The Simple Solution To AEW's Biggest Problem

It's time for AEW to call the doctor.

Britt Baker was the only female wrestler introduced at AEW's January 2019 launch event. Everything about her presentation told viewers that the promotion saw her as a potential centrepiece, from her involvement in future press events to the way she was packaged on television months later, including the "Brittsburgh" celebration when Dynamite hit her Pennsylvanian hometown on 23 October 2019.

A report from the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer emerged earlier this week, noting that AEW had originally intended on pushing Baker as the division's top babyface star. This changed, obviously, and AEW went with Hikaru Shida (who relocated from Japan to the United States after being signed).

More on Shida later, but pivoting away from Baker after those first few months was probably the right decision. Her babyface character wasn't connecting. Although promo skills were a reported reason behind her initial franchise player pitch, Britt rarely came off confident in her infrequent speaking roles and was inconsistent between the ropes as well, struggling with the likes of Bea Priestley. Long story short: the character wasn't hitting her.

An early rocket push wouldn't have worked out. Months later, the story couldn't be more different.

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