We haven’t had the privilege of watching Lita compete in a singles match for more than 15 years, but that’s finally about to change as she’s set to make her in-ring return to active competition against Becky Lynch. With this challenge in mind, we’ve now learned Lita looked to Dark Sheik and several Hoodslam cornerstones in Oakland, California to prepare.
Lita’s retirement match took place back at WWE Survivor Series 2006 where she walked into the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia as the reigning WWE Women’s Champion. After a strong final showing, it was Mickie James who took the win and the title as Lita moved towards a life away from wrestling.
She did have a few appearances in the following years, including two multi-person match appearances on the independent circuit and a one-off where she squashed Heath Slater on the 1000th Episode of WWE Raw. Lita returned again in the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble, teamed up with Trish Stratus for a tag team match against Alicia Fox and Mickie James at WWE Evolution in late 2018, and tacked an extra WWE Raw appearance on the night after.
Lita prepares for her in-ring singles return against Becky Lynch
While these have all been great moments, they only gave us glimpses of the in-ring competitor Lita showed herself to be all those years ago. Now that’s finally going to change, as she’s set to challenge Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship in her first singles match since that fateful Survivor Series finale.
Knowing she’d be up against a more than formidable opponent, Lita has looked to a group of independent wrestling veterans in order to prepare. As you can see in the video below, Lita went to Stoner U Dojo in Oakland, California to train specifically for this clash with Big Time Becks.
In the footage, we get to see Lita training with Dark Sheik and Anton Voorhees, collectively known as The Caution, as well as Stoner U Dojo founders Rick Scott Stoner and Scott Rick Stoner. As you may have already guessed, they’re collectively known as The Stoner Bros.
Dark Sheik played the role of Becky Lynch as seen in the footage, specifically executing The Manhandle Slam and going for Becky’s Dis-Arm-Her submission. Both of these are holds Lita will need to be ready for when she meets Becky Lynch in the ring, and in this training she gets to feel the counters and transitions around those maneuvers ahead of time.
Dark Sheik and Hoodslam also prepare for their next chapters
Dark Sheik has been on a roll in GCW as of late with consistently strong showings, as well as a big win over Colby Corino late last year. While the styles aren’t the same, getting to train and work with a fellow veteran like Lita no doubt helped Sheik prepare for her upcoming GCW collision with the vile and violent Atticus Cogar at GCW’s The Coldest Winter in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 26, 2022.
Dark Sheik, Anton Voorhees, and The Stoner Bros are all foundational pieces and cornerstones of Oakland independent promotion Hoodslam, and all four are also preparing for what will only be the second Hoodslam event since the start of the global pandemic. In an event that was part Pride Party and part wrestling showcase, Dark Sheik Cordially Invites You to FEARLESS took place in June, 2021 and can be seen below. The card featured Dark Sheik, MV Young, EFFY, Ashton Starr, Funny Bone, Jamie Senegal, many others, and even had Edith Surreal on commentary with Wonder Dave.
In the first truly Hoodslam branded event in almost two years, Hoodslam presents March Forth on March 4, 2022 taking place “on the goddamn street” at the intersection of Castro Street and 3rd Street in Oakland, California. Tickets are available at this link, and take note that proof of vaccination is required.
Hoodslam has already announced three marquee matches including: Juicy Finau vs. D-Rogue for the Best Athlete in the East Bay Golden Fannypacks Championship, Titus Alexander vs. El Chupacabra for The Golden Gig, and Nicole Savoy vs. Brittany Wonder for the GLAM Championship (or GLAMPIONSHIP).
You can find more info about Hoodslam at their website and by following all of these Twitter accounts:
- Hoodslam – @HOODSLAM
- Dark Sheik – @darksheikftf
- Anton Voorhees – @link2futureftf
- The Stoner Bros – @StonerBrosFTF
- Stoner U Dojo – @StonerUdojo
