12 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dark (Oct 27)

2. Hikaru Shida vs. Leyla Hirsch

Leyla Hirsch Hikaru Shida
AEW

Leyla Hirsch looked excellent against Hikaru Shida and will step up to face NWA Women's Champion Serena Deeb on tonight's Dynamite, so expect WWE to sign her within the next few weeks.

Jokes aside, 'Legit' is an appropriate nickname for the European, who has the feel of a real combat sports athlete. There's a touch of the Shayna Baszler about her swagger and gait. The assuredness and confidence in her work is welcome and she immediately stood out as one of the most complete wrestlers this division has seen, whether grappling, flying, or pulling Shida dead off the canvas and into a modified Samoan Drop.

A running knee and the Falcon Arrow ended Hirsch's night. This was both a great workout for the AEW Women's World Champion and a perfect tryout performance from Leyla, who brought heat, fire, and defiance on Dark.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.