PWPNation.com‘s Women Wrestling Specialist, Matthew Hollie, takes on an article listing The Top 10 SHIMMER Wrestlers of all time heading into their 10th anniversary
This weekend, SHIMMER will officially celebrate their 10th anniversary of the promotion. The names and faces that came in the promotion are endless since they opened their doors to those talented ladies in 2005.
SHIMMER has filmed 75 volumes, more than a thousand matches, and made stars out of several women’s wrestlers. With that in mind, here are my top 10 SHIMMER wrestlers since the promotion started hitting the ground, and of course, it will be counting down from 10 all the way to 1 when this is all said and done. So without further ado, let’s get on with the countdown.
10. Portia Perez
One of the most talented athletes on the SHIMMER roster throughout her career, Portia Perez is also the most outspoken individual on the roster since she came into the promotion in 2006. A two-time SHIMMER Tag Team Champion and a broadcaster, Portia will do anything to get a win.
Her rivalry with Allison Danger is well documented in the promotion, but her alliance with current SHIMMER Champion Nicole Matthews is highly well known in the industry. When these two ladies get involved, be prepared for cheap tactics and underhanded wins. It’s what makes the Canadian Ninjas the best tag team in the world, and that’s why Portia is on the list at #10.
9. Kellie Skater
What makes Kellie Skater the best? Simple: she’s a proud Aussie through and through. While she made her debut in 2009, Skater issued open challenges to the SHIMMER locker room, and names like LuFisto, Cheerleader Melissa, MsChif, Amazing Kong, and many others. And each time, she lost to them. “The Rate Tank” would later team up with Tomoka Nakagawa to form the tandem of the Global Green Gangsters, or 3G for short.
They went on to win the SHIMMER Tag Team Championship on SHIMMER Volume 57, and they held the belts for 727 days, a record that stands to this day. Now on a singles path again, Kellie will do her best to bring the SHIMMER Championship to the Bacchus Marsh section of Victoria, Australia.
8. Ayako Hamada
Coming to SHIMMER in 2009, Ayako Hamada made an amazing mark on SHIMMER.
A high flying joshi with an amazing moveset, Hamada brought a new wave of joshi stars to the promotion and set the standard for every joshi in SHIMMER.
While she held the SHIMMER Tag Team Championship with Ayumi Kurihara in 2011, she battled the best women’s wrestlers in the world in the likes of Cheerleader Melissa, Athena, Kana, and many others.
A first class athlete since the day she came to SHIMMER, Hamada will always be remembered by SHIMMER fans as an Main-event caliber athlete.
7. Allison Danger
Without Allison Danger, SHIMMER wouldn’t exist. Along with Dave Prazak, she started SHIMMER with the intention to showcase talented women from around the world. And she did, with names like MsChif, Melissa, Nicole, Saraya Knight, and many more helping the vision become a reality. When she retired in 2013, she continued to run the promotion along with Prazak to continue building a brand for women’s wrestling fans all over the world.
6. Madison Eagles
One of two SHIMMER stars that made the PWI Female 50, Madison Eagles is one of Australia’s top athletes in women’s wrestling. A former SHIMMER Champion in her own right, Madison was sidelined for the majority of 2012 thanks to a knee injury; but returned full time in 2013 and is currently a constant contender for the SHIMMER Championship. Due in part of her tremendous skill set and height, Madison can bring her opponents down for the count, whether it’s Cheerleader Melissa or Nicole Matthews or maybe Kana. On this list, she is highly regarded as one of the best women’s wrestlers in the new millennium.
5. Nicole Matthews
Nicole Matthews, the current SHIMMER Champion, isn’t the most popular girl on the roster, but she knows how to get it done in the ring. While records don’t even matter, Nicole and her partner Portia Perez held the SHIMMER Tag Team Championship the longest when it comes to days combined.
Now as the reigning SHIMMER Champion, Nicole has high profile target on her back against several talented ladies on the roster. Will she be the greatest SHIMMER Champion of all time? Only time will tell.
4. Saraya Knight
A British wrestling legend and a highly respected wrestler, Sweet Saraya Knight may go down as one of the most influential women’s wrestlers in the industry today. Debuting in 2011 along with Brittani Knight (Also known as Paige in WWE), her wars with Christina Von Eerie, Cheerleader Melissa, and LuFisto helped her climb the ladder of success in SHIMMER when captured the SHIMMER Championship in 2012. Although she has become more of a hardcore figure as of late, Saraya is still regarded as one of the most gifted technicians in British wrestling and one of the most respected women’s wrestlers in the United Kingdom.
3. Sara Del Rey
Sara Del Rey is the first SHIMMER Champion in history & she is highly regarded as one of the best women’s wrestlers in this era. With a several titles such as the SHIMMER Championship and the SHIMMER Tag Team Championship, Sara is highly respected in this industry as a wrestler and a trainer.
Now with WWE as a coach in their Performance Center, her knowledge of the sport knows no bounds. Do I think she’s one of the best wrestlers who ever graced the SHIMMER ring? I say yes.
2. MsChif
MsChif, one of the best names on the independent circuit, is one of the most dominating women’s wrestling star in the 21st century, and her record shows. With the longest single title reign, a whopping 715 days; and the most defenses, 15 in all. He rivalries with Cheerleader Melissa is extremely documented, and every challenge she has faced ends with her as the victor. MsChif may be one of the greatest champions in SHIMMER history, but when it comes down to it, her consistency measures up to success.
1. Cheerleader Melissa
A mainstay of SHIMMER since the very beginning, Melissa has been a dominant force for women’s wrestling throughout her career. A 2-time SHIMMER Champion, Melissa holds the record for most days as champion combined with 728 days, most appearances by a SHIMMER wrestler in the ten year history including a run-in at SHIMMER Volume 61, and the longest streak of matches she has appeared in (60 in all, one that can never be broken), and the most successful record in SHIMMER history, a record that’s better than the New York Knicks.
From MsChif to Mercedes Martinez to Wesna Busic to Madison Eagles even to Saraya Knight, Melissa has faced them all and with very good reason. A respect name in women’s wrestling and one of the greatest women’s wrestlers today, the Female Terminator is my selection for the greatest SHIMMER star of all time.
While there are several names that did not make the cut, I have to thank those who helped contribute to SHIMMER’s success for a decade. Without them, there wouldn’t be SHIMMER. But if you feel my top ten is subjective a bit, you can debate it by posting them in the comments below.
