AEW must infuse some new faces into the top of the women’s division

AEW has a talented women’s division and it is time to see more of those individuals rather than the usual suspects at the top.

All Elite Wrestling boasts a talented roster. It’s not hard to look at the group of names signed by the company and pick out professionals that both hardcore and casual fans want to see. Yet, fans are continually looking for more opportunities to shine in the women’s division. With AEW All In and AEW All Out looming, now is the time for the company (READ: Tony Khan) to push some new names up the ladder and into the main event picture.

AEW All In has one women’s match scheduled for the event. Hikaru Shida, Toni Storm, Saraya, and most likely Britt Baker are poised for a fatal four-way to determine the AEW Women’s World Champion. The tournament to get into the match featured many of the usual suspects, Storm received a bye, while The Bunny, Skye Blue, and Anna Jay were on the losing side of their tournament matches. When the tournament and match for All In were announced, there was some skeptical response online for yet another multi-women match with many of the same faces, calling for the continued push to see this division booked better.

Yes, injuries have plagued the women’s division, but that needs to be seen for what it is at this point, an excuse. Jamie Hayter and Thunder Rosa, two of the most-beloved members of the women’s roster by fans, are out with injuries. But there is a slew of experienced women that could be involved with both this tournament and at least featured on television in a way to make them viable contenders in time. Kiera Hogan, Serena Deeb, Emi Sakura, Willow Nightingale, and Yuka Sakazaki are just a few names. AEW could even look back to former champions in Nyla Rose and Riho to boost the current title picture. Yet all those individuals sit on the sideline.

The same could be said for Kris Statlander, who isn’t booked for the PPV at this time. That could change, or she could have a title match slotted for AEW All Out, but that still doesn’t remedy the fact that her title reign has already stagnated.

Putting the title back on Hikaru Shida was an exciting moment, and fans have hoped that her second run with the belt will move things in the right direction. That’s only possible if this title run doesn’t get the same old treatment that has plagued this division to date.

It’s time for AEW to find a way to infuse some new faces into this division. The company consistently books battle royales for the tag team or TNT title, what is stopping them from doing the same for the women? The same could be said about a ladder match to determine a number-one contender. The women haven’t had such an opportunity to showcase their skills in that stipulation match. AEW has five hours of television across three weekly shows and more time must go to building up this roster before fans begin to completely check out.

Wrestling fans are passionate about their favorite promotions and stars. That is further exasperated when talking about women’s wrestling. AEW must find a way to infuse some new women into the top of the division. With such a stacked roster, relying on the same faces isn’t having the impact the fans want to see.