13 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (Mar 18)

3. Shida Shines In High-Energy Four-Way

Hikaru Shida
AEW

Some may have rolled their eyes at the Penelope Ford vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander vs. Riho match when they saw it on the billing. Calling this a "throwaway" bout would've been easy and, to be fair, it doesn't exactly take much imagination to throw four talented women together on the undercard and hope it works. Still, everything matters in a universe where wins and losses are everything and the women soared, delivering a bout that satisfied every reasonable expectation.

Ford went right after Riho at the bell then again later on in the match. Having upset the former Women's Champion on Dark, it seems their beef is far from settled. It was an action-packed, go go go affair from the bell, with no wasted time, no screwing around, and no fat. They worked the kind of match that almost needs a hot crowd to get over so well that the lack of big reactions wasn't even noticeable and in victory, Shida must now be considered a clear, undisputed number one contender.

The finish came when Ford kicked out of Hikaru's Falcon Arrow, prompting the running knee for the pin. Shida was great here. So often the glue holding the division together between the ropes, here's hoping her and Nyla Rose get a chance to kill it.

Advertisement
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.