IYO SKY wins the 2023 Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Shayna Baszler turns on her long-time friend Ronda Rousey. Kris Statlander defends the TBS Championship against Lady Frost. Missa Kate speaks with WrestleZone and more. Let’s break it down in this week’s Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
IYO SKY Is Miss Money In The Bank
WWE Money in the Bank is officially in the books, which means a new Miss Money in the Bank has been crowned. During Saturday’s premium live event, six women competed for a chance to claim the coveted Money in the Bank briefcase. Of course, only one could emerge victorious.
This year’s field featured the likes of Zelina Vega, WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, Zoey Stark, Becky Lynch, IYO SKY, and Bayley. Of those six, Bayley was the only one to previously win the briefcase. For Trish Stratus, Money in the Bank marked her first-ever ladder match. Luckily, though, she had some added leverage, as she entered the bout with her ally Zoey Stark by her side.
The match itself featured a plethora of high-flying action, including a ladder-descending moonsault from IYO SKY. Zelina Vega also later sent Stark crashing into a ladder with a Code Red.
While the match was inherently every-woman-for-themselves, many competitors strategized with mid-match alliances. In a surprising turn of events, Lynch and Stratus — known as sworn enemies — worked together to powerbomb Vega off a ladder. That alliance was kept brief as Lynch clocked Stratus in the face right after.
Stark and Stratus later attempted to handcuff Becky Lynch to the bottom rope. Before Stark could lock the second cuff to the rope, Lynch fought her off. Despite that plan being foiled by Lynch, the handcuffs would still play an instrumental role in the outcome of the ladder match. With the handcuffs still dangling off of Lynch’s left wrist, IYO SKY later connected the second link to the right wrist of Bayley, who was positioned in between one of the ladder rungs. Despite standing on either side of the ladder, Lynch and Bayley were locked together, with no possible way to ascend any higher.
With Lynch and Bayley locked together, SKY began climbing over the body of Bayley — her Damage CTRL stablemate — and up to the top of the ladder. Lynch and Bayley tried their best to reach up and knock SKY off the ladder, but it was too late. IYO SKY had claimed the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase.
Following her massive victory, IYO SKY arrived at RAW and she ran into current WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. The two exchanged glances backstage, with SKY raising her briefcase as a reminder to Ripley. With her Money in the Bank win, SKY guarantees herself a future title opportunity at any time, and anywhere.
RELATED: WWE Money in the Bank Results (7/1/23)
Shayna Baszler Turns On Ronda Rousey, New Unified WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Crowned
Elsewhere on the Money in the Bank card, Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey defended their Unified WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
After six weeks on the shelf, Morgan returned on the June 23 episode of WWE SmackDown. There, Morgan realigned herself with Rodriguez and set their sights on the women’s tag team titles. Heading into the premium live event, the betting odds heavily favored Baszler and Rousey as the winners, but that didn’t take into account the plot twist that unfolded toward the conclusion of the match.
Rousey and Baszler appeared to be in firm control as they trapped Morgan into a double submission. The match soon took an unexpected turn, though, as Baszler attacked Rousey from behind. To add insult to injury, Baszler then synched in the Kirifuda Clutch on her long-time friend. This betrayal paved the way for Rodriguez to nail Rousey with a powerbomb, followed by Morgan hitting her with an Oblivion to secure the pinfall. With this win, Rodriguez and Morgan became the new Unified WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Here is a recap of the closing moments of the match, courtesy of our live coverage page.
Morgan tries a crossbody, but Baszler rolls into an armbar. Rousey rolls into the ring and puts Morgan in an ankle lock simultaneously. Rodriguez breaks up the double submission. Morgan tries Oblivion. Baszler counters and traps Morgan in the Kirifuda Clutch. Morgan escapes. Rousey tags herself in and walks down Morgan. Baszler clubs Rousey in the back of the head. Everyone is confused. Baszler rains down rights and lefts, pummeling Rousey into oblivion (pun intended). Baszler leaves the ring. Rodriguez powerbomb Rousey. Morgan hits Oblivion and pins Rousey.
Winners and NEW Undisputed WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez!
Following Shayna Baszler’s shocking turn, Ronda Rousey demanded answers, which lead to a heated confrontation on RAW.
“The only thing I owe anybody is an apology for bringing you into this business,” Baszler said to Rousey. Continuing on, Baszler noted that she paid her dues in the wrestling business, while Rousey just “waltzed” her way in through the back door and straight to WrestleMania. Baszler then claimed that Rousey’s presence ruined her wrestling experience.
After Rousey dropped the microphone, Rousey kicked her off the apron, leading the two to brawl inside the ring. Baszler would get the upper hand, though, positioning Rousey into an ankle lock before delivering a running knee to her face.
Needless to say, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler are friends no more.
READ MORE: WWE Raw Results (7/3/23)
Kris Statlander Defends The TBS Championship, Jade Cargill Gives Update On Her AEW Status
Kris Statlander has been on fire lately, and with a nickname like “Ice Cold Killer,” it was only fitting that Lady Frost was the one to try and cool her off.
Since winning the TBS Championship at AEW Double or Nothing, Statlander has cultivated a string of successful title defenses. On Saturday’s episode of Collision, Statlander geared up her for sixth defense. Standing toe-to-toe with Lady Frost, Statlander traded back-and-forth strikes until she grounded Frost with a piledriver.
Frost did her best to turn the tide, but in the end, Statlander’s title reign was kept intact. After nailing Frost with the Saturday Night Fever, Statlander secured the pinfall to retain the TBS Championship.
As Statlander continues her reign, many fans have wondered about the status of the former TBS Champion — Jade Cargill. In the latest update, Cargill said she’d been enjoying her time outside of wrestling space, which included a recent appearance at the 2023 Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards.
When asked if she’d be returning soon, Cargill delivered a simple response: “No.”
RELATED: AEW Collision Results (7/1/23)
INTERVIEWS
NWA Women’s Tag Team Champion Missa Kate spoke with WrestleZone’s own Ella Jay about NWA’s upcoming “HP Cares For Cooper” event, her partnership with Madi Wrenkowski, advice she’s gotten from Mike Bennett & Maria Kanellis, the Chicago wrestling scene, and more.
Former Divas Champion Alicia Fox joined Ring the Belle to discuss her first PPV singles match against Mickie James at Hell in a Cell, becoming the first and only Black WWE Divas Champion, her departure from WWE, the next chapter of her career, and more.
Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch chatted with talkSPORT about WWE Money in the Bank taking place in London, the Money in the Bank Ladder matches, returning to the United Kingdom and more.
Independent star Aryn Eris appeared on the Hot Tag Hooligans Wrestling podcast to discuss her career, being a former referee, her strong promo skills, being the Queen of Chaos and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Goddesses of War Wrestling: Battle of Athena – July 8
