3. Cheap Pop: Candice LeRae versus Athena

2014 was a very good year for women’s wrestling. Some of the best matches we saw involved women wrestlers from all promotions. Gail Kim and Angelina Love had a Hardcore match that had the TNA fans on their feet.

And this is before Havok debuted to dominate the Division. The bar for the Knockouts has been raised for 2015. And let’s face it: whether you like Total Divas or not, the WWE showcased both story-driven and sport-driven Divas matches. The Bella Twins incorporated their personal relationships – Brie to husband Daniel Bryan, Nikki to her sister Brie – as a build-up to Brie Bella versus Stephanie McMahon in one of the most anticipated matches at SummerSlam. Paige made her debut on the main roster and earned earning the Divas title on her first night.

It showed us what had been going on at Full Sail: the NXT Divas are all about competition. While Paige was taking on every main roster challenger on the main roster, Charlotte, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Natalya and others were battling to steal the show each night on NXT.

That being said,  the best women’s match we saw all year took place Wrestlemania Weekend at SHIMMER 62. Athena took on Candice LeRae in, hands down, the best non-Daniel Bryan match of that weekend. Check out this match here.

Candice LeRae was making a name for herself on the West Coast, mainly in promotions like PWG. Athena was returning from a serious shoulder injury. The popularity and respect for these women made this match hotly anticipated. And this is Candice’s SHIMMER debut!

Actually,  all of SHIMMER 62 whole show was good. Leva Bates, the Queen of Wrestling Cosplay dressed as Gambit in honor of the Cajun location.

We sang the X-men theme in her honor. It was awesome. Check out the entire show and future SHIMMER shows when you can. You’re guaranteed to see some great wrestling.