Hikaru Shida vs. Ryo Mizunami (AEW, 3/7/2021)

 AEW - AEW Revolution 2021 (3/7/2021)

AEW Women's World Championship: Hikaru Shida vs. Ryo Mizunami

The match between these two in Shinjuku FACE in 2017 was one of my favorite women's matches that year, so it was great to see them show off their amazing chemistry as opponents on a bigger stage. The strike exchanges here were great. Sometimes strike-based matches can feel repetitive, but they were mixing up their strikes in interesting ways, both offensively and defensively. Shida has established herself as the heavy hitter in the AEW women's division, and Mizunami is a heavy hitter in her own right, so it was exciting to see them go back and forth.

***3/4

Emi Sakura vs. Yuka Sakazaki (AEW, 2/22/2021)

AEW - AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament: United States & Japan Brackets (2/22/2021)

Emi Sakura vs. Yuka Sakazaki

This was another great match from Emi Sakura in this tournament. She's far past her peak, but it's great to see her shine on a big platform. She made the necessary tweaks to her character in AEW and she was the standout of the Japan side of the tournament. Emi built off of the strategy of Mei Suruga by targeting the damaged neck and back of Sakazaki, who had a great performance underneath, showing some off new moves.

****

AEW - AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament: Japan Bracket - First Round (2/15/2021)

 1. AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament Japan Bracket - First Round: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mei Suruga

It seems there was some unfamiliarity in the execution, but overall this was a great way to open the tournament. The action was easy to follow and the performers showed their individual charm. Mei put pressure on the taped-up neck of Yuka with a variety of attacks, and Yuka picked her spots with powerful slams.

***1/2

2. AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament Japan Bracket - First Round: Emi Sakura vs. VENY

This was a great clash of styles, for two wrestlers who had only wrestled each other once prior to this match they seemed to have natural chemistry and rhythm in the ring. They worked an exhilarating pace with fierce strike exchanges and sharp counter work.

****

3. AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament Japan Bracket - First Round: Ryo Mizunami vs. Maki Itoh

The opening sequence was ideal in introducing first-time viewers to the personalities of these two. The actual body of the match wasn't so compelling until the very end when Itoh started going toe-to-toe with the powerhouse Mizunami in a strike exchange and landed some big moves.

***

4. AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament Japan Bracket - First Round: Aja Kong vs. Rin Kadokura

This was pretty much a uniform Aja Kong squash, but Aja looked like a true professional in the way she carried a lively match with an opponent who doesn't have much physical charisma.

**3/4

Riho vs. Nyla Rose (AEW, 10/2/2019)

AEW - Dynamite #1 (10/2/2019)

AEW Women's World Championship (decision): Riho vs. Nyla Rose

Nyla's pacing, facial expressions and mannerisms were on point. Riho was compelling as the physically overmatched underdog with fighting spirit, and the strong crowd support for her produced one of the best and most emotional comeback sequences of the year. This was an amazing match, and one of the best television matches I've ever seen.

****1/4

Riho vs. Nyla Rose (AEW, 2/12/2020)

AEW - Dynamite #19 (2/12/2020

AEW Women's World Championship: Riho (c) vs. Nyla Rose

I loved this as much as their first match. Riho and Nyla feel like natural opponents, the face and heel dynamic between them is defined and easy to understand, and they always get the crowd excited. There were many great sequences involving Nyla being a giant monster and Riho being the undersized underdog using her speed and technical advantage. Riho also showed a rare intensity, the running dropkick across the table and dragon suplexes were awesome.

****1/4

Kenny Omega & Riho vs. Kip Sabian & Penelope Ford (AEW, 1/22/2020)

AEW Dark #18 (1/22/2020)

Kenny Omega & Riho vs. Kip Sabian & Penelope Ford

I heard good reviews for this match, but it exceeded my expectations. The smooth flow of the action from one spot into another made for an exciting match; there was impressive coordination shown by both teams. And the nighttime setting and closeness of the crowd to the ring gave the match a warm and intimate feeling.

****