{"id":92449,"date":"2021-05-29T10:00:56","date_gmt":"2021-05-29T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=92449"},"modified":"2021-05-25T19:05:35","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T23:05:35","slug":"hikaru-shida-britt-baker-double-nothing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2021\/05\/29\/hikaru-shida-britt-baker-double-nothing\/","title":{"rendered":"Match Point: Hikaru Shida vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., AEW Double or Nothing (5\/30\/21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Match Point is an on-going series at Last Word on Pro Wrestling, where we look at intriguing matchups in indie wrestling and beyond. They may be dream matches, first-time matchups, or hotly anticipated rematches. AEW Double or Nothing 2021<\/strong><\/a> is just around the corner and one of the featured matches involves the AEW Women’s World Championship. Let’s take a look at the upcoming match between champion Hikaru Shida<\/strong> and challenger Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As of May 23 of this year, Hikaru Shida has been AEW Women’s World Champion for over one year. She defeated Nyla Rose<\/strong> at Double or Nothing 2020<\/em><\/strong>, ending “The Native Beast’s” title reign at 101 days. Since then, Shida has represented the AEW women’s division during one of the most uncertain periods in the world. Starting in the spring of 2020, AEW entered what has since been called the \u201cPandemic Era.\u201d Despite wrestling most of her matches in front of small or absent crowds, Shida has been an undeniable pillar of the division in question. One year later, at Double or Nothing 2021<\/em>, she will defend her title against Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.<\/p>\n

\"Hikaru<\/p>\n

The AEW Women’s World Championship Reign of Hikaru Shida<\/h2>\n

To say that Hikaru Shida has been invaluable to the AEW women’s division would be an understatement. Even before she won the title, she was one of the company’s featured stars, and understandably so. At 30 years old, Shida boasts over a decade of in-ring experience, developed as a result of her time in such organizations as Ice Ribbon<\/strong>, Pro Wrestling WAVE<\/strong>, and Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling<\/strong>. When Shida finally put an end to Rose’s title reign last year, it was a declaration that the Kanagawa-born AEW star had arrived. What followed was a title reign that, while limited in regard to potential contenders, showed just how capable Shida was.<\/p>\n

For over 365 days, Shida battled various opponents. From industry veterans such as Thunder Rosa<\/strong> and Ryo Mizunami<\/strong><\/a> to up-and-comers including Anna Jay<\/strong> and Tay Conti<\/strong>, the AEW Women’s World Champion got the most out of her opponents. Shida’s work, as champion, extended beyond in-ring competition, too. She was heavily involved in the AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament<\/em><\/strong>, producing matches in Japan involving ASUKA<\/strong>, Aja Kong<\/strong>, Shida’s former mentor in Emi Sakura<\/strong>, and others. This illustrated both a level of trust on the part of AEW and a deeper understanding of Shida’s wrestling savvy.<\/p>\n

\"Britt<\/p>\n

The Doctor Will See You Now<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As Hikaru Shida was grinding away as champion, Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. was slowly climbing her way to the top of the AEW women’s division. Since turning villainous early last year, Baker became a more prominent star in the company. As a babyface, many AEW fans saw her simply as a wrestler with potential. Once the proverbial switch was flipped, and Baker was allowed to break free as a heel, the sky was the limit for the real-life dental surgeon. An injury and nose surgery kept her out of the ring for much of 2020, though she was able to develop her self-important persona in the meantime.<\/p>\n

Fully healed, 2021 was the year for Britt Baker to show just how capable she was in the ring. The most prominent example of this was her Lights Out Match with Thunder Rosa this past March; the year prior, Baker entered what would become a blood feud with \u201cLa Mera Mera.\u201d While Rosa won their Lights Out encounter \u2013 the first women’s main event on AEW Dynamite<\/strong>, at that \u2013 Baker’s performance wowed fans and wrestling critics alike. To many, this was the doctor’s breakout performance. This began a path of dominance en route to the AEW Women’s World Championship she challenged for, only to fall short, multiple times in the past.<\/p>\n