NWA EmPowerrr was a fantastic show in 2021, the all-women PPV was my first introduction to a number of talented wrestlers on the independent scene. One of those was Skye Blue, who was impressive in her victory over Christi Jaynes on the pre-show.
Her match barely passed the 5 minute mark, but the occasion was equally important outside the ropes too.
On the AEW Unrestricted podcast, Skye spoke on Mickie James’ guidance on that night: “Mickie James is amazing to work with. She pays attention to little things. I won on, like, a rollup, and then she said ‘you go out of the ring and then you celebrate’.” The small details paint the big picture, Skye on this occasion learning to celebrate outside the ring after the rollup victory to dodge the wrath of her losing opponent. It’s those same small details we see in the current Skye Blue that make her so compelling.
Like many, my next exposure to Skye Blue was in AEW; she was one of a several younger performers in the women’s division and could have run the risk of being lost in the mix. One of the things that made her stand out, however, was her ability to interact with the crowd.
AEW Dark gave a great platform to several less-experienced performers to have matches in front of bigger crowds both in person and online, thanks to the platform afforded by YouTube. Skye was one of the competitors who benefited increasingly, and with every appearance her fanbase grew.
Skye was a traditional babyface, her likeability and warmth had really shone through. A risk-taking style that stood out within AEW’s women’s division, Skye is always willing to develop her offense and dazzle from the top rope. Early losses soon turned to wins, leading to the occasional appearance on Dynamite and Rampage whilst continuing to improve diligently on the independent scene.
On the AEW Unrestricted podcast, Skye discussed debuting in AEW: “I cried a lot, my first extra work was still pandemic days in Jacksonville and I remember being terrified.” Her innate likability, her proven progression and irresistible potential all combined into Sky Blue getting that magical All Elite graphic. “It wasn’t until All Out that I got signed and then I was excited to go from like everyone cheering in the crowd to 2am, or whatever it was, and getting the graphic.”
Speaking on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, when Claudio Castagnoli was asked about being a workhorse he instead took the time to praise Skye: “I had the most AEW and ROH matches combined. But the most matches, even more than me and Orange [Cassidy], was Skye Blue. Props to her because that’s how we get better. That’s how you show that you want it.” An accomplishment to be proud of, Skye’s efforts did not go unnoticed as she entered into a deep story during 2023.
All Out 2023 took place in Skye’s hometown of Chicago and saw her getting incredible crowd reactions, victorious in teaming with Willow Nightingale and Hikaru Shida in a six woman tag match on the pre-show.
After that victory, though, Skye’s character and persona has diverged in unexpected directions, adding depth and intrigue to her character.
It started with a mist attack from Julia Hart. Subtle changes to her make up and personality began to creep in. Slowly but suspiciously surely there was increased tension between Skye and her former friends Willow and Kris Statlander. It wasn’t much later that Skye and Hart both qualified for a triple threat match, challenging for Statlander’s TBS Championship at Full Gear.
There were teases of Skye and Hart forming an alliance to take Statlander’s title throughout the match, but ultimately Hart was victorious and left with the gold; taking advantage of a Statlander Saturday Night Fever to pin Skye.
Immediately the alliance seemed dead on arrival, Skye perhaps being primed to challenge Hart one-on-one. But those thoughts were quickly extinguished, Hart’s haunting hold clearly poisoning the once clear Skye.
Julia and Skye now team together, the alliance holding true to the benefit of Hart.
Both are amongst the youngest competitors in AEW, and given the story that is unfolding and their prowess in the ring, they’ll only continue to improve.
Logically, Skye will realise she is being manipulated and will fight back. But, what about a twist on the tried and true tale? What if the teeth are sunk in too deep, what if Hart becomes victim to her own creation; Skye getting increasingly vicious, Julia unable to influence her partner and forced to destroy that which she created.
Whatever the future holds one thing is for certain: for Skye, the sky really is the limit.
Wrestle Inn 