At today’s SHIMMER 99 event, Nicole Savoy defeated Mercedes Martinez to become the new SHIMMER Champion. A 6-year veteran of the indie circuit, Savoy previously held the Heart of SHIMMER Championship (SHIMMER’s secondary singles title) a record 462 days until losing it to Shazza McKenzie this past August. In defeating Mercedes Martinez, a 2x SHIMMER Champion, Nicole Savoy ends Martinez’ second reign at exactly one year (365 days).
After watching her for 5 minutes the very 1st time I saw her, I knew she was special and that she'd go places. Heart of SHIMMER was one step, MYC was another. And now, she's the new SHIMMER champion! So proud of you @NikiMSavo !! #SHIMMER99 #womenswrestling pic.twitter.com/XHuS1O4Xd4
— Pat Laprade (@PatLaprade) November 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/TGD287/status/929867650297221120
Both Mercedes Martinez and Nicole Savoy were participants in this year’s WWE Mae Young Classic and had good showings – Savoy defeated Reina Gonzalez in the first round, before bowing out to Candice LeRae in the second. Martinez did exceptionally better, making the Final Four of the tournament. She defeated Xia Li in the first round, CMLL’s Princess Sugehit in the second round, and Abbey Laith (formerly Princess Kimber Lee) in the third, before losing to Shayna Baszler in the Semi-Finals.
With Mercedes Martinez getting actively involved in NXT storylines of late, her losing the SHIMMER belt could have NXT implications. She was part of a Battle Royal on the October 25 episode for the #1 Contendership for the NXT Women’s title and then had some words towards Ember Moon about her lack of ability to win the big matches following the match.
This prompted the announcement this past week on NXT when it was announced that Mercedes would be facing Ember Moon one on one prior to NXT Takeover: War Games next Sunday.
A war of words will be taken to the ring when @WWEEmberMoon & @RealMMartinez do battle NEXT WEEK on #WWENXT on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/IMYCEnDBOe
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 9, 2017
With the next round of tapings set for after Takeover: War Games on November 29 (usually the NXT episodes after a Takeover feature the dark matches from the PPV event), could we be seeing near 20 year veteran Mercedes Martinez heading to NXT on a more permanent basis? She was one of the four women flown in to be in attendance for the Mae Young Classic Final – along with Toni Storm, Viper (Piper Niven) and Candice LeRae – which fueled speculation that WWE was interested in all four. The 36-year old Martinez is a seasoned veteran who has done it all in the indies – 2x SHIMMER Champion, 3x (and current) WSU Champion, and 6x (and current) WXW Women’s Champion (with the Anoi’a’s World Xtreme Wrestling). She would be a solid veteran in either the NXT or main roster locker room, with potential for being a great trainer at the PC when her in-ring career winds down.
