This past episode of AEW Dynamite say Ruby Soho squaring off with one of AEW's newer up-and-coming stars, Skye Blue. The match was an integral part of The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Women's Semi Finals. While the tournament's name is quite the mouthful, the match itself was a cool showcase of the depth of talent currently residing in the AEW and ROH Women's Divisions. And Ruby Soho is no exception!
This probably comes as no surprise, but I have always been wholeheartedly rooting for Ruby Soho. And this is no snub to Skye Blue, because her time is certainly coming. If not imminent then perhaps incipient. Blue is just on the cusp of a wild journey as she comes into her own fullest potential as an AEW Superstar in this business. But now? Now its Athena and Ruby's time...
Ruby Soho took it to Skye Blue and came out on top in the semi finals of The Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament! The latest episode of AEW Dynamite saw Soho advance to the finals. Soho could in fact finally find herself sitting upon the pinnacle seat at the top of the AEW and ROH Women's Divisons. The highest and most sought after position of notoriety and authority as any serious competitor in the company knows. And I say job well done Soho!
Listen, I saw the criticisms of this match semi finals match. And I saw the critiques and dismay that came on the heels of the realization that there's a possibility for a heel VS. heel match between Athena and Ruby Soho. Some said "wrong call." Others "nope." And further, others said "ehhh." And so I add the coulda shoulda woulda's to those woes... At the end of the day, if you open up your mind to this possibility, this match up between Athena and Ruby Soho could make for some intense must see Women's Wrestling. An opportunity that if done right could ultimately elevate not only Athena and Ruby, but also women like Skye Blue and the rest of the roster.
An opportunity to further bolster a credible reputation for in ring skills. An expectation of in ring competition. And of the continued strive for groundbreaking excellence. As well as an overall confidence in AEW's Women's Divisions going forward...
Both Ruby Soho and Athena have been to hell and back as the saying goes. Both have bled for this business. Broken bones for this business. Torn ligaments. Literal blood, sweat, and tears. They've sacrificed for this opportunity. Both have wracked up the bump card. Paid dues. Did the drives.
Both have reinvented themselves and they came back as more formidable and tenacious versions of themselves. Both Athena and Ruby Soho are competitors who've overcome the status quo. They beat down the outdated stereotypes that sought to bury them. They smashed through a glass ceiling made of their own limiting beliefs and lackluster expectations held up by disappointment and anger.
They each silenced the self doubt and fought their own ways out of their own personal hells. They didn't stop. They fought on. After all, tough times don't last but tough people do...
And to be honest, I don't think I'd want to meet a person who wasn't changed in some way by those kinds of experiences. Life is change. Overcomign adversity in its many forms creates an ever-evolving resilient person. Its times like these where character and gumption are built.
Where a good guy realizes they're their own worst enemy. Where a good guy can turn themselves bad as they become consumed by their own anger. When a bad guy realizes they're only bad because the good let them down too many times. Or perhaps they hunted the bad for so long that they themselves became what they hated...
Either way there's a cool story that can be sold here with the right writing for promos, vignettes, hype shots, posts, and match moments. When you put a heel VS heel match into a context like that it makes for an interesting story that could be money! Two competitors willing to go to heights others shy away from. Two competitors who are willing to do what they have to to win and stay on top. They can read each other like a favorite novel. Two competitors who aren't intimidated. Who have incredible skills and the know how to get it done one way or another.
Despite the criticisms facing the potential of this match up, I as a wrestler and published author, believe Ruby Soho was indeed the right call. And I stand by that. Her following will show up. And so will she. This could be the great turning point of her post WWE career and its only up from here. Having her and Athena go, they both are so incredibly talented in their crafts, they can be trusted to run with this if this is how it goes.
If I may be so bold, I do believe it would be a great challenge to rise to. Their unique styles speak volumes about their dedication to wrestling and the entertainment side of the business that they've given their lives to for more than a decade. Who could be more mean? More dastardly? More devastating as a champion? Smarter? Wiser? More prepared? More calculating and damaging?
The possibilities in this potential heel VS heel match are seemingly endless if you give it a chance to go in the right direction with the right writing. As always, in the end, only one will win! Only one will rise up with the gold. Only one can sit at the top. Until then, Ruby Soho advances to the finals of The Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament!
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The Hopeful Spider by Taeler Hendrix: https://a.co/d/c1qxSFG
It's Not Easy Being A Sloth by Taeler Hendrix: https://a.co/d/3nuzPfC
