3 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Deadly Draw: Women's Tag Team Tournament (Aug 3)

1. The Nightmare Sisters vs. Mel and Penelope Ford

Brandi Rhodes Mel
AEW

Though not without the occasional awkward spot, The Nightmare Sisters, Mel, and Penelope Ford delivered a fun opening bout with plenty of interesting story points.

Allie and Brandi's increasingly complicated relationship was key, though Rhodes' prior association with Mel was brought up as well. The towering powerhouse was inducted into the Nightmare Collective when Brandi and Awesome Kong shaved her head last year. That stable was abruptly ditched without proper televised resolution, though the duo were keen to tear into each other here, leading to several heated interactions.

QT Marshall, Dustin Rhodes, and Kip Sabian all interjected themselves to various levels and referee Paul Turner was distracted for the finish, with Allie raking Mel's eyes from outside, allowing Brandi to hit the Spear for the win. A tad overbooked? Perhaps, but it was appropriate to the story and didn't detract from the bout, so it's fine.

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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.