WWE Backlash 2024 undoubtedly left an indelible mark in the annals of WWE history, not only as one of the most successful premium live events but also as a ground breaking moment for women in the industry. This edition of Backlash not only ventured beyond North America for the first time but also made its debut in France, captivating audiences worldwide.
The magnitude of the event was evident with its record-breaking attendance, marking the largest gateway for any Backlash arena event in WWE history. With a line up of five highly anticipated matches, each bout delivered edge-of-your-seat excitement, captivating fans throughout the night.
Among the notable highlights of Backlash 2024 was the historic moment involving WWE referee Jessika Carr. Carr etched her name in the annals of wrestling history by becoming the first female referee to officiate in the main event of a World title match. Her presence as the official for the Undisputed WWE Championship clash between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles added a significant milestone to her already impressive career.
In the electrifying main event, Carr's professionalism and expertise were on full display as she ensured a fair and impartial contest between Rhodes and Styles. As Rhodes emerged victorious, capturing the championship in a memorable showdown, Carr's pivotal role in overseeing the match underscored the progress and inclusivity within WWE.
Cody Rhodes acknowledged her accomplishment on X, after the match by writing, “Wanted to mention this after the contract signing, (and forgive me if I’m wrong but I don’t think I am…) It’ll be the VERY FIRST PLE Main Event for The Undisputed WWE Title officiated by a women @WWELadyRefJess” To which Jessica Car thanked him saying, “Honored and incredibly grateful”
Carr's historic moment at Backlash 2024 serves as a testament to the ongoing strides towards gender equality and representation within the world of professional wrestling. Her groundbreaking achievement not only inspires future generations of female referees but also reinforces WWE's commitment to diversity and inclusion on the grandest stage of sports entertainment.
May 7, 2024
Female referee Jessika Carr makes history at WWE Backlash 2024
October 22, 2021
WWE Female Referee Makes History At Crown Jewel
WWE referee Jessika Carr made history at today’s WWE Crown Jewel event from Mohammed Abdu Arena on The Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Carr worked two matches on the Crown Jewel card – the Hell In a Cell opener between Seth Rollins and the winner, WWE Hall of Famer Edge, plus the King of the Ring Tournament finals between Finn Balor and King Xavier Woods.
With the matches, Carr became the first female referee to call a WWE match in the Kingdom.
Carr tweeted about the opportunity:
“I am so blown away at the opportunity that I was blessed with tonight. Thank you #CrownJewel I’ll absolutely share more of this in the days to come,” Carr wrote.
Carr was covered up in her referee gear, due to local religious laws, as were the female Superstars competing on the show
After a brief stint on the indies as a wrestler, WWE signed Carr to a deal in 2017, to work as the first female WWE referee since the 1980s. The first full-time female WWE referee in history came to the main roster from WWE NXT in December 2019.
November 28, 2019
NXT Referee Jessika Carr Moving Over To WWE SmackDown
Jessika Carr isn’t moving “up” to SmackDown—the NXT referee is making a lateral move over to Friday nights.
Last night’s NXT taping saw Carr work her final matches for the yellow brand, and she was given an in-ring sendoff by Tommaso Ciampa.
Ciampa closed the show by saying they are a family, and they were losing a family member in Carr because she’s moving over to SmackDown Live as of this Friday. Ciampa asked Carr to deliver a farewell speech, and Carr talked about hearing she’s the “worst referee ever” by someone in her first night of training. She says she’s glad she didn’t listen to that person who told her to quit the business, and says standing in front of them now is an amazing feeling. Carr said she hopes women see this as a sign that they can be whatever they want, then she left and was greeted by Triple H and the team of referees on the ramp.
August 23, 2017
