The Huge Untapped Potential Of AEW's Anna Jay

Anna Jay
AEW

In one exhilarating, suspenseful sequence, she lulled Shida into various kicks and forearms before swarming her with several lightning-fast pinning combinations. At one point, she did the Trish Stratus Matrix spot with impressive velocity and from a just absurdly acute angle, tried to grab a schoolboy, but was punished with a triangle that she sold frantically.

The performance was an incredibly respectable effort before the stunning revelation that Anna Jay hadn't even scratched the double digits in her career. This was only her sixth professional wrestling match.

For the all criticism - good faith and bad - of AEW's Women's division, Anna Jay's character arc has been plotted incredibly well. After a two month absence, that showcase match was rewarded in the meritocracy of AEW amid a division cut off from its Japanese epicentre. This return was booked tremendously with an inspired bait and switch that informed her subsequent role with very well thought-out cause and effect.

On the June 11 Dynamite, AEW ran a vignette, backed by a hopeful synth-based composition, depicting Jay as a young dreamer with a work ethic. She was filmed in suburbia; the idea was that she was barely out of it, but en route to stardom, nonetheless.

AEW did not announce her opponent ahead of time. This was crucial.

CONT'D...(2 of 6)

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Contributor
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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!