Gisele Shaw becomes first trans woman to be NWA champion
Giselle Shaw defeated Tiffany Nieves to become the first transgender NWA Women's World champion, to ring in 'The Quintessential Era.'
Mark
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Women’s Canadian champion Gisele Shaw‘s tenure in the National Wrestling Alliance is only a few months old, but she has already logged an achievement of historic proportions.
Shaw became the first out trans woman to hold an NWA championship in its 77-year history, defeating Tiffany Nieves for the NWA World Women’s Television title and ending her record-setting reign with the belt at 426 days.
The match itself took place at the NWA’s annual “Crockett Cup” event in Forney, Texas, last month but didn’t hit the airwaves until Friday’s debut episode of “NWA Powerrr” on the promotion’s new broadcast partner, Comet TV.
“The Quintessential Diva” secured the win by hitting her dénouement knee finisher out of nowhere for the three-count after weathering interference from Nieves’ running mate Samantha Starr.
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Giselle Shaw begins the ‘Qintessential Era’ in the NWA
“The Quintessential Era has begun in the NWA,” Shaw said via Instagram following the broadcast. “Super proud to be the new NWA World Women’s Television champion and to win it at the prestigious 2026 Crockett Cup was incredible.”
The former TNA Knockout joins Max The Impaler as the only out trans or nonbinary wrestlers to hold NWA gold. Pamela Meredith Westenra as the only out trans women to ever wrestle in the long-running promotion.
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One year after coming out, IMPACT’s Gisele Shaw is the hero she wanted growing up
IMPACT Wrestling’s Gisele Shaw liberated herself by coming out as trans one year ago and has taken on the role of LGBTQ advocate while continuing to break ground in the ring.
Shaw debuted with the promotion last December at an “NWA Powerrr” taping in Tampa. She became the second out trans woman ever to challenge for the NWA World Women’s championship, joining Saraya Saber in that exclusive club, in her debut match.
“My name forever etched in NWA wrestling history and cannot wait to keep building a legacy to be remembered for many years to come,” Shaw continued. “1st doll to win ANY NWA championship.”
Giselle Shaw has previously wrestled for IMPACT/Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and Women Of Wrestling.
Outsports congratulates Shaw on her historic title win and for continuing to show that Courage Is Contagious.
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