Tag: Anna Jay

Anna Jay announced for NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed number one contender’s match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

After returning from her Japanese excursion to Stardom, Anna Jay is ready to set foot in an NJPW ring for the first time.

NJPW has revealed that Jay will take part in a four-way number one contender’s match at Fighting Spirit Unleashed pay-per-view on Friday, November 8 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The winner of the four-way will earn a future NJPW Strong Women’s Championship match against current champ Mercedes Mone.

The four-way is the first match announced for the November 8 show, and Jay is the only participant announced for the contest to this point.

Other talent confirmed for Fighting Spirit Unleashed include current Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd, IWGP Global Champion David Finlay, KENTA, Tomohiro Ishii, and 2024 G1 Climax tournament winner Zack Sabre Jr.

Jay made her in-ring return in AEW on last Friday’s Rampage episode after an eight-match tour of Japan in August that included taking part in Stardom’s Five Star Grand Prix.

Anna Jay: ‘The best is yet to come’ after first Stardom tour

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Anna Jay is on her way back to AEW after competing in her first tour for Stardom.

The 26-year-old Jay wrapped up her first Japan tour on Saturday with a victory over Momo Kohgo. In post-match comments, Jay reflected on the rewarding experience she had competing for Stardom. Jay feels better than she’s ever felt and believes the best is yet to come.

“Well, my last match of my first Stardom tour. I feel a lot of things. I feel good. I feel tired, obviously. And I feel a little sad, you know? I’m leaving this experience, and while it’s been the most challenging experience of my wrestling career, it’s also been the most fulfilling [and] the most rewarding. The girls here are incredible, and I can’t believe that I got to work with them,” Jay said.

“And let me say this: I might not be on their level — not yet — but I hung in there with the best of them. And that was my goal, to get better. To be doing my best here while I’m here. And the best is yet to come. AEW, I’ll see you soon. And everyone’s on notice because I feel the best I’ve ever felt and I’m gonna use it.”

Jay debuted for Stardom earlier this month as an entrant in the 5 Star Grand Prix, finishing with a 3-3 record in her tournament matches.

Kohgo said she was honored to be Jay’s last opponent of the tour and would like to team up with her in the future.

In Saturday’s main event, the 2024 5 Star Grand Prix concluded with Maika defeating Saya Kamitani in the tournament finals.

AEW’s Anna Jay wins Stardom debut

Posted on by Ian Carey

Anna Jay kicked off her 5STAR Grand Prix tournament with a win.

Stardom’s annual round-robin tournament started today with a show in Yokohama. Anna Jay pulled off an upset in her first round-robin bout, countering a backslide into a pinning combination to get the win over two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion, Saori Annou.

Anna Jay is now tied atop the Blue Stars A Block with Syuri and Miyu Amasaki at two points.

“Well, my first day in Japan, I got my first win in Stardom and I cannot wait to keep going. This is exactly what I came here for. To get better, to win, finally, and this is where to do that,” Anna Jay said after the match. “I feel good already right now. Out of breath, I’m a little tired, I arrived here at 4 AM but here I am, I’m doing it and this is exactly what I wanted to do all along, do the work, and be here with the best.”

Stardom 5Star Grand Prix 2024 night one results —

  • Red Stars B Block: Mayu Iwatani defeated Tam Nakano
  • Red Stars A Block: Maika defeated Natsupoi
  • Blue Stars B Block: Saya Kamitani defeated Risa Sera
  • Red Stars B Block: AZM defeated Momo Watanabe
  • Blue Stars A Block: Syuri defeated Starlight Kid
  • Red Stars B Block: Mei Seira vs. Tomoka Inaba went to a 15-minute time-limit draw
  • Red Stars A Block: Hazuki defeated Manami
  • Blue Stars B Block: Suzu Suzuki vs. Hanan went to a double-count-out
  • Blue Stars B Block: Ranna Yagami defeated Saki Kashima
  • Blue Stars A Block: Miyu Amasaki defeated Xena
  • Red Stars A Block: Konami defeated Ruaka
  • Blue Stars A Block: Anna Jay defeated Saori Anou
  • Azusa Inaba, Thekla, Natsuko Tora, & Rina defeated Aya Sakura, Sayaka Kurara, Yuna Mizumori & Waka Tsukiyama
  • Momo Kohgo, Saya Iida & Koguma defeated Lady C, Rian, & Hina

The official tournament standings after night one:

Blue Stars A Block:

  • Anna Jay: (1-0) 2 points
  • Miyu Amasaki: (1-0) 2 points
  • Syuri: (1-0) 2 points
  • Koguma: (0-0) 0 points
  • Saori Anou: (0-1) 0 points
  • Starlight Kid: (0-1) 0 points
  • Xena: (0-1) 0 points

Blue Stars B Block:

  • Ranna Yagami: (1-0) 2 points
  • Saya Kamitani: (1-0) 2 points
  • Hanan:  (1-1) 1 point
  • Suzu Suzuki: (1-1) 1 point
  • Thekla: (0-0) 0 points
  • Saki Kashima: (0-1) 0 points
  • Risa Sera: (0-1) 0 points

Red Stars A Block

  • Maika: (1-0) 2 points
  • Hazuki: (1-0) 2 points
  • Konami: (1-0) 2 points
  • Yunamon: (0-0) 0 points
  • Ruaka: (0-1) 0 points
  • Natsupoi: (0-1) 0 points
  • Manami: (0-1) 0 points

Red Stars B Block:

  • Mayu Iwatani: (1-0) 2 points
  • AZM: (1-0) 2 points
  • Mei Seira: (1-1) 1 point
  • Tomoka Inaba: (1-1) 1 point
  • Saya Iida: (0-0) 0 points
  • Momo Watanabe: (0-1) 0 points
  • Tam Nakano (0-1) 0 points

AEW’s Anna Jay announced for Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix

Posted on by Ian Carey

Anna Jay is headed to Stardom.

The promotion announced on Saturday that the 26-year-old will participate in the 5Star Grand Prix. The round-robin tournament kicks off on August 10 and concludes on August 31.

Anna Jay’s last match in AEW took place on June 26. She teamed with Harley Cameron, and Saraya in a loss to Stardom alumni Mariah May, Toni Storm, and Mina Shirakawa.

Ice Ribbon’s Risa Sera was the other surprise entrant announced for the tournament on Saturday.

The full tournament groupings are listed below:

Blue Stars A Block:

  • Saori Anou
  • Syuri
  • Starlight Kid
  • Xena
  • Koguma
  • Anna Jay
  • Winner of Miyu Amasaki vs. Lady C (scheduled for July 28)

Blue Stars B Block:

  • Suzu Suzuki
  • Saya Kamitani
  • Hanan
  • Ranna Yagami
  • Saki Kashima
  • Thekla
  • Risa Sera

Red Stars A Block:

  • Maika
  • Hazuki
  • Natsuko Tora
  • Konami
  • Manami
  • Natsupoi
  • Yuna Mizumori

Red Stars B Block:

  • Mayu Iwatani
  • Tam Nakano
  • Momo Watanabe
  • AZM
  • Mei Seira
  • Saya Iida
  • Tomoka Inaba

Mariah May vs. Anna Jay announced for next week’s AEW Rampage

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Mariah May will have her third AEW match on next week’s Rampage episode. 

As revealed during this week’s show, May will go one-on-one with Anna Jay on the Friday, February 23 Rampage. 

May was featured in a backstage promo segment on this week’s Rampage with Toni Storm in hyping Storm’s feud with Deonna Purrazzo, while Jay faced Queen Aminata on the show. Aminata defeated Jay to earn her first career AEW victory, and AEW officially announced Aminata’s signing after the bout aired. 

May had her AEW in-ring debut on the January 3 Dynamite where she defeated Queen Aminata. Her second AEW bout aired on the January 27 Collision show where she defeated Lady Frost. 

Next week’s Rampage will be taped Wednesday, February 21 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the BOK Center. The show will return to its regular Friday, 10 p.m. Eastern time slot on February 23 after airing at 7 p.m. this week. 

The lineup for the Friday, February 23 Rampage thus far: 

  • Mariah May vs. Anna Jay

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Anna Jay set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new match has been added to Wednesday’s Dynamite.

AEW announced on Tuesday that Anna Jay will take on Deonna Purrazzo. Toni Storm will be on commentary during the match.

Purrazzo officially signed with AEW two weeks ago on January 3, appearing on Dynamite. She confronted Mariah May, asking her to tell Toni Storm that she was coming for her. On this past Saturday’s Collision, Purrazzo made her in-ring debut as an AEW-contracted wrestler, defeating Red Velvet.

Anna Jay is coming off a loss at AEW Battle of the Belts IX, failing to defeat Julia Hart for the TBS Championship. She scored the pin in an eight-woman tag team match that took place on last week’s Dynamite.

The updated lineup for the Wednesday, January 17 Dynamite:

  • AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Hook
  • The Young Bucks speak
  • TNT Champion Christian Cage defends against Dustin Rhodes
  • ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Gates of Agony & Brian Cage defend against The Bang Bang Gang’s Jay White & The Gunns
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Anna Jay

Anna Jay emotionally reflects on AEW Brodie Lee tribute match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Wednesday was an emotional night for Anna Jay.

With AEW returning home to Jacksonville for last night’s Dynamite, two tag matches took place honoring the late Brodie Lee (Jon Huber). The women’s tag match saw Jay, Willow Nightingale, Thunder Rosa & Kris Statlander defeat Skye Blue, Julia Hart, Saraya & Ruby Soho.

Jay and Lee were part of The Dark Order together in AEW. To honor her mentor, Jay submitted Blue to win last night’s match.

AEW uploaded a post-show interview on Thursday with Jay reflecting on what Lee meant to her career.

Yeah, he’s really what started me here in AEW. He was here from the beginning as soon as I was signed at 21, he kind of took me under his wing. I was in The Dark Order to begin with, and he’s somebody who kind of showed me what was right, what was wrong, what to do, what not to do, and really helped me a lot.

Now not having him obviously is really difficult. But tonight really sparked something in me I feel like that I haven’t had since then. He’s somebody who kind of gave me a lot of hope in the beginning. And now recently, I just haven’t really had it. And you know what, I feel like tonight, like I said, kind of sparked that again in me. I feel like I’m ready again.

Jay then got emotional when asked if she thinks Lee would be proud of her.

Oh, goodness. I hope so. Yeah, I hope so, but I think, like I said, tonight kind of has given me that fire again to keep going more where maybe I lost some of it. Though I think now I do want to make him more proud.

Lee passed away at 41 years old in December 2020.

In the other match honoring Lee on last night’s Dynamite, Preston Vance, Adam Copeland, Orange Cassidy & Dustin Rhodes defeated Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, Brian Cage & Lance Archer. Lee’s protege Vance pinned Kaun in that match.

Julia Hart vs. Anna Jay TBS title match added to AEW Battle of the Belts IX

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A TBS Championship match has been added to Battle of the Belts IX.

Champion Julia Hart will defend against Anna Jay following Dynamite, which saw Jay submit Hart’s associate Skye Blue with the Queen Slayer in an eight-person tag team match. The championship match was confirmed later in the show.

The eight-person tag team match was to honor Brodie Lee, who made his debut as The Exalted One of the Dark Order back in 2020. During his short time in AEW, Lee saw both Jay and Preston Vance as his protoges. Vance also won an eight-man tag team match on the show, scoring the win for his team.

In recent weeks, Jay has continued her association with Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, and Daniel Garcia, the remnants of the Jericho Appreciation Society. She last appeared on television on AEW Rampage this month, losing to Hikaru Shida.

Hart last defended the TBS Championship at Worlds End, defeating Abadon.

Here is the updated card for Battle of the Belts IX, which airs live immediately after Collision:

  • AEW Tag Team titles: Big Bill & Ricky Starks defend against Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara
  • TBS Championship: Julia Hart defends against Anna Jay

Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue vs. Anna Jay set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ian Carey

Tony Khan has announced another match for tonight’s Dynamite. 

Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue vs. Anna Jay in a triple threat match is now advertised for the show. 

“Tonight’s Thanksgiving 3 Way fight pits Chicago’s Skye Blue v Anna Jay v Ruby Soho (w/@Saraya) in the midst of Ruby’s saga with Anna’s partner @TheAngeloParker,” Khan wrote on X. 

Angelo Parker’s recent admiration of Soho could be a factor in the match. He will be in the corner of Anna Jay along with Matt Menard on tonight’s show. 

Khan also announced a trios match for tonight with Orange Cassidy, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata facing former JAS members Jake Hager, Angelo Parker, & Matt Menard.

AEW Dynamite on November 22 takes place from Chicago’s Wintrust Arena. According to WrestleTix, 4,329 tickets have been distributed to the show. 

AEW Dynamite November 22 lineup:

  • Continental Classic Gold Group match: Rush vs. Jay White
  • Continental Classic Gold Group match: Swerve Strickland vs. Jay Lethal
  • Continental Classic Gold Group match: Jon Moxley vs. Mark Briscoe
  • Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue vs. Anna Jay
  • Orange Cassidy, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Jake Hager, Angelo Parker, & Matt Menard.
  • Christian Cage rechristens Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne
  • New AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm gives a championship acceptance speech

Mixed trios match agreed to for AEW Rampage Grand Slam

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been set up for AEW Rampage Grand Slam. 

Following the conclusion of Collision on Saturday night, AEW posted footage of Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, and Anna Jay confronting Hook, Orange Cassidy, and Kris Statlander in the locker room. The segment ended with the former Jericho Appreciation Society members issuing a challenge for Rampage Grand Slam. 

“I’m reading the situation. I think they want a taste,” Parker says in the video. “How about the three of you meet us in the ring, Rampage Grand Slam?”

AEW has yet to officially confirm the match. 

Rampage Grand Slam will be a two-hour show taped on Wednesday, September 20 from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queen’s, New York. It will air on Friday, September 22 on TNT. Three matches are officially confirmed for the show. 

AEW Rampage Grand Slam 2023 announced lineup:

  • ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony) defend against The Elite (The Young Bucks & Hangman Page)
  • AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn defend against Dark Order (Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver)
  • Darby Allin & Sting vs. Luchasaurus and Christian Cage

Hikaru Shida vs. Anna Jay Women’s title match added to AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

A week after regaining the AEW Women’s title, Hikaru Shida will defend the championship against Anna Jay on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

Shida defeated Toni Storm this past Wednesday on Dynamite to kick off her second reign with the title. Shida and Jay first wrestled back at the pandemic tapings in Norcross, Georgia, in April 2020. When Shida was champion later that year, she successfully defended the title against Jay.

After Matt Menard demanded it Wednesday, the Jericho Appreciation Society will officially have a mandatory meeting. Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia Wednesday after Don Callis hit Garcia with a bat, leading to a Jericho pin. Because of that, the group will meet in an attempt to air out their issues.

Here’s the current card that is set for Columbus, Ohio:

  • AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida defends against Anna Jay
  • Jericho Appreciation Society mandatory meeting
  • The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
  • MJF & Adam Cole appearance
  • Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli) vs. Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix)
  • FTW Champion Jack Perry defends against Rob Van Dam

Kris Statlander vs. Anna Jay TBS title match set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

TBS Champion Kris Statlander will continue her very active early title reign with a defense against Anna Jay A.S. on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

This will be Statlander’s fourth title defense in less than two weeks after making her surprise return at Double or Nothing where she defeated Jade Cargill for the belt.

Statlander successfully defended against Jay at an AEW House Rules show in Tupelo, MS, this past weekend. Jay demanded a rematch as part of Statlander’s open challenge policy and it was accepted.

Here’s the current lineup for Colorado Springs, Colorado:

  • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Swerve Strickland
  • Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) vs. CHAOS (Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero & Chuck Taylor)
  • TBS Champion Kris Statlander defends against Anna Jay A.S.
  • Jay White vs. Ricky Starks [Juice Robinson & FTR banned from ringside]
  • MJF promo
  • JungleHook (Jack Perry & Hook) vs. Preston Vance & Dralistico in a Texas Tornado match

Fight Game: Cody Rhodes avoids the consolation WWE title for now, Omega vs. Moxley

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.

We kicked off the show by talking about the rumored AEW TV deal extension. 

We then went to our thumbs up/thumbs down segment talking about Cody Rhodes, Trish Stratus, WWE Backlash, and the Julia Hart vs. Anna Jay match from AEW Dynamite.

We then moved onto our big picture look at Dynamite and discussed the following:

  • Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley and the angle with Don Callis
  • The possibility of the new TV show having some of the previously disgruntled wrestlers on it
  • The video packages highlighting the four-way AEW World title match
  • The tag team title angle with Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, FTR, and Mark Briscoe
  • How Chris Jericho’s Adam Cole problem leads to a match with Roderick Strong

You can subscribe to The Fight Game Podcast on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify or click below to listen.

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Bullet Club Gold vs. Ricky Starks & Shawn Spears set for AEW Rampage

Posted on by Josh Nason

The Bullet Club Gold duo of Jay White and Juice Robinson will take on recent rivals Ricky Starks and Shawn Spears on this Friday’s AEW Rampage.

The show will start at 5:30 PM Eastern due to the NHL playoffs on TNT.

White made his return to AEW as an official roster member several weeks ago, attacking Starks as he was set to face Robinson. Last Wednesday, Starks came to Spears’ aid as Robinson and White gave him a beatdown following White’s win over Komander.

After Jeff Jarrett defeated Dax Harwood Wednesday, a battle of their respective teammates is on tap as FTR’s Cash Wheeler takes on Jay Lethal.

Anna Jay A.S. will go one-on-one with Ashley D’Amboise.

Promos from The Acclaimed and The Outcasts (Toni Storm, Ruby Soho & Saraya) will also be on the show.

The new additions join the previously announced match featuring Naturally Limitless (Keith Lee & Dustin Rhodes) against opponents to be named.

Here’s the lineup being taped after Wednesday’s Dynamite:

  • Ricky Starks & Shawn Spears vs. Bullet Club Gold (Jay White & Juice Robinson)
  • Cash Wheeler vs. Jay Lethal
  • Anna Jay vs. Ashley D’Amboise
  • Naturally Limitless (Dustin Rhodes & Keith Lee) vs. TBA
  • The Acclaimed promo
  • The Outcasts promo

Wrestling Weekly: A talk with Nigel McGuinness

Posted on by Victor Sosa

It’s Friday and that means it’s time for a special edition of Wrestling Weekly with myself and Les Thatcher.

We lean on Les’ background as a wrestler and a trainer to speak about the Britt Baker vs. Anna Jay A.S. match at last weekend’s AEW House Rules.

We also discuss the AEW Dynamite main event between Kenny Omega and Vikingo that had everyone talking, the show closing segment from WWE Raw, and a special run in from Nigel McGuinness as he prepares for a very special show next week.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

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