My first-ever NXT show was in 2012. Believe it or not, we had a special guest, Booker T, to help sell tickets. It was all so exciting – until we saw that only 11 people showed up! I couldn’t believe it. It was such a shock—like, this is the WWE? But NXT was still new back then. Funny to think that from such a small developmental platform grew an entity to be featured on The CW. It’s incredible how far NXT has come.
Back then, I was wrestling with an amazing group of women. However, there were only about eight of us. I remember Paige (Saraya), Summer Rae, and Audra Marie along with Charlotte. We were the original crew. I don’t get to see or keep in touch with everyone, and many have moved on with their lives. Our bond and those early days will always hold a special place in my heart. Summer Rae and I connect on social media every now and again, and it means a lot.
Speaking of past performers and legends who could wrestle, we girls have Alundra Blaze to look to. When I think of legendary women from the past, Madusa “Alundra” Blayze stands out. She could absolutely compete today. She made waves in her prime, winning championships in Japan and WCW, even famously throwing the title in the trash. However, she was a serious wrestler and a trailblazer for women in this industry.
I have never seen a Wendy Richter match, and that’s on me. I need to, should, and will. We have always heard how much she did for wrestling with the Rock and Wrestling connection that literally put wrestling on the map. I heard she was the victim of the first ‘Montreal Screw Job’ in the way she lost the belt to the Fabulous Moolah. It doesn’t seem like enough credit or attention goes her way for her part in women’s success today. I’m looking forward to watching some of her matches. If you have any recommendations, let me know!
As for classic women’s matches that truly stand out to me, I refer to the matches and competitors in Japan. Watching those old matches, I’m blown away by some of the Japanese women’s wrestling from the ‘90s, such as Aja Kong vs. Manami Toyota. Those matches went over 30 minutes and headlined all-women shows. I remember watching them for the first time and my jaw hitting the floor, amazed at how intense and groundbreaking they were.
