AEW Grand Slam Australia featured a bit of history. Toni Storm defeated Mariah May to capture the AEW Women’s World Championship. She’s the first woman to hold the title four times and has tied Jon Moxley for the most world title reigns. Storm’s run in AEW continues to be something special and is a strong reminder that she’s one of the best performers in the world.
Storm and May have spent much of the last year telling a story that had engrossed the AEW community. There’s still much to tell between the two women, as they are tied 1-1 in head-to-head battles. The build to the third battle will be a big deal, and Tony Khan should give Storm and May a main event match, perhaps a steel cage match, during an episode of AEW Dynamite to fully bring an end to the storyline.
Toni Storm is the perfect mix of character and in-ring work
The “Timeless” Toni Storm run is a look into what it means to be a perfect professional wrestler and sports entertainer. Storm has become a true throwback to the carny attractions that made wrestling such an attraction during the territory days. With RJ City in the mix, Storm has crafted a character who has become one of the biggest additions to the AEW roster.
Whether she’s being serious or comedic, Storm’s portrayal of this character and her aspirations check all the boxes. She keeps fans on the edge of their seats with her words, mannerisms, and more. This is one reason she’s working so well as the top performer in the women’s division.
Then there’s her in-ring work. According to Cagematch, her average rating is 7.90, which is a strong number for sure. Many of those matches are before her time in AEW, and it would be interesting to see what she would give fans if given the opportunity to match her in-ring work of the past. She and Jamie Hayter gave fans a hint of what is possible back in 2022, so there’s hope to see more of that.
Can Toni Storm elevate the rest of the women’s division?
This is the real question that needs answering. Storm has shown that she’s a top-tier talent. And when she’s paired with the right dance partner, IE May, she can deliver an amazing story. What AEW hasn’t been consistent with is providing women the space and time to tell such a story.
Tony Khan should look at Toni Storm as a reason to change that practice. She has the abilities to give the entire division a boost when it needs it most. Mercedes Mone is doing her part; this should be the start of a run for Storm to do the same. The division needs it and Khan is running out of excuses.
Toni Storm has captured the AEW Women’s World Championship one more time, adding to what has become her career-defining run. She’s the right character to finally raise this women’s division to new heights.