SHIMMER 39, Berwyn, IL
With Paige officially retiring from wrestling on the RAW after WrestleMania, I wanted to take some time and go back over some of her bigger matches, starting with her SHIMMER run in 2011. Here she is at SHIMMER 39 against a top contender, Mercedes Martinez, who is still a top SHIMMER star today.
Mercedes is the crowd favorite. Knight is all of 18 years old but already with five years experience in wrestling. She’s also managed by the enthusiastic Rebecca Knox, later to be known as Becky Lynch.
Knight with some Zbyszko stalling before the bell rings. This is her first singles match in SHIMMER, and she and Knox do some Cornette and Midnights stuff. “Where’s your mommy?” chant, as Britani has been teaming with Saraya.
Knight already an accomplished staller, in fact. Collar-and-elbow and Mercedes just tosses Britani head over heels with a shove. Knight goes to lock up again, but this time pokes Martinez in the eye on the way in. Clubbing away at the back with forearms and fists, then grabs a camel clutch.
Out of that, Britani chokes Martinez over the middle rope, then breaks and leaves Knox to continue the choke while Bryce Remsburg is busy scolding Knight. Scoop and a slam, elbow drop gets two.
Knight off the ropes, Martinez with a clothesline, armdrag, and dropkick, then a shot to the jaw that sends Knight out to the floor and into Knox’s arms. Mercedes reaches out for Knight, but doesn’t get her the first time. Knight plays possum a bit, gets caught by the hair, and snaps the throat of Martinez over the rope.
Back in, neckbreaker and a snap suplex. Choking her over the ropes, and Knox does the same thing from before with Knight distracting Bryce, complaining about her boot or leg or something. Bryce helps her up, she hugs him, further distraction of Remsburg.
Martinez seated in the corner, eats a dropkick from Knight. Boot choke in the corner. Knox with more choking as Knight keeps pulling Remsburg away from the action. This is really extensive referee distraction, in a comedy way, but effectively so.
Back to action, stomps in the corner, then some right hands to the midsection. Whip reversed to the other corner, Britani tries to kick up but gets caught with a powerslam. Cover, two. Mercedes takes a shot at Knox, who, in the words of Portia Perez, scurries away.
HUGE chop from Martinez. Right hand. Britani is reeling. Knight blocks a brainbuster, but can’t block it twice. Another two count. Knox distracts Martinez, but it gives Knight a chance for a pinning rollup for two. Wheelbarrow facebuster from Martinez gets two.
Martinez with another big chop, another right hand. Some forearms in the corner. Crowd wants another chop, they get it. Knox scared off the apron again, but Knight got the opening again, and goes for the Knight Rider, doesn’t fully hit it, gets a two count in a sunset flip.
Knight up to the top rope, diving elbow misses. Martinez up in the corner, runs out, and goes for the fisherman buster. She hits it! 1, 2, 3.
Rating: 3.5/5. This was a lot of fun, particularly enjoyed the heel work of Knox and Knight using Bryce Remsburg distraction to keep Knight, all of 18 years old, in the match against the seasoned veteran, who is also bigger and stronger and all that. And Martinez was terrific as she usually is.
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