Latest news with #TheAerialAssassin
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
For AEW, it's now or never to pull the trigger on Will Ospreay
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Will Ospreay in the ring during AEW Dynamite on October 2, 2024, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) It's a beautiful sight to see, isn't it? A babyface reaching the apex of their ascendancy. And if Wednesday night's superb promo exchange on "AEW Dynamite" is anything to go by, then Will Ospreay looks to be making the final stages of his journey to glory with aplomb. Will 'The Aerial Assassin' win the Owen Hart Cup on Sunday? It should be pretty clear to anyone with even the slightest Spidey Sense for professional wrestling that this is one of those special moments where the babyface just has to triumph. Advertisement There really is no question about it. If this weekend's Double or Nothing event isn't the penultimate step to making Ospreay world champion, then AEW will have some serious questions to answer. Maybe even existential ones. I've aired my frustrations with Jon Moxley's title run before, and all of those complaints are still valid. But let's park them for a minute. Making Ospreay champion is nothing to do with the shortcomings of the Death Riders angle; it's about rewarding a guy who has spent the past three years proving time and again that he is among the very best to ever wrestle for Tony Khan's challenger promotion. Wrestling nerds who lapped up Ospreay's early work in Tokyo or London will hardly be surprised by that verdict. But for all his five-star matches over the past three years, Ospreay's real triumph over fellow indie darlings has been his evolution into a fully formed character in the AEW universe — of which this week's promo was just the latest example. Advertisement From the moment he ambushed Kenny Omega to close out 'AEW Dynamite' two years ago, Ospreay has hardly put a foot wrong. His reign as International Champion was perhaps the best in AEW history, while his participation in last year's Continental Classic managed to revive a concept that was in danger of becoming stale. His character work has been solid, too. Just look at his recent work with his real-life best friend Kyle Fletcher. For justifiable reasons, AEW gets some stick for its lack of interest in building long-running story feuds, but this one deserved every drop of praise it received. F***ing quality indeed, bruv. For all his achievements, though, Ospreay has been largely kept separate from the AEW world title scene. Leave aside that one match against Swerve Strickland last year (which ended unsuccessfully for Ospreay) and AEW's emerging golden boy has hardly made so much as a glance toward the biggest prize on offer. Up until now, that's worked perfectly. Every non-title angle has helped round him out as a three-dimensional talent and get the entirety of the fan base behind him. But now that task is complete. There's no sense in coming up with more side quests. For both Ospreay and AEW, this summer will be a case of now or never. It's good news, then, that all signs point to AEW getting ready to pull the trigger. Betting odds for pro-wrestling are usually more of a publicity stunt than serious forecasts, but it hasn't escaped my attention that a wager on Ospreay to win on Sunday offers the kind of paltry return more associated with savings accounts than sports betting. Advertisement None of that is to knock his opponent, "Hangman" Adam Page, who also graced us with a heartfelt promo on this week's "Dynamite." Indeed it's a tribute to Ospreay that he will be helping to boost his fellow babyface in his moment of glory. It's not a million miles from the way that Cody Rhodes elevated Sami Zayn and Jey Uso during his journey to the promised land. It should be clear to anyone with eyes that Ospreay deserves to be a champion. But it's also worth considering why that outcome is so important to AEW. As I've written before, one of the big struggles for Tony Khan's promotion has been its failure to create some of its own superstars. If you look at the roster of AEW world champions, almost all of them have had massive WWE runs. After five years, there should be more homegrown names among their ranks. Surely, you think, this is the moment that starts to change. When was the last time the stars were aligned this perfectly? To fumble the Ospreay opportunity wouldn't just be a cosmic injustice — it would plunge the entire AEW brand into a black hole. For the sake of pro wrestling, we can only hope that doesn't happen. Double or Nothing? Honestly, the gambling motif doesn't quite capture the scale of things this time around. The odds might look like a foregone conclusion, but the stakes are higher than ever.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
For AEW and Will Ospreay, it's now or never to pull the trigger
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Will Ospreay in the ring during AEW Dynamite on October 2, 2024, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) It's a beautiful sight to see, isn't it? A babyface reaching the apex of their ascendancy. And if Wednesday night's superb promo exchange on "AEW Dynamite" is anything to go by, then Will Ospreay looks to be making the final stages of his journey to glory with aplomb. Will 'The Aerial Assassin' win the Owen Hart Cup on Sunday? It should be pretty clear to anyone with even the slightest Spidey Sense for professional wrestling that this is one of those special moments where the babyface just has to triumph. Advertisement There really is no question about it. If this weekend's Double or Nothing event isn't the penultimate step to making Ospreay world champion, then AEW will have some serious questions to answer. Maybe even existential ones. I've aired my frustrations with Jon Moxley's title run before, and all of those complaints are still valid. But let's park them for a minute. Making Ospreay champion is nothing to do with the shortcomings of the Death Riders angle; it's about rewarding a guy who has spent the past three years proving time and again that he is among the very best to ever wrestle for Tony Khan's challenger promotion. Wrestling nerds who lapped up Ospreay's early work in Tokyo or London will hardly be surprised by that verdict. But for all his five-star matches over the past three years, Ospreay's real triumph over fellow indie darlings has been his evolution into a fully formed character in the AEW universe — of which this week's promo was just the latest example. Advertisement From the moment he ambushed Kenny Omega to close out 'AEW Dynamite' two years ago, Ospreay has hardly put a foot wrong. His reign as International Champion was perhaps the best in AEW history, while his participation in last year's Continental Classic managed to revive a concept that was in danger of becoming stale. His character work has been solid, too. Just look at his recent work with his real-life best friend Kyle Fletcher. For justifiable reasons, AEW gets some stick for its lack of interest in building long-running story feuds, but this one deserved every drop of praise it received. F***ing quality indeed, bruv. For all his achievements, though, Ospreay has been largely kept separate from the AEW world title scene. Leave aside that one match against Swerve Strickland last year (which ended unsuccessfully for Ospreay) and AEW's emerging golden boy has hardly made so much as a glance toward the biggest prize on offer. Up until now, that's worked perfectly. Every non-title angle has helped round him out as a three-dimensional talent and get the entirety of the fan base behind him. But now that task is complete. There's no sense in coming up with more side quests. For both Ospreay and AEW, this summer will be a case of now or never. It's good news, then, that all signs point to AEW getting ready to pull the trigger. Betting odds for pro-wrestling are usually more of a publicity stunt than serious forecasts, but it hasn't escaped my attention that a wager on Ospreay to win on Sunday offers the kind of paltry return more associated with savings accounts than sports betting. Advertisement None of that is to knock his opponent, "Hangman" Adam Page, who also graced us with a heartfelt promo on this week's "Dynamite." Indeed it's a tribute to Ospreay that he will be helping to boost his fellow babyface in his moment of glory. It's not a million miles from the way that Cody Rhodes elevated Sami Zayn and Jey Uso during his journey to the promised land. It should be clear to anyone with eyes that Ospreay deserves to be a champion. But it's also worth considering why that outcome is so important to AEW. As I've written before, one of the big struggles for Tony Khan's promotion has been its failure to create some of its own superstars. If you look at the roster of AEW world champions, almost all of them have had massive WWE runs. After five years, there should be more homegrown names among their ranks. Surely, you think, this is the moment that starts to change. When was the last time the stars were aligned this perfectly? To fumble the Ospreay opportunity wouldn't just be a cosmic injustice — it would plunge the entire AEW brand into a black hole. For the sake of pro-wrestling, we can only hope that doesn't happen. Double or Nothing? Honestly, the gambling motif doesn't quite capture the scale of things this time around. The odds might look like a foregone conclusion, but the stakes are higher than ever.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AEW Dynamite Preview For February 5: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet, MJF To Appear
AEW Dynamite comes to you live from Atlanta's Gateway Center Arena in Georgia. Here's what's on tap for the show. Before she faces Mariah May at Grand Slam Australia, Toni Storm will go one-on-one with Queen Aminata in singles action. Speaking of Mariah, the AEW Women's World Champion will be on commentary for the match. Will Ospreay previously defeated Brian Cage on AEW Dynamite. Tonight, 'The Aerial Assassin' will take on another member of The Don Callis Family. Ospreay and Omega were jumped by the group following Ospreay's win over Cage last week. AEW Dynamite is billing this as an International All-Star Tag Team Match. For those unaware, King and Matthews will be referred to as Hounds of Hell after the pair, alongside Julia Hart, announced they were moving on from Malakai Black. Hangman Page and MJF both will be on Dynamite this week. The two men have bumped into each other on numerous occasions over the past several weeks. MJF is also locked in a feud with Jeff Jarrett; he attacked the legend on last week's show. The rivalry between Ricochet and Swerve Strickland has heated up in recent weeks, and the two foes will finally collide in singles action. Strickland confronted Ricochet several weeks ago during a backstage segment. Swerve and Prince Nana then embarrassed Ricochet with toilet paper at Worlds End. Ricochet retaliated by cutting open Strickland with a pair of scissors. This bloody feud enters its next chapter tonight. WrestleZone will have full coverage of AEW Dynamite as it airs tonight. The post AEW Dynamite Preview For February 5: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet, MJF To Appear appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pro wrestling power rankings: Who are WWE, AEW's best as the Royal Rumble looms?
Professional wrestling is a fast moving business, making it hard to stay on top of who rules the roost. Championship titles go some way to explaining who's in charge, but they don't always tell the full story when it comes to whose star is rising. With that in mind, as we look ahead to Saturday's WWE Royal Rumble, here's the debut edition of our power rankings, commending those WWE and AEW superstars — across both the men's and women's divisions — who feel like 'must-see' talents right now. 10. Oba Femi NXT has had its fill of breakout stars over the years. But how many can match Oba Femi — not just his size, but for his sheer star power too? The Nigerian powerhouse has had the wrestling world in a stranglehold since his 2023 debut, beginning an inevitable march towards becoming the current NXT Champion. Right now, the question isn't whether this monster will be promoted to the main WWE roster, but just how much devastation he will repeat when he gets there. 9. Kevin Owens Kevin Owens' recent run has been truly inspired, full of subversive nods to wrestling history (like his fantastic 'Canadian Dream' t-shirt) as well as some gonzo-style promos. The magic began with Owens' initial assault on Cody Rhodes, which was engineered to be caught on fans' phones, rather than going out on the main broadcast. Since that moment, Owens has been in his absolute element — and it's electrifying to watch. 8. Will Ospreay Every wrestling fan knows the Essex boy is one of the greatest to step between the ropes in the modern era. But in the past year, Uncrowned's 2024 Wrestler of the Year has taken things to the next level, becoming not just an exceptional in-ring performer but a star personality in his own right. Will 2025 be the year 'The Aerial Assassin' gets the biggest prize in AEW? Based on his current form, such an outcome would be more than justified. 7. Jacob Fatu Remember the days of 'WWE doesn't sign indie wrestlers'? If there's one man who has done the most to kick down that particular door — perhaps literally — it's 'The Samoan Werewolf'. Fatu's physical prowess has been remarked on over and again. But what makes him so exciting right now is the way the WWE has held back on unleashing his full force, allowing anticipation for that moment to build up like a boiling pan. His wanton destruction of Braun Strowman at this past weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event was a major sign that WWE has huge plans for Fatu in future. 6. Roman Reigns It was perhaps the biggest moment of the Netflix premiere: The return of Roman Reigns to the perch of tribal chief. The one-time 'Big Dog' may not be the WWE's Universal Champion anymore, but he has rarely looked stronger — or more popular — in the eyes of the fan-base. Roman's work with Solo was good, but the really exciting question is what comes next — with a tantalising slate of potential big ticket rivals for him to go up against. 'The Tribal Chief' has entered a whole new era and we are absolutely here for it. 5. Drew McIntyre Drew McIntyre has consistently been among the top performers of WWE's post-pandemic run. But when was the last time he looked as savage as he does right now? 'The Scottish Warrior' may have been bested by CM Punk in the ring, but it's worth noting that McIntyre pulled off the more impressive feat of matching Punk pound-for-pound when it came to mic work. As wrestling feats go, that one is up there with the time McIntyre punted Brock Lesnar over the ropes at the 2020 Royal Rumble. And it sets him up for a brilliant 2025. 4. Kenny Omega Wrestling loves a good babyface story, and they don't come much better than the whole 'triumphing over a potentially career-threatening illness' angle. Kenny Omega's triumphant return to AEW was one of those moments. Of course, it helps that Omega has long been among the most praised names in the promotion since AEW's birth, but the whole situation was still goosebumps inducing. Now it's up to Omega to keep that momentum going and restore the fortunes of AEW over the coming months. 3. CM Punk It's now well over a year since hell froze over, yet CM Punk's star remains as bright as ever in WWE, as he went straight from his shock return into stellar feuds with Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins. Sure, you can count the actual matches on two hands, but how many other superstars have the whole WWE universe waiting with bated breath whenever they pick up a microphone? Right now, Punk has that power and shows no signs of giving it up. 2. Cody Rhodes Almost one year into his title reign, those "whoaaahs" have not dimmed. Cody is still the man — not just in WWE, but as the face of professional wrestling itself. Why is he in second place, then? As excellent as Rhodes has been in recent months, his current vendetta with Kevin Owens hasn't quite felt like a serious threat to the title. The big question now is where we go next, after Rhodes vs. Owens almost certainly wraps up on Saturday at the Royal Rumble. If WWE plays the right card in terms of Rhodes' next opponent (Orton? Cena? Rock after all?), the company's babyface champion will surely reclaim the top spot before long. 1. John Cena When was the last time John Cena was the main talking point going into a massive WWE show? That's certainly the case for Saturday's Royal Rumble. As for whether Cena will triumph in the 30-man showdown, it feels like a genuine coin toss — thus adding to the anticipation. Cena's fate this weekend will shape not just the road to WrestleMania, but potentially the rest of the year in WWE. Right now, the iconic babyface feels like the gravitational center of the wrestling universe, and thus merits our debut top spot. 10. Giulia Praising the strength of the NXT women's division is becoming a cliche at this point. But the crowning of Giulia, the former Stardom favorite, as women's champion feels like yet another milestone for the ladies. Shawn Michaels' developmental promotion has already elevated several stars to the big league. But just imagine what WWE can do with someone like Giulia, who has already established her credentials before arriving. 9. Jordynne Grace She's coming! After emerging as the surprise entrant in last year's Rumble, 'The Juggernaut' appears to be on the cusp of taking up a permanent position in WWE. And not a moment too soon. Given the NXT women's division is already stacked, and the fact that Grace is already an accomplished headliner, the smart money has to be on a main roster debut. As to where things will go from there … well, the sky may well be the limit. 8. Lyra Valkyria 'The Bird Lady' has achieved a world first: Becoming the inaugural holder of the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship. It's a well-deserved honor for a woman who has been consistently impressive since her main roster call-up last year. To add onto that? Her next milestone may be a showdown with the returning Becky Lynch, something that would propel Valkyria to the next level of stardom. 7. Roxanne Perez Winning the NXT title is usually a solid sign that a wrestler is in line for a main roster push. But there still seems to be something extra special about Roxanne Perez, who already has one of WWE's most iconic female talents ready to challenge her in Bayley. Perez vs. Bayley at WrestleMania? We'd love to see it. The 23-year-old won't enter as the favorite, but you can bet she will make the most of it. 6. Chelsea Green Hail to the Chief! The long-term fan favorite was always the most likely candidate for the inaugural Women's US Champion, but that shouldn't distract from just how brilliantly she's stepped up to the role (with a little help from Piper Niven, of course). WWE clearly has full confidence in Green, as evidenced by her being the face of their recent media charm offensive in the UK to mark the Netflix launch. We share their verdict. 5. Liv Morgan Even with the revenge tour stopped in its tracks, Liv Morgan continues to shine bright as ever, oozing confidence both inside and outside of the ring. The title may have gone for now, but it's her role as the manipulative powerbroker in the rather volatile Judgment Day that makes her so exciting to watch at the moment. Let's see where it leads — particularly as we head towards WrestleMania. 4. Mariah May After a rocky couple of years, the AEW women's division is finally back on track, and few have played a bigger role in that transformation than 'The Glamour' Mariah May. Her run as women's champion has been among the best in AEW's short history, thanks in no small part to her chemistry with Toni Storm. The young British starlet has cemented her place not just as the top of AEW's roster but also on the podium of women's wrestling more generally. 3. Rhea Ripley It's no exaggeration to say that 'The Eradicator' has reshaped women's wrestling in her own image — just ask her 4 million followers on TikTok. With the belt back around her waist, Rhea Ripley looks stronger than ever after another barnstorming performance at Saturday Night's Main Event. As with others on these power rankings, the decisive question will be what comes next, in particular whether WWE can find a worthy challenger as we head towards WrestleMania. 2. Toni Storm Just when you thought you'd seen every story in wrestling, along comes Toni Storm — one of the most interesting talents in the game today. Her character work as 'Timeless Toni Storm' — a delicious homage to 'All About Eve' — deserves a spot in the all-time storyline hall of fame. More recently, the rookie stuff has been fun, keeping us entertained without wearing out the jokes. Then came Saturday's 'AEW Collision' and the return of the Timeless One — a twist that was brilliantly executed by this most exceptional of creative minds. 1. Tiffany Stratton After months of anticipation, it truly is Tiffy Time. Tiffany Stratton, the former Team USA gymnast, has finally claimed her perch at the top of the WWE women's division, following a splendid cash-in against her former friend and mentor Nia Jax. The 25-year-old has been praised to the skies during her main roster run — and rightfully so. Now all signs point towards a WrestleMania showdown with 'The Queen' Charlotte Flair herself — and perhaps the seeds of a truly generational rivalry.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pro wrestling power rankings: Who are WWE, AEW's best as the Royal Rumble looms?
Professional wrestling is a fast moving business, making it hard to stay on top of who rules the roost. Championship titles go some way to explaining who's in charge, but they don't always tell the full story when it comes to whose star is rising. With that in mind, as we look ahead to Saturday's WWE Royal Rumble, here's the debut edition of our power rankings, commending those WWE and AEW superstars — across both the men's and women's divisions — who feel like 'must-see' talents right now. 10. Oba Femi NXT has had its fill of breakout stars over the years. But how many can match Oba Femi — not just his size, but for his sheer star power too? The Nigerian powerhouse has had the wrestling world in a stranglehold since his 2023 debut, beginning an inevitable march towards becoming the current NXT Champion. Right now, the question isn't whether this monster will be promoted to the main WWE roster, but just how much devastation he will repeat when he gets there. 9. Kevin Owens Kevin Owens' recent run has been truly inspired, full of subversive nods to wrestling history (like his fantastic 'Canadian Dream' t-shirt) as well as some gonzo-style promos. The magic began with Owens' initial assault on Cody Rhodes, which was engineered to be caught on fans' phones, rather than going out on the main broadcast. Since that moment, Owens has been in his absolute element — and it's electrifying to watch. 8. Will Ospreay Every wrestling fan knows the Essex boy is one of the greatest to step between the ropes in the modern era. But in the past year, Uncrowned's 2024 Wrestler of the Year has taken things to the next level, becoming not just an exceptional in-ring performer but a star personality in his own right. Will 2025 be the year 'The Aerial Assassin' gets the biggest prize in AEW? Based on his current form, such an outcome would be more than justified. 7. Jacob Fatu Remember the days of 'WWE doesn't sign indie wrestlers'? If there's one man who has done the most to kick down that particular door — perhaps literally — it's 'The Samoan Werewolf'. Fatu's physical prowess has been remarked on over and again. But what makes him so exciting right now is the way the WWE has held back on unleashing his full force, allowing anticipation for that moment to build up like a boiling pan. His wanton destruction of Braun Strowman at this past weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event was a major sign that WWE has huge plans for Fatu in future. 6. Roman Reigns It was perhaps the biggest moment of the Netflix premiere: The return of Roman Reigns to the perch of tribal chief. The one-time 'Big Dog' may not be the WWE's Universal Champion anymore, but he has rarely looked stronger — or more popular — in the eyes of the fan-base. Roman's work with Solo was good, but the really exciting question is what comes next – with a tantalising slate of potential big ticket rivals for him to go up against. 'The Tribal Chief' has entered a whole new era and we are absolutely here for it. 5. Drew McIntyre Drew McIntyre has consistently been among the top performers of WWE's post-pandemic run. But when was the last time he looked as savage as he does right now? 'The Scottish Warrior' may have been bested by CM Punk in the ring, but it's worth noting that McIntyre pulled off the more impressive feat of matching Punk pound-for-pound when it came to mic work. As wrestling feats go, that one is up there with the time McIntyre punted Brock Lesnar over the ropes at the 2020 Royal Rumble. And it sets him up for a brilliant 2025. 4. Kenny Omega Wrestling loves a good babyface story, and they don't come much better than the whole 'triumphing over a potentially career-threatening illness' angle. Kenny Omega's triumphant return to AEW was one of those moments. Of course, it helps that Omega has long been among the most praised names in the promotion since AEW's birth, but the whole situation was still goosebumps inducing. Now it's up to Omega to keep that momentum going and restore the fortunes of AEW over the coming months. 3. CM Punk It's now well over a year since hell froze over, yet CM Punk's star remains as bright as ever in WWE, as he went straight from his shock return into stellar feuds with Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins. Sure, you can count the actual matches on two hands, but how many other superstars have the whole WWE universe waiting with bated breath whenever they pick up a microphone? Right now, Punk has that power and shows no signs of giving it up. 2. Cody Rhodes Almost one year into his title reign, those "whoaaahs" have not dimmed. Cody is still the man — not just in WWE, but as the face of professional wrestling itself. Why is he in second place, then? As excellent as Rhodes has been in recent months, his current vendetta with Kevin Owens hasn't quite felt like a serious threat to the title. The big question now is where we go next, after Rhodes vs. Owens almost certainly wraps up on Saturday at the Royal Rumble. If WWE plays the right card in terms of Rhodes' next opponent (Orton? Cena? Rock after all?), the company's babyface champion will surely reclaim the top spot before long. 1. John Cena When was the last time John Cena was the main talking point going into a massive WWE show? That's certainly the case for Saturday's Royal Rumble. As for whether Cena will triumph in the 30-man showdown, it feels like a genuine coin toss — thus adding to the anticipation. Cena's fate this weekend will shape not just the road to WrestleMania, but potentially the rest of the year in WWE. Right now, the iconic babyface feels like the gravitational center of the wrestling universe, and thus merits our debut top spot. 10. Giulia Praising the strength of the NXT women's division is becoming a cliche at this point. But the crowning of Giulia, the former Stardom favorite, as women's champion feels like yet another milestone for the ladies. Shawn Michaels' developmental promotion has already elevated several stars to the big league. But just imagine what WWE can do with someone like Giulia, who has already established her credentials before arriving. 9. Jordynne Grace She's coming! After emerging as the surprise entrant in last year's Rumble, 'The Juggernaut' appears to be on the cusp of taking up a permanent position in WWE. And not a moment too soon. Given the NXT women's division is already stacked, and the fact that Grace is already an accomplished headliner, the smart money has to be on a main roster debut. As to where things will go from there … well, the sky may well be the limit. 8. Lyra Valkyria 'The Bird Lady' has achieved a world first: Becoming the inaugural holder of the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship. It's a well-deserved honor for a woman who has been consistently impressive since her main roster call-up last year. To add onto that? Her next milestone may be a showdown with the returning Becky Lynch, something that would propel Valkyria to the next level of stardom. 7. Roxanne Perez Winning the NXT title is usually a solid sign that a wrestler is in line for a main roster push. But there still seems to be something extra special about Roxanne Perez, who already has one of WWE's most iconic female talents ready to challenge her in Bayley. Perez vs. Bayley at WrestleMania? We'd love to see it. The 23-year-old won't enter as the favorite, but you can bet she will make the most of it. 6. Chelsea Green Hail to the Chief! The long-term fan favorite was always the most likely candidate for the inaugural Women's US Champion, but that shouldn't distract from just how brilliantly she's stepped up to the role (with a little help from Piper Niven, of course). WWE clearly has full confidence in Green, as evidenced by her being the face of their recent media charm offensive in the UK to mark the Netflix launch. We share their verdict. 5. Liv Morgan Even with the revenge tour stopped in its tracks, Liv Morgan continues to shine bright as ever, oozing confidence both inside and outside of the ring. The title may have gone for now, but it's her role as the manipulative powerbroker in the rather volatile Judgment Day that makes her so exciting to watch at the moment. Let's see where it leads — particularly as we head towards WrestleMania. 4. Mariah May After a rocky couple of years, the AEW women's division is finally back on track, and few have played a bigger role in that transformation than 'The Glamour' Mariah May. Her run as women's champion has been among the best in AEW's short history, thanks in no small part to her chemistry with Toni Storm. The young British starlet has cemented her place not just as the top of AEW's roster but also on the podium of women's wrestling more generally. 3. Rhea Ripley It's no exaggeration to say that 'The Eradicator' has reshaped women's wrestling in her own image — just ask her 4 million followers on TikTok. With the belt back around her waist, Rhea Ripley looks stronger than ever after another barnstorming performance at Saturday Night's Main Event. As with others on these power rankings, the decisive question will be what comes next, in particular whether WWE can find a worthy challenger as we head towards WrestleMania. 2. Toni Storm Just when you thought you'd seen every story in wrestling, along comes Toni Storm — one of the most interesting talents in the game today. Her character work as 'Timeless Toni Storm' — a delicious homage to 'All About Eve' — deserves a spot in the all-time storyline hall of fame. More recently, the rookie stuff has been fun, keeping us entertained without wearing out the jokes. Then came Saturday's 'AEW Collision' and the return of the Timeless One — a twist that was brilliantly executed by this most exceptional of creative minds. 1. Tiffany Stratton After months of anticipation, it truly is Tiffy Time. Tiffany Stratton, the former Team USA gymnast, has finally claimed her perch at the top of the WWE women's division, following a splendid cash-in against her former friend and mentor Nia Jax. The 25-year-old has been praised to the skies during her main roster run — and rightfully so. Now all signs point towards a WrestleMania showdown with 'The Queen' Charlotte Flair herself — and perhaps the seeds of a truly generational rivalry.
