Trans wrestling icon DARK Sheik wins tournament, has a message for her enemies
DARK Sheik became the first out LGBTQ pro wrestler to win the tournament highlighting women's pro wrestling.
Mark
Out pro wrestler DARK Sheik is no stranger to honors and major moments, and “The High Priestess of the Church of Wrestling” added to her 20-year legacy Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Sheik hoisted the Luna Vachon Invitational trophy after defeating All Elite Wrestling star Hyan at PRODUCE Wrestling’s “PRODUCE Volume 6: Hell Comes To Dogtown” event to win the tournament honoring the legacy of women’s wrestling and highlighting the best women going at the independent level.
Thursday night’s final was the culmination of a tournament that began on Sept. 13 at “PRODUCE Volume 4: Night Life” event in Jersey City, N.J.
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Sheik notched her first win that night in an opening-round match against former WWE star Leigh Laurel.
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She secured her place in the finals earlier this month, defeating fellow out LGBTQ standout Corinne Joy at “PRODUCE Volume 5: Skoden” in New York City.
Sheik and Hyan delivered a hard-hitting contest during PRODUCE’s Los Angeles debut, matching each other evenly before Sheik took advantage of a downed referee to rake Hyan’s eyes. The West Coast legend capitalized on the moment, hitting a top rope guillotine legdrop to secure the pinfall and the trophy.
“Independent Underground Undeniable,” Sheik said via X, formerly Twitter, following the win.
The two-time QWI LGBTQ Wrestler of the Year becomes the first out LGBTQ pro wrestler to win the tournament and second Luna Vachon Invitational winner, joining former Ring of Honor Women’s World Television champion Billie Starkz.
The moment also provided a sense of vindication for those in attendance and online fans after it came to light that a fan in attendance was called out publicly for allegedly making transphobic remarks toward Sheik during the match.
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Video surfaced following the event of former GCW World champion and Sheik’s close friend EFFY confronting the fan shortly afterward.
Sheik said that she wasn’t aware of the comments until the situation made the rounds on social media because she “was too focused on all the girls and gays cheering me on and on doing my job.”
“Thank you, EFFY. And to my enemies: see me, and despair,” she said via Instagram.
Outsports congratulates DARK Sheik on her win and for continuing to show that Courage is Contagious.
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