All Elite Wrestling is poised to let the women’s division shine

AEW Full Gear felt like an opportunity to “restart” things with the promotion’s women’s division. This has been one area where AEW faced consistent criticism. With three years of operating under the company’s belt, “give them time” is no longer an excuse that works for the majority of the wrestling community. However, since All Out and after Full Gear, the pieces are in motion to feature the talented women across this roster.

The conversations start with the champions. Jamie Hayter and Jade Cargill are two individuals that have strong fan followings, and each for different reasons.

Hayter’s rise to fame has finally come. She’s standing at the top of the division as the lineal champion after being elevated by the cheers of fans. It will be interesting to see where AEW takes her storyline because there are a few different ways they can go. Of course, the Britt Baker angle is there, but fans should expect AEW to draw that out as they tend to do with most storylines. The feud was hinted in the past and now that Hayter has the championship, Baker versus Hayter is a PPV-worthy match waiting to happen.

Cargill is in a bit of a different place. She’s established as TBS Champion, inching closer to a year-long run with that belt. She fits the mold of a professional wrestling star. Her content both in the ring and out of it grabs attention. But her dominance and booking have limited the number of challenges she can face next. She’s run through everyone in front of her and if AEW begins to place her against bigger names like Hikaru Shida, there’s an opportunity that fans will want to see Cargill take her first defeat. While that will happen at some point, AEW must make that call correctly because it’s not something that can be redone.

The rest of the division is finally getting featured in ways that should pay off as well. Mercedes Martinez is back with the Ring of Honor Women’s Championship. This creates a new prize for the ladies to chase and should get just as much TV time as the rest of the ROH champions. Athena’s heel turn has been presented well on Dark and Dark Elevation, playing into a stiff match she had last month. That turn needs to make it to television soon as well.

Tay Melo and Anna Jay are getting time. Julia Hart is back with the House of Black. Saraya is wrestling and a massive name for the division. Willow Nightingale has momentum and fans pushing to see her in higher positions. Ruby Soho just returned from injury as well, giving the roster another fan favorite.

Now is the time for AEW to capitalize on the growing energy in the women’s division. They have a talented division in that locker room and it’s clear that steps are happening to push this group front and center.