In 2015, Nixon Newell had won a five-woman Gauntlet Match to become British Empire Wrestling (BEW) Women’s Champion. On May 22, 2016 she would again have to face multiple opponents in the confines of BEW when The Girl With the Shiniest Wizard entered BEW International Grand Prix on Day 3 of Stardom Europe. The Joshi promotion brought its best to Tooting Tram & Social in London, England to compete against a field of competitors from the UK, Spain, Mexico and the United States in both tournament and non matches.

In first round action, Newell fought the powerful UK competitor Ayesha Ray. Nixon was pummeled for most the early going, firing back with The Shiniest Wizard. Newell covered Ray for a pin but Ayesha was too close to the ropes, saving herself from defeat. During an Irish whip reverse, Nixon springboarded off the second rope, smacking Ray flush with a flying Shiniest Wizard to keep her down for the pinfall victory at 4:57.

The semi-final round gave the audience a dream match pitting a rising star of the European scene in Nixon Newell against a growing legend of the Joshi scene Mayu Iwatani. In Mayu’s corner were her fellow Joshi wrestlers Io Shirai and Kairi Hojo. This will not be the only time Nixon crosses paths with all three. Shirai and Hojo will particularly have bigger parts to play in the years to come.

Nixon’s match against Mayu started on the canvas but got more brutal, including Iwatani brutalizing Nixon with her strong style offense. Just when Mayu thought she had the match won, the ten minute time limit expired. The crowd wanted five more minutes. It was given. Just when Nixon thought she had it won, the extra five minutes expired. Due to the draw, both advanced to the finals making it a three way match.

Already an American independent wrestling legend was Santana Garrett, the third finalist. The winner of the three way final would not only have bragging rights, she would become the #1 contender for the SWA Undisputed Women’s Championship. Nixon, Mayu and Santana battled at a furious pace. After Mayu was taken out of play, Garrett caught Nixon with a handstand moonsault to score the pinfall victory at 6:10. Nixon came up short, however her performances caught many of eyes in the pro-wrestling world.

Additional Information | BEW International Grand Prix 2016 on Day 3 of Stardom Europe was held on May 22, 2016 at Tooting Tram & Social in London, England, UK.