7 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Dec 18)
2. A Necessary Means To A Greater End
Kris Statlander Vs. Britt Baker wasn't a blow-away match, but it was a necessary and reassuring match, and if that reads as faint praise, it probably shouldn't: Baker looked good here, in a further checkpoint of her improvement, but that she still requires far more work renders this result the correct one.
Statlander is far more powerful, and Baker isn't a technical marvel capable of countering that strength in a way that made for a great match, but at various points she lulled Statlander to the mat to apply the Lockjaw in such a way that it never felt too collaborative. It did however feel rough - Baker's sling blade lacks the snap and timing to come off as a believable comeback - but she is improving considerably on offence, and sold Statlander's awesome dropkick like cannon fire.
It's almost impossible to assess Baker from the perspective of a fan or a critic - virtually every online review is written from the POV of an amateur coach - and this in itself underscores that she isn't ready.
AEW claimed that they would listen, and they did.