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AEW first introduced their new TBS Women's Championship back in October. It will be the secondary title of the company's women's division. The main strap, of course, being the AEW Women's Championship currently held by Britt Baker.
The inaugural TBS Champion is determined by a four-round knockout tournament comprising of 12 participants which kickstarted on the 23rd October 2021 edition of AEW Dynamite. The final will take place on January 5, 2022, which will be the first episode of AEW Dynamite on TBS.
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Meanwhile, there was initially skepticism about whether the lack of depth in AEW's women's roster warranted a second title. When asked for his thoughts on the new championship being introduced, CM Punk echoed the sentiments of a number of fans, stating:
"I think if everybody has a title and if everybody's a champion that nobody's a champion, you know, I think you got to be really careful with that. I think the TBS Title's even pushing it, you know, there's already a women's title. Do we have the depth in the women's division?"
"I know in 2021 everybody wants to really extol the virtues of women's wrestling and this isn't a knock, I married a women's wrestler, you know? I just wonder if we have the personnel to support a secondary or a title that's on even footing with the Women's Title. I just don't know. You know, I'm sure all the women will prove me wrong, and I'm okay with that," Punk said.
Despite the perceived misgivings, AEW went ahead with the tournament, which has been a featured part of the company's programming over the last couple of months. They have been a great showcase for some of the company's underutilized female talents such as Red Velvet, Anna Jay and Jamie Hayter, among others.
AEW's final four in the TBS Women's Championship tournament
We're now down to the final four women in the tourney going into this week's AEW Dynamite, namely Jade Cargill, Thunder Rosa, Ruby Soho and Nyla Rose. From rising stars and former champions to new faces, it's an eclectic mix that displays diversity on the women's roster.
While all the remaining women make a compelling case for becoming the first TBS Champion, there can only be one winner. Here, we rank the chances of each tournament's semi-finalists and why they deserve to be the new female face in AEW's women's division.
#4 AEW's Native Beast Nyla Rose
Nyla Rose has been with AEW from the very beginning. She made her AEW debut in the company's first ever PPV Double or Nothing back in 2019. On February 12, 2020, Rose defeated Riho to win the AEW Women's World Championship on Dynamite, becoming the first transgender woman to win a world championship in a major United States wrestling company.
She then dropped her title to Hikaru Shida shortly after and has been struggling for relevance ever since. Even Nyla's alliance with WWE legend Vickie Guerrero hasn't done much to keep her in the spotlight.
It can be argued that Nyla Rose might have peaked a little too early in her AEW career. She might have put on a memorable quarter-final performance against Hikaru Shida and even debuted a new finisher which was previously used by Brock Lesnar, it seems like AEW is focusing on other talents on the women's roster. Facing Ruby Soho in the semi-finals who clearly has the bigger momentum on her side, look to Nyla to put on a dominant performance before ultimately falling short. Therefore, the Native Beast makes the bottom of this list.
#3 AEW's Storm Jade Cargill
AEW's Storm lookalike Jade Cargill has been in the business of pro wrestling for only a short period but she has been as impressive as they come. With a physique that rivals WWE legend Chyna, the leader of the Jade brand has the looks, strength, charisma and presentation to become a future TBS Women's Champion. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, AEW owner Tony Khan had mighty praise for the young upstart:
"I think she's clearly the rookie of the year. I think she is definitely one of the favorites to potentially be the TBS Champion.”
Tony Khan's seal of approval is high praise and recognition for Jade, whose first match in the AEW only happened earlier this year when she teamed up with NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet.
Jade rekindled her rivalry with Red Velvet when she defeated her in the last round of the TBS Women's Championship tournament. She will now face Thunder Rosa for the right to go to the finals and Jade is excited at the prospect of facing a wrestler that she looks up to in the business.
"Actually, I can’t wait to get my one-on-one with Thunder. I’m really excited to get that one-on-one with Thunder. I believe we can make magic in the ring. She’s a great opponent. She’s gritty. I’m a gritty player as well. So those two people in the ring I can’t wait to face,” Jade said in an interview with PWI Insider.
While clearly talented with great upside, Jade is clearly still very inexperienced in the ring and she might get exposed when she comes up against a ring general like Thunder Rosa. At 29 years old, Jade very much has time on her side. But at this point in time, she's not ready yet to hold the AEW championship gold.
#2 AEW's La Mera Mera Thunder Rosa
AEW's La Mera Mera (Head Honcho in Spanish) Thunder Rosa is a veteran of the ring at this point in her career. Having wrestled in multiple promotions such as NWA, Impact and Lucha Underground, the Mexican wrestler has made a name for herself as being one of the best female in-ring competitors in the entire wrestling industry. Her signing to AEW boosted a women's division that was badly in need of credibility and experienced heads.
"Never in my life doubt that I would be where I want to be! Today one of the biggest accomplishments in my career has been announced! #lameramera Is FINALLY WHERE SHE BELONGS!" Thunder Rosa posted on Twitter upon signing with AEW.
Despite her successes elsewhere, however, Thunder Rosa hasn't won any gold since signing with AEW. Her most memorable moment so far in the company came during her Unsanctioned Lights Out Anything Goes Match versus Britt Baker earlier this year on AEW Dynamite. Despite winning, the match is most famous for the bloody crimson mask that Britt wore which elevated her into superstardom.
While she has had many underrated matches and has become the backbone for the female roster, her matches are mostly featured on AEW Dark and AEW Elevation. Thunder Rosa is doing her part to build up the women around her but in the process she hasn't had much of an opportunity to put herself over.
For Thunder Rosa, winning the TBS Women's Championship will be a well-deserved AEW highlight in an already accomplished career. She has already defeated up-and-comer Jamie Hayter. Now standing in her way to the finals is Jade Cargill. It should be a straightforward victory over the rookie.
But while her chances of reaching the finals are clear, she will ultimately fall short. Not for a lack of trying. The AEW crowd clearly respects Thunder Rosa and wants her to succeed. However, there is one clear fan favorite who is destined to come out victorious over the whole tournament.
#1 AEW's Runaway Ruby Soho
AEW's highest profile female defector from WWE so far is Ruby Soho. The former leader of the Riott Squad was wasted in the previous company and signing with Tony Khan was a chance at a new lease of life.
She certainly made a splash early on in her AEW debut when she came out as the final entrant in the Casino Battle Royale at All Out, winning the match to earn a shot at the Women's World Championship. However, she lost the said match to Britt Baker at Dynamite Grand Slam and have been left spinning her wheels.
The TBS Women's Championship tournament has therefore come at the right time for Ruby Soho. She didn't have an easy journey either, having to compete from the first round onwards. Ruby first beat Penelope Ford and then had a memorable encounter with Kris Statlander on the previous week's AEW Dynamite.
Ruby's semi-final match against Nyla Rose will provide the toughest test yet. But judging by the tough obstacles she has faced so far, look to the Runaway to make her way to the finals for a dream match of sorts with Thunder Rosa. Beating the veteran to win her first ever major women's title in the company will be a sweet vindication for a wrestler who's been badly misused throughout her career.
