AEW Rampage: The women were the focus of the hour

On Friday’s episode of AEW: Rampage, the women were the focus. This comes in a week when women were barely recognized for their contributions over the last 30 years in WWE, a cage match between two of its biggest stars was cut for time and #WWEWomenDeserveBetter trending on Twitter.

There was a backstage segment with Renee Paquette interviewing Ruby Soho. Soho was interrupted by Britt Baker. On Dynamite, Baker came out during Soho’s match with Toni Storm. It caused a distraction and Soho picked up the win. With the impending AEW Originals vs. Invaders story that’s building, Baker advised Soho to “grow a backbone and pick a side. And if you’re smart, you’ll know which side to pick.”

In a later backstage segment, Lexy Nair interviewed TBS Champion Jade Cargill and Leila Gray when Red Velvet and Keira Hogan walked up. Velvet called the champ out for her treatment of everyone and said Grey was only with Cargill because she has no self-esteem. She told the champ to come see her next week because she will be the “one in 49-1.”

The women were in the main event for Rampage. AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter faced Emi Sakura in an Eliminator match. If Sakura won, she would get a shot at Hayter’s title. Sakura is a regular fixture on both AEW Dark Elevation and Dark. In fact, she wrestled 49 times in 2022 without appearing on Dynamite and Rampage. Sakura recently won her first title in the US when she won the Deadlock Pro Wrestling Women’s Championship in November.

The two had a hard-hitting match, with both women ending up with hand prints on their chests. Their bout lasted 12.5 minutes. Hayter ultimately pinned Sakura, thus ending her chance at a title shot in the near future.

AEW has long struggled with its women’s division but has been on a roll since late last year. Their champions are wrestling regularly and other women are involved in storylines. We see more character development as well.  The women have main evented Rampage twice this month. The AEW OGs vs. Invaders storyline has had some questionable aspects, but has so much potential for the women, especially if it leads to the first-ever women’s Blood and Guts match.

Regardless of promotion, women’s wrestling should be a focus and should be at the forefront of the industry. This year could be huge for growth in women’s wrestling globally. It’s long overdue with too many starts and stops. Here’s hoping that changes this year.