EVE Women’s Wrestling’s “Elite Encounters” took place on Friday, November 7 in London. It included She-1 qualifying matches, an EVE World Championship match, a goodbye to a friend and a host of international stars.

She-1 Qualifying Match: Alexxis Falcon vs. Melissa Fierce

This is the first She-1 qualifier match, and it is between two veterans. Melissa Fierce is making her EVE debut, so Alexxis Falcon has much more experience in this atmosphere.

I’m not sure if Melissa is a fan favorite or that Alexxis is just really hated, but the crowd is very vocal. This is a very physical match, and Falcon is able to pull out the victory. The co-owner Dann Read comes out after the match and says that She-1 will be over a couple of months this year, and not just one day like previous years.

Falcon’s first-round match will be in January, against Session Moth Martina; but before we get there, there is a show in December. It will be Alexxis and a partner of her choosing against Martina and a partner of her choosing.

She-1 Qualifying Match: Dani Mo vs. Safire Reed

This was Dani Mo’s EVE debut, and she is up against one of the best. This was a very fast-paced match that really showcased both wrestlers. Dani’s unorthodox offense seems to throw Safire off, as it seems like she was not ready for it. However, whenever Safire decided to turn things up, she knocked Dani out with a flying headbutt and picked up the victory. I think Dani looked great in her EVE debut and looked like she fit right in, however the former EVE champion was not to be deterred.

Fatal 4-way for the EVE International Championship: Kris Statlander (c) vs. Yuu vs. Anita Vaughan vs. Alex Windsor

Alex Windsor was the surprise entrance in this match and came out to a huge reaction from the crowd. A lot of this match was a tribute to Yuu, who is retiring and was a very important part of EVE and women’s wrestling around the world. Yuu is one of the most unique wrestlers you will see. She has a smile that is contagious, but is also one of the most powerful wrestlers that you will see.

Yuu starts the match showing off that power, then hits a double sideslam on Anita Vaughan and Alex Windsor. Vaughan and Windsor seem to forget about the match, as they are obsessed with causing pain to each other and fight to the back. This leaves Statlander and Yuu alone in the ring. Yuu climbs the ropes to hit a splash on Statlander, but Kris moves out of the way and gets the win by rolling up Yuu into a submission and forcing her to tap out.

After the match, EVE wrestlers past and present come to the ring to join with the crowd in showing their appreciation for Yuu. It is one of those moments in wrestling that is extremely emotional and reminds you why you are a fan.

Skye Smitson, Violet Nyte and LALLIE (Hollie Barlow and Lana Austin) vs. Nina Samuels, Abi Cartwright, Pretty Psycho (Amira Blair and Zoe Lucas)

This match is pure entertainment.

Pretty Psycho still think they are champions, even though they were only champions for 20 minutes. Pretty Psycho do a lovely dance when they get announced and seem to be happy about teaming with Nina Samuels, but it does not appear that anyone has much confidence in Abi Cartwright. 

Violet Nyte and Skye Smitson have become a bit of frenemies since Nyte’s debut and speaking of frenemies, it’s the EVE tag team Champions LALLIE, Lana Austin and Hollie Barlow

Abi gets absolutely destroyed by Nyte and Skye while she is in the ring. Pretty Psycho actually gets some good tag team offense against Skye, even though they are completely unserious. LALLIE was doing really good, they were getting along with each other until there is a miscommunication and Hollie hits Lana. Then, Abi, of all people, rolls up Hollie into a mouse trap for the win. As they leave, it looks like Nina is actually proud of Abi, and we are left thinking if they just earned a tag team title match

Willow Nightingale vs. Lucy Sky

Willow is dancing and smiling through the first two minutes of the match and Lucy Sky is just staring her down. This really set the stage for the match for me, as Lucy was not backing down and seemed to be offended that she was taken lightly. Once Willow decides to actually start wrestling, it turns into a very hard hitting affair, as they are both very strong. Neither one wants to give an inch. Lucy shows that while Willow may be famous, and has the crowd singing songs about her, Lucy is just as strong as Willow.

Willow appears to get frustrated and hits some Kobashi chops. Willow’s experience is able to combat Lucy’s power and she is able to stay a step ahead. Lucy hits a great suplex from the second rope, then goes for a frog splash, but Willow puts up her knees, as Willow is again a step ahead.

Willow gets desperate with five minutes left and hits a DVD on the apron. They fight on the outside and Lucy hits a big spear followed by a knee and a frog splash, but Willow kicks out at two. This is a great match.

With under two minutes left, Willow hits a Pounce and a Doctor Bomb for the win. This was one of the matches on the show that I was looking forward to, and it exceeded all expectations. Willow may have gotten the win, but I think Lucy Sky showed the world just how good she is.

EVE World Championship: Nyla Rose (c) vs. Rhio

Big fight feel for this match, and Nyla Rose starts out fast. Rhio rolls to the outside of the ring, but Nyla can fight out there too. Rhio shows has strong that she is, standing toe to toe with Nyla and picking Nyla up. Rhio talking trash to Nyla, which may be a big mistake. The crowd has been very loud all night, and are split in this match. 

The match is very back and forth with neither one keeping on offense for a very long period of time. Rhio brings out some chairs to use, but Nyla moves. Nyla takes control, but has a little too much fun, and Rhio is here to inflict pain and win titles, not have fun.

Nyla brings out some weapons from under the ring and it appears that we have a hardcore match, as they both have kendo sticks. They then fight on the outside of the ring. Rhio goes for three suicide dives, but Nyla catches her on the third and throws her far into the crowd. Nyla hits a dive off the ropes, through a table. Rhio gets a surge of energy and hits a package piledriver on a chair for the win. 

After the match, Alexxis Falcon comes out and says that she is joining forces with Rhio and Rhio will be her partner at the next show. This brings out Millie McKenzie who says that she can’t wrestle, but she is Martina’s coach, and in the main event on December 5th it will be Alexxis Falcon and Rhio against Session Moth Martina and JAMIE HAYTER!!!!

This was a really good show. The show was very entertaining in itself and got us moving forward to possibly the biggest show in EVE history, which will be at O2 in March for She-1.

I thought the best match of the night was Willow against Lucy Sky. The 8 person tag match was so much fun, it will be interesting to see where Nina and Abi go from here and I would like to see more of Skye Smitson and Violet Nyte (Nyte Skye?). The final match for Yuu was done perfectly and was extremely emotional. While, Rhio is one of the top female wrestlers in Europe and possibly the world, so she totally deserved to become the EVE World Champion.