Becky Lynch Honors Her Roots in Heartfelt Message for SHIMMER’s 20th Anniversary

Before she became 'The Man' in WWE, Becky Lynch made her trade as Rebecca Knox in the Chicago based promotion called SHIMMER.

Becky Lynch Honors Her Roots in Heartfelt Message for SHIMMER’s 20th Anniversary

Becky Lynch and Shimmer (via WWE and Shimmer)

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Becky Lynch has firmly cemented herself as one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of all time. A multi-time champion, a WrestleMania headliner, and the creator of countless iconic moments, the Irish superstar has done it all. But long before she became ‘The Man’ in WWE, Lynch was cutting her teeth in a promotion called SHIMMER, which operated between 2005 and 2021. 

Founded by Dave Prazak and Allison Danger, SHIMMER quickly rose to prominence as the premier women’s wrestling promotion in North America. Their debut show took place on 6th November 2005 in Illinois, featuring future wrestling stars such as Sara Del Rey, Beth Phoenix, and Mercedes Martinez.

Over the years, the company’s influence expanded, and it essentially became the sister promotion to Ring of Honor until ROH launched its own women’s division in 2015. Many current WWE Superstars like Lynch, Bayley, Asuka, and Michin wrestled for the brand during their early careers. 

On Wednesday, as SHIMMER celebrated its 20th anniversary, the Women’s Intercontinental Champion took to social media to express her appreciation for the company that gave her a start as a teenager.

Happy 20th anniversary Shimmer. A very special company and a special time in my life. They gave this punk teenage gal a chance and a platform, and I’ll always be grateful.

Becky Lynch via Threads

Bayley also joined in on the celebration, sharing a throwback photo and thanking both the promotion and founder Dave Prazak. For the unversed, Lynch made her SHIMMER debut in 2006 under her indie persona, Rebecca Knox. 

She wrestled only four matches for the promotion, scoring two victories over SHIMMER founder Allison Danger and splitting a pair of bouts with Daizee Haze. Lynch continued wrestling on the indie scene through the mid-2000s before stepping away from the ring for three years. She returned in 2012 and signed her first WWE contract in 2013.

Since then, Lynch has reached rarefied air in the Stamford-based company. She is a Grand Slam Champion, having captured the SmackDown Women’s Championship (5x), Raw Women’s Championship (2x), NXT Women’s Championship (1x), and the Women’s Tag Team Titles (1x). These accomplishments place her among the all-time greats in the company.

Becky Lynch delivers a fiery promo on the November 3rd segment of Raw

Becky Lynch’s current WWE run has been eventful, coming off ‘The Vision’ storyline and her confrontation with Paul Heyman after Seth Rollins was ousted from the faction by Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. 

At the moment, Lynch is embroiled in a heated rivalry with Maxxine Dupri, one that intensified after the November 3rd episode of Raw in New Mexico, where the Women’s Intercontinental Champion delivered a fiery promo.

Becky Lynch and Maxxine Dupri
Becky Lynch and Maxxine Dupri (via WWE)

Last month, Lynch faced Maxxine twice on Raw, losing both matches: one by countout and the other by disqualification. Furious with the outcomes, she accused referee Jessika Carr of bias and unfair officiating. General Manager Adam Pearce attempted to calm the situation by giving Lynch a week off to cool down. 

At Maxxine’s request, he also promised her a future Women’s Intercontinental Championship match whenever she felt ready. On last week’s show on the red brand, Lynch made a surprise entrance through the crowd and climbed onto the announce table to address the WWE Universe. 

She vented about the chaos she had endured in recent weeks: tension at home, The Vision’s disruption of her life, and dealing with a referee she believed was deliberately holding her down. Turning her attention to the New Mexico crowd, Lynch took a jab at the state regarding the infamous use of methamphetamine before directing her fury toward Maxxine. 

She mocked Maxxine for bragging about simply surviving their matches, blaming the fans for giving the 28-year-old false confidence. According to Lynch, Maxxine’s success had come from luck, not skill, and luck wouldn’t save her the next time they met.

Lynch then shifted gears to remind everyone of her resume. She declared herself the greatest female wrestler of all time, noting that major outlets like Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report supported that claim. 

A lifelong student of the sport, Lynch ended her promo by emphasizing that no amount of rushed training could prepare Maxxine to face her. She warned that one mistake in the ring would be enough to end her chances at a meaningful career opportunity.

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