8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (24 May - Review)

4. Taya Valkyrie Vs. Lady Frost Over-Delivers

Lady Frost
AEW

Taya Valkyrie possibly should have smashed Lady Frost ahead of her upcoming challenge of Jade Cargill's TBS title, but it's already apparent in storylines that Taya is a strong wrestler with a credible claim. The fans didn't need the insult of a sub-two minute squash.

They did need a reason to believe that Taya Vs. Jade will be a worthwhile match on an expensive show, so on that basis, the match against Frost worked. Puro-adjacent in structure, the veteran seemed insulted and almost embarrassed that Lady Frost presented such a fierce, unexpected challenge, and chopped the sh*t out of her in retaliation.

Frost looked kinetic and sharp, moving about the ring with an awesome propulsion, and Taya, who isn't as dynamic, carried the story of a pissed, physical vet eventually teaching the upstart a lesson.

It wasn't blow-away great and didn't get over much live, mind, but that's what four years of institutional apathy will do for you.

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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!