The AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship and its Benefits

More Television Time

AEW has an embarrassment of talented women in its roster. Yet, some of them struggle to get time on AEW television. These belts have the chance to change that. Whether it’s assembling unlikely pairs, uniting allies, or using pre-existing women’s tag teams, this provides additional screen time.

AEW carefully put motions into play with potential tag teams. Spanning weeks, months, and even years, Promoter Tony Khan quietly introduced allegiances not only to add depth and character, but also to see who would be a great fit for whom. Before Khan introduced the championship, tag teams had cropped up. Whether it was planned far back or not, this update has been in process for quite some time.

I see the argument that this adds too many belts, but honestly, I disagree. This is approximately the eighth belt in AEW, not counting Ring of Honor. Contrast that to WWE’s 11, not counting NXT, EVOLVE, and the WWEID program. While WWE has two main rosters, they do just fine. AEW will be much of the same. Across the board, AEW’s champs stand out from each other. Their tag teams have greatness in the making.

It’s all about how you make your reign stand out.

Fresher Storylines

In storytelling involving women, telling their stories differs from how one writes men. Sure, there’s overlap in relatability and interest. That can’t be denied. However, the way female friendships or partnerships work varies. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but addressing how women present themselves, the creative process has many prospective paths. These can include the obvious, such as the Triangle of Madness, The Renegades, Tay Melo, or perhaps a new pairing. Whoever becomes the holders, the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship can give life to its multi-talented roster.

From my understanding, the women have had a say in how they’re depicted in AEW. For instance, Toni Storm and Mariah May collaborated with RJ City to curate their style, story, and character for their memorable 2023-25 run. Mercedes Mone, meanwhile, presents herself as the CEO and works as a dastardly heel, with the mission to improve women’s stock across the industry. That’s been inherent throughout her career. While Tony Khan is ultimately the booker who decides where the script goes, the talent, from men to women (and those in-between), have the final say in how they’re presented.

In tag team action and adjacent, some of the most gripping narratives thrive. Relying on camaraderie and psychology can weave stories through wrestling in ways promos can’t. Tag team storytelling is among the most emotional in wrestling. Among these is Mark Briscoe reaching to make a tag for his late brother Jay while facing Samoa Joe at 2023’s Supercard of Honor, only to grasp at nothing.

Fans can expect this to go in different, compelling directions. There are blueprints we may not even expect, despite how immediately we can predict them. Isn’t that such an exhilarating idea?

Proving AEW’s Worth as an Alternative

As a major North American professional wrestling promotion, AEW has been behind WWE until now. While inconsistent, the TKO-led corporation still features women in prominent spots. The booking and creative might not be the most exciting, but they’re doing something. 

And now, AEW can do it as well. On their terms. Tony Khan lets the women have more say in their portrayals and performances. Moreover, AEW does things WWE doesn’t do much of, and vice versa. Think back to the bloody January 2023 Street Fight between Willow Nightingale & Ruby Soho against Tay Melo & Anna Jay. Factor in the aesthetic of unique talents like Toni Storm and The Outrunners that distinguish them from contemporaries.

WWE may have the head start, especially with its women’s tag team champs being Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. But as with most of AEW’s history, the long game is their best bet. They didn’t get where they were by going in, guns a’blazing, to challenge WWE. That approach helped alienate and hinder their progress as a product in the past.

No, AEW will get to where it needs to be by presenting its women’s tag team division authentically with its Women’s World Tag Team Championship.