8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming (15 Dec)

2. Shida & Serena Settle It

Serena Deeb Hikaru Shida
AEW

On par with their previous two bouts, Hikaru Shida vs. Serena Deeb III was a satisfying end to a feud that has served some of the women's division's best action in 2021.

Deeb attacking and breaking down Shida's knee has been the theme of this feud. Here, Shida had had enough, stomping to the ring and right into the fight, abandoning her usual theatrics. She was once again made to endure a torrent of punishment focused primarily on the knee - and deserves great credit for bringing the crowd back into the show after Page vs. Danielson. Though the audience appeared worn out, the former Women's World Champion's fire pulled them in, getting Winter Is Coming back on track.

Serena, once again, was excellent here. Her knee-focused offense was precise and innovative. Tying the joint up in regular submission holds as often as she exercised her creativity (on spots like the top rope half crab), her's was a balanced approach ruthless in execution, reaffirming her status as one of AEW's best ring generals.

Shida won with a jackknife pin after Deeb was sent into an exposed turnbuckle. A story-appropriate finish to a match marred only by the odd moment of inconsistent selling.

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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.