10 Things You Learn Re-Watching AEW Dynamite’s First Episode

4. Riho’s Title Win Is Bigger With Hindsight

Chris Jericho AEW Best In The World
AEW

Confession time: This writer has always been hard on AEW's women's division, at least during those early days. The scene seemed super-weak, and yours truly was less than convinced by workers like Riho or Nyla Rose. That changed a bit re-watching this episode of Dynamite. Why? One reason.

Riho vs. Rose was one of the show's best matches.

The live crowd were right into everything these women did. Riho's underdog performance rallied support behind her, and Nyla's control of the match worked a treat. Sure, the original belt AEW handed the women sucked, but everything both Riho and Rose tried came off without a hitch. Their finish got a thunderous pop too.

Every division and belt has to start somewhere. Time has been kind to Riho's win and Rose's role as a monster heel who just couldn't put the smaller worker away. In short, if you were a doubter like this guy, then do yourself a favour and give these early matches a second chance.

You might end up pleasantly surprised too.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.