What’s up, smarks? Welcome back to the AEW Women’s Tournament. For the last time! Yes, this time I’ll be covering the Bleacher Report (or rather final Youtube since I’m not an American) installment of the tournament as well as the match on the Road to Dynamite.
Last time, we saw the Japanese semi-finals and the last American opening rounds – and if you tuned into Dynamite, Nyla Rose vs Britt Baker in the semi-finals. This time, we’ll see the Japanese finals, the last American semi-final and a 6 woman tag match over in Japan.
…Wait, Revolution already happened? This is two weeks late? Hm. Well, sorry that it’s late, but I hope you’ll accept it nonetheless rather than me just giving up on covering this tournament entirely.
An Encore
Despite not making it to the finals, we get to see 5 of the competitors of this tournament once more, as well as the women’s champ herself. Tazz is still joining Excalibur on commentary. Maki arrives first and Tazz sings along. I doubt the ECW locker room would’ve seen that coming from the human suplex machine all those years ago. VENY and Emi make their entrances, nothing to note there really.
Mei Suruga comes out and she’s holding her Gatoh Move tag title – that’s the kind of cross promotion stuff I like to see. Rin Kadokura is also here with her WAVE tag title. Of course, Shida’s out last. It’s a team of reigning champs, things aren’t looking great for team Emi.
Before a legal woman for both side can be chosen, team Emi launches the offense. Of course, all 3 focus on Shida, perhaps (in kayfabe, of course) bitter that they lost their shot at her. Maki misses a Kokeshi on Shida – these two are officially starting us off.
The two enter a bit of an exchange – not traditional in that they use the same move but in turns they attack each other with varying offense. Rin and Emi are tagged in. Rin gets two bulldogs to gain the upper hand and be on top of the competition.
Ultimately, this transfers to Emi as she lands a backbreaker. She doesn’t dish out too much punishment, though, as she tags out to VENY. Rin tries some strikes, but VENY just absorbs them and lands a magnitude 10 slap. Mei trips VENY to give Rin the advantage. VENY has the strength advantage, but Rin has the speed, leading to a northern lights suplex giving her a two count.
Mei shoves Shida off the ring in order to get Rin to tag her. Mei gets a crazy bridge, right on her tiptoes. I’m by no means the most seasoned wrestling fan but these women keep doing things I’ve just not quite seen before. VENY makes it to the ropes.
Mei goes for a rollup, but VENY reverses to hit a facebuster, then a moonsault for a two. Emi is tagged in and completely throws Mei. She goes for the rolling Romero special as Maki steps in the ring to hold a long note and hit a Kokeshi on Mei, still in the Romero special. Emi is angry at Maki since she hit the both of them as VENY forces a tag.
They deliver a couple of body slams to Mei for a two count. Tag in to Maki again. Maki mock’s the ref’s count as she has Mei on the ropes – not something I can really describe, you should already be checking this out on its own merit, but if you’re just reading these reviews, go seek that moment out, about 17 minutes in. Emi gets some chops on Mei and Maki goes for a pin after a punch to the back – just a two count. Maki gets a headlock on, but Rin comes in for the save. Maki tags to Emi who locks in a submission. Mei goes for a unique pin, again only two.
Absolutely brilliant sequence between Emi and Mei, who at the end of it tags out to Shida. Shida suplexes VENY onto Maki and Emi who she set up in the corner. Shida goes for a meteora-esque move for a two. Shida and Emi trade backbreakers – VENY and Mei get in the ring, opposite their respective non-team members, and both get a tiltawhirl. Backs sure were broken here tonight, in rapid succession no less.
Shida and Emi get in a strike contest, which Shida gets the better of, but Emi lands a DDT-esque maneuver on Shida. Maki charges in, attacking Shida, but gets superkicked by Rin – who gets superkicked by VENY, who gets a big apple punch from Mei. Equivalent exchange, or something.
Mei and Shida, in that order, poke Emi on the forehead, downing her. Shida then helps Mei land an assisted splash, quite stylish. Little sequence happens that ends in Emi stretching out Shida with Mei in the middle. Both make it to the ropes, but get splashed and in comes VENY with an arihara moonsault on Shida.
VENY and Emi work over Shida for a two, which is broken by Mei. VENY then gets some offense with Maki, ending with a Liger bomb for another two. Shida gets some offense on VENY – two vertical suplexes leading to a two count. Tamashii nearly ends it, but Emi breaks. Emi and Maki try to prevent Shida from doing more damage, but Mei and Rin fend them off. The two are both rammed into VENY and then given dropkicks.
The falcon arrow, to my and Shida’s surprise, is not enough to put away VENY. Of course, when you add Tamashii to the mix, Shida’s chances of winning drastic go up as it helps her score the win. Team Emi go for the beatdown, ending with Emi beating up Maki because her rage knows no bounds. The winners stand triumphant in the ring.
Japan Finals
Our first finals for the night. Magical girl vs Aniki. Whoever wins goes on to face the winner of the last match we’re covering tonight. Starting off with some lockups after a killer grip from Ryo during a handshake. Yuka’s back is still bandaged, which could factor into this. Yuka goes for some dropkicks, but they don’t phase Ryo whatsoever.
The two fight for position as Yuka gets a couple of rollups, two counts at best. Ryo rolls out of the rig – Yuka gives her another dropkick, this time through the ropes. Ryo rolls back in – Yuka has the lead at first, but Ryo gains some momentum, getting a two count from a legdrop.
Ryo gets a camel clutch on, but Yuka makes the ropes. Ryo has the lead until Yuka lands a huricanrana. Yuka gets a submission on Ryo’s ankle – another rope break. Yuka gets some momentum again, until Ryo lands a powerslam. Guillotine legdrop for two.
Ryo gets a kata gatame, but Yuka rolls through and gets a triangle sleeper on Ryo. Ryo lifts up and powerbombs. They have a bit of a sequence which ends in Yuka delivering a sliding lariat for a two count. Yuka hits the magical girl splash, but that isn’t enough to put Ryo away.
Yuka goes for a 450 but misses and rolls through. Both are down after Ryo hits the urinage and fight to their feet. Ryo gets a sort of burning hammer thing going and Yuka rolls through for a two. Huricanrana for another two. Ryo gives a clothesline, goes for a pin, Yuka rolls again and the result is the same.
Ryo gives a spear and a short arm clothesline and I really thought it was going to end, but no, another two. I try and learn moves but honestly I have no idea what Ryo did to put away Yuka and if the commentary do, they don’t point it out. If you know it, let me know in the comments. Either way, Ryo gets the win here, going on to face whoever wins the last match we’ll be covering here.
It was a bit of a slow match to start off with, but they really picked up the pace towards the end. I kind of wanted to see Yuka vs Nyla in the finals since they never faced off in AEW, but I don’t mind Ryo going on to the finals and look forward to seeing how she fares.
Two Former Champs
Last semi-final match for the American side. Whoever wins this goes on to face Nyla Rose in the American finals.
The two lock up – Rosa gains control with a headlock. Riho counters with a side headlock of her own. Rosa hits legscissors, but Riho kicks out. We get some mat work as Rosa gets another legscissors. Again, Riho gets out but gets arm dragged. Riho gets her own arm drag, Rosa takes her down for a pin but she bridges out. Dropkick by Riho. Really swift sequence there.
Rosa gets 2 snap suplexes and lands Riho on the ropes to kick her in the head. Two count by Rosa. Elbows right to the head by Rosa – she gets Riho in the corner. Rosa covers for another two. Rosa gets some hanging neckbreakers and lands a submission off of one. Pin for two.
Riho hits the tieres after a little sequence. Gets a 619 for a two. Rosa slams Riho down but is downed herself; Riho capitalizes on this for a pin, but is unsuccessful with a two. Rosa hits a swinging neckbreaker for another two. Strike contest, Rosa gets the better for a one count. Rosa locks a full nelson on, which Rosa breaks by slamming her face into the ring. Rosa gets a two, but Riho makes the ropes. Another two, this time with a kickout.
Rosa gets a headlock, but Riho makes her way to a vertical base, landing a northern lights suplex for a two. Rosa charges to Riho in the corner but gets kicked. Huricanrana by Riho; then a rollup and stomp to the chest. Riho hits a diving crossbody for a 2.9 Rosa rams Riho to the corner and gives a clothesline, followed by two knees to the chest and a dropkick for a two count. The two fight for position, ending with Riho landing a snap dragon suplex.
Riho gets to top rope, but Rosa makes her way up there – Riho gets the better as she stomps on Rosa’s stomach as she’s caught in the ropes for a two count. Another strike contest. Clothesline gets Rosa a 2.9. Rio rolls up for a two. Rosa rolls Riho for the win.
Amazing match, just a great pace and two great competitors. Originally I had a joke about how that would be the end since I was late with the review for the 3rd Women’s Eliminator show, but now I’m late for that AND the finals, so really I’d have to be insane to not have it attached after two weeks.
Hold Your Horses
I thought the American finals would just be one long match, but no. We have 3 matches, starting here with Madi Wrenkowski, a tournament participant, vs Leva Bates. Normally I’d not cover these since these don’t really have anything to do with the tournament, but even if it is a small statement, I’m making it. It’s no secret that the women’s division isn’t given the time it needs for whatever reason, be it disinterest by Tony and crew or perceived disinterest by fans, but these women give it all they can for little exposure on AEW broadcasting, so I’m giving them they attention they need and urge you to do the same if you’re watching along at home.
First up, Leva Bates comes to the ring. Taz asks what happens if they blare her music in the library, and I haven’t seen Leva in a bit so I just realized. She has music now. Remember when she didn’t? Again, one could say her being saddled with this less than stellar gimmick while Peter gets to move on could be because the booking crew don’t care as much for the women’s division, but I’ll let you make that judgement yourself.
She has a stack of books including the Young Buck’s autobiography. Madi’s already in the ring, so no entrance there. Madi takes the Buck’s book, tosses it at Leva and goes to strike, but Leva hits a thrust kick. Madi rolls to the outside, and Leva follows with a crossbody to the outside.
The two roll back in. Short sequence leads to two suplexes from Leva, ending in a two count. Madi guillotines Leva off the ropes for a two count of her own. Sliding lariat for another two. Leva works over Madi, ends with a bulldog for another two. Small package from Leva, reversal by Madi, two count on both attempts.
Madi hits a facebuster and I like how it looked – great elevation of the legs. If she makes it far, I could see that being a special move of hers. However, not a finisher as Leva kicks out a two. Madi grabs the Buck’s book again and rips out pages.
Madi hits Leva with a book while the ref’s back is turned for the win. Leva may not be one of the all time greats of our generation but I think she’s a pretty solid worker and a decent foil for whoever she faces. Madi is still just a rookie but again, not sloppy, great facebuster and I look forward to seeing her get even better.
This Is Legitness
Leyla comes to the ring, like the last match the other competitor already in the ring. I like Leyla’s theme but it also kinda makes me just wanna listen to Rhea Ripley’s, which is an absolute banger. Anyhow, Miranda has a mask on the graphic but isn’t wearing one. I wonder if she got unmasked at some point or it always was just for show. She’s also wearing some baggy shorts which seems like a weird piece of minutiae to point out, but it’s not something you see often in ring gear, which is interesting to me.
Miranda goes for a handshake, but Leyla refuses, so instead we get a collar and elbow lockup. We get a bit of a back and forth which includes a pretty impressive dive by Leyla – ends when Leyla lands some sort of tiltawhirl move.
Leyla slides out, but gets in rather quick. Leyla gets some momentum, hitting the ropes, but Alize knees her in the head. Alize gets Leyla in the corner – she eventually gets out with a dropkick. Leyla gets some offense capped off with a brainbuster for two.
Alize knees Leyla and hits a corkscrew elbow drop for a two – not a move you see often. Alize looks like she tries to hit a sort of bulldog on Leyla, but Leyla catches her arm and makes her tap.
I feel like Alize tapped a bit too quickly, it made for a very sudden finish. That being said, Leyla is pretty impressive and, bold claim, maybe even future champ material if given some time. Short match so I didn’t get enough to see of Alize but she’s got an interesting look and athleticism.
The Finale
This is it. The last match barring the overall finals on Dynamite and the title match at Revolution. Winner faces Ryo Mizunami. Rosa enters first, then Nyla. They circle for a bit – Rosa has a waistlock, but Nyla won’t budge. Rosa lands numerous kicks on Nyla’s legs – goes for a crossbody but is caught, though she escapes, going for more kicks. Nyla goes for a chokeslam, but Rosa escapes yet again, going for an ankle lock, though Nyla eventually kicks her off.
Rosa executes a drop toe hold, but it doesn’t phase Nyla at all. Nyla goes for an elbow drop, but Rosa dodges. Rosa gets some kicks on Nyla and keeps working over her legs, getting a single leg crab – Nyla makes the ropes.
Rosa rushes Nyla but is thrown to the outside. Nyla slams Rosa to the rails before rolling Rosa back in. Nyla lands two splashes for a two – maybe she should’ve went for three to even both sides? She then gets a headlock on – raises it for a second to land a backbreaker for another three.
Nyla sends Rosa to the corner for a spear, but Rosa dodges, leading her to hit the ringpost. Nyla makes her way to the turnbuckle, but gets launched off it. Rosa goes for the splash and has enough momentum for it to send Nyla to the floor. Ref Paul Turner gets Rosa back in the ring and gets about a two or three on the outside count before Nyla attacks Rosa. Rosa rolls back in to hit a side suplex for a two. Two backbreakers by Nyla, but Rosa rebels with some hits. She goes to the ropes, though Nyla catches her with a chokeslam for a two.
Nyla makes it to the top ropes and hits Rosa, but Rosa interferes so that she doesn’t stick the landing – both are down. Ten count makes it to six; both women to their feet as Rosa lands a big clothesline to the corner where Nyla is, then a double knees. Dropkick and a missile dropkick, but even that added to the prior offense isn’t enough to put away Nyla. Rosa goes for a suplex, but her back is in too much turmoil from the backbreakers earlier.
Nyla hits the diving kneedrop as Rosa is on the ropes and again, another move that seems like it’d end the match in a second, but it doesn’t. Rosa hits a DVD and again, not enough. Nyla gets a waistlock, but Rosa hits a cutter and a suplex. 2.9 right there.
Rosa goes for a dropkick off the top rope but is caught right into a beast bomb, it’s as clean as the bald fella on the detergents. Nyla wins and goes on to face Ryo Mizunami. And again, since this is late we already know what happened from there. Go check out the Dynamite reviews and the Revolution review for the rest of the story! Sorry for the delays, I hope you still enjoyed reading this after the fact.
