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AEW Women's Tag Team Cup Tournament: The Deadly Draw
August 3, 2020

by Samoa Rowe

Presented on Youtube, from Jacksonville, Florida. Our hosts are Tony Shiavone and Veda Scott(!!!).

Shaul Guerrero introduces guest legend, Madusa, who puts over the tournament and trophy.

Earlier today, Brandi Rhodes and Allie pull their colors out of a box. Allie rigs it so that she and Brandi both pull out red cards, and they gush over their "good luck." Later on, Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian arrive for Ford's pick, and Sabian makes sure we all know that he's her tag partner for life. Ford pulls out a baby blue card, meaning she is teaming with former Nightmare Collective member, Mel, who is ready to kick some ass.

Tag Team Cup Tournament - Quarter Finals:
Mel and Penelope Ford (with Kip Sabian) vs. The Nightmare Sisters (Brandi Rhodes and Allie, with Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall)

Ford goes right into a headlock on Allie, who pulls the hair to escape. The Sisters hit Ford iwth double back elbows and an elbow drop. Mel tagged herself in and pummels Brandi, apparently still mad about getting a haircut for nothing during their cult days. Brandi puts together a string of offense, most of which looks fine, and shakes her tail at Ford for good measure. Mel overpowers Allie and forces her into the buckles. Allie is about to put a hurting on Ford when Sabian pulls his fiance to safety, sparking a confrontation with Marshall. In the confusion, Mel plants Allie with a running big boot. Ford's gutbuster on Allie gets 2. Mel and Ford work Allie over, and my mind wanders to Mel's continued baldness. The Nightmare Collective ended like 8 months ago, if she's still bald now, that's her choice. Meanwhile, Mel misses a senton and Brandi makes the hot tag. Bicycle kick by Brandi and a superkick on Mel, and she finds time to dropkick Ford off the apron. Brandi's dropkick on Mel gets 2. Ford makes the save and Mel hits a chokeslam on Brandi for a slow 2. Meanwhile, Sabian knocks down Marshall, but Brandi finishes Mel with a spear at 9:04. This was okay, nothing they did set the world on fire, but the action was serviceable, and I'm left wondering what Allie's longterm endgame is, **.
Winners: The Nightmare Sisters

Brandi wants to keep telling Mel off and Dustin pulls her away so she can celebrate with Allie.

Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero arrive for their drawing. Vickie doesn't care who Nyla's partner is, but she gets saddled with Ariane ("girl-hi!"). Later, Anna Jay picks black, which means she'll be teaming with former NXT star Tay Conti.

Tay Conti and Anna Jay (with The Dark Order) vs. Ariane Andrew and Nyla Rose (with Vickie Guerrero)

I liked Jay better as the Zatanna cosplayer, but it's a bit surreal to see the entire Dark Order accompany her to the ring on this program. This has got to be one of the most random matches I've ever recapped. Ariane starts against Jay and hits a shoulder block. Jay trips her up and they trade headlocks. Ariane hits a rough single leg stomp into a split. Ariane refuses to make a tag and Jay nearly rolls her up. Jay and Conti double team Ariane, prompting Rose to storm in for double chokeslams. NOW, Ariane is willing to make a tag. Conti kicks Rose down to her knees and gets a 1 count. Rose comes back against Jay with a clothesline for 2. Ariane hits an avalanche in the corner and a facebuster for 2. Jay and Conti come back by targeting Rose's knee. Rose desperately hits Conti with a Samoan Drop and clutches her leg. Ariane gets the hot tag and does well cleaning house with quick attacks, although her bulldog on Conti looks a bit rusty. Rose saves Ariane from a double suplex and lariats Jay and Conti down. Jay interrupts Ariane's split leg drop on Conti with a blockbuster and pins her for the mild upset at 8:49! This was mostly fine, Ariane looked better than I was expecting, and it's good to see Jay get some traction in the women's division, **.
Winners: Anna Jay and Tay Conti

Rose is displeased with the loss and clotheslines Ariane while Vickie laughs it up. Conti helps Ariane up and gives her a hug.

Backstage interview with Brandi Rhodes and Allie. Brandi reminds us that she's a "big star" and she's proven it by winning. Allie feels slighted, but Brandi keeps talking over her. Allie should feel grateful to be rubbing elbows with someone who has an action figure like Brandi!

Interview with Anna Jay and Tay Conti about their victory. Conti says they're the prettiest and most dangerous team in the tournament. Jay isn't interested in talking about the Dark Order.

Final Thoughts: I'm glad that AEW is making the effort to showcase their women's roster, but this special mostly succeeded in exposing the division as being rather thin at the moment. The wrestling itself was nothing to write home about, although there was some decent storyline and character development thrown in along the way. I'll stick with this at least for another week, let it play out and see where it goes.

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