8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite: The Crossroads (Mar 3)

3. Charisma Machine Mizunami Advances

Ryo Mizunami Hikaru Shida
AEW

The unlikely breakout star of AEW's Women's Championship Eliminator Tournament was Ryo Mizunami, who few would have predicted making the finals, let alone winning the whole thing. Nonetheless, the Japanese charisma machine defeated Nyla Rose to take the trophy last night.

Mizunami has the kind of personality that fills the room. She showed it off here, splashing the Rose match with colour while attempting to meet the Native Beast on her own hossy terms. Clearly enjoying herself, Mizunami endured several big bombs on the road to victory, including the rope-hanging knee drop, but dropped plenty of her own as well, almost repeating the Aja Kong finish with her leg drop to the apron.

An Exploder Suplex, German, Spear, and guillotine leg drop ended up finishing Rose off. Mizunami and Hikaru Shida then got into it afterwards, brawling when Ryo was presented with the trophy.

This was one of Rose's smoothest AEW performances so far as well. Far from looking like she was being carried, the former Women's Champion more than matched Mizunami, having excelled in the tournament's previous rounds as well. Overall, and ascendant tournament for her, despite this loss.

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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.