Tay Conti is the Most Compelling Member of the AEW Women’s Roster

Generally speaking, there’s little argument that things haven’t gone as well for the women’s division of All Elite Wrestling as they have for the rest of the roster since AEW Dynamite debuted a bit over a year ago. A lot of it reads like a string of bad luck: Among other things, injuries have played a part, and the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped, creating problems such as a lack of a live audience and travel restrictions affecting various talents.

Nevertheless, I feel like there might be a hidden gem among their ranks. Her name? The recently-signed Tay Conti.

(But you probably knew that already, unless you didn’t read the headline… in which case, I’m not even quite sure how you’re here. Anyway.)

Real name Taynara Melo de Carvalho, Tay had a 4-year stint in WWE’s developmental program, NXT, as Taynara Conti, and participated in both the inaugural Mae Young Classic and WrestleMania 34 Women’s Battle Royal. Despite reportedly being on their way to setting record profits this year, WWE made a number of budget cuts to various talent positions and jobs in which virtually no one was safe, due to the aforementioned pandemic. Prior to signing with NXT, the Rio de Janeiro-born Carvalho participated in the 2016 Olympic trials, and had earned her black belt in judo and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, elements of which she’s incorporated in a unique way into her in-ring style.

But now, as of September 9th, Carvalho has signed with All Elite Wrestling and performs under the name Tay Conti. However, her participation in the company began in August as a part of the AEW Women’s Tag Team Cup Tournament: The Deadly Draw. There, she formed a team with Anna Jay, and that’s where the basis for the statement in our headline truly begins.

Prior to the tournament, Anna Jay was being courted by the cult-like faction known as The Dark Order. Together, Tay and Jay fought their way to the semifinals of the tournament before taking a loss against Ivelisse and Diamante.

In wrestling, this is often where a schism is formed: one team member blames the other for the loss, turning on them in the process, then they feud and go their separate ways. Tale as old as time.

Not so for Tay and Jay, though. After the tournament, as Tay was watching Dynamite from ringside, Anna Jay and The Dark Order paid her a visit, seemingly presenting her with an offer to join their group. Despite the setback, their friendship has endured.

To date, this has not really been followed up on in any major way, but there are some great possibilities here. Tay clearly values Jay’s friendship, and that leads to one possible outcome of her joining The Dark Order. Alternatively, she can see The Dark Order for what they are, refuse, and likely feud with her former friend.

Both are compelling on their own, but there’s a way I think AEW can make the absolute most of this. Indulge me, if you will, as I fantasy book for a moment:

With their friendship as a catalyst, Tay joins The Dark Order to be with Anna and continue teaming and supporting one-another. Things happen, and doubt begins to creep in as to whether joining The Dark Order was really the right move for her to make. Eventually, something happens, and it becomes clear to Tay: She can no longer be a part of this.

As a result, Tay leaves The Dark Order, but there’s still the matter of her friendship with Jay. Anna Jay is probably not going to take this slight lightly, and therein lies the main conflict: Jay wants to make Tay pay for leaving The Dark Order, while Tay wants to open Jay’s eyes and get her friend to leave The Dark Order as well.

Who wins out in the end? I don’t even know myself, and that just makes it all the more interesting.

Mind, this is just an outline. Filling in the blanks from week to week is where a lot of the fun stuff happens. Perhaps Jay is the active aggressor early on in the feud, leaving Tay laying at numerous opportunities… except Tay is no easy target, and she’s been holding back in the hopes of winning Jay over without fighting. But that can only go for so long before Tay has enough and is ready to fight back, or at least defend herself.

Of course, it all comes down to this storyline continuing, and waiting for that alone has already made watching Tay more compelling to me than a lot of what else has been happening in the women’s division. There’s a ton of potential there, and it just needs someone to press start and get this ball rolling.

Beyond that, I think Tay has the tools needed to potentially reach the top. She has a good look to her, a size that seems like a good fit for working with a variety of differently-sized opponents, a unique style blending her martial arts experience and professional wrestling moves… all good things to have in your toolbox, in my opinion.

Am I advocating that AEW straps a Roman Reigns rocket to her back? That they should try to make her the face of the women’s division next week? To start planning the Women’s Championship scene around her right now? Absolutely not. But over time, I think she’s got what it takes to become a standout star among the Elite, and a big key to that is telling a strong story that can hopefully elevate the entire division.

I think I’m going to be rooting for her to rise up through the ranks. I mean, I was rooting for her anyway, but after thinking on it, even more so now.

Thanks for reading!

Images via @TayConti_ on Twitter; header image modified (somewhat accidentally) by me.

—

David Oxford is a freelance writer of many varied interests. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.

David Oxford

David Oxford, or “LBD ‘Nytetrayn’,” as he is sometimes also known, is a freelance writer of many varied interests who resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.

For a full list of places to find him online, click here.