6 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (February 7 - Results & Review)

Ups...

6. A Good, Sophisticated Bit Of Business

Toni Storm Red Velvet
AEW

Timeless Toni Storm Vs. Red Velvet was another strong night for an AEW Women's division that might be actually be becoming something at long last. In addition to the glorified confirmation that Mercedes Mone is set to debut, an actual story is being told between Storm and Purrazzo.

Tethered and tattooed by their old, very real friendship, Deonna wants to defeat the old Toni. Toni, as demonstrated in a good subplot against Red Velvet, is now so hubristic that she fancies herself a great technician - a better one than Deonna, in fact.

She mostly abandoned her usual power game against Velvet, and was nearly punished for it - a Velvet bulldog looked awesome, a proper driver of a move lacking in any obvious cooperation - before putting her away with an ankle lock that should prove to be an effective dramatic tool at Revolution. This was much, much better than the usual pushed woman wins predictable match women's division formula. There was actual depth and episodic purpose to the segment.

Defined characters, strategy, plotting: they're actually telling a story, rooted in the form of pro wrestling at long last, and this one is entertaining and layered thus far.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!