Backstage Note On Thunder Rosa's Recent AEW Booking
Thunder Rosa will defend her AEW Women's World Title against Miyu Yamashita in the near future.
Thunder Rosa will soon defend her AEW Women's World Championship against Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling standout Miyu Yamashita, as dictated by the Japanese star's defeat of Rosa at Summer Sun Princess '22 on 9 July.
Taking place in Tokyo, the TJPW bout aired on this week's episode of AEW Dark after 9 July's live stream on Wrestle Universe. That Yamashita would get a shot at Rosa's belt was stipulated beforehand. Effectively, they worked a title eliminator bout, continuing a recent trend for determining number one contenders in AEW.
Dave Meltzer writes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW founder and CEO Tony Khan came up with the idea of booking Rosa vs. Yamashita after being impressed by Miyu at a recent Dark: Elevation taping. The 27-year-old teamed with Skye Blue in a defeat to Nyla Rose and Serena Deeb, which was taped for the YouTube series' 6 June episode - and was likely where Yamashita caught Khan's eye.
AEW is yet to confirm a date for Rosa/Yamashita II. The former TJPW Princess of Princess Champion will be in the United States in September, as she is advertised for an upcoming Prestige Wrestling event.
Beyond Yamashita, Rosa recently formed Thunderstorm with Toni Storm. This week's Dynamite planted seeds for the duo to face Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker in the future.