For years, Gisele Shaw has been a prominent figure in TNA’s Knockouts division, engaging in feuds with top talents such as Jordynne Grace and Tasha Steelz. However, her time with the promotion is officially coming to an end, and the Filipino-Canadian wrestler has expressed gratitude to those who supported her during her tenure.

On Twitter, Shaw thanked her fans and colleagues for their messages following the news of her departure from TNA. She also thanked the company for the opportunities provided to her. Shaw is excited for the future and the adventures that lie ahead for her in the wrestling industry.

Shaw wrapped up her time with TNA at the latest tapings after requesting her release from the promotion, Fightful Select reports. TNA management granted the request on the condition that Shaw worked through the tapings and put someone ‘over’ on her way out. Shaw did both and it’s reported that her exit went very smoothly from both sides.

What’s Next for Gisele Shaw?

Shaw will appear for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling at the promotion’s upcoming shows on October 19, and 20, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The show will see Shaw reconnect with other TNA names including Josh Alexander, ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey, KUSHIDA, and former TNA President (now Maple Leaf Pro owner) Scott D’Amore.

Some in All Elite Wrestling were interested in Shaw before she signed with TNA Wrestling, PW Insider Elite adds. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Gisele Shaw now that the wrestler is ready for her next chapter in the ring post-TNA Wrestling.

Check out SEScoops’ exclusive interview with the Quintessential Diva below!

Former TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore is set to relaunch Maple Leaf Wrestling as Mapple Leaf Pro (MLP) this October. D’Amore has kept a low profile since his abrupt termination from TNA Wrestling on February 7. He reportedly attempted to acquire the promotion from Anthem Sports and Entertainment, but was denied. This went down right after D’Amore had successfully led Impact Wrestling’s rebrand back to TNA.

After months of suspense, D’Amore returns to wrestling to run Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. They will host a two-night Forged By Excellence event on October 19 and 20 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Tickets will go on sale on August 26, these Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling events will stream live on Triller TV on pay-per-view.

Former WWE Champion Raj Dheshi (Jinder Mahal) has been announced for the first shows, along with TNA stars Josh Alexander, Gisele Shaw, and KUSHIDA.

History of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling

The company originated in Toronto, Canada, and started as Queensbury Athletic Club in the 1930s. It would rebrand to Maple Leaf Wrestling in the 1940s and feature several legendary wrestlers, including Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino, and Ric Flair. By 1984, WWE(FKA WWF) acquired Major Leaf Wrestling, and the promotion ceased operation.

The move to relaunch Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling may help restore the brand’s legacy and attract a new audience that was unaware of its existence. It was also announced that the library of old matches from the promotion will be uploaded to YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms, which will allow fans to watch their history at a later date.

D’Amore decision to resurrect Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is intriguing and could be an exciting promotion in the independent wrestling market. From his work at TNA, he has shown what he can contribute to a company. Hopefully, this will open more opportunities for Canadian and other indie wrestlers who have yet to be given a spotlight.  

There’ll be no shortage of gold on the line when TNA Wrestling hosts its No Surrender event this month. 

TNA No Surrender will take place from the Alario Center in Westwego, Louisiana on Friday, February 23. The show will be TNA’ second major event since its relaunch, which officially came into effect with last month’s Hard to Kill show. 

TNA Knockouts Championship Match

On this week’s episode of TNA iMPACT! it was announced that Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace will defend her gold at No Surrender against Gisele Shaw. Both women have been building momentum as of late. Grace captured the title at Hard to Kill last month and shocked the world by competing in the 2024 WWE Women’s Royal Rumble Match. 

Gisele Shaw earned her shot at Grace at Hard to Kill by winning a Knockouts Ultimate X match. She defeated Alisha Edwards, Dani Luna, Jody Threat, Tasha Steelz, and Xia Brookside in the show’s opener. 

BREAKING: @JordynneGrace will defend the Knockouts World Championship against @GiseleShaw08 on February 23rd at #NoSurrender LIVE on TNA+ and YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders!

Get TNA+: https://t.co/VpfTemyOYk

Be there LIVE: https://t.co/BnKNO0R4tu pic.twitter.com/2c3RNeRPrz

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 2, 2024

TNA World Championship Match

At Hard to Kill, Moose captured the TNA World Championship from Alex Shelley. During this week’s TNA iMPACT! Shelley officially informed Moose that he’d be utilizing his rematch. Moose accepted the challenge and warned Shelley that he was going to learn how “The System” works. The System is the name of Moose’s faction, which consists of himself, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, and Alisha Edwards.

.@AlexShelley313 has officially called for his TNA World Championship rematch at #NoSurrender! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XwgOlw2syA

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 2, 2024

Whoever wins this TNA World Championship match could soon be sharing the ring with Nic Nemeth, who made his TNA debut at Hard to Kill. After close to two decades in WWE, Nemeth is ready for a fresh start in TNA and has set his sights on the top of the card… 

Hot off the heels of Hard To Kill, Impact Wrestling held their Fallout event the following day that included the return of an iconic former champion.

On January 14, Impact filmed their next round of television tapings, featuring a Knockouts Tag Team Championship match on the card. Reigning champions Taya Valkyrie and Jessicka represented The Death Dollz in defending their titles against a newly formed team.

“The Quintessential Diva” Gisele Shaw was one of their opponents to step up the plate. Since officially joining the company early last year, Shaw has gone through a rotation of tag team partners, including Lady Frost, The Influence, and VXT. While Shaw’s previous track record in the tag team division hasn’t been the best, it seems as though Shaw received a chance to redeem herself by teaming with a 5-time Knockouts Champion.

After reveling in the massive Knockouts Championship win of her friend, Mickie James, the night before, Tara returned to the Impact Zone for the first time since 2013 to compete. Unfortunately for this team, though, their run didn’t last long.

Tara Ain’t The Lady To Mess With

Tensions began to brew between Tara and Shaw, leading to an in-ring confrontation between the two. After Shaw refused to tag her partner in, Tara soon delivered Widows Peak to Gisele Shaw. As a result, The Death Dollz retained their Knockouts Tag Team Championships.

This tag team bout marked Tara’s — real name Lisa Marie Varon, Victoria in WWE — first match since January 2021 at the Royal Rumble, and her second since September 2019 when she retired from professional wrestling.

The tapings took place at the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.

IMPACT Wrestling presents Lone Star Stampede this weekend from Dallas, Texas. The two-day television taping event will feature “The Quintessential Diva”, Gisele Shaw.

Ahead of the IMPACT tapings, Shaw spoke with SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay about why 2022 was the right year for her to sign the company, her thoughts on Killer Kelly joining the Knockouts Division, her ring-gear inspirations, and more.

Here are some highlights of what Gisele Shaw said about:

Why Now Was The Right Time To Sign With IMPACT Wrestling After Previous Attempts From The Company:

“I just feel like before there were no opportunities. So I’ve been the kind of person where if there’s no opportunities, I’m going to create opportunities for myself. So that’s why I went to the U.K, I did that. I was hoping anyway. I was banking on them loving me and hopefully making me want to stay and keep me there, which they did. At the time, I just wanted to make a name for myself and learn that type of wrestling.

When IMPACT first came to me, I just was not ready because I didn’t really feel like I’ve accomplished what I needed to accomplish in the UK at the time. So when I’ve reached the pinnacle, as you would say, in the British scene, I felt like, ‘okay, what’s next? You know?’. Then it just so happened at the time, IMPACT Wrestling came back again and they go, ‘Are you ready now?’ I said, ‘Let’s go. This is the time’.”

On Killer Kelly Joining The Knockouts Division:

“I actually know Killer Kelly from the UK when we were both working in that scene. It’s so crazy because, the only time that we’ve actually wrestled was once in a four way and immediately we were like, ‘Oh man, I really want to wrestle you,’ and vice versa. We’ve just been waiting and waiting and watching her now at IMPACT [Wrestling].

She’s so incredible. When she comes out on her entrance, I tell everyone, ‘oh, my God. She’s such a vixen’. She’s just got this aura about her that’s just like, ‘yeah, I’m about to mess you up,’ you know what I mean? I don’t know. It’s just like something about her. It’s like that, Je ne sais quoi.”

Ring Gear Inspirations:

“So my ring gear, I like it to be inspired like Victoria’s Secret style. When I was growing up–so this is what I was when I was growing up. I always wanted to either be a Victoria’s Secret Angel or a professional wrestler. And you know what? I’m doing it both right now. Pretty much. Why not have the best of both worlds? And so, yeah, they [Victoria Secret Angels] do inspire me to [be] like sexy but confident, strong, independent woman, That’s what the Quintessential Diva is.”

The Lone Star Stampede will run this Friday August 26th & Saturday August 27th from Dallas, Texas. Tickets for the event can be found here.

Gisele Shaw, who wrestles for Impact Wrestling, has come out as transgender. 

She did so while speaking with the San Francisco Chronicle and Breakfast Television in Canada 

“There is really no perfect time to be coming out,” Shaw told The Chronicle. “It’s my journey. Now just felt right for me. Today I’m fully living my life to the fullest, truly, authentic, freely and I am a transgender and I’m very proud,” she said on Breakfast Television.

She has been wrestling for seven years after being trained by Lance Storm and has won titles for RevPro, Pro-Wrestling EVE, and Progress. 

“People are going to have opinions, but whatever they say, it doesn’t define who I am,” Shaw continued. “I know who I am and I am true to myself.”

Shaw also spoke about the support she has received from her sisters after sharing the news: 

“Coming from an Asian background, being the oldest, there was an unsaid rule, the expectation was that I would carry the family name, that I would set an example, that I would take care of my sisters. There was a lot of pressure from my parents to be great,” Shaw said. “My sisters were so important, asking ‘How can you feel like you have failed as a parent? Gisele gets to live her dream. If you want us to look up to someone, why not someone living their dream and being the best version of themselves?’ That was an eye-opener for my parents.”

Executive Vice President of Impact Wrestling Scott D’Amore also spoke to the Chronicle where he called her a valued member of their roster and her role “will not be affected or in any way changed by her disclosing she’s transgender to the wider public.”

The chronicle also spoke to current Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace who said that they have mutual trust and respect. 

Shaw is currently scheduled to face Rosemary on next Thursday’s edition of Impact Wrestling.

Gisele Shaw officially made her debut for IMPACT Wrestling as part of the recent television tapings that took place.

Shaw appeared on the entrance ramp after Lady Frost defeated Alisha Edwards, Gisele would pose in front of Lady Frost while ignoring her, then leave.

Gisele Shaw is currently the PROGRESS Wrestling Women’s Champion and will be appearing for the company at their Sunday 6th February show in Manchester, England.

It is not currently confirmed if Shaw is now officially signed to the company or whether this will be a short run.

Gisele Shaw IMPACT

It is also not confirmed if Shaw will be dropping the PROGRESS Women’s Championship, or whether she will be able to honor the dates she is already booked for to drop the title.

Rhio and Mercedez Blaze are set to collide at today’s PROGRESS live show return in the Revelations of Divine Love tournament final. The winner of that bout will go on to face Shaw for the title on Sunday 6th February.

It is not known when the episode of IMPACT Wrestling featuring the debut of Gisele Shaw will be aired, but it will likely be in the coming weeks ahead of the No Surrender event on Saturday February 19th.

Impact Wrestling is promoting the arrival of a new Knockouts competitor. The as of yet unnamed wrestler is being promoted as the “Quintessential Diva.”

While this has not been confirmed, the moniker is often used by Progress Women’s Champion, Gisele Shaw.

Shaw worked several matches for Impact Wrestling in 2018 at shows that were in the Windsor or Mississauga areas. She’s also worked for Scott D’Amore’s Border City Wrestling in Windsor. In 2019, she also worked under the name Azteca for the WOW promotion.

Shaw was trained by Lance Storm in the Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Shaw is the second new member of the Knockouts division to be added recently. Masha Slamovich also debuted recently and seems poised to move up the rankings quickly.

Shaw made headlines recently when she challenged Sasha Banks to come to Progress and face her for the title.

“I’d like to add, my people told me that apparently Sasha Banks wants to come to PROGRESS, and if we can make that happen, then you know what, I’m open to a singles match,” Shaw stated in response to a question of who she would like to see in the promotion. “I’m open to a triple threat, doesn’t matter to me. Get that out there”

PROGRESS Wrestling held their Chapter 121 event this weekend on Peacock, WWE Network and demandPROGRESS.

The show featured three title matches, with Cara Noir defending his PROGRESS World Championship against Chris Ridgeway in a 30-minute Iron Man match as the main event.

Gisele Shaw also defended her Women’s Championship against Alexxis Falcon and Lykos Gym defended their PROGRESS Tag Team Championships against Charlie Sterling & Nick Riley (Smokin’ Aces).

Former TNA X-Division Champion Doug Williams was also back in action on the card, facing the young up and comer Danny Black in the opening contest of the night.

PROGRESS Chapter 121 Results

Here are the full results from Chapter 121: in twenty years this will all be orange:

• Doug Williams b. Danny Black
• The Sunshine Machine (Chuck Mambo & TK Cooper) b. Elijah &Charles Crowley
• Luke Jacobs b. Spike Trivet – via disqualification
• PROGRESS Tag Team Championship Match – Smokin’ Aces (Nick Riley & Charlie Sterling) b. Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II) (c) – New Champions!
• PROGRESS Women’s Championship Match – Gisele Shaw (c) b. Alexxis Falcon
• PROGRESS World Championship 30-Minute Iron-Man Match – Cara Noir (c) and Chris Ridgeway – tied at 3-3, Noir retains his Championship

Here are some highlights from the show that were uploaded to the company’s YouTube channel:

The company will be presenting Chapter 122: Salsa Shark next Saturday, September 18th again on Peacock, WWE Network and demandPROGRESS.

PROGRESS Wrestling has confirmed that their Women’s Championship will be on the line at their next show, Chapter 121.

Gisele Shaw will be defending her title against Alexxis Falcon, who has already defeated her since the return of PROGRESS Chapters in 2021.

Shaw did however defeat Alexxis at a more recent event after The ‘Dragon of PROGRESS’ had won the top Championship.

The company released a hype video ahead of the anticipated rematch on Saturday, September 11th on Peacock, WWE Network and demandPROGRESS.

This match joins the already confirmed 30 minute Iron Man match between Cara Noir and Chris Ridgeway for the PROGRESS World Championship as well as the second-ever PROGRESS match for Charles Crowley.

Crowley will be joining ELIJAH to face Chuck Mambo and TK Cooper of Sunshine Machine on the card.

Many more matches are expected to be revealed over the next few days ahead of the card on Saturday, September 11th on Peacock, WWE Network and demandPROGRESS.

Check out the hype video for Gisele Shaw vs Alexxis Falcon via the tweet below:

PROGRESS Chapter 121

Here is the current confirmed card for the show:

• 30 Minute Iron Man Match for the PROGRESS World Championship: Cara Noir (c) vs Chris Ridgeway
• Charles Crowley & ELIJAH vs Sunshine Machine
• PROGRESS Women’s Championship Match: Gisele Shaw (c) vs Alexxis Falcon

WHERE AND HOW TO WATCH: 

WWE Network (worldwide)

demandPROGRESS (worldwide)

Peacock (US only)

PROGRESS has confirmed two major Championship matches for their upcoming Chapter show event on Peacock, WWE Network and demandPROGRESS.

The company’s World Champion Cara Noir will be defending against Danny Black; PROGRESS Women’s Champion Gisele Shaw will be defending against Laura Di Matteo.

This will be the return match for Cara Noir, who was last seen defending his title against Smokin’ Aces member Charlie Sterling.

Danny Black made the challenge to the champion during the last Chapter event. The Black Swan officially agreed to the bout earlier today.

PROGRESS Chapter 118

Gisele Shaw won the Women’s Championship at this past weekend’s event, after winning a triple threat match featuring Alexxis Falcon and Mercedez Blaze.

Former Champion Kanji had to relinquish the title due to injury, confirming that she had rebroken the arm that nearly caused her to end her career.

Here is the currently confirmed card for PROGRESS Chapter 118:

• Smokin’ Aces (Charlie Sterling and Nick Riley) vs Greedy Souls (Danny Jones and Brendan White)
• PROGRESS Women’s Championship Match – Gisele Shaw (c) vs Laura Di Matteo
• PROGRESS World Championship Match – Cara Noir (c) vs Danny Black

Chapter 118 – Fake Tickets To a Hog Roast in Sumatra takes place on Saturday, August 21st.

The show is part of WWE SummerSlam 2021 weekend and will be available on Peacock, WWE Network and demandPROGRESS.

PROGRESS Wrestling star Gisele Shaw won the company’s Women’s Championship over the weekend.

Former Champion Kanji had to relinquish her title due to injury. The former Champion confirmed that she had re-injured her arm following a devastating near career-ending injury a few years ago.

The planned triple threat match for the night between Alexxis Falcon, Mercedez Blaze and Gisele Shaw then became a contest with the Women’s Championship on the line.

Gisele Shaw Wins The PROGRESS Title

Shaw would win the match to solidify her career on the British wrestling stage, with the Lance Storm trained star also holding the Rev Pro Women’s Championship.

The ‘Quintessential Diva’ appeared on WWE’s The Bump a few months ago and called out the likes of Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch.

Gisele’s next challenger has yet to be revealed by the company, although the company are likely to announce if she will appear at the next Chapter show in the coming week.

Shaw has been one of the bigger stars coming out of the new era of PROGRESS Wrestling, with the Canadian/Filipino performer having main evented a large number of shows since the company began running from the Theatre Peckham.

Here are the full results from the show which is available to watch on Peacock, WWE Network or demandPROGRESS:

• Big Guns Joe b. Kid Lykos II
• Chris Ridgeway b. KEINEN
• Nick Riley b. LK Mezinger
• Man Like DeReiss b. Danny Black
• Taonga b. Ronnie Knocks
• Hari Singh b. Spike Trivet
• Dean Allmark b. Ethan Allen
• Charlie Sterling b. Kid Lykos
• Warren Banks b. Luke Jacobs
• PROGRESS Women’s Championship Match – Gisele Shaw b. Alexxis Falcon and Mercedez Blaze to win the vacant title

PROGRESS Wrestling star Gisele Shaw has stated her intent for a match against former WWE Superstar Mickie James. The Canadian/Filipina ‘Quintessential Diva’ took to Twitter to post a throwback photo of her and ‘Hardcore Country’ Mickie James before saying that the match needs to happen.

“Throwback to the first time I met @MickieJames before I started training” Gisele Shaw tweeted. “We’d cross paths again a few years later, however it was in catering…”

Gisele Shaw on Mickie James

“I’d love to see her again but this time in the ring and make one of my dreams come true!” The PROGRESS Women’s Division star added, “Hardcore Country vs The Quintessential Diva.”

Gisele Shaw recently appeared on WWE’s The Bump, where she would make a challenge to WWE RAW Superstar Charlotte Flair. Shaw appeared on the show alongside Kanji ahead of their Best of 3 Series final for the PROGRESS Women’s final, which Kanji would eventually win and become the new Champion after NXT UK Superstar Jinny had to vacate the title.

Shaw is currently set for a match at PROGRESS Chapter 114 against Taonga. Chapter 114: Set Eyeballs To Stun will be available on Peacock in United States and WWE Network everywhere else as of 5pm BST on Saturday July 3.

PROGRESS Wrestling star Gisele Shaw has called out WWE Superstar Sasha Banks. During a recent PROGRESS Media Call, Shaw said that she has ‘heard’ that Banks wants to perform in a PROGRESS ring, and the ‘Quintessential Diva’ Shaw has said that she is ready for the challenge.

“My people told me that apparently Sasha Banks wants to come to PROGRESS” Gisele Shaw mentioned during the media call. “And if we can make that happen, then you know what? I’m open to a singles match.”

Previously, Shaw had called out Charlotte Flair on WWE’s The Bump on Wednesday. Shaw said that The Queen has won every Championship going, but she has never faced the Canadian star nor the PROGRESS Women’s Championship; which Jordynne Grace recently said was on par with the IMPACT title.

Gisele Shaw on Sasha Banks

“I’m open to a triple threat, doesn’t matter to me” Gisele continued, after mentioning Charlotte Flair. “Get that out there.”

Gisele Shaw vs Kanji headlines PROGRESS Chapter 111 tonight on WWE Network, Peacock and demandPROGRESS.

Here’s the full card for the show which is available on demand from 5pm GMT, 1pm Eastern and 10am Pacific:

• Spike Trivet vs Big Guns Joe
• Luke Jacobs vs Chris Ridgeway
• Taonga vs Mercedez Blaze
• The 0121 vs Sunshine Machine
• Kid Lykos vs Danny Black
• PROGRESS Women’s Champion Best of Three Series: Match 3 – Kanji vs Gisele Shaw

PROGRESS Wrestling has confirmed that the final match in their Best of 3 Series for the PROGRESS Women’s Championship will take place in just under two weeks.

Kanji and Gisele Shaw will do battle for the third time in as many chapters to determine who will be the next Women’s Champion on Saturday May 22.

Former Champions Jordynne Grace and Jinny commented on the importance of the title ahead of the final match between the two stars.

“The PROGRESS Women’s Championship is tied as one of the most prestigious belts I’ve ever held, on par with the IMPACT Knockout’s Championship” Jordynne Grace said recently. “Only the best women’s wrestlers in the world have held that belt, and it’s an honor to be among them.”

PROGRESS Chapter 111

“PROGRESS gave me my start in wrestling” NXT UK Superstar Jinny recently noted. “It allowed me to make my dream a reality. There wasn’t a Women’s Championship when I started.”

“From having the first women’s match on a Chapter show and proving we need a Championship for the women of PROGRESS, to becoming a two-time PROGRESS Wrestling Women’s Champion, makes the title that much more special to me,” Jinny concluded.

The company has also released a video ahead of the final match between Kanji and Gisele Shaw hyping the trilogy match: