13 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Revolution 2022

Down...

1. Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa

Though the work put forth by Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa was solid enough, presenting the textbook layout of the babyface constantly battling back against immense odds and constant heel skullduggery, the bout suffered for its card position and outcome.

CM Punk vs. MJF was an impossible act to follow and Baker vs. Rosa inevitably suffered. The crowd were into it at points, particularly early on, but the cratering energy levels were apparent from the moment they first hit the ring and this continued throughout. As a result, the viewing experience suffered.

Even more deflating was the outcome. With heavy interference from Rebel and Jamie Hayter, the layout was calibrated for a babyface victory. When Rosa burst through the ropes Big E-style, flying out with a spear, then ambled right into the match-ending stomp, it felt dispiriting. Not in the sense that it generated heel heat, but that it felt like AEW were needlessly adding another step to the Baker/Rosa feud so that it may wrap in Rosa's hometown in a week-and-a-half.

Given the half-baked build for this match, AEW needed to pull the trigger here. Instead, we wait another few weeks so that when Rosa does take the belt, it'll feel more like an inevitability than a grand triumph.