AEW Women's Title Eliminator Tournament Results: Legendary wrestlers, Four intense matches, and more

#3. Maki Itoh vs. Ryo Mizunami (AEW Women's Title Eliminator first-round match)

NEXT UP sees @maki_itoh vs. @mizunami0324!Who will advance to the semifinals?WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/wOw5j4LUeGTomorrow at 9am EST we will have a special Japanese commentary version w/ @MTHaruo & AEW women's world champion @shidahikaru calling the action! pic.twitter.com/BpxdD6bfhf

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 16, 2021

Itoh's entrance for the AEW tournament match was an elaborate song-and-dance routine. Mizunami was all fired up for the AEW contest, and the match kicked off after a handshake. Itoh backed Mizunami into the ropes and rocked her with a big right. Itoh taunted, and she got a big strike for all her troubles. Itoh began crying, but it was all an act as she connected with a cheap shot.

Itoh's shenanigans were quite amusing to watch, but Mizunami was having none of it. She took control of the match with a big shoulder tackle. Mizunami executed a scoop slam-leg drop combo for a two-count.

.@mizunami0324 absolutely relentless against @maki_itoh!WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/wOw5j4LUeGTomorrow at 9am EST we will have a special Japanese commentary version w/ @MTHaruo & AEW women's champion @shidahikaru calling the action! pic.twitter.com/x7K3LhPAV3

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 16, 2021

Mizunami connected with a barrage of Satoshi Kojima-esque chops in the corner. She sent Itoh to the other corner and ran in for an elbow strike and a clothesline.

Itoh fired in a few ineffective shots, but she still created some separation with a hammerlock DDT. Itoh then rallied for her comeback with a back elbow followed by a bulldog.

Itoh connected with the right-hand punches in the corner, followed by one of her signature moves. Itoh got a two-count. She continued looking for the finish with a Boston crab.

Mizunami broke out of it with a few knuckle push-ups. She delivered a tremendous powerslam for a two-count. Itoh then got rolled over with a clothesline. Mizunami landed a leg drop for a near fall, but Itoh was not out of the fight yet as she let her hands loose.

Both women exchanged rights. Mizunami asked for Itoh to bring it, and she indeed did! Itoh landed a flurry of forearm strikes, but Mizunami absorbed it all and exploded.

.@maki_itoh laying in her forearm strikes to @mizunami0324!Who will advance?WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/wOw5j4LUeGTomorrow at 9am EST we will have a special Japanese commentary version w/ @MTHaruo & AEW women's champion @shidahikaru calling the action! pic.twitter.com/uOJHJkznja

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 16, 2021

Mizunami took Itoh down with a massive chop and lariat. Itoh, however, rolled through in the following sequence and locked Mizunami in a single-leg Boston crab.

Mizunami flipped over and got back to her feet. Itoh connected with two hard headbutts, and Mizunami tried to shake off the cobwebs.

Itoh's head was just too hard for Mizunami! They engaged in a headbutt power struggle in the middle of the ring. Itoh won the exchange and delivered two DDTs, but Mizunami still managed to kick out in the AEW match and stay alive in the AEW Women's title eliminator tournament.

Itoh went to the top rope for the Kokeshi, aka the diving headbutt, but Mizunami moved out.

Mizunami got up and cut Itoh in half with a brutal spear. Itoh kicked out, but Mizunami swiftly locked in the head-and-arm triangle choke. Mizunami rag-dolled Itoh, who was in a tight vice-like grip.

Itoh had no option but to tap out in the first-round AEW tournament match.

Result: Ryo Mizunami def. Maki Itoh to advance to the next round of the AEW Women's Title Eliminator tournament

Grade: B+