WWE Money In The Bank gears up for Las Vegas. Taya Valkyrie captures the XPW Women’s Championship. Gisele Shaw shares her pride story, and much more. Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Women’s Money In The Bank Preview
WWE Money in the Bank is right around the corner, including three high-stakes matchups on the card.
As of last night on Monday Night RAW, all seven competitors in the annual Money in the Bank ladder match have been confirmed. In the main event, Becky Lynch emerged victorious, clinching the win in a six pack challenge elimination match. There, Lynch took on Doudrop, Xia Li, Tamina, Nikki A.S.H. and Shayna Baszler in a last chance effort to qualify for Money in the Bank this Saturday. Each competitor has previously lost their respective qualifying matchup, but received an opportunity to claim the seventh and final slot in the 2022 Women’s Money in the Bank match.
A.S.H. emerged victorious in last year’s Money in the Bank match, later defeating Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women’s Championship. This year though, her hopes of replicating that achievement were smashed by a Dis-arm-her from Becky Lynch.
Check out a recap of the match and full match eliminations below, courtesy our of live coverage page
ELIMINATION LAST CHANCE MONEY IN THE BANK QUALIFYING MATCH: BECKY LYNCH VS DOUDROP VS. XI LI VS. TAMINA VS. NIKKI A.S.H. VS. SHAYNA BASZLER
Everyone attacks Lynch as soon as the bell rings. Lynch rolls out of the ring. Lynch surprises Li with the Manhandle Slam for the elimination.
Xi Li has been eliminated
Nikki fires up but misses a dive. Lynch traps her in the Disarmher. Nikki taps.
Nikki A.S.H. has been eliminated
After the break, the fight spilled out of the ring. Doudrop body blocks Lynch, Baszler, and Tamina into the barricade. Later, Doudrop takes everyone off the top with a tower of doom. Baszler rolls Tamina into a knee bar. Dourdrop surprises her with the low crossbody for the pin.
Shayna Baszler has been eliminated
Tamina crushes Lynch with a Samoan drop. Lynch rolls out of the way of Tamina’s splash. Lynch rolls out of the ring but gets slammed by Doudrop. Doudrop flattens Lynch with a senton out on the floor. Doudrop hits a modified Vader bomb on Tamina for the pin.
Tamina has been eliminated
Doudrop sets Lynch on the top rope. Lynch hits a Manhandle Slam off the top for the win.
Doudrop has been eliminated
Winner- Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch now joins the field of seven in the 2022 Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match alongside Lacey Evans, Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Shotzi, and Asuka. Of the seven competitors, two have previously won the coveted briefcase. Alexa Bliss pulled off the victory in 2018, while Asuka captured the glory in 2020. In addition, Shotzi and Raquel will be entering their very first Money in the Bank ladder match.
WWE released the following statement on the matchup, slated for Saturday, July 2nd in Las Vegas:
The competition is heating up for the explosive 2022 Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, as seven elite female Superstars will fight through the chaos in a career-altering showdown in the hopes of climbing the ladder and seizing the prized Money in the Bank briefcase, which guarantees the winner a World Championship opportunity whenever and wherever they want.
Lacey Evans heroically returned to SmackDown to overcome Xia Li with the earth-shattering Women’s Right to become the first Superstar to qualify for the matchup during the June 10 edition of SmackDown.
On the following Monday on Raw, Alexa Bliss & Liv Morgan overcame Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. to also qualify for the high-stakes matchup. Blue brand newcomer Raquel Rodriguez followed that up with an earth-shattering victory over Shayna Baszler to become the fourth competitor in the chaotic clash.
Asuka then joined the high stakes free-for-all with a victory over an irate Becky Lynch. Shotzi would be the next competitor to claim her place following an impressive win over Tamina on the blue brand.
On the June 27 edition of Raw, Becky Lynch out battled Doudrop, Nikki A.S.H.,Tamina, Xia Li and Shayna Baszler in an Elimination Match to earn the final spot in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Who will rise above the elite competition in the July 2 free-for-all? Who will rise above the competition, climb the rungs and seize the coveted contract for a guaranteed World Title Match in the next year?
Catch the jaw-dropping Money in the Bank Ladder Match on Saturday, July 2, at 8 ET/5 PT, streaming live exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.
In addition to the Money in the Bank ladder match, both main roster women’s championships will be on the line. Bianca Belair will defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Carmella, while Ronda Rousey will defend the Smackdown Women’s Championship against Natalya.
Rhea Ripley was originally scheduled to face Bianca Belair, but unfortunately will not be medically cleared to compete in time for Money in the Bank. Instead, “The Most Beautiful Woman in WWE” Carmella earned a title opportunity in her place after a Fatal 5-Way Match against Becky Lynch, Asuka, Liv Morgan and Alexa Bliss.
Similarly, Natalya emerged victorious in a six-pack challenge over Raquel Rodriguez, Shotzi, Aliyah, Xia Li and Shayna Baszler a few weeks ago on Smackdown. In turn, “The Queen of Harts” received a title shot against her former friend for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Natalya will now face Ronda Rousey one-on-one this Saturday.
READ MORE: WWE RAW Results (6/27/22)
Taya Valkyrie Collects Her Fourth Title In Three Months, Crowned Inaugural XPW Women’s Champion
XPW Wrestling made history on June 25th by crowning their inaugural XPW Women’s Champion.
In this highly anticipated tournament, eight women battled to be crowned the first-ever XPW Women’s Champion at the company’s “Beautiful Disaster” show. Many notable names from the National Wrestling Alliance, IMPACT Wrestling, and NXT were amongst the crop of talent competing. Four first-round matchups took place to kick off the tournament where the winners would go on to a final fatal four-way ladder match in pursuit of the XPW Women’s Championship.
The following talent officially competed in the tournament:
- Taya Valkyrie
- Kamille
- Chelsea Green
- Sage Sin Supreme
- Steph De Lander
- Deonna Purrazzo
- Lindsay Snow
- Ludark Shaitan
Kamille, Ludark, Sage, and Taya emerged victorious after the first round, then moved on to a brutal fatal four-way ladder match. Blood was shed, tables were broken, but only one ladder was climbed successfully to reach the XPW Women’s Championship. In the end, “La Wera Loca” Taya Valkyrie grabbed hold of the title to make history in becoming the first-ever XPW Women’s Champion.
This victory marks Valkyrie’s fourth championship since the month of April. In total, Valkyrie now holds the AAA Reina De Reinas Championship, the MLW Featherweight Championship, IMPACT Wrestling’s Knockouts Tag Team Championships, and the XPW Women’s Championship. Furthermore, Taya shared some sentiments regarding her string of recent successes.
✨The last seven months have been the hardest I’ve ever worked, the most passionate I’ve ever been and the most fulfilling in my career. Keep going, even when you think it’s all over. The universe always has a plan, even if you can’t see it. @IMPACTWRESTLING @MLW pic.twitter.com/nEUogxnSZ8
— TAYA VALKYRIE (@thetayavalkyrie) June 27, 2022
Full results of XPW Wrestling’s Beautiful Disaster can be read below:
XPW Women’s Championship Tournament First Round Matches:
- Kamille Brickhouse def. Deonna Purrazzo
- Ludark Shaitan def. Lindsay Snow
- Sage Sin Supreme def. Chelsea Green
- Taya Valkyrie def. Steph De Lander
XPW Women’s Championship Tournament Final – Ladder Match
Taya Valkyrie def. Kamille Brickhouse and Ludark Shaitan and Sage Sin Supreme
XPW King Of The Death Matches Championship #1 Contendership Death Match
Alex Colon def. Ciclope
Death Match
MASADA def. Miedo Extremo
XPW King Of The Death Matches Championship
SHLAK (c) def. Big Joe
Taya Valkyrie is the first ever XPW Women’s Champion, La Wera Loca now has 4 belts! #XPWBeautifulDisaster pic.twitter.com/KEEgSCvZyj
— I Gif All The Wrestling (@Aregularindyfan) June 26, 2022
Gisele Shaw Comes Out As Transgender
IMPACT Knockouts Gisele Shaw recently revealed she is a transgender woman.
In speaking with the San Francisco Chronicle, Shaw said that “there is really no perfect time to be coming out. It’s my journey” but now felt like the right time for her to share her story. Furthermore, Gisele appeared on Breakfast Television in Canada to explain that she is “very proud” for staying true to herself during a “super scary” moment of coming out.
“Today I am fully living my life to the fullest, truly authentic, freely and I am transgender, and I’m very proud,” Gisele Shaw admitted. “It’s super scary but I feel like the more that I speak about it, it’s normalized and I just feel more free and just accepting my of my own self and loving my own self. And I think that’s really important.”
In addition, IMPACT Wrestling released the following statement, noting support for Shaw.
IMPACT Wrestling Knockout competitor Gisele Shaw has disclosed she is a transgender woman to the wider public. Shaw, who joined IMPACT’s roster in January of this year, informed IMPACT of her decision several months ago and made the disclosure in a series of interviews today.
IMPACT Wrestling fully supports Gisele, including connecting her with prominent LGBTQ+ resources, including GLAAD and Athlete Ally, and will continue to support her.
IMPACT Wrestling Executive Vice-President Scott D’Amore said: “IMPACT Wrestling has been at the forefront of empowering female performers for over 15 years. Our company believes featuring storylines with women athletes and characters from all different walks of life can not only entertain, but also inspire.
“Inclusiveness and representation are important to IMPACT and parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment, but I’ll also add Gisele is in IMPACT Wrestling because of her wrestling ability, her charisma and because she fits in with our roster. She is in IMPACT Wrestling because she’s one of the best young talents anywhere in the business.”
Reigning IMPACT Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace expressed her whole-hearted support for Shaw’s decision. She said: “As her friend, I’m excited for Gisele to be able to inspire people with her story. I know that is important to her. I’m biased, but I think the trans community has a great role-model in her.”
IMPACT Wrestling Supports Gisele Shaw
IMPACT Wrestling Knockout competitor @GiseleShaw08 has disclosed she is a transgender woman to the wider public.
READ MORE: https://t.co/hZZaMp1yGI pic.twitter.com/nmpos9bJf2
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 24, 2022
Gisele Shaw officially joined the IMPACT Wrestling earlier year. This Thursday she will face one-half of the Knockouts Tag Team Champions Rosemary on IMPACT.
RELATED: Gail Kim Always Had Gisele Shaw In Mind For IMPACT’s Roster, Praises Her Athletic Ability
INTERVIEWS:
Independent star Avery Breaux chatted with A Wrestling Gal to discuss her love of Shawn Michaels, her background in various sports, her experience in dance, her Mardi Gras-inspired gear and holiday traditions, and more.
IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace spoke with Denise Salcedo about her winning the Knockouts Championship for a second time, the first-ever Queen of the Mountain match at Slammiversary, her reinvention and body transformation and more.
Former NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler joined Out of Character with Ryan Satin to discuss: being on SmackDown with Ronda Rousey, the Obi Wan finale, corn soup vending machines and more!
AEW star Kris Statlander spoke with Jaychele Nicole about her feud with Red Velvet, the recent uptick in crowd support, her wearing a knee brace when wrestling, possible dream opponents when stepping through the Forbidden Door, and more.
United Kingdom star Nicole Jasmin appeared on the Scottish Wrestling Network to discuss her journey from a fan to a competitor, admiration for Britt Baker, her official in-ring debut, and more.
ROH Undisputed Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez appeared on Busted Open Radio to talk about what it means to be open about yourself in your life and your career, advising others, and more.
RESULTS
Capital Championship Wrestling: Breaking Point – June 25th
- Capital Cup Semi-Finals: Becca & Riley Shepard defeat The Good Sisters (Lizzy Blair & Payton Blair)
- CCW Network Championship: Vita VonStarr defeated Kayla Sparks (c)
- Capital Cup Finals: Becca & Riley Shepard defeat Dangerous But Fun (Gabby Gilbert & Valentina Vazquez)
- CCW Champion KiLynn King (c) defeated Christina Marie
WWR+: Aces High – June 26th
- Armani Kayos defeated Gal Barkay
- Willow Nightingale defeated Little Mean Kathleen
- Davienne defeated Paris Van Dale
- Ashley D’Amboise defeated Tiara James
- The Administration (Damian Adams, Pedro Dones & Tina San Antonio) defeat Clara Carreras & The Hispanic Mechanics (Jos A & Jos B)
- Kennedi Copeland defeated Anastasia Morningstar
- Shannon LeVangie defeated Damaris Dawkins
- Jordan Blade defeated Alisha Edwards
- Kris Statlander defeated Trish Adora
- AKIRA & Masha Slamovich defeat Alec Price & B3CCA
