10 Wrestling Matches Everybody Gets Wrong
2. Riho Vs. Nyla Rose - AEW Dynamite, October 2
A match carried almost entirely by a perhaps over-enthusiastic crowd willing two not-great workers over the line in a proactive attempt to "make history". It was the first episode of game-changing TV show, and the action didn't warrant the reaction.
An entirely too harsh take that fails to account for the fact that this wasn't just well-received, or heated; on a show featuring the most over star in the company (Cody) and its best wrestler (Kenny Omega), this match stole it. Comfortably. That is because Riho is a far better worker than the misinterpreted "she's only a good wrestler" complaints belie. She built this emotional match so wonderfully that it was impossible not to get swept up. When she attempted an early foot stomp, on Nyla Rose's back, she crumpled immediately. Her striking game had no effect.
She needed to survive the subsequent onslaught, with her wits about her, to earn the support of the crowd - and that support powered her improbable, awesome comeback; as the crowd noise intensified, her forearms started to connect. The fans took this as a signal - because they were worked - that their favourite could get it done, with their support.
Riho believed in herself in turn by rattling Nyla's jaw with a series of crushing difference-makers before subverting that early spot by suplexing Nyla off the top rope (after an impeccable, agonising struggle).
That crowd wasn't kind; they were wowed.