Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up: Purrazzo vs James Made Official, Syuri Wins 5STAR Grand Prix, WWE Extreme Rules Fallout
Photo Credit: IMPACT Wrestling
Women’s wrestling is riding a wave of momentum right now: Deonna Purrazzo versus Mickie James is slated for Bound For Glory, Syuri wins Stardom’s 2021 5STAR Grand Prix, MLW introduces their women’s featherweight division, WWE concludes Extreme Rules, and more! Let’s break it all down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Deonna Purrazzo vs Mickie James Set For Bound For Glory
A dream match for women’s wrestling was solidified within the IMPACT Zone last week.
Fastly approaching their most popular pay-per-view, the intensity was cranked up last week on IMPACT Wrestling between the current Knockouts Champion, Deonna Purrazzo, and former three-time Knockouts Champion, Mickie James. Ever since meeting at Slammivery back in July, Purrazzo and James haven’t always seen eye to eye. Purrazzo perceived James as attempting to steal her spotlight following her victory over Thunder Rosa that night, but James clarified that she simply wanted to extend an invitation for the Knockouts Champion to be a part of NWA’s first-ever all-women’s show, Empowerrr on August 28th. After much persuasion from James and IMPACT producer, Gail Kim, Purrazzo eventually gave in and accepted.
There at Empowerrr, Purrazzo displayed dominance over “The Living Legend, Melina Perez and emerged victorious in their grueling battle for the Knockouts Championship. The following evening at NWA73, Mickie James returned to the ring for the first time in 7 months to face Kylie Rae. James also emerged victorious in her bout, but her celebration was quickly cut short as a masked figure appeared and attacked her post-match. That figure revealed themselves as “The Virtuosa”, Deonna Purrazzo. Ever since then, this rivalry has become deeply personal as the two have traded blows and words on IMPACT television in the weeks following that NWA weekend.
Last week, this feud reached its climax. James noted that she was no longer the executive producer of the all-women’s show, so she’s ready to get back to the action, Hardcore Country style. So, she formally challenged Deonna Purrazzo to the Knockouts Championship. Purrazzo, however, was not too keen on the idea and declined the challenge. This led to both competitors escalating their intensity, trading strikes in the ring, until officials pulled them apart. Scott D’Amore then appeared, noting that James is certainly a pillar of the Knockouts history, and has more than earned a championship opportunity. Consequently, Mickie James will now officially compete for the IMPACT Knockouts Championship against Deonna Purrazzo at the Bound For Glory pay-per-view on October 23rd in Las Vegas, Nevada.
IT'S ON! @ScottDAmore has made @MickieJames vs. @DeonnaPurrazzo for the Knockouts Championship at #BoundForGlory OFFICIAL! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/D6DASsRIxo
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 24, 2021
Is the three-time Knockouts Champion bound for more championship gold, or will “The Virtuosa” defeat yet another legend of the squared circle?
WrestleZone will keep you updated as more details become available for this event.
RELATED: Major Women’s Dream Match And More Set For Bound For Glory
Syuri Wins 2021 Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
Over the weekend, Syuri defeated Momo Watanabe in the finals of Stardom’s 2021 5STAR Grand Prix to win the annual tournament for the first time. Syuri previously forced a time limit draw with Takumi Iroha. With Utami Hayashishita’s loss to Tam Nakano, Syuri was able to reach the finals with twelve points. On the Red Stars Block side, Watanabe had defeated Guilia earlier in the evening to secure her place in the finals as well. Syuri would stun Watanabe with her finisher Ryuen, and earn the victory and bragging rights as the official winner of the 5STAR Grand Prix.
Following the conclusion of the finals, Syuri then challenged Hayashishita for the World of Stardom Championship at the Stardom Dream Queendom show, slated for Dec. 29th.
【🏆#5starGP PPV生配信中‼️】
『5★STAR GP 2021』優勝者‼️
👑朱里‼️
🔻PPV購入はこちらhttps://t.co/u7Ba4Lme5G
🔻PPV for fans from oversea(English commentary)https://t.co/FCHrDtYcXe#STARDOM pic.twitter.com/sviBbkIvAG
— スターダム✪STARDOM (@wwr_stardom) September 25, 2021
Here are the full results of the 5STAR Grand Prix final event:
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block B: Momo Watanabe [12] defeated Giulia [6]
- Three Way: Hanan defeated Momo Watanabe and Rina
- Mai Sakurai defeated Waka Tsukiyama
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block B: Mina Shirakawa [6] defeated Natsupoi [9] by Count Out
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block B: Fukigen Death [10] defeated Saki Kashima [4]
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block B: Koguma [11] defeated Himeka [10]
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block B: Mayu Iwatani [11] defeated Starlight Kid [11]
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block A: AZM [8] defeats Ruaka [0] (3:39)
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block A: Unagi Sayaka [9] defeated Saya Kamitani [11]
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block A: Maika [9] defeated Konami [10]
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block A: Syuri [12] vs. Takumi Iroha [11] – Time Limit Draw (20:00)
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Block A: Tam Nakano [10] defeated Utami Hayashishita [10]
- 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Final: Syuri defeated Momo Watanabe
Photo Credit: STARDOM
Sasha Banks Returns, Charlotte Flair vs Alexa Bliss, And More At WWE Extreme Rules
WWE held their annual Extreme Rules pay-per-view over the weekend with three women’s matches on the card. Firstly, Liv Morgan marked her second-ever singles pay-per-view match by squaring off with “The Most Beautiful Woman In WWE”, Carmella on the Kickoff Show. This match concluded after Camella returned to the ring to be met with an ObLIVion from Morgan, allowing her to secure the victory.
Later in the evening, the RAW Women’s Championship was on the line as Charlotte Flair defended her title against Alexa Bliss in a back-and-forth contest. With decent time and impressive counters, Flair and Bliss delivered great in-ring action. In the end, however, Flair finally landed the Natural Selection to secure the pinfall victory against Bliss.
Post-match, Flair added insult to injury by ripping up Bliss’ prized doll, Lilly in the center of the ring. Bliss, obviously traumatized, began weeping in the center of the ring as she held the shreds of Lilly in her hand as she went up the entrance ramp screaming.
💔💔💔#ExtremeRules @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/fXLgCrWEmV
— WWE (@WWE) September 27, 2021
The following night on Monday Night RAW, Charlotte Flair again successfully retained the RAW Women’s Championship by defeating Doudrop.
RELATED: Charlotte Flair Retains RAW Women’s Title Against Doudrop, Shayna Baszler Attacks Eva Marie
Lastly, Becky Lynch defended SmackDown Women’s Championship against the former champion, Bianca Belair. This match marked a huge step up in comparison to their first meeting at SummerSlam, where Lynch swiftly defeated and stunned Belair with a 26-second victory to become the new champion. On Sunday, the two competitors battled for roughly twenty minutes, as Lynch attempted to put away Belair with the disarm-her. Belair has other plans, however as she lifted Lynch up on her shoulders for her signature KOD move, Sasha Banks made her dramatic return to the ring.
Banks was originally scheduled to face Belair at SummerSlam last month, but was deemed unable to compete, so Becky Lynch stepped up in her place. “The Boss” was now back for vengeance though. Immediately attacking Belair first sounded the bell for a disqualification result. Lynch stood in the opposite corner, momentarily appreciating Banks’ assault on Belair, but was quickly met by Banks’ fury as well, leaving both competitors down and out Banks then retreated to the entrance ramp, proclaiming that she’d see them both on Friday for SmackDown–which begins the upcoming WWE Draft.
THE BOSS IS HERE.@SashaBanksWWE is taking her place back in the spotlight at the expense of his #SmackDown #WomensTitle Match!#ExtremeRules @BiancaBelairWWE @BeckyLynchWWE pic.twitter.com/3fqQyAmrmv
— WWE (@WWE) September 27, 2021
MLW Announces Women’s Featherweight Division
During last week’s premiere of MLW Fusion: ALPHA, the company revealed that they will be introducing a women’s featherweight division that will begin at MLW Fightland on October 2nd.
The following names were confirmed for the new roster:
- The Sea Stars (Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo)
- Brittany Blake
- Holidead
- Zoey Skye
- Willow Nightingale
- Nicole Savoy
So far, MLW has confirmed that Nicole Savoy is slated to face Holidead at MLW Fightland within the new women’s featherweight division.
Meet some of the new faces that will be apart of the MLW Women's Featherweight divison.#MLWFusion |
📺@beINSPORTSUSA pic.twitter.com/q0AgGHJhTU— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) September 26, 2021
Pro Wrestling EVE Prepares for Beers, Brawls, & Bad A$$ B*tches
Following their return to professional wrestling at Wrestle Queendom 4, EVE continues to elevate women’s wrestling. Last month, Wrestle Queendom 4 featured the epic returns of formerly retired, Alex Windsor and Charlie Morgan, as well as the pay-per-view debuts of talent such as Clementine, Amira Blair and Natalie Sykes. EVE also crowned a brand new champion in Jetta–a nineteen-year veteran of the squared circle, as she defeated 29 other competitors in the EVE Championship Rumble, earning her first singles championship in the promotion. Now, Pro Wrestling Eve is officially back and looking to step their game up even more as they debut at the Signature Brew in London for their Beers, Brawls, and Bad A$$ B*tches event this Saturday, October 2nd.
So far announced for the event, “Wrestling’s IT Couple”, Charlie Morgan and EVE Champion, Jetta, will team up for the first time ever to take on former champion, Rhia O’Reilly, and Skye Smitson. Additionally, the battle of the Debbie’s will ensue as Debbie Keitel and Debbie Dahmer square off. The recently returned, Alex Windsor will also face Emersyn Jayne to crown the number one contender for the EVE International Championship, which is currently held by Kasey, who has also seemingly laid down an open challenge for her title at EVE’s event on October 2nd.
550 days and counting as your REIGNING and DEFENDING @ProWrestlingEVE International Champion.
I defeated 5 in a Gauntlet at #wrestlequeendom4 , i'm willing to put my body through hell, anyone else willing to, Step up and Il see you Oct 2nd. pic.twitter.com/cKbAdbTZN9— 🐺 Kasey 🐺 Mother of Chaos (@KaseyOwens5) September 8, 2021
Additionally, “Session Moth” Martina returns to EVE for the first time in 19 months on Saturday to host “A Piss Up In A Brewery” at the event.
When "SESSION MOTH" MARTINA found out we debut in a brewery on Sat Oct 2nd she purchased her own flight, pretended to pay her own invoice and created a tab (with our name on) for @SignatureBrewBH's finest!
Yup, the alcohol fuelled mother of 77 is having a Piss Up In A Brewery! pic.twitter.com/xBztP0tFEo
— Beers, Brawls & Bad A$$ B*****s – Sat Oct 2nd (@ProWrestlingEVE) September 15, 2021
INTERVIEWS:
Texas star Mia Friday recently chatted with A Wrestling Gal to discuss her admiration for Rok-C, musical influences, her experience as a drummer in a band, Reality of Wrestling, and much more!
All Elite Wrestling talent KiLynn King appeared on the Hot Tag Hooligans Podcast to talk about training at 3D Academy, AEW, NWA Empowerrr weekend, possible AEW Women’s tag titles and more.
Former Zelo Pro Women’s Champion Laynie Luck spoke to Bell To Belles about competing for Ring of Honor, the PWI 500, Rok-C, the differences between company locker rooms, and more!
GSW Women’s World Champion Masha Slamovich also appeared on Bell To Belles to discuss her busy year, NWA Empowerrr, Borscht at the Beach, and more!
Former SHINE Champion Mercedes Martinez chatted with DNC Digital about Law and Order: SVU, her NXT release, RETRIBUTION, her relationship with management, her next moves, and more.
Smackdown star Liv Morgan recently joined Sportskeeda Wrestling to talk about her upcoming match at WWE Extreme Rules, Becky Lynch, possibly teaming with Toni Storm, what she thinks of facing Zelina Vega, the upcoming WWE Draft, and more.
ROH Women’s World Champion Rok-C recently appeared on The Battleground Podcast to discuss her wrestling journey, what it’s like not only to be the youngest Women’s World Champion in ROH history, but also being the youngest champion ever in ROH, the women’s tournament, her dream match, and more.
Former CCW Women’s Champion Tootie Lynn chatted with The Hardy Wrestling Podcast about NWA Empowerrr, Mickie James, how her mom encourages her, and much more.
Chaotic Wrestling Champion Davienne spoke with WrestleZone about the Limitless Wrestling Euphoria event, her match on AEW Dark, Intergender wrestling, and more!
RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair appeared on the Culture State Podcast to talk about her time playing volleyball at App State, favorite wrestling moments in North Carolina, the women’s evolution in wrestling, and more.
WOMEN’S WRESTLING RESULTS
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Dr. Britt Baker DMD (w/Jamie Hayter & Rebel) (c) defeated Ruby Soho
CATCH Pro-Wrestling: CATCH3
- Dark: Lucia Lee defeated Rayne
- Triple Threat Elimination: Charlie Morgan defeated Heidi Katrina and Ivy
- Rhio defeated Clementine
- Alexxis Falcon & JJ Webb defeated Chantal Jordan & Chase Alexander
- CATCH Women’s Championship: Lizzy Evo (c) defeated Myla Grace
UPCOMING EVENTS:
NXT 2.0 – September 28th
- No Disqualification: Elektra Lopez (w/Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza & Santos Escobar) vs. B-FAB (w/Ashante Adonis, Isaiah Scott & Top Dolla)
- WWE NXT Women’s Championship Match: Raquel Gonzalez (c) vs. Franky Monet
- WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark (c) vs. Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) (w/Mandy Rose)