Remember AEW women’s champion Riho? On the first Dynamite of the new year, Riho defended her title in a four-way match.
The best way to reignite AEW’s largely ignored women’s division is through great matches. This week on Dynamite, AEW rang the bell and let four of their best do the work.
Fresh off a suspension, Nyla Rose joined Britt Baker and Hikaru Shida in vying for AEW’s top female prize. Once the bell sounded, perhaps the best women’s match in Dynamite's brief history unfolded.
.@shidahikaru looking to finish things quick in Jacksonville!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) January 2, 2020
Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama 8e/7c #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/WNiiPacolj
All four women had their chance to shine, with Shida and Riho trading razor thin near falls.
Diving double stomp from @riho_gtmv! But @RealBrittBaker is at the right place at the right time to keep the match alive! #AEWDynamite #AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/0zsLPiszkt
— TDE Wrestling (@tde_wrestling) January 2, 2020
With Rose and Shida wiped out, Riho got a quick pin over Baker.
Against all odds, @riho_gtmv prevails!#AEWDynamite #AEWonTNT #ImWithAEW pic.twitter.com/vQFKzQCQEf
— Javier DraVen ☠️ (@WrestlingCovers) January 2, 2020
Post-match, Nyla Rose put Riho through a table. Next week Riho will have to put her title on the line again, but this time versus Kris Statlander.
For the better part of three months, AEW’s booking of their women’s division has been underwhelming. Hopefully tonight’s Riho win may be a sign of better things to come for AEW’s booking of their female talent.
What can AEW do to improve their women’s division? Will Statlander get the best of Riho next week on Dynamite?
Get complete Dynamite results and coverage here.