9 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Aug 12)

2. Two Minutes

Hikaru Shida
AEW

Two minutes.

That's how much ring time AEW dedicated to women's wrestling on this week's Dynamite, despite the widespread criticism thrown at the division's lack of focus in recent times. The counterpoint to this is that the Deadly Draw has given these performers their own dedicated platform, of course, but this is the flagship. This is where it matters - and AEW flubbed it.

Hikaru Shida vs. Heather Monroe was an acceptable squash that presented the AEW Women's Champion as a take-no-sh*t badass in victory. Afterwards, Shida said that she was still waiting for an All Out challenger, urging the division to "bring it on."

No Britt Baker, no Big Swole, no Penelope Ford, no Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero: just this, the equivalent of nothing.

No promotion should bow to every bit of criticism thrown at their way, but this was an unacceptable response. The division needs to improve. Wrestlers can't become stars if they aren't given the right platform - and that platform is Dynamite. No more excuses.

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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.