10 Things You Need To Know About Beth Phoenix
7. She Wrestled On SHIMMER's First Show
There are far fewer opportunities for women than men in pro wrestling, both in the major leagues and in the independents. In 2005, though, Dave Prazak and Allison Danger - both of whom worked for Ring of Honor - formed SHIMMER Women Athletes, a promotion designed exclusively to focus on the best female stars of the indies.
To date, the promotion has run 90 shows, each of which has been released as a special DVD "volume." The very first volume was taped on November 6, 2005 in Berwyn, Illinois, and featured the top stars of the time - including Beth Phoenix, who had actually signed with WWE the previous month. She fulfilled her booking with SHIMMER, losing to Danger in a match at the first show.
That wouldn't be Phoenix's only appearance with the company. As Volume 2 was taped the same day, she was in action again, beating future SHIMMER Champion MsChif. After that, Phoenix worked exclusively for OVW and WWE.