top of page
Writer's pictureAndrew Robert More

AEW Deadly Draw Tag Tournament Night 2 Recap and Review

Last night saw the return of AEW’s Deadly Draw Tag Team Tournament, 8 more ladies and 4 more teams set compete to advance to the semi final. The show kicked off with quick re-cap of the previous show that saw the Nightmare sisters, Allie and Bradi Rhodes defeat Mel and Penelope Ford. As well as Tay Conti and Anna Jay earning a victory over Nyla Rose and Arianne Andrew, to claim their spots in the semi final. On commentary are Tony Schiavone and the returning Veda Scott, Shaul Guerrero.

Match 1

Big and Lil’ Swole (Nicole Savoy) Vs Rache Chanel and Leva Bates

There is video package before the match from earlier on in the night where we see Big Swole with Dasha, as Swole picks her chip and gets the green one. Dasha then lets her know that someone else has already picked the first green chip already, just then out walks Nicole Savoy - the former Shimmer and ROH competitor. The two having been a tag team previously on shimmer before doing a little skit from the Wayne's brothers film, “Don’t be a menace to society, whilst drinking your juice, in the hood”. Next we see their opponents Rache Chanel and Leva Bates, having already picked their chips as they pose for the camera.

  • Big and Lil’ Swole pick up the win, hitting a double team, nautral selection/complete shot combo on Leva Bates and getting the pinfall.

This was a decent match. Nicole Savoy making her debut on AEW and she was the standout athlete in this match, showing her incredible technical wrestling skills whilst locking up her opponents in a variety of holds. Big Swole showed plenty of signs that she is improving nicely into the star AEW want her to be, however their Opponents were always a step behind, with both Leva Bates and Rache Channel not being on Big and Lil’ Swole’s level. Rache and Leva never really stood a chance with Nicole Savoy actually being the former tag partner of Big Swole on the independent promotion Shimmer.

2 and Half Stars

Match 2

Dasha and Rachel Ellering Vs Diamante and Ivelisse

Video package again prior to the match, Dasha back stage with Ivelisse as Ivelisse picks out her chip, revealed to be the pink chip and out walks Diamante to reveal she had the other pink chip and allthough they are life long friends, this would be the fist time they’ve teamed together. As Dasha is waiting for the last person to pick the final chip, wrestling legend Medusa steps out to inform Dasha that she is in fact the final participant in the tournament. She excitedly picks her chip, grabbing the dark blue one, in walks the debuting Rachel Ellering who also picked the dark blue chip, Rachel and Dasha are of course life long friends since working together on NXT.

  • Diamante and Ivelisse managed to pick up the win, thanks to their experience advantage issolating Dasha, before Ivelisse hit a Code Red to gain the pinfall.

This match was slightly better than the previous match, Rachel Ellering and Dasha did provide stiff competition for Ivelisse and Diamante, Rachel Ellering in particular showed of some great wrestling and display of strength. Ivelisse and Diamante worked very well as team despite being their first time teaming together and it was easy to see their chemistry from their life long friendship. They fought a smart fight isolating Dasha as the least experienced in ring however she did show some moments of great agility and strength.

3 Stars

Final Thoughts

This week’s matches were better than the previous week’s, however I honestly have to question the legitimacy random of the draw, as many of these teams did not seem all that random, at least half of the teams had worked together previously or were long term friends. Such as Brandi and Allie, who are both teamed together regularly on AEW as the Nightmare Sisters, Diamante and Ivelisse are long time friends and training partners, Big and Lil’ Swole were a tag team in Shimmer as well as Dasha and Rachel Ellering who were friends over on NXT. I think it would’ve been better to not do the silly un-random draw and have the competitors finding partners on the main AEW show. Depsite this complaint this was decent night of wrestling with these women doing their division proud, the semi-final matches look good and I am looking forward to tuning in next week.

3 Star

Andrew More

1 comment
bottom of page