Backstage Note On Thunder Rosa's Recent AEW Booking

Thunder Rosa will defend her AEW Women's World Title against Miyu Yamashita in the near future.

by Andy H Murray
Thunder Rosa
AEW

Thunder Rosa will soon defend her AEW Women's World Championship against Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling standout Miyu Yamashita, as dictated by the Japanese star's defeat of Rosa at Summer Sun Princess '22 on 9 July.

Taking place in Tokyo, the TJPW bout aired on this week's episode of AEW Dark after 9 July's live stream on Wrestle Universe. That Yamashita would get a shot at Rosa's belt was stipulated beforehand. Effectively, they worked a title eliminator bout, continuing a recent trend for determining number one contenders in AEW.

Dave Meltzer writes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW founder and CEO Tony Khan came up with the idea of booking Rosa vs. Yamashita after being impressed by Miyu at a recent Dark: Elevation taping. The 27-year-old teamed with Skye Blue in a defeat to Nyla Rose and Serena Deeb, which was taped for the YouTube series' 6 June episode - and was likely where Yamashita caught Khan's eye.

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AEW is yet to confirm a date for Rosa/Yamashita II. The former TJPW Princess of Princess Champion will be in the United States in September, as she is advertised for an upcoming Prestige Wrestling event.

Beyond Yamashita, Rosa recently formed Thunderstorm with Toni Storm. This week's Dynamite planted seeds for the duo to face Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker in the future.

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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.