women’s wrestling weekend round up

Wrestling fans had one heck of a weekend. From major promotions to the independent scene, women’s wrestling delivered a jam-packed stretch of action across the globe. Here are five matches you may have missed from September 25–27.

1. House of glory women’s title match: Shotzi(c) vs Nikki Storm

House of Glory: Windy City Warfare | September 25

Former WWE stars Shotzi Blackheart and Nikki Storm met at House of Glory’s Windy City Warfare with the HOG Women’s Championship on the line. Storm challenged Shotzi after the champion’s title defense against Steph De Lander earlier this month.

Shotzi received a strong reaction from the crowd and wasted little time, attempting a roll-up as soon as the match began. She controlled the early exchanges with arm drags and a 619, but Storm answered with a dropkick and began wearing down the champion. Shotzi fought back with a series of kicks and a rolling cannonball as both wrestlers traded momentum.

Late in the match, Storm threw Shotzi’s Lio Rush doll onto the stage. The real Lio Rush appeared and confronted Storm, distracting her long enough for Shotzi to catch her with a cutter and secure the pinfall.

Result: Shotzi Blackheart defeated Nikki Storm to retain the HOG Women’s Championship.

2. Hera and Olympia Win CMLL Women’s Tag Team Titles at Noche de Campeones

CMLL: Noche de Campeones | September 25

The women’s tag team title match earned the main event spot at CMLL’s Noche de Campeones, and the result made it a turning point for the division. Hera and Olympia defeated Kira and Skadi to become the new Mexican National Women’s Tag Team Champions, ending a reign that lasted 931 days.

The teams brought different strengths to the match. Kira and Skadi used their aerial offense to keep the champions’ momentum going, while Hera and Olympia relied on their power. That contrast gave the finish its impact: Hera and Olympia slammed Skadi, then sent Kira crashing onto her before securing the pinfall.

For Hera and Olympia, the win was more than a title change. The sisters overcame one of CMLL’s longest reigning women’s tag teams in the night’s featured match. Kira and Skadi’s run set a high standard; now Hera and Olympia have the chance to establish what their own reign will look like.

Result: Hera and Olympia defeated Kira and Skadi to become the new Mexican National Women’s Tag Team Champions.

3. Willow Nightingale vs. Thekla — AEW Women’s World Title Contender Match

AEW: All Out | September 26

Willow Nightingale and Thekla were competing for a shot at Mercedes Moné’s AEW Women’s World Championship. Willow started strongly, but Thekla made her injured hand the center of the match. She repeatedly attacked it, giving Willow a problem that affected her offense as well as her ability to defend herself.

That strategy paid off at the finish, though outside involvement also mattered. Julia Hart distracted the referee while Skye Blue struck Willow’s injured hand with a title belt. Hart then accidentally hit Thekla with another belt, briefly creating an opening for Willow. But Willow’s hand gave way when she attempted the Doctor Bomb. Thekla attacked it again, hit Blackout and secured the pin.

The injured hand gave the match a clear story from beginning to end. Even after the interference went wrong for Thekla, Willow could not execute her finisher. Standout performance: Willow’s fight through the injury made Thekla’s targeting feel consequential. Thekla’s victory sends her to a title match with Moné at WrestleDream, while the involvement of Hart and Blue gives Willow reason to dispute how she lost.

Result: Thekla defeated Willow Nightingale to become the No. 1 contender to the AEW Women’s World Championship

4. Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Kanji — wXw Femmes Fatales Final

wXw Pro-Wrestling Grand Prix | September 27

This year’s Femmes Fatales tournament carried an added prize: its winner would become the new wXw Women’s World Champion. Kanji had given up her guaranteed title opportunity so the championship could return through the tournament, making her place in the final especially meaningful.

Chihiro Hashimoto reached the final by defeating Manami and Jane Nero. Kanji advanced past Madison Marley and Kay Lee Ray. Hashimoto then defeated Kanji with an Albright, a bridging German suplex, to win both Femmes Fatales and the championship.

The outcome gives wXw’s returning women’s title an established tournament winner from the start. It also makes Kanji’s decision central to the story: she helped create the opportunity, reached the last match and came up short against Hashimoto. Standout performer: Hashimoto, whose three tournament victories completed the path from entrant to champion.

Result: Chihiro Hashimoto defeated Kanji to win Femmes Fatales and become wXw Women’s World Champion.

5. Rhio vs. Steph De Lander — PROGRESS Women’s World Championship

PROGRESS Chapter 198: When September Ends | September 27

Rhio defended the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship against Steph De Lander at London’s Electric Ballroom and retained. On the same show, Raven Creed won a three-way match to become the division’s No. 1 contender.

That pairing of results is the strongest takeaway for PROGRESS. Rhio leaves Chapter 198 still champion, but the next challenger has already earned her place. De Lander’s title opportunity brought another recognizable name into Rhio’s reign; the result keeps the championship with Rhio as the division moves toward Raven Creed.

Result: Rhio defeated Steph De Lander to retain the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship.