11 Ups & 0 Downs From AEW All Out 2021

8. Dr. Britt Baker Proves Why She's The Man

Britt Baker AEW
AEW

This wasn't the tightest wrestling match of all-time, but it was excellent - and if it wasn't executed perfectly, it was performed perfectly. Britt Baker's body language and intent was fantastic, and Kris Statlander's commitment to putting this match over as a breakthrough, credible title challenge manifested in several unhinged bumps.

The feeling Baker and Statlander generated in this banger of a bomb exchange was more potent than the odd flub. The feeling was so intense and the crowd so amped that those flubs barely registered, much less mattered. This was a cracking story of strength and resolve versus cunning and technique. They proved very complementary opponents; in one awesome spot, Statlander's raw explosiveness was outwitted by a curb stomp launched off the ring steps.

In one of the biggest pops on one of the most ear-splitting nights in pro wrestling history, Orange Cassidy brought the house down by showing more fire than he ever has for himself when urging Statlander back into the ring. Best Friends indeed; this wholesome scene was stirring as hell because it turns out babyfaces should be nice and have friends.

Both women ate sh*t to swing the momentum back in the favour of their opponent, and Baker to a major pop foreshadowed the main event angle with a fantastic use of the Panama Sunrise.

This was focused, motivated, physical - an outstanding improvement on Baker's overcomplicated title win at Double Or Nothing.

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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!