WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
AEW = Dynamite featured Cody defending the AEW TNT Championship against Jungle Boy in an absolute thriller, with Jungle Boy once again being elevated in AEW. Cody winning was the expected result, but the journey to get there was extremely entertaining.
Colt Cabana vs Chris Jericho was much better than it had any right to be, with Jericho underlining that he is still a force to be reckoned with in AEW.
NXT = Drake Maverick competed against El Hijo Del Fantasma in the finals of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament, with the match all but certainly being his final in WWE for the foreseeable future. The match itself benefitted from the storyline surrounding it, but the action itself was off the charts. Maverick came so close to victory, but the overwhelming strength of Fantasma proved to be the critical difference.
The tag team match to determine the number one contenders to Imperium’s NXT Tag Team Championship was a hellacious bout, with the returning Breezango coming out on top. This was a hearty reminder of just how good NXT’s tag team division can be.
WINNER: NXT
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
AEW = Jon Moxley came out to confront Taz and Brian Cage, noting how he isn’t as invincible as Cage is. This was a quality promo from Moxley and Taz as it allowed the AEW World Champion to show more emotion than we are used to.
NXT = Tommaso Ciampa delivered another quintessentially strong promo, as he warned Karrion Kross that he was ready for him. This was a quality promo that suitably advanced his feud with Kross, increasing the anticipation for their titanic collision.
WINNER: NXT
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
AEW = Storylines were slowly advanced this week, as AEW decided to focus on putting on quality matches. Jon Moxley vs Brian Cage was advanced via promos, whilst Chris Jericho once again laid out a challenge for Mike Tyson.
NXT = With NXT TakeOver: In Your House taking place this weekend, NXT was guaranteed to have a larger emphasis on storyline progression, which is exactly what happened. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae ultimately prevailed over Keith Lee and Mia Yim, whilst the women’s division seemingly imploded with everyone getting physical on the stage. Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart all engaged in a fight, which was intriguing and thrilling in equal measure.
WINNER: NXT
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
AEW = Dynamite was a fun show to watch, with most segments coming off well. The lack of Mike Tyson also helped, as it feels like he detracts from the overall quality of the show.
NXT = NXT was a great go home show for this weekend’s big show, with a competent mix of good matches, promos and storyline progression.
WINNER: NXT
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
AEW gains points for making the AEW TNT Championship and Jungle Boy both feel important. Cody is the perfect choice to hold the belt, as he can elevate this title in the same way John Cena did with the WWE United States Championship.
AEW also gains points for the AEW Tag Team Championship match, which was a solid effort from both teams. If Kenny Omega and Adam Page compete against FTR soon for the titles, we are guaranteed an absolute thriller!
AEW loses points for the apparent blade job by Cody, as the importance of the match didn’t seem to justify it’s use. It should be reserved for huge blow off feuds rather than television bouts.
NXT gains points for using the emotion of Drake Maverick’s purported last match in WWE to their advantage. It was quite the emotional match, with WWE booking it perfectly. Awarding Maverick a contract after the match was the perfect way to underline his storyline so far in NXT.
NXT also gains points for weaving so many storylines together in the women’s division. It really does make for compelling viewing.
NXT loses points for saddling Dexter Lumis with an atrocious artist gimmick. There is no way he can get this gimmick over. No way!
NXT also loses points for the lack of tangible storyline build between Adam Cole and Velveteen Dream. This feud truly feels like an afterthought, which means their match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House doesn’t feel as important as it should.
POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+2 / -2)
THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT
With a score of 4 to 1, NXT easily wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were fantastic, but NXT produced a go home show that suitably increased the anticipation for NXT TakeOver: In Your House. AEW featured 2 quality title matches, but it was NXT that felt like a more complete show.
That's my pick for the better show of the week, but how do YOU stand?
Which was better, Dynamite or NXT?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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