Tag: Gisele Shaw

Tag match added to Impact Slammiversary pre-show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Impact Wrestling has added a new match to the lineup for Slammiversary 2023.

On the pre-show for Slammiversary, The Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka) will team up with Jody Threat against Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans & Jai Vidal. The pre-show streams for free on Impact Plus, YouTube, and Fite TV starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time this Saturday.

This is the second match that’s been confirmed for the pre-show. It will also feature a Digital Media Championship match with Joe Hendry defending against Kenny King.

St. Clair College Sportsplex in Windsor, Ontario, Canada is hosting Slammiversary. There have now been 10 matches announced for the event. The updated lineup is listed below:

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary 2023 (Saturday, July 15) —

  • Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Nick Aldis
  • Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Trinity
  • X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against Lio Rush
  • Impact Tag Team Champions ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) defend against Sami Callihan & Rich Swann, Brian Myers & Moose, and Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) in a four-way match
  • Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) defend against Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
  • Bully Ray & Deaner vs. Scott D’Amore & TBA with former NHL player Darren McCarty as special enforcer (PCO’s status for the match is in question following an angle on last week’s Impact)
  • Ultimate X match: Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Angels vs. Kevin Knight vs. KUSHIDA
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Eddie Edwards
  • Countdown to Slammiversary: Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry defends against Kenny King
  • Countdown to Slammiversary: The Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka) & Jody Threat vs. Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans & Jai Vidal

Alex Shelley vs. Steve Maclin World title rematch set for Impact Down Under

Posted on by Josh Nason

Two title matches have been announced for Impact Wrestling’s Down Under tour in Australia, both events of which will air live as pay-per-views on FITE.

On Friday, June 30th, new Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will defend the title against Steve Maclin in a contractually obligated rematch.

Shelley defeated Maclin at last Friday’s Against All Odds to end Maclin’s near-two month run with the title. 

As of now, Shelley is set to defend against Nick Aldis at next month’s Slammiversary pay-per-view but the result of this match could change that.

On Saturday, July 1st, Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo will defend her title against Gisele Shaw as part of the second event/PPV. These two have battled multiple times over the last year in a variety of matches, splitting two singles matches against each other.

If Shaw is to win the title, she will defend against both Purrazzo and no. 1 contender Trinity at Slammiversary.

Both events will air live at 5 AM Eastern and be available on demand afterward.

Here’s the current lineup for both events from Wagga Wagga, NWS, Australia:

Friday, 6/30:

  • Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Steve Maclin

Saturday, 7/1:

  • Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Gisele Shaw

Trinity vs. Gisele Shaw announced for Impact Under Siege

Posted on by Josh Nason

Trinity’s open challenge for next Friday’s Impact Under Siege streaming special has been answered by Gisele Shaw.

After a backstage confrontation between Trinity and Shaw’s stylist Jai Vidal where Trinity offered up the match, Vidal later confirmed Shaw would take the match. He then tried to slap Trinity who blocked it and kicked him in the head.

The confirmation came after Trinity picked up a victory in her promotional in-ring debut Thursday over KiLynn King — her first match in a year after leaving WWE.

Here’s the current card from London, Ontario, Canada:

  • Impact World Champion Steve Maclin defends against PCO in a no DQ match
  • Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Jordynne Grace (if Grace loses, she can’t challenge for the Knockouts title again while Purrazzo is champion)
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Chris Sabin
  • Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin defend against Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster (w/ Dani Luna)
  • Impact World Championship number one contender’s match: Eddie Edwards vs. Moose vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Yuya Uemura vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Alex Shelley
  • Nick Aldis vs. Kenny King
  • The Design (Deaner, Kon & Angels) vs. Sami Callihan, Rich Swann & a mystery partner
  • Trinity vs. Gisele Shaw

Impact Wrestling, WrestleCon issue statements on Gisele Shaw/Rick Steiner incident

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update: Impact Wrestling has also issued a statement on the incident:

IMPACT Wrestling stands in full support of @GiseleShaw08 and the LGBTQ+ community. We are saddened by the incident Friday afternoon at Wrestlecon in Los Angeles and hope everyone can learn and be better from it. Thank you to the millions worldwide who have read Gisele’s statement and showed full support for her. Particular thanks go to the organizing staff of Wrestlecon as well as the IMPACT roster and crew who all handled an ugly situation with the utmost professionalism.

**********

WrestleCon has issued a statement on the incident between Gisele Shaw and Rick Steiner that took place at their convention.

“WrestleCon regrets the events that took place at yesterday’s convention and apologizes to Gisele Shaw,” WrestleCon wrote on Saturday. “We aim to promote a safe and inclusive environment for all LGBTQAI+ members of the wrestling community. The issue has been addressed and we hope the remainder of the convention can be a positive experience for all.”

PWInsider reports that Steiner was informed that he was not allowed to enter or take part in the remainder of WrestleCon’s events.

In a social media post on Friday, Shaw alleged that she was verbally accosted by Steiner at WrestleCon. Shaw, who came out as transgender in 2022, stated that Steiner called her “a dude,” “filth,” “a piece of trash,” and told her to “get the f*ck away from here.”

Shaw also stated that one of her Impact Wrestling peers was called a homophobic slur by Steiner.

“I want to thank all of my Impact peers who were present during the incident and tried to diffuse the situation,” Shaw wrote. “Unfortunately a member of that same peer group was also verbally accosted by Rick Steiner being called a ‘f****t’ earlier in the day.”

Impact Wrestling referee Daniel Spencer backed up Shaw’s account of the incident. “My heart breaks for Gisele and our [other] peer,” Spencer tweeted. “To witness it happen was shocking and disturbing. Respect and love is something we have at IMPACT because we are FAMILY. I’m so grateful for the support we have for one another.”

Steiner is currently a member of the Cherokee County School District’s Board of Education in Cherokee County, Georgia.

Impact’s Gisele Shaw says she was verbally accosted by Rick Steiner

Posted on by Ethan Renner

In a social media post, Impact Wrestling’s Gisele Shaw has accused Rick Steiner of verbally accosting her.

Shaw tweeted the accusation against Steiner, who she says repeatedly accosted her at WrestleCon on Friday, calling her “a dude,” “filth,” “a piece of trash,” and told her to “get the f*ck away from here.” Shaw also says that Steiner referred to another Impact talent by using a slur. 

Shaw says that the incident took place in front of other wrestling legends who did nothing to intervene. She says that she is publicly acknowledging the incident not looking for sympathy, but because Friday was the International Day of Transgender Visibility, and that she is standing up for herself and others who face the same types of situations daily. Shaw is a transgender woman.

Impact referee Daniel Spencer corroborated Shaw’s account of the incident, and said that it was “shocking and disturbing,” while expressing support for Shaw and their unnamed Impact peer.

Shaw thanked her Impact Wrestling peers for trying to diffuse the situation with Steiner, and referred to the peers as family.  

Steiner was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022, and is the father of WWE WWE NXT Champion Bron Breakker. Steiner is a real estate broker in Woodstock, Georgia, and a member of Cherokee County School District’s Board of Education, according to their website. 

Shaw tweeted: 

I have been bullied all my life and have never stood up for myself because I’m scared that I would get beat up physically, mentally, or emotionally. The bullies in my life have always silenced me, but that ends today!

I was at an autograph signing today at Wrestlecon and while I was walking to my table, I hear someone yelling “you’re a man,” “you’re a dude,” you’re a piece of trash,” You are filth,” “get the f*ck away from here.”

I kept my head down and kept walking as I did not want to acknowledge that hate. When I arrived at my table, I spoke to another Impact Wrestling talent who was at the signing with me and mentioned the incident. It didn’t sit well with me and I wanted to know who was saying that because it’s unacceptable, so I decided to take a walk in that area and I hear that same person saying the same derogatory comments.

I looked at the person and it was Rick Steiner saying those statements. I was shocked and could not believe that this was even happening. To have someone saying those comments who a lot of people look up to and consider their hero was quite shocking and disheartening.

I was in disbelief so I asked him, “excuse me?!” He kept repeating those hateful phrases and started yelling at me in a public setting. It was inexcusable and unacceptable!

Another disappointing part about this whole thing was that there were other wrestling legends who just sat there, turned their heads away, did not want to get involved, or stand up for what’s right because it involved “one of the boys.” Judging from that experience, it was more important for them to watch something wrong go down as [opposed] to standing up for someone who’s being bullied and doing what’s right.

I am not writing this because I want sympathy. I am writing this because I am done being bullied to silence. Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility and I am standing up for myself and for other people who go through the exact same situation on a daily basis.

I want everyone to know what kind of a deplorable person Rick Steiner is and that this cannot be tolerated. This keeps happening because people let it slide and do not take any action. If you do business with these [types] of people then I will not do business with you.

I want to thank all of my Impact peers who were present during the incident and tried to diffuse the situation. Unfortunately a member of that same peer group was also verbally accosted by Rick Steiner being called a “f****t” earlier in the day.

I am very fortunate to be working alongside such incredible people in a company that has no room for hate, bullying or judgment. We’re not just co-workers, but a family.

Spencer tweeted: 

My heart breaks for Gisele and our another peer. To witness it happen was shocking and disturbing. Respect and love is something we have at IMPACT because we are FAMILY. I’m so grateful for the support we have for one another.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Gisele Shaw added to Impact Sacrifice

Posted on by Josh Nason

A week before they get an opportunity to win the Knockouts title in a four-way, Deonna Purrazzo will rematch Gisele Shaw as part of Impact Sacrifice.

The two will meet on the streaming special, set for Friday, March 24th from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. They squared off at February’s No Surrender with Shaw picking up the victory with help from Jai Vidal and Savannah Evans.

Purrazzo is a former two-time Knockouts Champion and has been unsuccessful at regaining the title she lost in October 2021. Shaw herself was recently unsuccessful in unseating current champion Mickie James.

James will defend her title six days after Sacrifice at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United in a four-way that includes Purrazzo, Shaw and Miyu Yamashita. However, James must turn back the challenge of former champion Jordynne Grace at Sacrifice first.

Here’s the current lineup:

  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander, Rich Swann & Frankie Kazarian vs. Time Machine (KUSHIDA & Motor City Machine Guns)
  • Knockouts Champion Mickie James defends against Jordynne Grace
  • Tommy Dreamer vs. Bully Ray Busted Open match
  • X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against TBA
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Gisele Shaw

Jai Vidal becomes first openly gay man to sign Impact Wrestling contract

Posted on by Josh Nason

Jai Vidal has become the first openly gay man to sign a contract with Impact Wrestling.

Vidal revealed the news during a podcast appearance on OutSports’ LGBT In The Ring, saying he signed a multi-year deal with the company and learning about how he made company history on the morning the podcast was recorded.

“It’s knocking down barriers and everything that I have always wanted to do for my community in professional wrestling. I talk about this a lot, but growing up, I had nobody to look up to when it came to representation,” he said. “To know that maybe one day down the line somebody will see me on TV and will be inspired by me being openly gay, it will inspire them to chase whatever goals and dreams they have as an open person in the LGBTQ community.”

The 25-year-old debuted for Impact in October 2021, losing to Eric Young and JONAH in a pair of TV matches. In recent weeks, he has re-emerged as the content creator and personal stylist for Gisele Shaw. While he has been on screen with Shaw, he has yet to get back into the ring for Impact.

Shaw is also a trailblazer for the company, coming out as transgender this past June.

Vidal works regularly on the indies, appearing for GCW, Florida’s CCW, Las Vegas’ Future Stars of Wrestling and PCW, where he is their Ultralight Champion.

Impact Wrestling’s Gisele Shaw comes out as transgender

Posted on by Ian Carey

Gisele Shaw has come out as transgender. 

She opened up recently in interviews with the San Francisco Chronicle and Breakfast Television in Toronto. 

“There is really no perfect time to be coming out,” Shaw told The Chronicle. “It’s my journey. Now just felt right for me.”

“Today I’m fully living my life to the fullest, truly, authentic, freely and I am a transgender and I’m very proud,” she said on Breakfast Television.

Shaw is a seven-year pro and is currently performing in Impact Wrestling. She was trained by Lance Storm and has won titles for RevPro, Pro-Wrestling EVE, and Progress. 

“People are going to have opinions, but whatever they say, it doesn’t define who I am,” Shaw continued. “I know who I am and I am true to myself.”

She also spoke about the support she has received from her sisters.

“Coming from an Asian background, being the oldest, there was an unsaid rule, the expectation was that I would carry the family name, that I would set an example, that I would take care of my sisters. There was a lot of pressure from my parents to be great,” Shaw said. “My sisters were so important, asking ‘How can you feel like you have failed as a parent? Gisele gets to live her dream. If you want us to look up to someone, why not someone living their dream and being the best version of themselves?’ That was an eye-opener for my parents.”

Shaw will be speaking at the Trans Rally & March in Toronto on Friday and attending the Pride Parade on Saturday. 

Executive Vice President of Impact Wrestling Scott D’Amore also spoke to the Chronicle.  

“Gisele Shaw is a woman and a valued member of our roster,” D’Amore wrote, one whose role “will not be affected or in any way changed by her disclosing she’s transgender to the wider public.”

“I think our fans will surprise people who have a stereotypical image of what wrestling fans may be like,” D’Amore continued. “Transphobia is real. We can’t pretend otherwise. … We’ve taken steps to try to ensure Gisele’s social-media timeline doesn’t become a forum for hatefulness.”

The chronicle also spoke to current Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace. 

“I can have greats matches with Gisele and, yes, we have that mutual trust and respect. As her friend, I’m excited for Gisele to be able to inspire people with her story,” Grace said. 

Shaw is currently scheduled to face Rosemary on next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling. 

Battle royal for Knockouts title shot set for Impact

Posted on by Ian Carey

Impact Wrestling has announced a battle royal for Thursday’s show. 

The match will determine a new number one contender for the Knockouts World Championship. 

Participants include Jordynne Grace, Jessie McKay, Havok, Alisha Edwards, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, Rosemary, Lady Frost, Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood. 

The current title-holder, Tasha Steelz, defeated Mickie James to win the belt at Sacrifice on March 5. She then successfully retained it in a rematch against James on last week’s show. 

Thursday’s episode was filmed on March 18 from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The updated lineup is as follows: 

  • Bullet Club (Chris Bey & Jay White) vs. Motor City Machine Guns
  • ROH Champion Jonathan Gresham vs. Kenny King in a non-title match
  • Josh Alexander vs. Madman Fulton
  • Johnny Swinger’s Chump-Chump Challenge
  • Jordynne Grace, Jessie McKay, Havok, Alisha Edwards, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, Rosemary, Lady Frost, Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood in a battle royal to determine the number one contender to the Knockouts Championship. 

Gisele Shaw vs. Lady Frost added to Impact Sacrifice pre-show

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A new match has been added to the pre-show for Saturday’s Impact Wrestling Sacrifice event. 

Gisele Shaw will face Lady Frost on the Countdown to Sacrifice. The match was made official during tonight’s go-home episode of Impact. 

Shaw interrupted an interview with Deonna Purrazzo, seemingly indicating her intentions to answer Purrazzo’s Champ Champ Challenge at Sacrifice. Instead, Lady Frost approached and said that she had gone to Impact management and secured a match against Shaw for Sacrifice. 

In a prior meeting between the two, Shaw defeated Lady Frost on the February 17 Impact episode. 

The lineup for Sacrifice: 

Impact Wrestling Sacrifice, Saturday, March 5, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Impact Plus & FITE TV —

  • Impact World Championship: Moose (c) vs. Heath
  • Impact Knockouts World Championship: Mickie James (c) vs. Tasha Steelz
  • Impact World Tag Team Championship: The Good Brothers (c) vs. Violent By Design
  • Impact X Division Championship: Trey Miguel (c) vs. Jake Something
  • Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship: The IInspiration (c) vs. The Influence
  • Champ Champ Challenge: ROH Women’s World Champion & AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs. TBD
  • Eddie Edwards vs. Rhino
  • Jay White vs. Alex Shelley
  • JONAH vs. PCO
  • Pre-show match: Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs. Mike Bennett & Matt Taven
  • Pre-show match: Gisele Shaw vs. Lady Frost