Japan side of AEW Women’s title eliminator tourney starting Monday

AEW is wasting no time getting into their Women’s title contender eliminator tournament, announcing on Dynamite that all four first round matches from the Japan side of the bracket will air this Monday on YouTube.

The 7 PM Eastern broadcast will feature Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mei Suruga and Veny vs. Emi Sakura in the upper half of the bracket with Maki Itoh vs. Ryo Mizunami and Aja Kong vs. Rin Kadokura in the bottom part of the bracket. Sakazaki, Sakura, Kong and Mizunami have all competed in an AEW ring before.

It’s unknown if the following consecutive Mondays will feature the second round and semifinals, but that scheduling would make sense if the yet-to-be announced finals are taking place at the March 7th Revolution pay-per-view.

All of the Japanese matches are being taped on a closed set at the Ice Ribbon dojo in Saitama, Japan. AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida has been there in attendance following a mandatory quarantine.

The U.S. side of the bracket kicked off Wednesday with Thunder Rosa advancing to the second round with a victory over Leyla Hirsch. Former AEW Women’s Champion Riho will return to action for the first time in nearly a year next Wednesday when she faces NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb. Dates haven’t been announced for Tay Conti vs. Nyla Rose and Britt Baker vs. Anna Jay.

The winner of the tournament will get a title shot at Shida at some point in the future.