9 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (Sep 16)

5. The Women's Division Elevates

Thunder Rosa
AEW

This was a strong week for the oft-criticised women's division, and a simple one. A good title fight followed by a popping brawl leading to a tag match pitting an established tandem against an all-star combo forged by mutual respect? Wrestling doesn't need to be complicated; here's your proof.

Thunder Rosa put her NWA Women's Title on the line against Ivelisse, suggesting the NWA/AEW working agreement may now be more than the extent of a personal relationship between Billy Corgan and Tony Khan. This felt like a fight. Everything on last night's Dynamite did, admittedly, but the heat was amplified by a couple of hard-nosed competitors who talked trash throughout, made each other work for their spots, and had no interest in making anything look "pretty." A clean and crisp match, sure, but the right kind of ugly as well.

Diamante jumping Thunder Rosa after the bell led to Hikaru Shida storming the ring and running the Deadly Draw winners off. She placed the NWA Women's Title on the victor's shoulder, showing respect while hinting that maybe, after All Out, she'll set her sights on a second title.

The tag bout is set for next week. With this red-hot series of events as evidence, it'll rule.

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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.