EVE kicks off 2026 with a huge event. Not only is it the SHE-1, which may be one of the most historic tournaments in the history of women’s wrestling, but it also sets the stage for Wrestle Queendom 8, which will be the biggest event in EVE history.

This is the 7th installment of the SHE-1, which has included wrestlers such as Jamie Hayter, Meiko Satomura, Madison Eagles, Toni Storm, Millie McKenzie, Jazz, Mercedes Martinez, Charli Evans, and many of the top women in Europe and beyond. This years event will feature 1 qualifier match, 4 Quarter Finals, 2 Semifinals, and the finals, so the winner will have to beat at least three extremely tough opponents.

SHE-1 Qualifier: Abi Cartwright vs. Debbie Keitel

The first match is a qualifier between Abi and a mystery opponent, who ends up being Debbie Keitel, who has recently come back from a long stint in Japan. Abi got herself into this match, because she is the assistant to Nina Samuels and accidently put her name on the SHE-1 contract instead of Nina’s name. Nina is on commentary through out the whole show and is incredibly entertaining, especially in this segment.

Abi says that when she wins the SHE-1 she will give the title match that she earns to Nina Samuels. However, Abi is defeated by Debbie in 10 seconds.

SHE-1 Quarter Finals: Anita Vaughan vs. Debbie Keitel

Debbie’s next match is not going to be quite as easy, as her opponent is the former EVE International Champion, Anita Vaughan. Debbie and Anita held the tag team championship together as The Gals, but this is a very different Anita Vaughan. Debbie offers a handshake and Vaughan appears to give her a hug, but it turns into a fall away slam. She dominates most of the match, but Debbie gets a surge of energy with two minutes left. Anita gets the win with a tiger driver with under a minute left. Really good match that showed how much Anita Vaughan has changed and how focused and violent she can be. 

SHE-1 Quarter Finals: Skye Smitson vs. Emi Sakura

Emi tries to play mind games with Skye, even giving some Orange Cassidy style punches, but with no luck, Skye is staying focused. The crowd fires Emi up with some “We Will Rock You” chants. Emi hits an impressive long stalling back breaker. We are getting classic Emi in this match, as she is showing that she can be fun, but also showing what a great wrestler she is. Skye is not showing her usual fun loving antics and is very serious throughout the match. Skye counters Emi’s offense, locks in a submission and forces Emi to tap out quick. This is a very rare submission loss for Emi and really shows how focused Skye is.

SHE-1 Quarter Finals: Alexxis Falcon vs. Session Moth Martina

Falcon jumps Session Moth before the bell rings. Martina gets some spurts of offense, but they do not last long. Martina gets a surprise backside out of nowhere for the win. This infuriates Alexxis and she attacks Martina after the match, leaving her laying in the ring. Martina showed how tough she was during the match, but is questionable if she is even going to continue to the next round in the tournament. 

SHE-1 Quarter Finals: Molly Spartan vs. Safire Reed

This was looking to be a very interesting match, as the former SHE-1 Champion, Safire Reed, takes on the newcomer to EVE, Molly Spartan. Unfortunately this match did not really get started. Safire looked to start the match off fast and goes for a flying shining wizard, but must have landed bad, as she did not get up. She was helped to the back and we enter an intermission.

During intermission, Nina Samuals came on to tell us that Safire would not be able to continue and Molly Spartan would be moving on. We all hope that Safire is doing better and is able to come back to EVE whenever she is ready.

SHE-1 Semi Finals: Anita Vaughan vs. Skye Smitson

Our first semi finals match is between two very hard hitting wrestlers. Skye starts the match off hot with Anita avoiding her and then using Skye’s aggression against her. Skye comes into this match already angry at Vaughan, since she was the one that attacked her in the back last year to keep her from competing in the 2025 SHE-1.

The match breaks down and they just start throwing punches at each other. Any kick, punch or lariat from these two women could knock their opponent out. However, what gets the win is some dastardly moves by Anita, when she throws Skye into an exposed turnbuckle and gets the pin.

This was a great hard-hitting match, and though I am a huge fan of Skye, I think Anita Vaughan deserves to be in the finals with the year that she has had.

The EVE World Champion Rhio comes out and says that it doesn’t matter who wins the SHE-1 because they can’t beat her. She then starts talking about Nightshade, who tries to attack her, but is stopped. They will face each other next month to see who is the champion going into Wrestle Queendom 8.

SHE-1 Semi Finals: Molly Sparton vs. Session Moth Martina

Martina is walking gingerly to the ring and Molly is completely fresh. Molly clearly is the fresher and healthier wrestler going into this match and that is the story of the match. Molly uses her power to dominate Martina early, suplexing her on the crowd chairs. Martina fights back as Molly misses a splash onto the chairs, but Martina gets thrown into a steel door. They fight to the bar, but Molly unwisely pours beer on Martina, which fires her up. However, like before, Martina’s offense does not last long. Molly picks Martina up for a Samoan Drop, but Martina evades and pins Molly with a back slide. This is two wins in a row for Martina with a back slide, but she does not appear to have much left in her.

The commentary says that there should be a break, but Anita Vaughan comes to the ringside area. Vaughan says that if Martina believes in herself she needs no rest, and Martina agrees to start the match right away.

SHE-1 Finals: Anita Vaughan vs. Session Moth Martina

Anita starts the match off fast, as she is looking to put Martina away quick. Anita dominates, but Martina hits a code breaker and a Jager Bomb for the win.

This match and the whole tournament was about Martina overcoming all the odds and finding a way to win when no one thought she could. This story has been going on all year at EVE with Martina being on a very long losing streak and contemplating giving up. It was her old friend and former SHE-1 champion Millie McKenzie, who got her motivated and helped her get back on the winning track.

McKenzie was not able to be there, so Martina had to prove that she could do it on her own. Martina did believe in herself and now she is heading to main event the biggest event in EVE history.

We have a very exciting couple months for EVE to kick off 2026. Their next show is the Multiverse Rumble. This is typically one of the most fun shows of the year, as the EVE wrestlers dress up as other characters in a crazy rumble. However before we go to another universe, a very serious match will take place, as Rhio will defend the EVE Championship against Nightshade. 

This all leads to the biggest event in EVE history, Wrestle Queendom 8. This year’s Wrestle Queendom will take place at The Indigo at O2 in London on March 8th.

Already announced for the show are Miyu Yamashita, Jamie Hayter, Harley Cameron, DASH Chisako, AZM, Kris Statlander defending her EVE International Championship against Charlie (former WWE star Dakota Kai) and in the main event Session Moth Martina will challenge for the EVE Championship against the winner of Nightshade versus Rhio.