WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
AEW = Dynamite played host to a tag team gauntlet match this week, in which every team involved had a few spots to shine. The Young Bucks and FTR especially looked strong, and this was a great manner to open the show whilst highlighting how strong AEW's tag team division is.
The main event of the evening was Matt Hardy vs Sammy Guevara in a Tables match, which was a solid way to end the show. It was nowhere as entertaining as it should have been, but it was entertaining nonetheless. Guevara took the victory which was important for his character, whilst Hardy continues to put over talent in the best way possible.
NXT = NXT opened this week's show with an NXT Tag Team Championship match, pitting Imperium against Breezango. This was quite the energetic match, with Breezango absorbing Imperium's punishing offense and stealing the victory to become the new champions. This was a solid way to start the show whilst enhancing just how talented Breezango are, in addition to how much fun they bring to the product.
The second title match of the night was for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship as Santos Escobar defeated Isaiah Scott in a thrilling contest. This match truly felt like it deserved to take place at any NXT TakeOver event, as Scott rose to the challenge of the dominant champion with ease. This was a highly entertaining match, whilst hinting at more to come further down the line.
WINNER: NXT
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
AEW = Dark Order had a memorable promo segment as they celebrated Brodie Lee's AEW TNT Championship victory. The segment breathed life into the stable and highlighted just how strong and entertaining they can be.
NXT = Karrion Kross delivered a passionate promo as he announced he would need to relinquish his newly won NXT Championship. He didn't come across as bitter or feeling sorry for himself, but rather highlighted how this is just a bump in the road he will overcome. Kross won some new fans here, proving he is just as talented on the microphone as he is in the ring.
WINNER: NXT
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
AEW = MJF vs Jon Moxley was once again furthered suitably. MJF continued to play the victim as Moxley came across as the cool face character that we know he can be. The potential banning of The Paradigm Shift remains an intriguing plot point, and this will be advanced further next week.
NXT = Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez enjoyed getting under the skin of Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley this week, as they highlighted how odd it is that they would work together when they don't even like each other. The overall storyline with Kai vs Shirai and Gonzalez vs Ripley has been entertaining, and hopefully this continues over the next few weeks.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
AEW = Dynamite was a solid show, with a strong mix of matches and promos. Only a few aspects of the show failed to connect with fans, but largely speaking, it was a great show to watch. It also benefitted from being unopposed this week.
NXT = NXT was a fun show, with a quality mix of matches and promos. The show aired unopposed which means more fans had access to the show, and they did not disappoint in putting on a truly fun show.
WINNER: NXT
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
AEW gains points for keeping Orange Cassidy strong against Chris Jericho as we head towards their Mimosa Mayhem match at All Out.
AEW also gains points for the inclusion of a limited amount of fans. It seemed this was done safely, therefore it can only be seen as a positive.
AEW loses points for the awful Big Swole match. She came across poorly here, which is a real shame as Penelope Ford is a solid wrestler to compete against.
NXT gains points for dealing with the vacant NXT Championship situation well. The anticipation for next week's Ironman Fatal 4 Way is truly through the roof!
NXT also gains points for the solid and effective manner in which they have been weaving multiple storylines in the women's division.
NXT loses points for using Killian Dain to take out The Undisputed Era. He feels underwhelming as he hasn't done much recently on the yellow brand.
POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+2 / -1)
THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT
With a score of 4 to 2, NXT wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were extremely enjoyable, however NXT had the better selection of matches and promos. Both shows remain high quality, however Dynamite promises to be special next week as we move towards All Out.
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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