11 Match Star Ratings From AEW All In

5. Hikaru Shida Vs. Dr. Britt Baker Vs. Toni Storm Vs. Saraya - Women's World Title Match

Lean, exciting, dramatic and well-worked, the women's four-way match was a shockingly good over-delivery.

The basic story gist is thus: the Outcasts imploded when Toni Storm accidentally popped Saraya's mother in the face, Ruby Soho said to hell with it all, Britt Baker with an inspired spot almost stole it when she stomped Storm's head when trapped in a submission, and Saraya emerged with the win and the title. It was short and punchy. The use of Saraya's family was controversial, since they don't have the nicest reputation at all within British wrestling, but, furthering the theme, it was inspired. It was a very convincing way to split the Outcasts and Knight did a tremendous job of trying to climb over the barricade. She looked feral!

When Saraya entered the ring, a not inconsiderable amount of people jeered her. When she won, and the emotion of a hard life redeemed set it in, the fans sensed everything that she had suffered to reach that point. It was moving. A pretty terrific bit of business all round, even if the match wasn't blow-away great or anything. A lesson should be learned from this and Tony Khan should apply it to every PPV.

Every emotional beat was nailed and every performer was allowed to shine within a brisk runtime that didn't go long for the optics or the sake of it.

Star Rating: ★★★½

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!