Trish Stratus & Becky Lynch battle inside a steel cage. Kris Statlander retains the TBS Championship at AEW All Out. Kelsey Raegan speaks with WrestleZone, and more. Let’s break it all down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up.
WWE Payback: Trish & Becky, Rhea vs. Raquel
For the first time since 2020, WWE presented Payback. This year’s event emanated from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh and featured six matches, including a steel cage match between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus. This occasion also marked Stratus’ first-ever steel cage match.
After an intense five-month feud, Stratus and Lynch seemingly ended their program as they opened WWE Payback with a critically acclaimed performance inside the steel cage structure. In the midst of battle, Lynch and Stratus also issued tributes to the wrestlers who competed in WWE’s first women’s steel cage match, which took place back in 2003. While Stratus’ dropped Lynch with Victoria’s signature Widows Peak move, Lynch later responded by laying out Stratus with Lita’s Twist of Fate.
Later in the matchup, Stratus began inching toward the cage door to escape. As Zoey Stark emerged to pull Stratus out of the cage, Lynch reeled her back in. In the closing moments of the matchup, Lynch shut the cage door to trap Stark inside with them. On cue, Stark began climbing up the chain links in an effort to flee, but Lynch quickly stopped it, nailing Stark with a Manhandle Slam. Lynch also thwarted Stratus’ subsequent ascent up the steel cage as well, bringing her down to the top ring rope. There, Lynch landed a massive Manhandle Slam to capture the pinfall on Stratus.
Upon Lynch’s victory, Stratus began yelling at Stark and eventually slapped her. Stark appeared to retreat afterward, but instead, she slammed the cage door shut. Stark then hit Stratus with a Z-360 before throwing her “Thank You Trish” t-shirt down at her fallen mentor.
Rhea vs. Raquel
Later in the night, Rhea Ripley defended her WWE Women’s World Championship against an old rival — Raquel Rodriguez. Rodriguez had emerged victorious in the duo’s prior encounter in early 2021. This time, Ripley took home the victory, thanks to some assistance from Dominik Mysterio.
Toward the end of the match, Mysterio ran down to pull Ripley to safety. This move prompted Rodriguez to ground Mysterio with a running powerslam.
In response, Ripley kicked Rodriguez in the knee before positioning her into the Riptide. After landing her finisher, Ripley covered Rodriguez for the pinfall to retain her title.
RELATED: Rhea Ripley Pays Tribute To Chyna At WWE Payback
Kris Statlander Retains The TBS Championship At AEW All Out
One week after AEW All In in London, All Elite Wrestling returned to Chicago to host their annual All Out event. This year’s card featured 13 matches, including a TBS Championship bout, and a six-woman tag team contest.
On the main show, TBS Champion Kris Statlander defended her title against her former friend, and current rival, Ruby Soho. While The Outcasts usually travel as a trio, Soho was only accompanied by Saraya for this matchup. As expected, Saraya interfered on multiple occasions.
Despite Saraya’s repeated distractions, Kris Statlander upheld her resiliency, kicking out Soho’s subsequent pinfall attempts. Toward the conclusion of the contest, Saraya diverted the referee’s attention, allowing Soho to seize control. Unfortunately for Soho, Toni Storm was patiently waiting under the ring, and ready to enact some revenge.
At All In, Soho tried to mend mid-match tensions between Storm and Saraya. In the midst of her encounter with Storm, though, Soho was nailed in the face by Storm’s forearm. This opening allowed Saraya to gain momentum, and eventually win the entire match, crowning her as the new AEW Women’s Champion.
Fast forward to All Out, Storm is determined to receive her payback. With the referee distracted by Saraya, Ruby Soho grabbed The Outcasts’ nearby can of spray paint with the intention of misting Statlander with it. Toni Storm had other plans though. As she emerged from under the ring, Storm swiftly yanked the can out of Soho’s hand, paving the way for Statlander to hit Soho with the Sunday Night Fever to secure the pinfall. As a result, Kris Statlander retained the title.
Elsewhere on the card, Hikaru Shida, Willow Nightingale, and Skye Blue defeated Athena, Mercedes Martinez, and Diamante on the Zero Hour pre-show.
RELATED: Kris Statlander Pays Homage To Zoolander At AEW All Out
INTERVIEWS
SHINE Tag Team Champion Kelsey Raegan speaks with WrestleZone’s own Ella Jay about taking time off from wrestling, her fascination with the horror genre, a recent learning opportunity she had with Lisa Marie Varon, the story behind her ouija planchette tattoo, and more.
The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay) spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard about the new season of “Off Her Chops” on Premier Streaming Network, their WWE/IMPACT Wrestling runs, possible return as a team, Cassie’s in-ring return and Jessica’s acting pursuits, and more.
TBS Champion Kris Statlander appeared on NBC Chicago to discuss her championship defense against Ruby Soho, her absence from AEW All In at Wembley Stadium, and why Chicago is her second wrestling home.
IMPACT Knockouts Champion Trinity joined MuscleManMalcolm to discuss, her relationship with IMPACT Wrestling Management, being signed to WWE at 21 years old, main-eventing IMPACT PPVs, which legends she wants to face, and more.
AEW broadcaster Renee Paquette chatted with Cageside Seats about the possibility of Edge joining AEW, Saraya’s return to the United Kingdom, the pairing of MJF and Adam Cole, and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
wXw Germany: Femmes Fatales – September 23
Sirens Fury: Sirens On The Loose – September 17
