AEW All Out: A re-introduction to former WWE Women’s Champion, Jazz
Wednesday night, AEW announced there will be a women’s Casino Battle Royal at All Out to determine who will be the first contender for their inaugural women’s championship. Notably, they also revealed one of the 21 entrants will be Jazz.
In a surprise announcement, the former NWA World Women’s Champion, Jazz, declared she will appear at All Out this week. That’s right the… erm, best is back. The women’s wrestling legend will be one of 21 participants fighting for their chance to become the number one contender for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Last week, All Elite Wrestling announced that their first AEW Women’s Championship match will take place during their television debut on TNT. This monumental news left many fans wondering who would compete for the new title.
On this week’s episode of Road to All Out, Brandi Rhodes confirmed that the winner of the women’s Casino Battle Royal will be the first contender.
Jazz hasn’t been seen in action since March. In April, she unexpectedly vacated the NWA Women’s World Championship due to medical reasons. It was an unfortunate end to a historic title reign.
The “Female Fighting Phenom” became the second African American woman to hold the title when she defeated Amber Gallows in September of 2016. In addition, her 948-day reign is the longest tenure as NWA World Women’s Champion in the modern era.
The Fabulous Moolah and Debbie Combs’ combined reigns eclipse hers, but it’s still a feat to be recognized among such names, especially for a black woman. It’s one of many impressive accomplishments on the 20-year veteran’s resume.
Jazz made a name for herself as part of ECW, which she later transitioned into a three-year run with WWE. That doesn’t seem like a long time, but she made an impact as a two-time WWE Women’s Champion.
She even she successfully defended the title against two WWE Hall of Famers – Lita and Trish Stratus - at WrestleMania 18. Her work as a top heel in the women’s division at that time can not be understated. As a matter of fact, she was instrumental in Stratus’ growth as a credible wrestler. Their rivalry was a huge steppingstone for the seven-time women’s champion.
After she was released, Jazz worked with the New Jersey-based women’s promotion, Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU). She notably unsuccessfully challenged Mercedes Martinez for the WSU Championship in the main event of their first internet Pay-Per-View, Breaking Barriers, in November of 2010.
In the following year, she joined Marti Belle as a replacement for her partner, Tina San Antonio, who was injured. The two became the new WSU Tag Team champions at the company’s four-year anniversary show on Mar. 5, 2011. She was one of three inductees who entered the WSU Hall of Fame in 2010.
After a brief hiatus, Jazz returned to the indie circuit in 2016 to wrestle for Chikara. She entered the 2016 King of Trios tournament along with two other WWE alumni – Mickie James and Victoria - under the name Team Original Divas Revolution.
AEW All Out Preview and predictions for the card so far. dark. Next
It’s unclear if Jazz will make more appearances for AEW after All Out, but she is a great addition to the women’s Casino Battle Royal. Even if this is just a one-off, such a high-profile name will no doubt help to bolster their fledgling women division. Hopefully, this leads to more work with her in the future.