Kelani Jordan makes history at WWE NXT Battleground. The 2024 Queen of the Indies event is confirmed. Kaci Lennox speaks with WrestleZone, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Kelani Jordan Makes WWE History
History was made last Sunday as six women competed for the newly-minted WWE NXT Women’s North American Championship at NXT Battleground. The field for this ladder match included a pair of in-ring veterans in the form of Michin and Fallon Henley. Four up-and-coming WWE talents – Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker, Lash Legend, and Kelani Jordan – competed as well. In the end, it was “The Standout” Kelani Jordan who prevailed.
Toward the end of the match, Ruca unleashed a pair of Sol Snatchers on Parker and Henley. Meanwhile, Jordan nailed Michin with a split-legged moonsault as she laid on top of a ladder. With all her opponents momentarily sidelined, Jordan then seized the opportunity to climb the center ladder and claim the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Jordan later spoke with WWE correspondent Sarah Schreiber to express the whirlwind of emotions surrounding her massive victory.
“Honestly, I’m speechless,” Jordan said. “I’m still shaking because I know when I was grabbing the title how much this match means to every single one of us girls who were in that match. I may be the one walking away with the title, but when we all made history tonight. So honestly, I don’t really have words to express. I’m in awe. I can’t believe it. I’m still shaking. I’m on cloud nine, but it feels good to be a champion.”
Following her win at NXT Battleground, Jordan will now pivot to her first title defense against Michin (aka Mia Yim) on next week’s episode of WWE NXT.
RELATED: Mia Yim Shows off Her Battle Scars From NXT Battleground
2024 Queen of the Indies Event Confirmed For August
West Coast Pro Wrestling and PWRevolution are once again collaborating to bring forth the Queen of the Indies Tournament. Last year’s international tournament saw “The Russian Dynamite” Masha Slamovich triumph over Mio Momono of Marvelous in the finals. Looking ahead, the 2024 eponymous event will emanate from San Francisco’s United Irish Cultural Center on August 17. So far, nine competitors have been confirmed for this upcoming event, one of which is the legendary Aja Kong.
Alongside Kong, will be Maya World, Viva Van, The Great Sakuya, Keyra, Amazona, Karisma, and Tormenta. Xia Lee, who was recently released from WWE, will also be in action at the event. While Kong and The Great Sakuya represent Japan, the likes of Keyra, Karisma, and Tormenta will do the same for Mexico. Similarly, Xia Lee serves as a representative of China. World and Van will appear on behalf of the United States.
As of this writing, Aja Kong is the only name confirmed for the official Queen of the Indies tournament. The capacity in which the remaining talents will compete has yet to be announced.
RELATED: Natalya Reunites With Aja Kong, Says She Respects Kong And What She’s Given To Wrestling
INTERVIEWS
RPW Women’s Champion Kaci Lennox spoke with WrestleZone’s Ella Jay about training at the D-Von Dudley / Team 3D Training Academy, Mercedes Mone’s TBS Championship win at AEW Double or Nothing, being sweet and sassy in the ring and in real-life, her major goal of being a household name, and more.
TNA’s Ash By Elegance joined The Battleground Podcast to talk about the groundbreaking TNA-WWE crossover, her recent involvement during Jordynne Grace’s match at Battleground, aspiring to claim the TNA Knockouts World Championship, a potential return to WWE’s Royal Rumble as her TNA persona, and more
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair appeared on Ring The Belle to discuss an ongoing SummerSlam contest, matching ring gears with Jade Cargill, her 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble gear, a scrapped portion of her WrestleMania 37 entrance, making history at WrestleMania 37 with Sasha Banks, and more.
TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace spoke with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful about filming a skit with Shawn Michaels and Sexyy Red at NXT Battleground, her open challenge at TNA Against All Odds, the process of working in WWE versus TNA, getting the support of Gail Kim and Anthem at Battleground, and more.
WWE NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez chatted with Denise Salcedo about her interpromotional title defense at NXT Battleground, the possibility of seeing more TNA Wrestling talent in NXT, the new NXT Women’s North American Championship, her aspirations for the main roster, and more.
“The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo sat down with SHAK Wrestling to talk about her realistic dream matches, the working relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling, her reaction to Mercedes Mone’s title win at AEW Double or Nothing, the best desserts in New Jersey, and more.
