7 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Revolution 2021

4. Mizunami & Shida Hit Hard

Ryo Mizunami Hikaru Shida
AEW

About halfway through their Women's World Title match, Hikaru Shida and Ryo Mizunami said "screw it", gritted their teeth, and decided to beat seven shades of hell out of each other, turning the clash into a nasty, concussive war of attrition rife with disrespect.

This happened shortly after Shida had smashed Ryo with a Crunchy on the stage. Fighting spirit and big bombs dominated thereafter. These warriors popped to their feet from blows that would destroy lesser mortals, coursing on defiance before collapsing into bludgeoned heaps, delaying their selling. Forearms and elbows hit flesh with gruesome thuds. Particularly brutal was Mizunami's lariat to the back of Shida's head as things got real dramatic, real quick, before a lengthy series of nearfalls concluded, finally, with Shida's corkscrew knee and the win.

A great way to close the tournament, and one of the Full Metal Champion's best all-around defences. Both women came to fight. A story built quickly from 10 years of history informed every stiff strike and moment of flagrant disrespect, though Shida helping save Ryo from Nyla Rose's post-match beatdown showed any damage done had been repaired in battle.

Thunder Rosa had the final say in the post-match angle, running Rose, Britt Baker, and Maki Itoh off with the other babyfaces' help, setting her and Britt's next singles match up.

Advertisement
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.