Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up: Eva Marie Returns To WWE, New NXT UK Women’s Champion Crowned, NWA’s All-Women’s PPV

This past week has been extremely eventful in women’s wrestling: NWA announces it’s upcoming all-women’s PPV, Meiko Satomura defeats Kay Lee Ray for the NXT UK Women’s Championship, Eva Marie returns to WWE, Vita VonnStarr receives Ticket To Gold in ROH’s Women’s Tournament, and much more. Let’s break it down in this second edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!

Meiko Satomura Wins NXT UK Women’s Championship

A new era officially began on the latest edition of NXT UK. This episode featured an incredible championship matchup between two world-class performers: Kay Lee Ray and Meiko Satomura. Ray’s prestigious NXT UK Women’s Championship was on the line against the pro wrestling legend, Satomura. It was a hard-fought battle, but it was Meiko Satomura who dethroned Kay Lee Ray to become the NEW NXT UK Women’s Champion, thus, ending Ray’s historic championship reign.

.@Kay_Lee_Ray is dethroned by @satomurameiko who’s all smiles! We have a new #NXTUK Women’s Champion now! ? pic.twitter.com/4w9fPzGATS

— WWE (@WWE) June 10, 2021

Kay Lee Ray’s loss here officially ends her reign at 649 days: the 2nd longest WWE Women’s Championship reign of all-time, behind The Fabulous Moolah, and the longest in the modern era. Regardless of the outcome, Ray has certainly cemented herself in WWE history, and we look forward to what her next moves will be.

RELATED: New NXT UK Women’s Champion Crowned, Kay Lee Ray’s Historic Reign Ends

NWA Announces All-Women’s PPV: EMPOWERRR

On last week’s episode of NWA Powerrr, Billy Corgan and Mickie James announced that the promotion will hold an all-women’s pay-per-view on August 28 at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri, entitled “EMPOWERRR”. James also revealed that she is set to be the executive producer for this event, citing that “there’s going to be tons of opportunity to build women’s wrestling the right way”, as explained on the POWERRR Post Show.

WrestleZone will keep you updated on this historic event as more details become available.

?BREAKING NEWS?@Billy just announced that the @nwa is returning to St. Louis for 2⃣ PPVs

▶️ August 28th will be an ALL WOMEN'S PPV with @MickieJames as the executive producer.

▶️ August 29th will have #NWA73 Anniversary PPV.#NWAPowerrr

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— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) June 8, 2021

Eva Marie Returns, Piper Niven Debuts On RAW

For weeks, WWE has been teasing the return of the former star, Eva Marie. Monday Night Raw has featured multiple vignettes, promising that an “EVA-lution is coming”. Now, it’s here. Last night on RAW, Eva Marie returned to WWE  television for the first time in almost five years, slated to compete against former Smackdown Women’s Champion, Naomi. However, Marie didn’t come alone. Accompanied by NXT UK Superstar Piper Niven, Eva Marie proceeded to ringside, allowing Niven to wrestle Naomi in her place, defeating Naomi in a quick match. This marked Niven’s officially main roster debut on Monday Night RAW. Piper Niven’s officially main roster name was never mentioned, so perhaps a name change is in place for her with this newly formed alliance with Eva Marie.

The #EVALution is here!@natalieevamarie returns on #WWERaw. But she didn't come alone! pic.twitter.com/SntnFS70OV

— WWE (@WWE) June 15, 2021

Io Shirai Returns

On last week’s edition of WWE NXT, The “Genius of The Sky”, Io Shirai returned to the yellow brand to aid musical artist, Poppy, against the wrath of NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, Candice LeRae. This marked the first time in two months that Io Shirai had been featured on NXT programming, ever since losing her NXT Women’s Championship to Raquel Gonzalez at NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver on April 7th.

Perhaps a rematch is next in line for the former NXT Women’s Champion? Or will Shirai continue forward in a feud with Candice LeRae? What will Poppy’s involvement be? NXT will be sure to provide answers in the near future.

READ MORE: Io Shirai Returns, Attacks Candice LeRae To Support Musical Artist Poppy

Operation Dropkick Depression & RAINN Collaboration

Professional wrestler Terra Calaway recently announced that her organization, Dropkick Depression, is collaborating with RAINN to develop an “sexual conduct and assault education, awareness and support training” program directed specifically towards the professional wrestling industry.

Bell to Belles spoke with Calaway to learn more details on the official program, what prompted the idea, her organization: Dropkick Depression, mental health, and more. You can read their entire article at this link.

❕@OperationDD x @RAINN❕

A sexual misconduct and assault education, awareness, and support training program specifically catered to and for the professional wrestling community has officially started development.

Full details: https://t.co/T72vJ9OEHl

— ??????? (@TerraCalaway) June 11, 2021

ROH Women’s Division Wednesday Action Continues; Vita VonStarr Earns Ticket To Gold

Last week’s edition of Women’s Division Wednesday featured tag team action, as Sumie Sakai and Miranda Alize defeated Mazzerati and Trish Adora, after Alize tapped out Mazzerati. Following the match, Max The Impaler viciously attacked all four competitors, as Amy Rose, the former manager of La Faccion Ingobernable, looked on and applauded Max; the interesting duo then left the arena together.

In other news, former STAR Pro Women’s Champion, Vita VonStarr punched her ticket to Ring of Honor’s upcoming Women’s Championship Tournament. VonStarr also appeared on the ROHStrong podcast to discuss her ticket to gold for the ROH Women’s World Title Tournament, her ROH in-ring debut against Sumie Sakai, working as an aerialist, her background in skateboarding and snowboarding, and much more.

RELATED: Sumie Sakai And Miranda Alize vs. Trish Adora And Mazzerati On ROH Women’s Division Wednesday

Ariana Andrew Releases New Song And Music Video

Former WWE Superstar Ariane Andrew released a new version of her song “Born With It,” along with the official music video. “Born With It” has been remixed by Grammy Award-winning producer, Damon Sharpe. The official music video is available below:

READ MORE: Ariane Andrew Releasing ‘Born With It’ Remix With Grammy Award-Winning Producer Damon Sharpe

Total Divas Reportedly Not Renewed

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Total Divas has reportedly not been renewed by the E! network. Dave Meltzer explained:

“There is a pretty decent chance ‘Total Bellas‘ is done. We had been told that as of a month ago, E! had not renewed the show nor ‘Total Divas’ so its reality show tie-up with WWE that dates back eight years and led to an influx of women fans (which softened the blow of the more massive decline of male fans during that same period) for its main programming is over.”

The E! network has not confirmed nor denied the claim at the time of publishing this article.

Liv Morgan Tributes Ruby Riott In Victory Over Carmella

On last week’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, Liv Morgan defeated Carmella, but there was a notable piece of her ring gear that caught the eye of fans. Morgan commemorated her former tag team partner, with a band on her leg reading “RUE”, short for Ruby Riott. Riott was recently released from WWE, after previously teaming with Liv Morgan as a part of the Riott Squad since 2017. Take a look at Liv’s gear tribute, below.

?✨ pic.twitter.com/mzAjec2dFO

— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) June 12, 2021

Interviews

Jody Threat recently joined Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp to discuss her WWE tryout, Trish Stratus, IMPACT Wrestling, intergender wrestling, and much more! Check out the full interview at this link.

Nikki and Brie Bella recently spoke with Entertainment Tonight, to discuss their collaboration with Colugo, John Cena, their possible comeback to a WWE ring, their sons, and more! Nikki added that she is already beginning preparations for an in-ring return: “For me, I’m definitely starting that preparation. I want to train hard for it. When we come back, I want to change my style in the ring a little bit. I want to make a statement.”

In a recent interview with the Just Women’s Sports podcast, former Smackdown Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks discussed growing up with pro wrestling, advancing to WWE, her matchup at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn against Bayley, goals she’d like to achieve in and outside of the ring, and much more!

NXT Women’s Champion, Raquel Gonzalez recently appeared on Instinct Culture with Denise Salcedo, talking about how it felt becoming NXT Women’s Champion, her journey to the top of NXT, working with WWE, and much more!

Current free agent, Chelsea Green, recently spoke with Gary Cassidy on Inside the Ropes about pitching VXT, her Playboy aspirations, admiration for Kelly Kelly and Mickie James, future plans, and much more.

Former SHINE Champion, LuFisto, appeared on It’s Our House Podcast to discuss SHIMMER, celebrating 25 years in wrestling, thoughts on AEW, and more!

Former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, Nikki Cross spoke with Taylor Wilde on Wilde On to talk about sports before she came to WWE, growing up in Glasgow, Jeff Hardy and much more!

Women’s Wrestling Results

IMPACT Wrestling: Against All Odds 2021 – 

IMPACT Knockouts Championship Match: Deonna Purrazzo (c) defeats Rosemary

IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: Fire ‘N Flava (Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz) (c) defeat Kimber Lee & Susan

Tenille Dashwood (w/ Kaleb With A K) defeats Jordynne Grace (w/ Rachael Ellering)

NXT Takover: In Your House 2021 – 

Xia Li (w/ Boa & Mei Ying) defeats Mercedes Martinez