Pro Wrestling EVE marked International Women’s Day with its biggest event to date, Wrestle Queendom VIII, held on Sunday at the Indigo venue within the O2 in London, England. The show featured leading female wrestlers from Britain as well as international stars from AEW, STARDOM, and other promotions, drawing a lively crowd eager to witness top-tier women’s wrestling.
Session Moth Martina Claims EVE Championship in Grueling Main Event
In the night’s main event, longtime EVE competitor Session Moth Martina embarked on her first reign as EVE Champion by overcoming Rhio in a brutal, 30-minute battle. The match quickly turned violent, with Rhio using kendo sticks, thumbtacks, and a trashcan to inflict damage, resulting in a significant cut on Martina’s forehead early on. A standout moment occurred when both women were driven through a table ringside following a piledriver by Rhio.
Despite suffering a harsh beatdown and interference from Alexxis Falcon and a group of EVE heels aiming to help Rhio retain, Martina rallied with support from babyface allies including Jamie Hayter, Alex Windsor, and the returning Millie McKenzie. Martina secured victory after a sequence of powerful moves—a spear, clothesline, top-rope codebreaker, and brainbuster—earning the pinfall and becoming the new champion. The London crowd erupted in celebration as the locker room hoisted Martina in triumph, complemented by congratulations from EVE producer Will Ospreay and the presentation of the title by the promotion’s owners. Rhio had held the championship since dethroning Nyla Rose the previous November in a lengthy contest.
The Return of Charlie: Former Dakota Kai Faces Kris Statlander in Co-Main Event
The co-main attraction of Wrestle Queendom VIII generated significant international buzz with the comeback of the New Zealand wrestler formerly known as Dakota Kai. Wrestling under the new name Charlie for the first time since leaving WWE, she took on EVE International Champion and AEW star Kris Statlander in a 13-minute hard-hitting match.
Despite nearly a year outside the ring, Charlie displayed no signs of ring rust, executing impressive moves such as a backstabber on the apron and a Canadian Destroyer for close pin attempts. Statlander countered with multiple Tombstone Piledrivers; although one pinfall attempt was thwarted when Charlie’s leg was on the bottom rope, Statlander ultimately clinched the win after delivering three additional piledrivers.
Charlie’s appearance on Sunday marked her first outside WWE since 2018, concluding her prior engagements with PROGRESS. She shared in a recent interview that her motivation for returning to wrestling centers on rediscovering
“that love in terms of why I do this again.”
Meanwhile, Statlander extended her near 250-day reign as EVE International Champion, maintaining victories over notable competitors such as Nina Samuels, Anita Vaughan, and Alex Windsor.
Significant Title Changes and Highlights Throughout the Night
Earlier in the event, Alex Windsor captured the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship by defeating Syuri in a physical 16-minute bout. Windsor, also a member of the AEW tag team Brawling Birds, secured victory with two lariats followed by her finishing move, Made in Japan, avenging a prior loss to Syuri at an EVE show in 2025.
AEW’s Willow Nightingale successfully defended her TBS Championship against accomplished EVE talent Nina Samuels in a contest lasting 15 minutes. Despite Samuels’ near falls and a noteworthy 450 Splash, Nightingale sealed the win with a forceful pounce and Doctor Bomb. This defense marked Nightingale’s first TBS title match outside of AEW.
The EVE Tag Team Champions, Hollie Barlow and Lana Austin—known as LALLIE—retained their belts by defeating Australia’s Jessia Troy and Charli Evans. Notably, Troy and Evans had competed in New South Wales just two days prior before traveling to London for this matchup.
On the undercard, despite technical difficulties with the broadcast, STARDOM’s AZM and Safire Reed impressed with their ten-minute showcase, highlighting their skills early in the night’s proceedings.
Exciting Entrants and Surprises in Sudden Death 16 Battle Royal
The evening began with Sudden Death 16, EVE’s version of a Casino Gauntlet Battle Royal, which featured several surprises. Former EVE champion Nyla Rose made an unexpected appearance, alongside the triumphant return of Joshi star Yuu, who came out of retirement for the occasion. Charlie Morgan also competed in her first match in nearly two years. Ultimately, Alexxis Falcon triumphed, delivering a nostalgic moment by facing Emersyn Jayne in a showdown recalling their main event clash at the inaugural Wrestle Queendom.
Implications for Women’s Wrestling and Future Directions at Pro Wrestling EVE
Wrestle Queendom VIII demonstrated Pro Wrestling EVE’s growing stature as a premier platform showcasing the depth and talent in women’s wrestling internationally. The event’s alignment with International Women’s Day underscored the sport’s expanding prominence and celebration of female athletes.
The return of Dakota Kai as Charlie signals a promising new chapter for the New Zealand veteran, possibly heralding increased cross-promotional opportunities given her AEW and WWE history. Session Moth Martina’s ascension as EVE Champion solidifies her place among EVE’s elite, ensuring compelling title defenses ahead. With exciting outcomes across multiple divisions and the inclusion of international stars like Kris Statlander, Alex Windsor, and Willow Nightingale, EVE continues to build momentum, setting the stage for heightened competition and renewed fan enthusiasm in the months to come.
