Post by TheShowJordanRichards on Sept 10, 2018 11:06:45 GMT -5
As the world of professional has evolved over the years, so has the role of women in the sport. Women's wrestling has never been more popular or seen by more eyes than it has in this day and age. One of the ladies who changed the perception of women's wrestling over the last thirty years is Manami Toyota. Many call her the greatest female wrestler of all time. Manami gave women's wrestling a feel of legitimacy in a time when it had been dismissed as "fluff."
In a sport dominated by men's competition, Manami's matches rivaled--and many times bested--the matches being put on by her male counterparts. So much so did her wrestling prowess set joshi puroresu on fire, the entire world of women's wrestling began to take notice in her native Japan and abroad. Many women-only promotions were spawned as a result of Manami's exploits in the ring, including Wonder World Ring of Stardom, Shine Wrestling, Ice Ribbon, Shimmer Women Athletes, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, Bellatrix Female Warriors, Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling, and the leader of the pack, NWA: Femme Fatales. So, it is with great pleasure that the following announcement is made.
A 32-woman tournament has been organized to honor the legacy of Manami Toyota.
The "Manami Classic" will feature some of the greatest women in the sport in a single-elimination style tournament. The winner will receive the beautiful crystal "Manami Classic" trophy, presented by the namesake herself. The tournament victor also will receive an NWA World Women's Championship opportunity at the NWA's "Halloween Havoc" pay-per-view spectacular on Sunday, October 28.
The tournament will be bracketed (unseeded) into four distinct regions of eight women each:
North American
South/Latin American
European
Asian/Pacific
This tournament is not relegated to current NWA: Femme Fatales contracted talent, but will be open to anyone who has ever been affiliated with the company. There will be at least one legend per region, and there may be a few rookies sprinkled in. Current singles champions (at the time of the bracket reveal) will not be eligible for the tournament. However, they will comprise a special judges panel that will vote to determine winners of any match that goes to a time-limit draw.
The bracket reveal will take place on Wednesday, September 12, with a special "Manami Classic Bracketology" feature to air on www.nwafemmefatales.com. The tournament will begin on Monday, September 17, to be seen exclusively on www.nwafemmefatales.com. The finals will be Monday, October 22.