the perfect way to showcase AEW talent and maybe even some indie talent as well. First, let’s address what the TBS Championship could be. Historically secondary titles were the workhorse title. They were a calling card of a great wrestler, one earmarked for greatness. Take the Intercontinental title. While the title has lost its luster over the years, it was held by Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels. All who would later go on to become world champions. Razor Ramone, Rick Rude, Ricky Steamboat, and the Honky Tonk Man, although never winning a world title, cemented their status thanks to an IC title reign. When used correctly, secondary titles are a great asset to get over newer talent and remind fans of how great their favorites are. So what should AEW do with their second women’s title? The answer, precisely what they are doing already. AEW has done a great job replicating the workhorse mentality. Their TNT title has been a mainstay on Dynamite and especially Ramage and has elevated every holder. It made Cody the workhorse champion, solidified Brodie Lee as a top heel, helped boost Darby Allen’s already rising star, made Miro look like an absolute beast, and absolved him of the Best Man gimmick. Currently, it is helping Sammy Guevera break free from the clutches of Chris Jericho and the Inner Circle. There is no reason the TBS title can’t be the same. It is not like AEW is short on viable champions. There is a long list of credible candidates, from relative newcomers to established veterans, who could quickly fill the role of a mid-card titleholder. So the question then becomes not who is worthy of being the first champion, but what do you want to achieve with it. For me, an inaugural title reign needs to be definitive, lengthy, and, if possible, filled with as many memorable matches as possible. While putting the belt on a Jade Cargill, Kris Statlander, or Red Velvet would be an instant recipe for star power, I think a more established star is the way to go. Someone who can make the title feel legitimate. Then you can use it as a tool to get newer talent over. It is a technique used in various guises as far back as I can remember. Whether it was an unreal tournament held in Rio De Janeiro, tapping into a rich lineage of a once defunct belt, or capitalizing on the nostalgia of a gimmick we remember fondly. In some shape or form, wrestling promotions have been inventing ways of instilling their titles with some form of built-in credibility. AEW does not have that luxury. So having that credible first champion is even more critical. Out of AEW’s many viable options, there are three that, to me, are at the top of the pack. First up, Nyla Rose. The clue is in the name. Nyla is a beast. A beast who has sadly been defanged since she feuded with Hikaru Shida. Having her as the first TBS champion, squashing every opponent would reestablish Nyla and eventually lead to a huge payoff down the road when a rising star finally topples her. On the babyface side of things is Ruby Soho. Ruby is another excellent choice for the first TBS champion. A solid hand capable of putting on a good match with just about anyone. It would also serve as vindication. Ruby walked down the ramp at All Out with something to prove. She is a damn good wrestler; holding the TBS title would be the perfect opportunity to prove that very point. Of all the options, Ruby is the most tailor-made to take the title. She has star power, mainstream notoriety and the skills and credibility to be the inaugural TBS champ. The final front runner and my personal favorite, la mera mera herself, Thunder Rosa, is a part of the TBS tournament. As an MMA fighter, wrestler and promoter, she embodies that workhorse spirit. She is a legit badass and incredible wrestler with a unique look. Thunder Rosa has all the tools needed to be the first TBS champion. Like John Cena with the US title or Cody the TNT championship, Thunder Rosa slots so well into a ‘take on all comers’ storyline. It is minimal fuss booking. Each week someone steps out to challenge Thunder Rosa. It could be a plucky babyface looking to make a name for themselves. A vicious heel tired of not getting the respect they deserve. Or it could be a woman from a different federation looking to show that their brand is where the ‘real women’s wrestling is. The story would not only get Rosa and the TBS title a chance to shine but get as much new talent over in the process. The possibilities are endless. While the forbidden door seems reserved for male talent, the TBS title could be a great way to open the ‘forbidden door’ and allow everyone to walk through. Ultimately the success of the TBS is in the hands of Tony Kahn. There may be a roster full of talented women, but all the talent in the world can’t fix lousy booking. While there is much skepticism about whether the AEW roster can support a second women’s title, I still hope that it is a legitimate attempt at shining a spotlight on the women’s division. I may be foolishly optimistic about this. But only time will tell if the TBS title will be everything I have dreamed of or a token gesture. Those are just a few of my thoughts on where the TBS title should go. But what do you think? Who is your favorite choice? Should AEW be in a hurry to create a second title belt when their division isn’t quite where it should be? Let us know what you think. We love to hear what you have to say here at Women’s Wrestling Talk. #wrestlingblog #TBSChampionship #RubySoho #TBSChampionshipTournament #womenswrestling #WomensChampion #womenswrestlingtalk #NylaRose #ThunderRosa #AEW

As we leave the Wrestle House and return to the Impact Zone, everyone has their eyes set on their opportnity at Hard to Kill. Last night, Scott D’Amore announced that the first Knockouts Ultimate X Match, taking place at Hard to Kill, would consist of six Knockouts. Digital Media Champion, Jordynne Grace along with her tag partner and former Knockouts Tag Team Champion, Rachael Ellering were the first to make their claim at the opportunity. Tasha Steelz and Savannah Evans interrupted their meeting with D’Amore to announce that they were the only two competitors that are needed for the match. Steelz called them losers as Evans recently called out her win over Ellering on BTI. After the rematch was made official, Ellering defeated Evans later that night to gain even more momentum as the selections narrow down. D’Amore made it very clear that the contenders for the first-ever Knockouts Ultimate X match will be announced next week and next week only. All through the night, it seemed that D’Amore’s announcement remained unheard. He was later met with the persuasion of Chelsea Green and demanding of Alisha Edwards. However, he reminded them yet again that the competitors would only be released next week, patience is key. Back from traveling worldwide, Tenille Dashwood was welcomed back by the other members of The Influence, Madison Rayne and Kaleb, with a K. They filled her in about the arrival of the new Knockouts Tag Team Champions, The IInspiration. They convinced Dashwood to confront the newbies altogether and let their presence be known. After their sudden remembrance of one another, it was clear that Dashwood and The IInspiration had more catching up to do than Rayne was expecting. We will see if they can all get along as they team up to take on all Decay members next week. The Virtuosa joined D’Lo Brown and Matt Striker as her close friend and Homecoming teammate, Matthew Rehwoldt, faced Chris Sabin. Before the match, he was respectfully given the floor in which she stated, “My main message is: I want my Knockouts Championship back, and I told everyone at Turning Point that was my mission moving forward. That’s my focus tonight.” She went on to say, “When you lose, something needs to change. Maybe I got a little too big for my britches, and the glitz and the glam didn’t do me any favors.” She later took off the headset and distracted Sabin to give Rehwoldt the win. Unsuccessful as she was, James decided to make the odds even and came to the aid of Sabin to take care of Purrazzo herself. The two brawled as the match continued, and James chased Purrazzo to the back. Our Twitter page caught the aftermaths of the brawl, where each of the Knockouts had quite a few words for one another. https://t.co/LpqbCUiijo pic.twitter.com/fdNVw9iKqM — The Virtuosa (@DeonnaPurrazzo) December 3, 2021 I don't like her. https://t.co/mOPOsL6M1E — Mickie James~Aldis (@MickieJames) December 3, 2021 Next week, Homecoming King and Queen Matthew Rehwoldt and Deonna Purrazzo will face the current Knockouts Champion, Mickie James, and former IMPACT World Champion, Chris Sabin. As everyone looks to make their mark at Hard To Kill, there seems to be a score to settle, and no one is backing down. Be sure to come back next week to catch another #IMPACTRecap exclusively on Women’s Wrestling Talk! #RachaelEllering #JordynneGrace #ChelseaGreen #SavannahEvans #ImpactWrestling #kalebwithak #deonnapurrazzo #MadisonRayne #TashaSteelz #MickieJames #TenilleDashwood #TheIInspiration #alishaedwards

Coming from one of the most notable wrestling families of all time, the love of wrestling runs deep through Natalya Neidhart’s blood. The Canadian Queen of Harts made her WWE debut on SmackDown in 2008. It was clear she had something to prove and a legacy she wanted to carry on from then on respectfully. In 2011, she ranked #4 on the Top 50 female wrestlers presented by PWI. She is one of few women who has wrestled within different WWE eras consistently, beginning in the Ruthless Aggression and continuing through the Women’s Evolution of WWE today. Her contribution to Hart Dynasty and Divas of Doom continue on with her as the future Hall of Famer continues her career in WWE. She has fought hard for herself and others to have opportunities, increasing her need in the ring with other wrestlers and continuing with the Women’s Evolution. She was the first to train with Ronda Rousey, showing her and others the ropes while helping progress the women of today. The creation of Total Divas gave fans a chance to see Nattie, the fun-loving wrestling fan that just wanted everyone to get along. She opened up about her relationship with former WWE superstar, now producer TJ Wilson. In and out of the ring, Nattie shows honor and respect to wrestling, displaying the legacy she continues to represent. Even without the win for her team at Survivor Series, she makes yet another milestone in WWE. According to Guinness World Records, Natalya holds the record for most WWE pay-per-views of any female in WWE history. She currently has 68 WWE pay-per-view appearances under her belt and has wrestled over 1000 matches. Amongst other accomplishments, she has held WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship, WWE Divas Championship, and WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Nattie’s longevity in WWE, along with the ability to work with anyone, makes me feel that a reign for Nattie as SmackDown Women’s Champion might come sooner than most think. Also, with her recent pairing with Shayna Baszler, will former tag team championships go after the gold? Be sure to check out my top 5 Nattie matches coming soon exclusively on our website. #Natalya #WWE

The Four Horsewomen resumes and legacies have already qualified themselves as future Hall of Famers. Bayley, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch have already captured an impressive number of championships and accomplishments amongst the four of them. Still, there’s another fearsome foursome who would like to challenge them to a match. WWE legends Lita, Trish Stratus, and Nikki and Brie Bella discussed their dream matches during a recent episode of The Bella Twins Podcast. “While we’re fantasy booking here, if we could be The Bellas and The Besties (Lita and Stratus) versus Bayley, Sasha, Becky, and Charlotte….something like that,” Lita said. Nikki added, “I just got chills!” Brie said, “so like the Four Horsewomen vs the Four… we’d have to come up with a good name.” Lita stated, “we’ve got time; we’ve got plenty of time to hash this out.” Bayley reacted to the idea and shared her thoughts, throwing down a gauntlet for the other three Horsewomen to get their act together. Bayley shared the video with the caption, “If those other three ever get their shhh🤫 together, then you four are seriously once and for all DONE FOR.” If those other 3 ever get their shhh🤫 together, then you 4 are seriously once and for all DONE FOR. https://t.co/PRp4pWgE6m — Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) December 2, 2021 Fans on social media have been bawling for either a Four Horsewomen reunion or a classic Fatal 4-way match between the four Superstars. A few months ago, the current Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair shared how the four women “will always share an unspoken bond” regardless of how their careers have progressed. Presently, Bayley is recuperating from a torn ACL. In July, she went under surgery and could be back in the ring very soon. #SashaBanks #Lita #TrishStratus #BeckyLynch #Bayley #Charlotte #TheBellaTwins

Lita began her career in ECW before making her way to WWE. As a true icon during the Attitude Era, Lita was one of The Godfather’s Ho-Train members before honing her skills and training to become a wrestler. On July 5, 1999, Lita made her official WWF/WWE debut on Raw is War and was rebranded under the new name “Lita.” She was paired with Essa Rios and debuted on Sunday Night Heat on February 13, 2000. Her alternative image with her signature baggy pants with a thong hiked high above was different. Her ability to be pretty and tomboyish and keep up with the guys she wrestled with cemented her as one of the best women who’s ever graced the WWE. Being one of the members of Team Extreme and her rivalry with Trish Stratus are things still talked about to this day. Lita “the Queen of Firsts” during WWF/WWE makes it nearly impossible to refute that Lita was something special. While some will argue that the fabulous women in WWE now are more athletic, one cannot deny Lita’s impact. I could go on and on about Lita, but for now, I’ll give you 5 top moments from Lita’s career. #5- Lita’s First Royal Rumble On January 28, 2018, WWE had their first-ever Womens’ Royal Rumble. While Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch were the first and second entrants, many women from past and present participated in this historical event, such as Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix, Jacqueline, Michelle McCool, The Bellas, Molly Holly, and more. Lita was also one of those surprise entrants who entered at number 5. When she came out, the level of excitement and happiness I felt was astounding. I didn’t think I would ever see Lita wrestle in a WWE ring since she retired from pro-wrestling in 2012. Lita eliminated both Mandy Rose and Tamina, but Becky Lynch eliminated her. I wish I could’ve seen a match-up with her and Trish, but Stratus was the 30th entrant in the rumble. #4- Lita Induction into the WWE Hall of Fame There are a total of 15 women that are currently in the WWE Hall of Fame. Other women in the Hall of Fame are Alundra Blayze/Madusa, Ivory, Mae Young, Sensational Sherri, and Chyna. Out of those 15, there were only 13 inductees as The Bellas came as a package deal and, Chyna was inducted with DX posthumously. On February 10, 2014, WWE announced that Lita was one of the inductees for the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2014. Again, as Lita is one of my all-time favorite women wrestlers, I was stoked about this. Her best friend and fellow Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus, inducted her into the Hall of Fame. #3 Lita and Team Xtreme Every person who knows me as a wrestling fan knows how much I love The Hardy Boyz. They are my favorite tag team of all time. However, adding Lita to their stable to become Team Xtreme gave me life in my younger years. Lita was the first woman I saw doing high-risk spots and high-flying moves. She showcased it a bit with Essa Rios doing hurricaranas and moonsaults. However, she flourished using this style of wrestling in Team Xtreme, fitting right in with Matt and Jeff. Her punk rock type image, with her iconic baggy pants and a thong, was an image that always stuck out to me. If I didn’t hate the way thongs feel, I would’ve copied her style a long time ago. But, let me digress. During this time, Lita also involved herself in TLC matches (Summer Slam 2000 and WrestleMania 17 2001). While Edge speared her in the first one and she was 3-D’ed by the Dudley Boyz in the second one, she took it like a champ. Her ability to use ladders and fly off of things was top-notch. The two years that were Team Xtreme were some of my favorite memories of the Attitude Era. #2 Lita becomes WWF Women’s Champion On August 21, 2000, Lita became the WWF Women’s Champion for the first time after defeating Stephanie McMahon. With The Rock as the special guest referee, Kurt Angle and Triple H’s outside interference didn’t stop Lita from hitting her finisher and capturing the championship. Her fued with Stephanie began after winning the first-ever women’s battle royal against Terri, The Kat, Ivory, and Jacqueline. This match had my stress levels at a high because of the shenanigans from Stephanie, Kurt, and Triple H. Lita will win the title 3 more times, holding the belt for a total of 73 days. One of those matches included in her reigns was the hardcore match between her and Jacqueline. Bonus Moment: Lita and Victoria in a Steel Cage (Monday Night Raw) On November 23, 2003 (my birthday) Eric Bischoff, changed up Raw from the norm as he introduced the first-ever Raw Roulette. This meant that every match would be determined by spinning a roulette wheel. Eric’s goal of the episode was to get the most outrageous matches. The stipulation for the match Lita had already scheduled with Victoria would be the first time two women entered a steel cage match. While the steel cage match itself wasn’t long and had a lot of “love,” and other angles dampened the match for me. However, this was another first for Lita making history for the women in WWE puts this as a bonus moment on my list. #1 Lita and Trish Stratus Main Event Monday Night Raw On Monday Night Raw, December 6, 2004, Lita was in the main event with Trish Stratus for the Women’s Championship. These two have feuded since coming to WWE during the Attitude Era for years. Now, Lita had main event matches on Raw in the past, where she captured her 1st championship, and she teamed up with the Rock to take on Trish and Triple H on July 31, 2000. Historically, this match was a classic, where both women had much pressure to do their thing and deliver. The match was terrific, giving Lita her second title run. This was the last time there was a women’s championship title match on Monday Night Raw for the main event for years. The next time wouldn’t happen until October 2, 2016, between Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair, which Banks ended up with the Raw Women’s Championship. Lita is most certainly one of the most versatile women of her time. She is also one of the most influential women from the Attitude Era. Lita stood out on her own, making history and becoming one of the greats that stepped into WWE. Until next time, this is Katrina signing out. #Lita #Ivory #StephanieMcMahon #ECW #TheRock #MondayNightRaw #Victoria #TripleH #StoneColdSteveAustin #TrishStratus #Jacqueline #WomensChampion #MickieJames #Raw #WWE #AmyDumas #HallofFamer

Hosts (TK Trinidad & Evan Mack ) of Women’s Wrestling Weekly break down the latest on Women’s Wrestling News, gives you a roundup on everything that is going on in the women’s wrestling scene and Sonny Kiss joins the show to talks about Lucha Underground and breaking down barriers in wrestling. #wrestlingblog #prowrestling #wrestlingrankings #SonnyKiss #womenswrestling #wrestling #womenswrestlingtalk #AEW