Mercedes Martinez retains the ROH Women’s World Championship. Trish Stratus gets inducted into The Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame. Maxxine Dupri debuts on Smackdown, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Trish Stratus Inducted Into The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Former seven-time WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus received her induction into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Stratus now officially joins the 2022 class, making her only the second woman inducted. Beth Phoenix became the first woman to be inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019.
In addition, Trish Stratus also became the first woman in history to receive The Lou Thesz Award, the organization’s highest honor. This award honors those in the professional wrestling industry who have utilized their skills in the realm of public service.
Amidst her acceptance speech, Stratus gave a nod to multiple women’s wrestling stars of the past and present. Among that list, included Smackdown Women’s Wrestling Liv Morgan. Stratus continued on to praise the likes of Bayley, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Victoria, Jazz, and more.
The 2022 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame awards ceremony took place on July 21st through the 23rd, in Waterloo, Iowa at National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.
As seen on Instagram, Trish Stratus expressed her excitement about receiving the honor.
This weekend I will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum and I will proudly receive The Lou Thesz Award. I am the first female to do so and I am beyond thankful to the committee for opening their eyes – and the wing to women in our sport!
It’s a dream of breaking glass ceilings instead of wearing glass slippers kinda moment and I’m here for it!
View this post on Instagram
ROH Death Before Dishonor: ROH Women’s World Championship, Zero Hour Results
Mercedes Martinez and Serena Deeb recently put on a clinic at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. Moreover, Martinez defended the ROH Women’s World Championship against Deeb on July 23rd.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the tension between these fierce competitors brewed. The duo was forced to tag team at one point on Rampage, but that only complicated matters. Recently on AEW Dynamite, Deeb defeated “The QueenSlayer” Anna Jay. After the match, she proceeded to unleash a post-match brawl on Jay, before Martinez ran in to make the save.
At Death Before Dishonor, these two decorated competitors did what they did best. With over 35 years of in-ring experience combined, Martinez and Deeb battled. The closing moments of the match showed Martinez locking in the Brass City Sleeper, causing Deeb to tap out. Therefore, Mercedes Martinez retains her Ring of Honor Women’s World Championship.
#AndStill!!! #ROH Women's World Champion @RealMMartinez retains her championship after that absolute war! Order #ROHDBD #ROH #DeathBeforeDishonor PPV right now on @BleacherReport, @PPV_com, @FiteTV, cable & satellite! pic.twitter.com/0APNJz4rR7
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) July 24, 2022
With this victory over Deeb, Martinez further grows her list of successful title defenses against the likes of Hyan, Trish Adora, Viva Van, Deeb, and more. She first won the title after defeating Deonna Purrazzo on AEW Dynamite in May.
A full recap of the ROH Women’s Championship match can be read below, courtesy of our live coverage page.
ROH Women’s World Championship
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Serena Deeb
Both competitors start with some chain wrestling, then Mercedes finally gains the upper hand by kicking Serena in the face. Serena rolls to the floor but Mercedes follows and throws her back onto the apron, then she elbows Serena in the back of the head and sets up for another move. Serena charges and spears her on the floor, then she sets Mercedes up in the center of the mat and Mercedes surprises her with a backslide pin attempt. Mercedes sets up for a suplex on the top turnbuckle but Serena blocks it, so Mercedes yanks back and puts her in a Dragon suplex before attempting another suplex. Serena escapes and hangs her up in the tree of woe and lands a dropkick, then Mercedes catches her in a choke-style submission but Serena counters.
Mercedes breaks a submission attempt and charges the corner, but Serena sidesteps her and heads up top. Mercedes sets up in the same corner and this time connects with a super German suplex, then she pulls herself back up and clubs Serena in the chest. Martinez hits the ropes and tries to hit a forearm smash, but Serena falls down on the mat so Mercedes puts her in a surfboard stretch. Serena bites Mercedes’ arm to break away, then they slug each other a couple of times before Serena connects with a swinging neckbreaker. Serena applies the Serenity Lock and Mercedes rolls through to break, and Serena smashes Mercedes’ left knee on the mat and twists around on her ankle. Mercedes ends up kicking Serena into the corner, then she finally ends it by making Serena tap to the Brass City Sleeper.
Winner – Mercedes Martinez
In addition to the title match, Death Before Dishonor displayed another strong women’s wrestling showing. On the Zero Hour pre-show main event, Allysin Kay took on Willow Nightingale.
Both Willow and Allysin competed in the ROH Women’s World Championship tournament last summer on Ring of Honor programming. Willow appeared at ROH Supercard of Honor in April as well, competing against Mercedes Martinez. Now, both competitors returned to Ring of Honor for Death Before Dishonor in Lowell, Massachusetts.
In a match of consistent back and forth action, Willow Nightingale prevailed with a powerbomb to win. A recap of the match can be viewed below, courtesy of our live coverage page.
Willow hits a reverse splash in the corner, then she goes for an Irish whip but Allysin sidesteps and hits her in the back of the head. Allysin chops Willow in the corner but it only fires up Willow, who throws a few of her own. Allysin comes back with a lariat and kicks her in the face, then she goes for a clothesline but Willow catches her with a clothesline for two. Willow and Kay both try to score a rollup, then we get a Kimura attempt before Allysin repeatedly jabs Willow in the face.
Allysin attempts the armbar again but Willow kicks her in the face, then Willow attempts a powerbomb but Allysin counters with a reverse piledriver for two. Allysin goes for AK47 but Willow blocks, then she kicks Allysin and hits the Pounce off the ropes. Willow connects with a cannonball in the corner, then she hits a powerbomb for the win.
Winner – Willow Nightingale
READ MORE: ROH Death Before Dishonor Results: New World Champion, FTR vs. Briscoes – Wrestlezone
Maxxine Dupri Debuts On Smackdown, Takes Over Maximum Male Models
Maxxine Dupri has arrived on Smackdown.
Last week on Friday Night Smackdown, Maxxine Dupri announced herself as the new Director of Talent Maximum Male Models. Dupri revealed she would be taking over Maximum Male Models in place of her brother, Max. Maxxine is formerly known as Sofia Cromwell on NXT 2.0.
In a backstage vignette, Maxxine introduced herself and the upcoming 2022 SummerSlam Beachwear Collection, showcased by the models, Ma.çé’ and Mån.sôör. The corresponding beachwear collection will unveil this Friday on Smackdown.
“Hello, my name is Maxxine Dupri and I’m the Director of Talent at Maximum Male Models,” Dupri announced. “Now, my brother Max, he has good taste, but I like to think of mine as well, let’s just say, delicious. And you will see that next week when I present to you the Maximum Male Models 2022 SummerSlam Beachwear Collection. Because you see, the summer is hot but Maximum Male Models beat the heat by continuing to titillate the juices of your guilty pleasures.”
The former Sofia Cromwell has yet to make her in-ring debut for WWE, but she did align herself with Von Wagner and Robert Stone in NXT 2.0. What will the future hold for Maximum Male Models now that Maxxine is in charge?
READ MORE: WWE SmackDown Results (7/22/22)
INTERVIEWS
WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins spoke with TV Insider about their A&E Biography episode, their individual accomplishments, the status of Total Divas, and more.
NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose appeared on WWE After The Bell to discuss her year back in NXT, Toxic Attraction and putting some respect on her title reign.
GLOW original Tulsa chatted with A Wrestling Gal about her ventures in belly dancing, being a stunt double for Renee Zellweger, the wildest stunts she’s ever done, the less glamorous aspects of professional wrestling, and more.
RESULTS
Garden State Pro Wrestling: Welcome To Eden – July 23rd
- Baliyan Akki & Heather Monroe defeat Dark Sheik & Jai Vidal
- AAA Reina de Reinas Championship: Taya Valkyrie (c) defeated Trish Adora
- Triple Threat: Miyu Yamashita defeated Billie Starkz and Janai Kai
