4 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (July 26 - Review)

2. Yet Another Bad, Non-Committal Women's Segment

Britt Baker Vs. Taya Valkyrie didn't exceed expectations, which were already low. Few were doing cartwheels at the prospect.

Both performers are excellent at engaging the crowd, so this played against a heated backdrop in the end, but it was laboured, not remotely dynamic, and they only got the crowd back near the finish after a woefully botched Road To Valhalla. It wasn't clear whether this was even meant to be countered.

The paragraph above is probably generous. Only a forearm battle forced the crowd to stop booing the action mercilessly. Was it that fiery an exchange, or is it simply an easy crowd-pleaser of a spot that fans are at this point conditioned into popping for?

The signature move trade-off looked better than the first two thirds of a match that would have been basic had it not fallen apart, and an inspired spot, in which Baker was speared after taking too long to apply the dentist's glove, generated a decent level of drama.

Baker won, which should draw Valkyrie closer to the Outcasts stable. That is a development that makes sense, but does anybody watch wrestling for cold, dry logic?

That repetitive loop of a programme has dominated and all but ruined the women's division, save for some decent matches here and there. On this evidence, the one thing it has going for it - which is nowhere near the ceiling of the best AEW matches, anyway - is under threat.

There is great talent on the women's roster, but the division is hopeless.