13 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Feb 12)

by Andy H Murray

1. The Right Decision

Nyla Rose
AEW

We have a new AEW World Women's Champion, and switching the belt was entirely the right move.

Riho wasn't around enough to get the strap over. Her busy Japanese schedule limited her appearances at a time when she really needed to be showing up every week. This is a young belt in a young company and it required visibility to really get over, which Riho couldn't provide. It's a shame, and your writer has been more complimentary to Riho's run than most, but it wasn't working. It had to change.

Brock Lesnar's part-time championship runs are justifiable because he's a massive star with a unique aura, presence, and mystique. Riho isn't that. She's a great wrestler, sure, but that isn't enough to pull the role off.

In Nyla Rose, AEW has installed a champion that will be around most weeks, will help raise the bar, and will engage in fresh matches with new opponents, some of which may have been set up in her backstage confrontation with The Bunny, Britt Baker, and others after the bout. She's an evolving wrestler but one AEW is wise to hitch their wagon to at the moment.

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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.