The first round of the 2024 Queen of the Ring Tournament kicked off with a flurry of excitement and unexpected changes. Monday night’s “WWE Raw” featured some last-minute adjustments to the previously announced participant lineup, leading to a mix of surprises and highly anticipated matches.
Baszler vs. Vega Shifted to WWE Live Event
Early in the show, Fightful Select reported via X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Shayna Baszler vs. Zelina Vega match would no longer take place on “Raw.” Instead, the match was rescheduled for a WWE Live Event over the upcoming weekend, with Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio on the men’s side also moving to a live event. These changes led to speculation about the reasons behind the schedule shift, but fans were assured that the matches would still go ahead, just at a different venue.
Asuka’s Injury Changes the Bracket
Another unexpected development came when Dakota Kai announced that her Damage CTRL stablemate Asuka had been injured, requiring her to withdraw from the tournament. Asuka’s replacement for her match against Lyra Valkyria was Dakota Kai herself, adding intrigue to the bracket and giving Valkyria a different opponent for her main roster debut. The sudden change in the tournament lineup was met with a mix of disappointment and excitement as fans anticipated Valkyria’s performance against Kai.
Natalya’s Strong Start Ends in Defeat
In the opening match of the tournament, Natalya faced IYO SKY in a hard-fought battle. Natalya appeared to have the upper hand, controlling the pace and even paying tribute to her late uncle, Owen Hart, with a Superplex. However, SKY’s agility and resourcefulness proved to be the turning point, as she maneuvered out of the Sharpshooter and left Natalya in a vulnerable position. SKY capitalized on the opportunity, hitting a moonsault to secure the win and advance to the next round.
Zoey Stark’s Dominant Performance Against Ivy Nile
Zoey Stark demonstrated her dominance in her match against Ivy Nile, controlling the bout for most of its duration. Nile mounted a late comeback, attempting a series of suplexes, but Stark’s strength and technique allowed her to block Nile’s offense. Stark sent Nile into the turnbuckle, setting her up for her signature move, the Z360, which sealed the win. Stark’s victory secured her spot in the quarterfinals.
Valkyria’s Main Roster Debut and the Road Ahead
Lyra Valkyria made her main roster debut against Dakota Kai, who filled in for the injured Asuka. Before her match, Valkyria received an unexpected assist from WWE Women’s World Champion Becky Lynch, who had her back as Damage CTRL poised for an attack. Valkyria’s debut was a success, as she defeated Kai with a Nightwish, earning her first win on “Raw.” The victory set up an intriguing quarterfinal match between Valkyria and Zoey Stark, promising high-octane action in the upcoming round.
As the 2024 Queen of the Ring Tournament progresses, fans eagerly await the conclusion of the first round and the upcoming quarterfinals, with many storylines and rivalries unfolding along the way. With Shayna Baszler and Zelina Vega’s rescheduled match set for this weekend, the tournament continues to build momentum, promising more surprises and unforgettable moments.
