13 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Revolution 2022

10. Leyla Hirsch vs. Kris Statlander

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Kicking off the evening was this rivalry on the Buy In. Built across several months on YouTube and television, its build suffered from the wrestlers going missing for a couple of weeks on more than one occasion, though they worked a good pre-show bout nonetheless.

The early stages were all about Leyla Hirsch working the arm, making full use of the environment around ringside as well. Her character has teeth now, Leyla, and this showed in her work, as she went after Kris Statlander aggressively and confidently.

One mid-match spot could have gone very wrong as Hirsch slipped on an attempted springboard Moonsault, though Statlander saved it, preventing the botch from becoming disruptive by expertly catching Leyla and moving into the next spot. This wasn't the bout's only sloppy moment, but this genre of wrestling (two characters who loathe each other throwing bombs) should rarely look clean and clinical.

Hirsch scored a sketchy victory, cracking Statlander with a spare turnbuckle before hitting her Moonsault press for the win. After a starchy, impactful match, a conclusion befitting her new character.

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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.