Britt Baker and Tessa Blanchard have become widely recognized as top performers in modern women’s wrestling, representing AEW and TNA, respectively. Both began their professional journeys in 2014 and have cultivated reputations as multi-time champions, though neither has had a significant run with <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE. Known for their time on the independent circuit, the former Zelo Pro Women’s Champions have encountered both in-ring success and backstage controversies that shaped their careers.
In a detailed video on her YouTube channel titled
Life As An Independent Pro Wrestler,
Tessa Blanchard shared insights into the realities of wrestling on the indies. She described how the wrestling ring serves as an escape from everyday life and the challenges wrestlers face on the road.
“The life of an indie wrestler is tough sometimes, but you don’t really complain about those things because we love wrestling. We love what we’re doing, and those 10 minutes or whatever the time is that you’re in the ring, it’s you and that one other person, and you’re not thinking about any of it. It’s just like an escape. You’re just doing what you love, and we’re all chasing this crazy dream, and I think in my first few years it was a little bit more innocent until some of the harder truths come out, and different experiences happen, that kind of change your mindset a little bit,” Tessa Blanchard said.
Britt Baker first encountered Blanchard in the ring during an event hosted by Remix Pro Wrestling in Marietta, Ohio, in October 2016. That match saw Blanchard retain the Remix Pro Fury Championship against Baker and Leva Bates. Their rivalry deepened with singles matches, including a 2017 encounter at WrestleCircus where Blanchard also defended titles successfully.
Tessa Blanchard’s Decision to Alter Match Outcome for Britt Baker’s Benefit
One significant moment in their intertwined careers came just one week after their first singles match at WrestleCircus: Texas vs. The World. The two returned to Remix Pro Wrestling, where Baker dethroned Blanchard to claim the Fury Championship, ending a lengthy 525-day reign. Baker held the title for 364 days before losing it to Madison Rayne.
Blanchard recently revealed that this title change almost did not occur on the night of September 16, 2017, at a Remix Pro event in Marietta, Ohio. She shared on her YouTube channel that Baker had brought her new boyfriend—who was not Adam Cole—to the show, and it was his first time watching her perform live. Out of respect for that moment, Blanchard convinced the promoter to allow her to lose, enabling Baker to win the title in front of her boyfriend.
“But shoot… I remember some of my indie matches where, example: Remix Pro, I remember me vs. Britt Baker. She had a boyfriend at the time, and I remember it was his first time seeing her wrestle, and I went to the promoter and I was like, ‘Please let me lose this match tonight, let her win. It’s her boyfriend’s first time seeing her wrestle, I want her… I want her to win this title in front of him.’ And we changed the card that night, but I really wanted to be the wrestler that could have a match with anyone, and make them shine. That was always my mindset, and looking back, I definitely believe that to be true,” Tessa Blanchard said.
This story illustrates Blanchard’s generosity and professionalism in helping elevate fellow wrestlers during important moments in their personal lives.
Continued Rivalry and Matches Between Blanchard and Baker
The two wrestlers maintained a fierce rivalry on the independent circuit with multiple encounters over the years. Following the title switch at Remix Pro, Blanchard defeated Baker at RISE in February 2018 and again at Femmes Fatales in May 2018. Meanwhile, Baker continued securing success by retaining titles such as The Crash Femenil Championship and PCW ULTRA Women’s Championship during mid-2018 events.
One notable high-profile match included a Fatal 4 Way at the pre-AEW All In pay-per-view in August 2018, where Blanchard emerged victorious against Baker, Madison Rayne, and Chelsea Green. Their ongoing competition remained intense with Blanchard recording her sixth and seventh singles wins over Baker at Warrior Wrestling in January 2019 and at SHIMMER in April 2019.
Their most recent recorded encounter came at Warrior Wrestling 8 in February 2020. In a grueling War Of Attrition match, Blanchard retained the Women’s Championship by outlasting Baker alongside several other competitors including Rayne, Kylie Rae, Ray Lyn, Tasha Steelz, Taya Valkyrie, and Big Swole.
Significance of the Match Outcome Change and Its Impact on Their Careers
The decision by Tessa Blanchard to let Britt Baker win a championship match to impress her boyfriend marked a rare instance where personal circumstances influenced the match result in the highly competitive indie wrestling environment. This act of kindness helped Baker create a memorable moment in her wrestling journey.
Both women have since grown into prominent figures in professional wrestling, with Baker rumored to have ongoing opportunities in AEW and Blanchard building her legacy as a versatile and resilient competitor. Their history of matches highlights the blend of competition, camaraderie, and respect that defines the wrestling community, especially on the independent circuit.
As Britt Baker’s wrestling boyfriend first time experience was made special by this match adjustment, it also underscored Tessa Blanchard’s role as a mentor and collaborator in the wrestling world. Their shared past indicates a strong bond and mutual respect that continues to influence their careers and the broader landscape of women’s wrestling.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Britt Baker say DMD?
A. In AEW, Britt Baker uses the name “Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.” She chose this to highlight both “Dr.” and “D.M.D.” to make her character seem more annoying intentionally.
Q. Did Britt Baker have a stroke in real life?
A. Britt Baker recently talked about the day she experienced a transient ischemic attack, often called a “mini-stroke.” After unexpectedly returning at Forbidden Door, she appeared on Dynamite to share what happened during her absence. During her 10 months away, she went through a TIA and stayed in the hospital for a week.
