Since FULL GEAR 2022, when Jamie Hayter defeated Toni Storm to become the new AEW Women’s World Champion, fans have witnessed the world somewhat turn on its head. That night, the fans were rather torn in their support, rallying behind both Hayter and Storm, but the momentum that had been building behind Jamie Hayter, the completely organic fan support helped lead her to victory, as did the assistance of Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.
But over the half year since, fans have watched Storm grow increasingly sour, her attitude grow increasingly more disdainful towards the other women of All Elite Wrestling, and that ultimately led her into the orbit of Saraya, a woman whose arc in AEW was quite similar. She came in with all the excitement, fans eagerly anticipating that first match in years for her, but their joy soured quickly with attitude Saraya presented, and together, along with Ruby Soho, they’ve collectively been waging war against the women of AEW.
With spray paint, with post-match assaults, with their verbal venom, The Outcasts have made it quite clear how superior they feel to the rest of the locker room, and as the AEW Women’s World Champion, that makes Jamie the face of the division, and also a target for The Outcasts. What was once respect after FULL GEAR 2022 has become vitriol, and has led Storm and her allies to attack Hayter at any opportunity, leaving Jamie beat up and injured coming into this championship rematch. Although she has the support of Dr. Britt Baker, of Hikaru Shida, of Willow Nightingale, and so many other women in that locker room, she still has to be concerned with The Outcasts and their inevitable involvement. Between the numbers game and running at far less than 100%, the defending Women’s World Champion is going to have a tough go on Sunday night, but Hayter has certainly proven her ability to overcome. Can she do it again?