Tonight on AEW Dynamite, Toni Storm won a four-way match to earn a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship next week. That title is held by Storm’s Outcasts ally Saraya, though the two haven’t quite been on the same page since they both challenged for the championship at AEW All In last month. Saraya went on to win that match, sending Storm into a spiral onscreen in the ensuing weeks.
Tonight’s bout saw Storm defeat former champions Hikaru Shida, Dr. Britt Baker, and Nyla Rose for the title opportunity. Following the match, Renee Paquette spoke to Saraya and Ruby Soho backstage, with Saraya vowing to walk away from Queens, New York with the AEW Women’s Championship in hand.
The latest refresh for Storm’s character has earned acclaim from fans, with the character seemingly taking influence from classic Hollywood stars as well as the fictional Norma Desmond from Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard. Storm has previously held the AEW Women’s World Championship twice, with her latest reign ending on the August 2 episode of Dynamite – the 200th edition of the show. That episode saw Hikaru Shida defeat Storm, bringing her title run to an end at 66 days. Shida went on to hold the title for just 25 days before Saraya’s victory at All In.
The company will once again hold the annual AEW Grand Slam next week, bringing the show back to Arthur Ashe Stadium, home of the US Open. In addition to Storm vs. Saraya, the show will include Jon Moxley defending the AEW International Championship against Rey Fenix, a title vs. title bout between Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston, and longtime allies Sammy Guevara and Chris Jericho facing off in a singles match.