6 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (26 April - Review)

2. Another Subdued TBS Title Match

Jade Cargill Taya Valkyrie
AEW

Taya Valkyrie Vs. Jade Cargill underwhelmed.

Pitched - intelligently - as a show-down between two powerhouses drenched in swaggering confidence, it didn't feel like a big match on television. The legalese b*llocks might have undermined the core appeal of the pairing. Or perhaps nobody can take anybody seriously as a challenger for Jade's TBS title this deep into her never-ending reign. That, or they simply weren't into it.

It's a shame, because both women worked hard within a smart and creative layout to get it over. Taya was given far more than the usual Jade challenger, but because the title is so unimportant, it didn't matter. There was no molten desire to see a switch, so the idea that one might actually happen didn't land. Taya was put over big in defeat. In a moment that would have been incredible, had anybody cared, Jade even busted out a Canadian destroyer in pure desperation. It all felt a bit bleak, honestly, and the finish did nothing for Taya, who looked dumb for being being aware of the dumb stipulation and not having a back-up plan.

The subdued atmosphere in these matches should send a clear message to Tony Khan, who should in turn reinvent his approach to women's wrestling with a bold new outlook, but nothing ever happens.

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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!