Hardcore rules are becoming increasingly common in women’s wrestling on television. While women have long taken part in extreme matches on the independent scene, AEW showcases women not just as charming personalities but as fierce competitors when the situation demands. This Wednesday on “AEW Dynamite,” Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford will face off in a hardcore match, replacing Anna Jay and Harley Cameron. Despite Anna Jay’s experience in these types of matches, she and her team fell short of victory. WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray shared his thoughts on whether the match lived up to expectations.
Bully Ray told “Busted Open” that there were high hopes for the match, and while the wrestlers gave it their all, the execution fell short, particularly with the finish. He pointed out that the match had many elements going on but ultimately lacked polish. Ray attributes problems like these to miscommunication and a lack of trust between the producer (previously called the agent) and the wrestlers.
He noted that AEW operates differently, with a looser structure that relies heavily on trust and confidence between wrestlers and agents. If Ray were in charge of producing the women’s match, he would simplify things by cutting the planned moves in half—believing that too much complexity causes confusion and that audiences don’t necessarily remember overcomplicated spots, especially those involving the use of furniture.
Fan Take: This critique from a seasoned veteran like Bully Ray highlights the growing pains AEW faces as it pushes the boundaries of women’s wrestling in hardcore-style matches. For AEW fans, it underscores the importance of balancing creativity with clarity to ensure these intense matches resonate and elevate the sport without losing focus.
