It’s been quite a week for AEW star and cinema siren, ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm. On this week’s episode of Dynamite, she was attacked by her longtime understudy, Mariah May, who had just won the ladies’ bracket of the Owen Hart Tournament. Now armed with a guaranteed title shot at All-In, she decided to leave her former mentor on the cutting room floor.
It’s another amazing arc in what has been one of pro wrestling’s great modern gimmicks – the classic film star who is very delusional about her place in the world. It follows a narrative that is very similar to the 1950 classic film, Sunset Boulevard. When she was ready for her close-up, Storm completely shed her old persona and embraced the new character wholeheartedly. It’s made her one of the more watchable performers in the promotion.
Now, she will face her former tag-along at Wembley Stadium. No doubt, she will receive a lot of support in that match, and she will be favored to retain her title.
But one thing’s for sure: Her partnership with Mariah May is officially Gone with the Wind.
The ‘Timeless’ Gimmick has Given Toni Storm New Life
The many moods of "Timeless" Toni Storm. pic.twitter.com/2jnckqfgZw
— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) December 21, 2023
Storm, 28, is a New Zealand native who was on the wrestling radar for years. She wrestled in WWE’s Mae Young Classic in 2017 and spent four years under a WWE contract. However, she never really took off in the company and migrated to AEW in 2022. Upon arrival, she stayed with her original ‘tough, rocker chick’ look. But when she morphed into the ‘Timeless’ character, it was a creative masterpiece.
The reigning AEW World Women’s Champion filmed a series of incredibly interesting and funny vignettes. Making them even more hysterical was her catchphrase: “Chin up, Tits out… Watch for the shoe.” Besides her performance on the screen, the new persona also drove merchandise sales as many female AEW fans wanted that phrase on a t-shirt.
It’s a meeting of movies and the mat. And it perfectly exemplifies the entertainment aspect of professional wrestling.
The perfect touch has been added by AEW‘s production team. Storm’s vignettes are so well done that it draws you into the character even further. They have even done a segment where Toni Storm’s side of the screen is in old-school black and white, while her opponent’s side of the screen is in modern-day color. That’s a very inventive way to add a little icing on the cake.
A Hero’s Return?
.@MariahMayX has driven a stake through the heart of Toni Storm#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/uzP0CepQhL
— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) July 11, 2024
Given the recent turn of events, it’s pretty obvious that Toni Storm will come back to a monstrous babyface ovation. And once her feud with May has concluded, she will be even more entertaining on AEW programming. The Timeless gimmick works great as a snobbish heel, but it will be hilarious with Storm playing an eccentric (but lovable) character.
If the social media response to this week’s Dynamite is any indication, Storm could have a star-making performance at AEW’s biggest global event. It will be her chance to take a bow under the bright lights – just like the movie vixen that she portrays. And she will leave there an even bigger star than she was before.
Watching this evolution of Toni Storm should be pretty interesting. And if she does come out on that grand stage with jer title still intact? There will be a Hollywood Hills type of party going on in London that night. Just remember to watch for the shoe.
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Ryan K Boman is the author of the 2023 book, Pop Music & Peanut Butter: A Collection of Essays about Embracing Life with Laughter & Love. His previous work has appeared at The Miami Herald, SB Nation, Bounding into Sports, and Yardbarker. Follow him on social media @RyanKBoman.
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