Fight Forever Match of the Week: Hikaru Shida vs. Serena Deeb (10/6/2021)

Welcome to Wrestlevolve’s Fight Forever Match of the Week. Here we’ll highlight one match from the week in professional wrestling and talk about why it was one of our favorites. It could be a 30-minute epic or the exciting culmination of an entertaining feud. It might be a pay-per-view bout or a really solid TV match. Wrestling resonates with everyone differently, so feel free to let us know what your match of the week was in the comments!

Hikaru Shida is currently chasing her 50th victory in AEW. If she’s successful, she’ll be the first woman in the company’s two-year history to achieve the feat. It’s a big deal because Shida isn’t just a staple of the AEW women’s roster — she’s an absolute highlight of the division. She’s also arguably the greatest AEW Women’s World Champion, having carried the division on her back during the pandemic era and taking on challenger after challenger before being dethroned by Dr. Britt Baker.

We’ll likely see Hikaru Shida win the Women’s Championship again at some point down the road, but right now her story is centered completely on getting that 50th win. Standing in her way of achieving that goal this past week, however, was Serena Deeb, the former NWA World Women’s Champion. The two squared off on the October 6, 2021 edition AEW Dynamite. Though it wasn’t too lengthy of a match, it was a solid TV bout with a lot of tension and back-and-forth action.

This was one of those matches where I was constantly gasping while watching. First, when Serena would hit a signature move or submission hold, because it seemed like Shida’s chances of getting that career win would be halted. Second, when Shida hit a big move of her own, because when Serena would get out of it, that 50th Shida win seemed to inch further and further away from the former AEW Women’s World Champ.

Aside from some quality action, the two women also told an excellent story in the ring. Serena constantly worked on Shida’s leg, hitting her with chop blocks and elbows. This caused problems for Hikaru Shida, who was unable to capitalize on big moments and pinfalls due to the pain in her leg. And it was her undoing in the end as Serena ended the match by repeatedly smashing her opponents knee into the mat. She followed that up with a painful half Boston crab, forcing Shida to tap out.

Ultimately, Serena was declared the winner, crushing Hikaru Shida’s hopes and dreams for that elusive 50th win in AEW… for now.

Quite frankly, I hope these two meet again, because they have excellent chemistry in the ring — and if Serena Deeb is that constant thorn in Hikaru Shida’s side who’s continuously costing her that big victory, it’ll tell an excellent story. Not to mention, if and when Shida finally does get her 50th win, it’ll be a massive, special moment, and the culmination of Shida’s hard work as one of the best things going in all of AEW.

What was last week’s best bout? Click here for more Fight Forever Match of the Week awesomeness!