10 Mistakes AEW Can't Afford To Make At Double Or Nothing 2021

6. It's Predictable, Yes, But...

Hikaru Shida
AEW

...don't keep the title on Hikaru Shida.

It's a shame that virtually everybody wants the heel to beat the babyface on Sunday. If it's backwards, and it is, that's an indictment of AEW's booking. Shida has worked killer matches, often with performers that she had to hoist to her level, but few if any were built towards with any real passion or attention to detail or even the investment of time. She's the longest-reigning champion in AEW history, but that scans as marketing copy more than it does a genuine achievement.

If the idea is to reward Shida's efforts with a babyface win in front of a crowd, it's a bad one. Baker is so fantastic as an episodic TV star that she's too over not to get it done on Sunday. That she's so great at every aspect of TV means the TV will improve with her at the helm. There is no reason not to strap her up.

If there's one reason - the reward aspect - it will develop a cruel irony, since there's a significant chance that the live crowd will reject the switch and make Shida feel like sh*t.

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!