AEW All Out is just around the corner and features an AEW Women’s World Championship match for the ages. NWA Women’s World Champion, Thunder Rosa challenges Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
To get in the mood for what has the potential to be an incredible championship match, we have devised a list of the top five AEW Women’s World Championship matches.
5. Riho vs Nyla Rose – AEW Dynamite
A big match for a number reasons but none more so than crowning the inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion.
The opponents could not have more different and therefore made for an intriguing spectacle. Nyla Rose, the monster heel with brutal power and strength towered over Riho, the high-speed high-flying Joshi superstar.
The match was set at AEW’s first PPV, All Out in August when Nyla Rose outlasted 19 other wrestlers in the Casino Battle Royale. Riho would defeat Shida later on in the show and become the next challenger for the title on the first-ever episode of AEW Dynamite.
The two had met previously in an AEW ring at Fyter Fest in a triple threat match along with Yuka Sakazaki. Riho would get the surprise win in that match rolling up Rose for the 3-count. Rose would exact her revenge and immediately destroyed the two Joshi stars cementing her heel status in AEW.
The dynamics of the match were simple, Rose was the dominant monster heel and Riho was the smaller underdog that must overcome insurmountable odds to survive let alone win.
The match was full of high-flying, hard-hitting and breath-taking spots, with Nyla showing off her power, strength and agility while Riho was tenacious, courageous and valiant.
4. Riho vs. Emi Sakura – All Out 2019
This title match had all of the ingredients required for a great match. Two fantastic performers, a long history, and a tonne of emotion.
Emi Sakura and Riho’s history dates back to 2006 when Sakura taught and trained Riho from the age of nine during their time together at Ice Ribbon. This history brought an emotional teacher vs student dynamic, which Emi’s tears before the start of the match would prove.
The chemistry between the two made for a well-told story in the ring, great psychology, and an excellent match. Sakura was the veteran who knew everything Riho was going to do. But Riho with youth, speed, and agility on her side was able to get the better of her teacher and mentor.
The match was a brilliant Joshi showcase, the last few minutes of the match were especially good. Both competitors hit hard, struck big and used breath taking matrix-esque reversals to try and get the pinfall.
This was Riho’s second title defence and easily one of her best championship matches.
3. Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford – AEW Fyter Fest 2020
This was Shida’s first title defence and a real coming out party for Penelope Ford.
A great match that made both wrestlers look fantastic. Hikaru Shida looks like a star and wrestles like a star while Ford put on a star-making performance.
Shida had been on an incredible run of matches and wins, which culminated in her capturing the title from Nyla Rose at Double or Nothing. Ford had been making a name for herself with her “superbad” character, in-ring progression, and amazing athleticism.
The match put the AEW’s best women’s wrestlers in the company and champion against its fastest rising star and the results did not disappoint.
Ford looked deadly and dangerous, swift and stiff throughout the match. She definitely brought her A-game but Shida is an A+ player who was, despite a few close pinfalls, never going to lose the title in her first defense.
The match accomplished three things. Firstly it was a great women’s title match, secondly it further solidified Hikaru Shida as a strong and excellent champion. And thirdly turned Penelope Ford potential to bonafide star.
2. Riho vs Nyla Rose – AEW Dynamite 02.12.2020
This was not only the best AEW Women’s Championship match but the best AEW women’s match at the time.
The dynamics of the match were the same as their previous encounter – Riho was the small and feisty babyface, while Rose was the mega monster heel. But what made this match so much better was how much the two competitors had improved and grown in their roles.
Riho had established herself as a strong and tenacious underdog champion. Proven by her four successful title defenses in the lead up to this match. Rose had built herself back to the unstoppable monster by destroying opponents en route to another title shot.
The match was a thrilling affair with the crowd fully behind it. Both Riho and Rose played their parts to perfection.
Riho used her speed and agility to battle Rose’s power and strength with the action building up to a crescendo of high-octane, back and forth offence. To make the match even better the title change was unexpected thanks to the story they told in the ring.
1. Nyla Rose vs. Hikaru Shida – AEW Double or Nothing 2020
Given the two competitors involved this was always going to be a great match. But due to the No Disqualification stipulation attached, it allowed them to take things to the next level.
Nyla was the champion with a penchant for brutalizing her opponents and smashing them through tables. Shida, the challenger, was on a hot streak of wins and a run of excellent and effective performances.
As expected the match was a brutal affair. Shida and Rose using everything and anything at their disposal to inflict damage on each other. Nyla used her brute strength to overpower and decimate Shida. But Shida is no stranger to violence and used her precision striking and running attacks to great effect.
The final kendo stick shot to Nyla’s head was something to behold and a great finish to a fun, furious and fantastic match.
What do you make of the list? Let us know in the comments below.
