9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (May 19)

1. The Vanguard's Return

Man, AEW Dynamite missed Serena Deeb.

Shelved by a knee injury a few months ago, the NWA Women's Champion returned to defend her belt against the rising Red Velvet, showing no signs of ring rust in her first match since February. Deeb's veteran savvy and progressive submission work, as well as her increased aggression, meshed perfectly with the ascendent Velvet, who is fast emerging as one of the most promising wrestlers in the division.

This was the best thing on the show. Deeb, the immaculate pro wrestler that she is, worked the ring like she owned it. Unafraid of getting nasty when the situation called for it, she started picking Velvet's leg apart to work for the Serenity Lock. That thread stayed with the bout for its duration. Whenever Velvet fought back, she was hindered in her movements (her selling on offense was impressive) or quickly stifled again, with Serena going back to the targeted limb.

It all paid off for Deeb in the end, as a fluid closing sequence saw her finally extinguish the challenger's fight via Serenity Lock after smashing the knee into the mat for good measure.

A standard-bearer and a vanguard, Deeb will ultimately prove to be one of AEW's most important signings. Her influence is palpable. Velvet, meanwhile, looks twice the performer she was during her early Dark days, and now deserves to be mentioned alongside Tay Conti and Jade Cargill atop the prospect pile.