8 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Sep 2)

2. Thunder Rosa Debuts With Aplomb

Thunder Rosa
AEW

"Sign some independent wrestlers!" is often thrown out as a solution to the myriad complaints made towards AEW's women's division. It is a lazy, reductive take that assumes there exists a vast pool of untapped talent just waiting to be signed up, despite AEW, WWE, and other promotions largely cleaning the indies out of the past few years, though it is always well-meaning.

... but seriously, AEW should really sign Thunder Rosa and Serena Deeb.

The two wrestled a great TV bout on last night's Dynamite. Serena was a very capable opponent for the NWA Women's Champion ahead of her Hikaru Shida match and played her part in a clash pulsing with physicality, presenting Rosa as a stylistic nightmare for Shida, whom she can match strike for strike. Melding aggression and intensity with crisp, clean work, this was a total success, and a great first outing for Rosa, who won via Thunder Driver.

Thunder Rosa's NWA contract muddies here AEW future, though the promotion would be wise to at least enquire with Billy Corgan about using her again. Either way, this clash was everything critics say the AEW women's division isn't.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.