Beginning her career in the early 2000s, Kanellis recently revealed that women with children were not supposed to talk about them.
Speaking to Wrestling Life Online, Kanellis opened up and shared the major difference between today’s women’s wrestling and the time she started.
“When I first started, if you had a kid, you were quiet about it. You didn’t talk about it. You didn’t talk about your children and bless the women that did because that schedule way back when was so much harder than what I left wrestling and You used to be on the road four or five days a week, and at the time there was no FaceTime. So you were leaving your baby at home.“
Discussing the evolution in women’s wrestling, she further continued, “You didn’t have the opportunities that you do now, as far as FaceTime and being able to connect on the phone. A lot of times, if you went internationally, you didn’t talk to anybody back home. There was no way. So the women that were able to have children back then and kept it quiet, they had to be strong women.”
WWE officially announced tonight that their first-ever pay-per-view event to only feature female talent, Evolution, is set to take place this fall.
Stephanie McMahon, along with Triple H and Vince McMahon, made the announcement tonight at the start of Monday Night Raw in front of both rosters. After giving a speech that praised the progress made by female wrestlers over the last several years, McMahon made the announcement. Women from all of WWE’s brands, including Raw, SmackDown, NXT and NXT UK will be part of the show. There will be title matches from each of those brands.
An ESPN article that came out shortly after the announcement said that women from the past, specifically Trish Stratus and Lita, would be part of the event. The finals of the second Mae Young Classic, which is set to tape next month, will also be held at Evolution.
The show will take place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on October 28.
Submitted by reader Martin Bentley from Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago, IL.
– Rhia O’Reilly b. Kimber Lee
– Leva Bates (formerly NXT’s Blue Pants) b. Angel Dust
– Melanie Cruise b. Shotzi Blackheart
– Hudson Envy b. Xandra Bale
– Cat Power b. Nixon Newell
– Tessa Blanchard (w/Vanessa Kraven) b. Jessicka Havok
– Tag Team Champions Team Slap Happy (Evie & Heidi Lovelace) BE. Flying High #WDSS (Kay Lee Ray & Mia Yim) to retain
– Vanessa Kraven (w/Tessa Blanchard) b. Candice LeRae
– Mickie James b. Nicole Matthews
– The Aussie Squad (Kellie Skater & Shazza McKenzie) b. Trifecta (Mercedes Martinez & Shayna Baszler) (w/Nicole Savoy)
– Kellie Skater pinned SHIMMER Champion Mercedes Martinez in a non-title match to earn a title shot at SHIMMER 87 Saturday.
Notes:
– Christina Von Eerie returned to SHIMMER after several events away, and assisted Hudson Envy in attacking BaleSpin (KC Spinelli and Xandra Bale).
– Cat Power returned to SHIMMER after a prolonged absence, including an extended stay in Japan.
– Saraya Knight got involved in the James/Matthews match to prevent Matthews from using James’ belt as a weapon, leading to James getting the win.
– In addition to the title match, Saturday’s show will feature LuFisto vs. Dulce Garcia, formerly known as Sexy Star from AAA and Lucha Underground. Taeler Hendrix is also scheduled to debut.
World Wonder Ring Stardom, the women’s wrestling promotion in Japan more commonly known as Stardom, determined the finalists for their annual singles tournament at a recent show in Tokyo.
The Five Star (stylized as “5☆”) Grand Prix tournament began in late August and wraps up later this week with American Tessa Blanchard and Japanese native Yoko Bito meeting in the finals after winning their respective blocks.
Similar to the annual G1 Climax in NJPW, the yearly Five Star Grand Prix is a round-robin style tournament divided into two blocks. Seven wrestlers in each block combine for fourteen entrants overall. Unlike the designation of the “A” and “B” blocks of the G1, Stardom’s Grand Prix has a “Red” and “Blue” block.
Matches from both blocks appear on the same Stardom cards, unlike with G1 shows. A points system determines the winner of each block. All tournament matches have 15 minute time limits except for the championship final having a 30 minute time limit.
The final card for the tournament takes place on 9/22 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo with Blanchard vs. Bito to determine the Grand Prix winner. Also on that card, Kay Lee Ray challenges Io Shirai for the World of Stardom title.
Heading into the finals, the last round of tournament matches from the 9/11 card in Tokyo are now available on Stardom World.
The last stop before the finals took place at Shinkiba 1st Ring. The venue is famous for hosting various promotions and indie shows in Japan. Shinkiba 1st Ring is also the original venue for Stardom, hosting its inaugural event in 2011 and once serving as its dojo where many of the promotion’s early stars trained. Stardom returned there once again for this show.
In pre-match promos, Blanchard arrogantly claimed Arisu was lucky to have her as a partner. Tessa also vowed to somehow be in the tourney final. Arisu just wanted to win a match over Eimi. Same for Eimi, as she just wanted to win too. Blue Nikita said she had no idea what Eimi said but she agreed with her.
This was two younger wrestlers each teaming with an established star. Blanchard and Nikita would do more intricate spots and moves, whereas Arisu and Eimi did simpler things.
When Arisu squared off against Nikita, she had no luck at first but did get a near fall moments later. Blanchard was squaring off with Eimi and Emi got a near fall. Blanchard eventually dispatched Eimi with a combination finisher where she applied a choke and fell back into a codebreaker of sorts.
Nikita attacked her partner, Eimi, afterwards and Blanchard made the save.
Natsumi Maki defeated Hiromi Mimura in a Blue block match
This match determined last place in the tournament. Both had zero points coming into this match, and a determined Maki vowed to beat Mimura in a pre-match promo. She concluded by saying, “I’ll do my best!” That statement was a constant theme echoed throughout the show.
In her promo, Mimura said she would be known as the “Actress Killer” after this night. Mimura previously won a match over Mika using a la magistral cradle. That would play a part in a false finish during this match.
Image: Natsumi Maki sailing through the air in Shinkiba.
Mimura played the role of antagonist and Maki was the protagonist fighting from underneath. Mimura went for the la magistral cradle and Maki kicked out at two. Maki countered with a nearfall following a swinging fisherman’s buster with a bridge. Maki also did a flying crossbody off the top for a nearfall. Mimura went for a flying crossbody and Maki floated over to cover Mimura for the pinfall.
In losing, Mimura finds herself last place the tournament standings. She refused to shake Maki’s hand afterwards even, though Mimura did respectfully bow to the crowd.
Momo Watanabe defeated Jungle Kyona in a Red block match
The backstory here is they are tag team partners. Before the match, Momo said because they knew each other so well as friends they will make great rivals. She also said, “I’ll do my best!”
Jungle said in a promo she was looking to get back a win after losing to Momo on another promotion’s show.
What started out as catch-as-catch can soon turned into heated exchanges with kicks and strikes. Jungle charged down the entrance ramp to deliver a lariat with Momo tangled in the ropes. Jungle applied Jesse Ventura’s Body Breaker, but Momo escaped to hit a missile dropkick. They traded near falls. Jungle missed a splash off the top and Momo used a running somato into a cover. Jungle grabbed the ropes to break up the pin. Momo then jumped off the top with flying somato and covered Jungle to win.
Io Shirai vs. Kris Wolf ended with a double countout in a Red block match
Shirai is the current ace in Stardom, similar to Hiroshi Tanahashi in NJPW. She needed a win here to advance to the finals. Wolf played spoiler and purposely got them both counted out. The match was heated and opened just like Chas Shelly vs. Maximo Blanco from UFC Fight Night last Saturday, except this bout went much longer.
Sharai with a running start charged towards Wolf and dropkicked her right as the bell sounded. The match only got wilder from there as Wolf turned it into a brawl, channeling the spirit of Bruiser Brody. She hit Sharai with a sign. Back in the ring, Wolf applied a Black Widow but Sharai countered into a tombstone followed by a crossface.
Blue Nikita interfered in the match several times as she kept attacking Sharai. After a springboard into a missile dropkick and a delayed German suplex, Sharai got the closest nearfall of the match before it broke down into a brawl.
They brawled outside the building, with Wolf pummeling Sharai then running back inside and locking the door behind her. Sharai tried running to another door but Wolf kept her from breaking the count, costing Sharai the match and keeping her from winning the Red block. Therefore, Blanchard won the Red block and advances to the finals.
Toni Storm vs. Mayu Iwatani ended with a double knockout in a Blue block match
Storm needed a win to advance while Iwatani admitted she had no chance of qualifying for the finals. Still, Iwatani said she wanted to finish the tournament with a win and vowed, “I’ll do my best!”
During the match, Storm was dominating until she leapt off the top and missed a flying legdrop. Iwatani fired up, leading to a flying crossbody off the top to the floor. A slugfest developed. Storm delivered Kryptonite Krunch. Iwatani countered with a full-nelson suplex. Both were down and neither could answer the ten count for a double TKO.
Blue Nikita entered the scene to challenge Storm to a match for Storm’s SWA undisputed title. Nikita had beaten her in a match during the tournament. An angry Storm accepted the challenge and their title match is set for the 9/22 card at Korakuen.
Yoko Bito defeated Kay Lee Ray to win the Blue block and advance to the finals
Heading into this match, KLR had nine points while Bito had seven points, so Bito needed a win here to gain two more points for a tie with KLR. Bito would then advance because she would also have a win here over KLR for the tiebreaker.
Bito proclaimed, “I’ll do my best!”
They started with chain wrestling and grappling that led into them exchanging strikes and hard kicks in a match with all action. They went back to mat work later on as the match progressed with Bito working a leg. KLR took over to get a near fall. KLR did a tope suicida and followed that with a senton off the top rope to the floor. Bito superplexed KLR back into the ring where they traded near falls. KLR executed a shining wizard and went for a senton bomb off the top. Bito got her knees up to block it. Moments later, Bito hit a roundhouse kick and covered KLR for the pin.
Bito advances from the Blue block to meet Tessa Blanchard from the Red block in the finals of the 2016 Five Star Grand Prix.
Submitted by Craig Russell from The Orpheum in Ybor City, FL
Rob Naylor and Leva Bates are on commentary.
Lexie Fyfe comes out with the their version of the Money In The Bank briefcase first. During the ring entrances, Mia Yim comes out still mocking Leva Bates’ “Blue Pants” character, and is bandaged up and on crutches to further mock Leva’s current injury. Lexie announces that Ivelisse is cleared to wrestle, and she is put into this match, turning it into a 5 way for the briefcase. Elimination match rules.
Money In The Bank Women’s Match: Kellie Skater vs. Mia Yim vs. Santana vs. Nicole Matthews vs Ivelisse
Yim goes outside the ring, is distracted by Bates, and is counted out; Skater eliminated by Santana via Shining Star Press; Santana eliminated by Matthews via roll up and a handful of tights; Ivelisse pins Matthews with a Snap DDT and wins the briefcase.
Maria Maria & Luscious Latasha vs. Rhia O’Reilly & Viper
Viper performs a corner splash on Latasha. Maria then performs a cross body on Viper and rolls out of the ring. Latasha is still the legal woman and falls on Viper and pins her, so her winning streak is still intact. Viper is over already and the crowd liked her a lot.
Kellyanne vs. Chelsea Green
Kellyanne with a backpack stunner on Chelsea for the pin. Solid match from both of them.
SHINE Tag Team Champions Better Than You (BTY) of Marti Belle & Jayme Jameson vs. Evie & Shazza McKenzie
Jameson hits her “Double D” (spinning side slam) move on Evie for the pin, so BTY retain. Good match where Shazza was the underdog and played for the hot tag to Evie.
Tessa Blanchard vs. Rachael Ellering
TKO by Ellering on Blanchard for the pin which sets up their rubber match. Another good match from both of them. Ellering has gotten better since their first match and looked good in the ring again. After the match, Su Yung runs out to attack Ellering with Blanchard, and as they are taking her to the back, Kay Lee Ray jumps off the stage onto them all and ends up facing Blanchard in the ring. Ray slaps Blanchard before Yung attacks her from behind which leads to the next match. Ellering fights Blanchard to the back while this happens.
Su Yung vs. Kay Lee Ray
Yung hits “The Panic Switch” (spinning Death Valley Driver) on Ray for the pin. Worth the price of admission and possibly match of the night. Lots of back and forth and both women looked sharp. Highlights included a great missile tope by Ray and a dragon screw leg whip into the stairs on Ray by Yung.
SHINE Champion Taylor Made vs. SHIMMER Champion Madison Eagles vs. TNA Knockouts Champion Allysin Kay — Loser drops their title
Ivelisse turns in her briefcase, and the match becomes a 4 way title match. First pinfall wins the match. Good match, lots of moves and great energy by all four women. Ivelisse taps out Made with a leg lock/inverted cloverleaf finisher and Ivelisse is the new SHINE champion.
– Attendance was roughly 500 fans from Eddie Deen’s Ranch, Dallas Texas
12 Woman Tournament to crown the first “Heart Of Shimmer” Champion
1st round
– Cheerleader Melissa b Leva Bates with a Kudo Driver. Bates was cosplaying from the Kingdom Hearts video game series
– Candice LaRae b Cherry Bomb when LeRae crucifixed Cherry Bomb’s pin attempt and reversed it into a pin of her own.
– Nicole Savoy b LuFisto with the Savoy Lock with a Sambo lock submission.
– Kimber Lee b Jessicka Havok with a roll up after Cherry Bomb interfered with a Roll Up (with a handful of tights) after Cherry Bomb comes out to distract Havok.
– Heidi Lovelace b Veda Scott with a Senton Bomb off the top rope.
– Nicole Matthews b Crazy Mary Dobson with The Vancouver Maneuver.
2nd round
– Candice LaRae b Cheerleader Melissa with three “Family Show Plexes” in a row. The “Family Show Plex” is what Amber Gertner called the move on the show. The move itself is the “Ball Plex” used by Joey Ryan, but that name could not be used for obvious reasons.
– Nicole Savoy b Kimber Lee with the Cross Arm Breaker.
– Heidi Lovelace b Nicole Matthews with a Senton Bomb off the top rope.
– Lenny Leonard interviewed Shayna Baszler. She said she would start at SHIMMER 81 on June 24.
Finals
– Nicole Savoy b Heidi Lovelace & Candice LaRae to win the Heart title. She first eliminated LaRae with the Savoy Lock. Heidi hit her Senton Bomb with which she won her two matches but Savoy kicked out at 2. Savoy won with her Savoy Lock. Good match.
– Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke were in attendance for the show. Bayley was also there. They announced that SHIMMER 81-85 were going to be taped from June 24 to June 26 in the Chicago area.
– Candice LaRae was probably the star of the show with very good matches against both Cherry Bomb and Cheerleader Melissa, plus the main event. Heidi Lovelace has improved so much from the last time I saw her. She’s very very solid in the ring. LuFisto vs Savoy was also one of the best matches on the card.
Submitted by Craig Russell | The Orpheum, Ybor City, FLA
Maria Maria over at Kennadi Brinks
Maria won via a bridging roll up.
Barbie Hayden over Leah Vaughan
Spear on the apron on Vaughan by Hayden then a pin by Hayden with her feet on the ropes.
Andrea w/ April Hunter over Tracy Taylor
Andrea hit her running death valley driver after Hunter distracted Taylor.
Luscious Latasha over Mia Yim via countout
End came when Leva Bates’ masked “groupies” came out and made Mia run to the back. Mia completely trolled “Blue Pants” Bates the entire time from wearing blue pants to using Leva’s moveset and mocking Leva’s thumbs up gesture.
NWA Women’s Champion Amber Gallows over Thunderkitty
Gallows won with a bridging backslide pin after Malia Hosaka hits Thunderkitty with a steel chair while the ref was distracted. Hosaka continued to attack Thunderkitty after the match.
Crazy Mary Dobson over Su Yung w/ April Hunter
Allysin Kay distracted Yung and Hunter at ringside by taking away Yung’s kendo stick. Dobson pinned Yung after coming over the top rope (some kind of suplex or a split legged moonsault perhaps, the camera man did not catch it cleanly).
SHINE Tag Team Champions Better Than You (Jamye Jameson and Marti Belle) w/ April Hunter beat Ivelisse and Amanda Rodriguez w/ La Rosa Negra
Champs retained when Hunter attacked Negra, Ivelisse got distracted, and Better Than You hit a combination spinning side slam and splash on Amanda Rodriguez for the pin.
Jessica Havok vs Vanessa Kraven – Double DQ
Both ladies were DQ after they killed refs three times and then had a pull apart brawl afterward.
SHINE Champion Taylor Made over Kimber Lee
End came when Lee tried to hit her finisher but Taylor hits/chops Lee in the throat and then hit an Ace Crusher for the clean pin.
After the match, Valkyrie ganged up on Kimber Lee; Ivelisse, Amanda Rodriguez, and La Rosa Negra made the save. Ivelisse announces that she gets the next title shot against Taylor Made at Mercury Rising in Dallas on Wrestlemania Weekend.
