Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1 and 2 and determine which one of the three was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Most of the matches on this week's episode delivered in spades, and this was especially clear in the main event. The storyline between all six men was perfectly woven inbetween pulsating action, ensuring this match would be considered one of the best main events of the year so far.

TakeOver Night 1 = Night 1 of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver was full of standout matches, including the amazingly brutal contest between WALTER and Tommaso Ciampa. WALTER once again came out of an NXT UK Championship match as the clear winner, but both men well and truly went to war. Io Shirai vs Raquel Gonzalez was the most anticipated match of the night, with neither woman disappointing. Gonzalez won to finally dethrone Shirai, but both women came away from this match with their reputation enhanced.

TakeOver Night 2 = Although most of the wrestlers succeeded in putting on an awesome show, the main event between Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly was unnecessarily bloated. The action was brutal in parts, but at least 15 minutes could have been shaved off in order to be more effective. At least Finn Balor vs Karrion Kross exceeded my expectations.

WINNER: TakeOver Night 1

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Chris Jericho's rant against MJF was one of his best promos in AEW. I understand that his current character can be divisive at times, but he showed here that he can effectively make Inner Circle a powerful face force as they attempt to take down MJF and The Pinnacle.

TakeOver Night 1 = Another promo vignette for Franky was shown, but as expected, the show was understandably low on promos.

TakeOver Night 2 = MSK spoke well in their promo as the new NXT Tag Team Champions, but as expected, the show was understandably low on promos.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = The highlight of the night was seeing The Young Bucks turn on Jon Moxley, which is yet another delicious layer to the feud between Moxley and Kenny Omega. Inner Circle vs The Pinnacle was also perfectly expanded upon, with Inner Circle finally making the long awaited transition to faces. Overall, this was a strong week for storyline development.

TakeOver Night 1 = Storylines were not advanced as a result of this show being a pay-per-view.

TakeOver Night 2 = Storylines were not advanced as a result of this show being a pay-per-view.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = AEW was well paced this week, with most segments coming off well in terms of overall direction and pacing. The only issue I had was the time it took Inner Circle to save Chris Jericho, as it didn't feel as smooth as it perhaps should have.

TakeOver Night 1 = The first night of TakeOver was extremely well paced, coming across as one of the tightest and most entertaining TakeOver shows in recent memory.

TakeOver Night 2 = Mainly due to the bloated main event, this show was the least palatable show of the week. The pacing was off, but this seems to be exclusive to male one on one TakeOver main events.

WINNER: TakeOver Night 1

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for creating an intriguing dynamic between Sting and Lance Archer.

AEW also gains points for setting up a Blood and Guts match with a feud that would do it justice.

AEW loses points for the Mike Tyson appearance feeling pointless. It was definitely a reaction to having TakeOver on the same night.

TakeOver Night 1 gains points for crowning Raquel Gonzalez in a wonderful match. This definitely feels like a passing of the torch moment, with Gonzalez set to dominate NXT for the rest of 2021.

TakeOver Night 1 also gains points for tye brutality on show between WALTER and Tommaso Ciampa.

TakeOver Night 1 loses no points for being a strongly booked show.

TakeOver Night 2 gains points for making Karrion Kross come across as a monster, as opposed to the neutered heel we had seen in his initial run.

TakeOver Night 2 loses points for failing to make Adam Cole vs Kyle O'Reilly a shorter, more effective match.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / TakeOver Night 1 (+2 / -0) / TakeOver Night 2 (+1 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = TakeOver Night 1

With a score of 4 to 3 to 0, TakeOver Night 1 wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Whilst the first night of TakeOver was unmissable, the second night just could not match it in terms of entertainment and intensity. Dynamite was a strong show, but it simply could not compete with a TakeOver.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Christian Cage’s AEW debut match against Frankie Kazarian was an absolute masterpiece! Not only did Cage look like he’d never been away from the ring, but Kazarian looked like a star on his level. A lot of hype was created for this match, but Cage and Kazarian smashed it out of the park.

The Arcade Anarchy match was a fantastic way to end the show, featuring numerous painful and memorable spots. The return of Trent was the icing on the cake, whilst Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor deserved their victory.

NXT = Cameron Grimes defeated Roderick Strong in a fun opener, signalling his intent to rise up the ladder on NXT. The Battle Royal match was actually entertaining, with Dexter Lumis and LA Knight using the match to show how strong they are. Overall, the match offerings were good this week on the yellow brand.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Jade Cargill is slowly building up a solid reputation in AEW, and she built upon this with a scathing promo against Red Velvet. It hit all the right notes, which is exactly what she needs if she is to have a tilt at the AEW Women’s Championship.

NXT = NXT featured a number of strong vignettes and promos this week, but nothing was of standout quality.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = The Inner Circle returning to take out The Pinnacle was perfectly executed, creating a new sense of intrigue for how these two stables will co-exist. Chris Jericho ended the night on top, but it will be exciting to see what happens next week.

NXT = Io Shirai’s issues with Raquel Gonzalez boiled over this week, leading to a series of attacks and fights. Gonzalez slamming Shirai though a wall was a simply amazing visual, one which added so much importance to their NXT Women’s Championship match.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was perfectly paced this week, superbly combining stellar matches with impactful promos.

NXT = NXT was a strongly booked show, featuring solid pacing that made the show enjoyable to watch.

WINNER: AEW

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for treating Christian Cage’s in ring debut with the respect it needed.

AEW also gains points for trying to give QT Marshall an interesting character. Hopefully his heel turn can be executed properly.

AEW gains even more points for the brutality on show between The Inner Circle and The Pinnacle.

AEW loses no points this week, as it was pretty much a perfect show.

NXT gains points for setting up the matches at NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver in such a strong manner.

NXT also gains points for the strong push that LA Knight is receiving, as he is completely exceeding my expectations.

NXT gains even more points for the Franky vignette, which hopefully turns out to be Taya Valkyrie.

NXT loses no points at all this week for showcasing such a strong show.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -0) / NXT (+3 / -0)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = AEW

With a score of 6 to 4, AEW wins this week’s Wednesday Night War. Both shows were fantastic, but the near flawless presentation from Dynamite was enough to give AEW the win.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Kenny Omega defeated Matt Sydal in an extremely entertainng match to kick off the show. Sydal genuinely came close to defeating Omega to earn a future shot at the AEW World Championship, but the overwhelming power of Omega proved to be too much to overcome. The rest of the matches on the show delivered in spades, with Nyla Rose vs Tay Conti coming across much better than it had any right to do so. Overall, this was a very satisfying and effective night for matches on Dynamite.

NXT = Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez once again looked like true superstars against Io Shirai and Zoey Stark, creating a match that left fans entertained. It was a shame that the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship match couldn’t match the quality of the opener, but the show was at least redeemed by Jordan Devlin defeating KUSHIDA in a cracking little bout.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Britt Baker delivered a scathing promo this week on Thunder Rosa, whilst also targeting Mick Foley, of all people. Baker dubbed herself a Hardcore Legend, noting she achieved that accolade in a shorter timespan than Foley. This was a stunning promo from Baker, who added that the letters AEW come second to DMD.

NXT = The sit down promo between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly was an entertaining and gripping way to progress their storyline, with both men truly excelling on the microphone.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Dynamite felt slightly lacking in real storyline development this week, however I appreciate the slow burn nature of some of the more prominent storylines. AEW have fully established that they can successfully draw out a feud to a satisfying conclusion.

NXT = WALTER created some excitement for his feud with Tommaso Ciampa, whilst Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly, Finn Balor vs Karrion Kross, and Io Shirai vs Raquel Gonzalez were suitably advanced and highlighted to create hype for NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = AEW was paced well this week, feeling much tighter and well organised than it has for a while.

NXT = NXT was a strongly paced show with solid and logical booking, which was only let down by a few matches coming off poorly.

WINNER: AEW

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for the sterling performance from John Silver, who has quietly developed such a fervent cult following as of late.

AEW also gains points for continuing to keep Inner Circle off the show, further cementing what a destructive job The Pinnacle did when taking them out a few weeks ago.

AEW gains even more points for Nyla Rose dancing. I shouldn't find it funny, but I couldn't help it.

AEW loses points for the inconsistent manner that Kenny Omega is being presented in. Something feels off with his character at the moment, but I can't quite pinpoint what exactly.

NXT gains points for creating some real hype for NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver.

NXT also gains points for the chaotic climax to the show.

NXT gains even more points for pushing Raquel Gonzalez hard. She deserves it considering the improvement she has made over the past 12 months.

NXT loses points for the disappointing NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship match. This wouldn’t have happened if Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez were still holding the belts.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -1) / NXT (+3 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = AEW

With a score of 5 to 3, AEW wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were strong offerings, but it was the overall tight nature of Dynamite that secures the victory for AEW this week.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Simply put, the Lights Out match between Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa was fantastic. I expected a high level of brutality, but they surpassed my expectations to put on arguably the best women's match in AEW history. Penta El Zero Miedo put on a superb match with Cody Rhodes, whilst every other match on the card was warmly received. This week's offerings were definitely a major improvement over last week, but extra credit does have to go to Baker and Rosa for their absolutely amazing match.

NXT = NXT's match quality was noticeably a step below that of Dynamite this week, although there were a number of standout offerings. Dakota Kai vs Zoey Stark was a solid match, allowing Kai to show how talented King Kota actually is, whilst the main event was a fairly entertaining contest. LA Knight's debut was ok at best, but no other match was suitably memorable.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = The promo from Tully Blanchard and MJF to christen 'The Pinnacle' was amazing. I have always been a fan of MJF and how he brings a distinct level of passion to his promos, but this offering was off the charts!

NXT = Adam Cole's promo against Kyle O'Reilly was solid, allowing the former leader of The Undisputed Era to show another side to his character. Whilst not mindblowing, it was at least a solid attempt at furthering his feud with his former friend.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Although The Pinnacle made their mark on this week's episode, the lack of Inner Circle was a downer for their storyline. This is not the most egregious issue, however, as it was at least positive to see them selling the beating they sustained last week. Brian Cage caused a very intriguing storyline development with his praise of Sting. Could this be the start of a face turn that he so sorely needs?

NXT = Finn Balor's feud with Karrion Kross gathered a significant amount of momentum this week, with Scarlett seemingly driving the storyline forward on Kross' behalf. This feud almost writes itself as Kross never lost the NXT Championship, but it is great to see some serious thought given to their feud. I don't care how campy it is at all, as I'm finding it extremely entertaining to watch.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = The St. Patrick's Day themed episode of Dynamite was absolutely electric, with the show striking a home run. The matches and promos were well crafted, whilst the main event was absolutely mindblowing.

NXT = Although NXT was a perfectly good show, it did not feel as tightly scheduled as Dynamite did, which made the show feel longer than it actually was.

WINNER: AEW

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for actually allowing Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa to go out and create a masterpiece. Many of the spots they engaged in were some of the most brutal in AEW so far.

AEW also gains points for making Shawn Spears, of all people, seem relevant.

AEW gains even more points for the t-shirt brandished by Don Callis, which was a not so subtle jab at WWE. Usually I don't like direct references to the other company, but on this occasion, it actually came off well.

AEW loses points for failing to make Sting interesting. His weekly interviews are now a chore, and not something I look forward to.

NXT gains points for LA Knight looking strong on his in ring debut.

NXT also gains points for Dakota Kai proving she is a beast in the ring.

NXT gains even more points for WALTER! His return to NXT is something to behold, as he is a genuinely imposing force. His Powerbomb on Tommaso Ciampa was enough to remind fans how dangerous he can be.

NXT loses points for having Io Shirai ignore Dakota Kai on her way to facing off with Raquel Gonzalez. This suggests they may be splitting up the team, which is something I don't want to happen. It is highly probable that Kai won't be pleased with the current situation.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -1) / NXT (+3 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = AEW

With a score of 5 to 3, AEW wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were great, but Dynamite was just on another level this week.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Rey Fenix defeated Matt Jackson in an exhilarating opener, putting on an exciting and competitive display that set the tone for the rest of the show. Fenix once again underlined his credentials as one of the best wrestlers in the company, whilst Jackson was more than able to hold his own. The main event of the show was also an excellent encounter, with Scorpio Sky coming so close to capturing the AEW TNT Championship. Darby Allin sold the effects of his match at Revolution, whilst Sky used his defeat as the catalyst for his heel turn. All in all, this was a superb night of wrestling.

NXT = NXT featured some extremely strong matches this week. Io Shirai defended her NXT Women's Championship against Toni Storm, showing once again why she is the best wrestler in NXT. Storm put a good effort in, but she could not come close to defeating Shirai for the belt. It was telling, however, that the newly installed NXT Women's Tag Team Champions were defeated by Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart for the belts. Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez should not have been given the belts if they were only going to lose them less than an hour later. That issue aside, it was a fantastic match to build the reputation of the new belts.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Penta El Zero Miedo gave a risky promo this week, informing Cody Rhodes that he should have focused on taking him out more at Revolution. This is the start of a feud that no doubt has the potential to be off the charts.

NXT = The show opened with the announcement from William Regal that NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver would be a two night show, whilst also announcing the creation of the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship. These announcements were handled well, but the most impactful promo was the short but sweet announcement from Io Shirai, in which she selected Raquel Gonzalez as her next opponent. Gonzalez informing her that she will regret her choice was extremely exciting, leaving a lasting impact.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = AEW signalled a seismic change of the landscape with MJF and his new faction taking out Inner Circle. Not only was this unexpected, but it also paves the way for Inner Circle to turn face and explore new storyline options. The attack was genuinely shocking, whilst also creating a sense of excitement that has been missing from a few of the recent Dynamite episodes.

NXT = Finn Balor defeated Adam Cole to retain his NXT Championship in a stellar match, however it was the post match actions that left quite an impression on me. Kyle O'Reilly returned to further his blood feud with Cole, whilst Balor accepted that Karrion Kross was his next oponent, acknowledging him as the show went off the air. This was simply fantastic storytelling, and I cannot wait to see how both feuds develop over the next few weeks.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was a well paced show, superbly mixing strong matches with terrific promos and storyline development, whilst the two hour runtime completely flew by. The impact of the show was also positively impacted upon by the show ending angle.

NXT = NXT was a fantastic show, feeling well and truly tight from start to finish. Each match and promo segment felt impactful, giving the show a very refereshing feeling.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston giving a fair reason for the response to the end of the Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch at Revolution. Kingston being open about why he reacted the way he did was actually positive to hear.

AEW also gains points for continuing to hype Britt Baker vs Thunder Rosa, which has genuinely been one of the few highlights of AEW's women's division in 2021.

AEW gains even more points for giving Christian Cage instant credibility with his interaction against Kenny Omega. I didn't realise that I wanted to see him against Omega, but now I can think of nothing else!

AEW loses points for having numerous interviews interrupted, which felt overused and unnecessary.

NXT gains points for ending the show in such an exciting fashion.

NXT also gains points for presenting the women's division as a really important entity within NXT.

NXT gains even more points for building up LA Knight's debut match as something to watch.

NXT loses no points this week.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -1) / NXT (+3 / -0)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT

With a score of 6 to 3, NXT wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were incredible, but the overwhelming excitement of this week's episode of NXT was enough to secure the win. Each show had an important and impactful end to their respective episodes, leaving fans excited for the storyline developments over the next few weeks. I absolutely love the war between Dynamite and NXT!

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Shaq and Jade Cargill put in a credible performance against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet, surpassing the low expectations that I had for the contest. Shaq actually looked intimidating, whilst Cargill evidenced that she has a future in AEW's women's division. I also enjoyed the fact that the women were in the ring for the decisive pinfall, which made their involvement feel more important.

Hangman Adam Page and John Silver took on Matt Hardy and Marq Quen in the main event slot, however the match never really got going. This did not feel like an appropriate match to headline the go home show for Revolution, which left a slightly sour taste for me.

NXT = Ignoring the screwy ending to the Women’s Tag Team Championship match, this was a fantastic contest to get over how strong Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez are as a team. The action was intense and extremely entertaining, with all four women coming across well. Yes, even Nia Jax!

The main event of the evening pitted Roderick Strong against Finn Balor, with both men putting on a strong performance. Whilst slow to start, the finish was pure exhilaration. Overall, NXT had a successful night with the quality of it's matches.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = MJF was in fine form this week as he attacked fans with his vicous words, bringing back the vitriol that his character is known for. This brought out The Young Bucks, who provided a passionate promo of their own to increase the interest in their match at Revolution.

NXT = The Way participated in a therapy session this week, which was hilarious from start to finish. The Way continue to be a highlight of NXT, creating a promo masterclass once again.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = As a go home show for Revolution, this was a great show to highlight all of the relevant feuds. Each feud received a fair amount of time and focus, with the Casino Tag Team Royale being given the best focus before this weekend's pay-per-view.

NXT = Adam Cole’s decision to become the number one heel in NXT was once again touched upon, allowing Roderick Strong to garner much face support. The multiple layers to his storyline are fascinating, making his segments an absolute joy to watch.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was a well paced show, competently getting the matches for Revolution over. As a go home show for that event, it succeeded, and was a generally well built and scheduled show.

NXT = NXT was a largely superb show, featuring a strong mix of promos and matches. Everything ticked along fine from last week, with the pacing of the show reflecting the positives on the roster.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for Shaq's performance, which was much better than I had anticipated it would be.

AEW also gains points for the stereo table attacks by The Young Bucks on Inner Circle, which was a very cool and impactful visual.

AEW gains even more points for the frenetic climax to the show, perfectly setting up Revolution as unmissable.

AEW loses points for not giving us a stand off between Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega.

NXT gains points for re-establishing Legado del Fantasma as a strong faction.

NXT also gains points for allowing Roderick Strong an opportunity to shine on the microphone.

NXT gains even more points for LA Knight's appearance. It is clear there is something brewing for him.

NXT loses points for the screwy finish to the Women's Tag Team Championship match. It took away considerably from the overall enjoyment factor.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -1) / NXT (+3 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT

With a score of 5 to 3, NXT wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were fantastic, however NXT once again felt like the better scheduled show, featuring a better focus on the World Championship picture.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = This week's episode of Dynamite featured a number of solid matches, with Jon Moxley kicking off the show with a dominant win over Ryan Nemeth. Hangman Adam Page vs Isiah Kassidy was an extremely fun match, with Page underlining what credentials he brings to AEW. Nyla Rose vs Britt Baker was better than it had any right to be, but the undoubted success of the night was the main event, in which Lance Archer defeated Rey Fenix in a barn burner of a match. Overall, AEW succeeded with the quality of it's matches this week.

NXT = NXT featured a number of strong matches this week, combining great action with solid storytelling. Zoey Starks had an extremely memorable match against Io Shirai, and despite losing, she looked like a real star. I was also impressed by Xia Li as she easily defeated Kacy Catanzaro, which undoubtedly makes her look like a real threat to the women’s division.

The highlight of the night, however, was Karrion Kross vs Santos Escobar. This was a fantastic No Disqualification match, with Kross arguably putting in his best performance inside an NXT ring. Escobar was put over as a star, even in defeat.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Jon Moxley's promo at the beginning of the show was pure quality, setting up the dangers of his Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch with Kenny Omega at Revolution. Moxley actually sounded like he lives to be put in pain, which sets him out as the favourite on paper. His cadence was perfect, and he came across as an absolute madman here.

NXT = NXT featured some solid, if not spectacular promos this week. The Way performed well on the microphone, but there was nothing major to write home about.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Inner Circle were able to get one over The Young Bucks this week, beating up their father and leaving him a bloody mess. This personal touch to their feud was great to see, which I much preferred to having their parents show up with them at the beginning of the show to take photos. Sting and Darby Allin also enjoyed a strong week, taking out Brian Cage and Ricky Starks in emphatic fashion.

NXT = Adam Cole showed how much of a bastard he is by turning on Roderick Strong, finally cementing the end of The Undisputed Era. This was quite impactful, whilst also setting up multiple future matches.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was a fun show which benefitted from tight pacing and scheduling this week. The show felt fresh and exciting, whilst setting up Revolution in a positive manner.

NXT = NXT was a fantastic show, combining solid wrestling with superb storyline development. The pacing of the show was great, whilst the scheduling of the show was a benefit to the overall enjoyment factor.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for Jon Moxley's stunning promo, which absolutely set him up as a madman.

AEW also gains points for Darby Allin zip lining into the ring in the style of Sting. It was cool to see, but this moment was made even better when Sting hit the Stinger Splash and Scorpion Death Drop shortly after.

AEW gains even more points for making a heel vs heel match come across well. I expected little from Nyla Rose vs Britt Baker, but I was pleasantly surprised.

AEW loses points for the forced manner in which The Young Bucks' parents are being used to make them feel like white meat babyfaces again. Unfortunately, it is not a tactic I agree with. Let them be intriguing tweeners!

NXT gains points for the superb manner in which Xia Li has been rehabilitated. She looked like an absolute monster against Kacy Catanzaro, with her final kick coming off really well.

NXT also gains points for making Santos Escobar feel important, even if he required assistance from his henchmen.

NXT gains even more points for giving us the most evil version of Adam Cole yet. I am fully behind his transformation, Bay Bay!

NXT loses no points this week.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -1) / NXT (+3 / -0)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT

With a score of 6 to 3, NXT wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were incredible, but it was NXT that was the tighter show overall. In all honesty, there is very little to complain about in regards to these two shows at the moment.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Dynamite featured a number of solid matches, with Serena Deeb vs Riho coming across really well. Their encounter took some time to get going, but the finishing sequence was a real beauty to behold. The main event was also excellent, highlighting how strong all six men are. Rey Fenix also reminded fans just how insane his repertoire is, whilst Jon Moxley finally shut Eddie Kingston up.

NXT = NXT showcased a number of feuds in solid matches, highlighting the strengths of all wrestlers involved. The main event was the most entertaining match, with Pete Dunne taking down Finn Balor to revitalise his chances of remaining in the hunt for the NXT Championship.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = I enjoyed Taz’s brief call out of Sting, especially as he wasn’t taking any shit from The Icon. What took the promo quality off the scale this week was the utterly ridiculous promo segment featuring Kenny Omega and a class of children. Ridiculous, but oh so entertaining.

NXT = Karrion Kross and Scarlett both produced a solid promo, whilst the interaction between the Women’s Tag Team Champions and the women’s Dusty Rhodes Classic winners was better than expected. Overall, NXT featured numerous entertaining and effective promos.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Kenny Omega featured heavily in the show, blending his feud with Jon Moxley, his own abrasive dickishness, and his neglect of The Young Bucks. I enjoyed the focus on the AEW World Champion, and I hope these stories will be fleshed out more over the next few weeks.

NXT = The implosion of The Undisputed Era was compelling, especially as Adam Cole is a much better heel than a face. Finn Balor’s involvement in the storyline also helps to create a compelling narrative.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was a great show this week, featuring a strong mix of matches and promos. The pacing was almost perfect, with only a few promo segments feeling out of place.

NXT = NXT felt engaging and entertaining this week, using the momentum from NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day to produce a show that was exciting from start to finish.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for creating a massive amount of anticipation for Revolution by announcing an Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch. Talk about intense!

AEW also gains points for inching closer and closer to having Hangman Adam Page choose to join The Dark Order.

AEW gains even more points for Brandi Rhodes’ gender reveal. I’m a sucker for anything baby related, being a father myself. Congratulations Brandi and Cody Rhodes!

AEW loses points for referring to Kenny Omega as the WWE Champion. Major faux pas!

NXT gains points for continuing the insane storyline that is Cameron Grimes and his new found wealth. So over the top, yet so funny.

NXT also gains points for keeping Xia Li intriguing. It helps that Kacy Catanzaro also commits to the storyline.

NXT gains even more points for keeping Karrion Kross’ character from going stale. I am enjoying this tweener phase he is in.

NXT loses no points as there wasn’t anything in the show that I felt brought the enjoyment factor down.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -1) / NXT (+3 / -0)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT

With a score of 5 to 4, NXT wins this week’s Wednesday Night War. Both shows were incredible, but NXT hit it out of the park this week with a show that was perfectly structured.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Every single match this week was warmly received, with no match failing to capture the imagination. Thunder Rosa shone brightly against Leyla Hirsch, whilst Lee Johnson securing the victory for himself and Cody Rhodes was a wonderful moment. The main event of the evening was simply stunning, with KENTA, Kenny Omega, Jon Moxley, and Lance Archer putting on a violent and hard hitting Falls Count Anywhere match. It was helped by the storyline narrative, whilst the contest itself never dropped from fifth gear. Overall, it was a fantastic night of wrestling on Dynamite.

NXT = I thoroughly enjoyed KUSHIDA’s match with Austin Theory, as both men looked strong with their presentation in the match. The best match of the night, however, was the main event to determine the final qualifier for the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Classic. Grizzled Young Veterans overcame the irrepressible power of Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher, arguably making them look like a match for MSK this weekend. Overall, this was a strong night of wrestling.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Promos were largely short and sweet this week, however, Jungle Boy's promo stood out for me. He came across well in a serious capacity, and his assertion that he would make Dax Harwood his bitch was fabulous to hear, as this was evidence of a much more confident and intimidating character.

NXT = Cameron Grimes’ madcap promo was insane. The references to the GameStop investment debacle were hilarious, as too was his over the top delivery. I don’t know where this version of Grimes has been hiding, but I absolutely love him!

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = MJF's continued manipulation of Sammy Guevara resulted in the departure of Guevara from The Inner Circle. Coming out to the ring to his own music, he informed Chris Jericho of his decision following the warning he gave him in December. This is an intriguing development, as Guevara has the potential to be a huge babyface for the company.

NXT = The segment in which KUSHIDA exposed Johnny Gargano as a liar was highly entertaining. Not only did it serve it’s purpose well in setting up their match at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, it also made KUSHIDA look like a million dollars. This is the presentation he has so sorely needed to look like a force in NXT.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was a big improvement over last week's show. Matches felt important, whilst promo segments and storyline development came across well, aided by much improved pacing.

NXT = NXT felt like a strong go home show for this weekend’s pay-per-view. The pacing was good, whilst the scheduling was organised well.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for the segment in which Darby Allin was dragged around the parking lot in a bodybag. It was a great, if uncomfortable visual.

AEW also gains points for making the AEW Women's Championship tournament feel important.

AEW also gains points for the creativity of the Falls Count Anywhere match. I mean, potatoes are dangerous, right?

AEW loses points for there being no immediate consequences for Orange Cassidy ruining the wedding of Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian.

NXT gains points for the continued push being afforded to Xia Li. Believe it or not, I am actually enjoying her current storyline.

NXT also gains points for creating intrigue surrounding Johnny Gargano’s apparent withdrawal from his NXT North American Championship match with KUSHIDA. There was a slight buzz online, with some people claiming he had COVID. Thankfully, it was just a storyline development, and one that certainly had fans talking.

NXT loses points for the end to the show, which felt out of place.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+3 / -1) / NXT (+2 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT

With a score of 4 to 3, NXT wins this week’s Wednesday Night War. Both shows were incredible fun this week, with very little to hate from each offering. Overall, NXT was the tighter show, but as I always say, these two shows were proof that Wednesday nights are the best wrestling night of the week!

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = The tag team Battle Royal was disappointing, feeling like an uncoordinated mess at times. FTR’s presence would have improved the match, whilst Chris Jericho and MJF winning was admittedly a shame. The Acclaimed would have been a much better choice.

Britt Baker defeated Thunder Rosa in a fine women’s match, whilst Lance Archer defeated Eddie Kingston in a violent Lumberkack match. Overall, the matches on the show were good, with a few notable disappointments.

NXT = Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez once again impressed during the women’s Dusty Rhodes Classic. I cannot speak highly enough about Gonzalez, who genuinely comes across as the best ‘big’ woman that WWE has under contract. Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter performed well, but they could not defeat the irrepressible Kai and Gonzalez.

Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa also put on a fabulous match against The Undisputed Era, surprisingly coming out on top. There was so much to love about this match, which capped off a relatively strong night of wrestling.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = The wedding of Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian was a disappointment, especially as Miro continued to come across as a caricature of himself. There was no real excitement or intrigue to the segment, which brought down the overall quality of the show.

NXT = Pete Dunne and Finn Balor performed well on the microphone during their promo segment, with Edge clearly adding to the overall quality.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = One intriguing storyline was the reveal of KENTA at the close of the show, attacking Jon Moxley whilst appearing to be aligned with Kenny Omega in some form. I cannot wait to see where this goes, as KENTA is amazing and can definitely add to the quality of Moxley’s feud with Omega.

NXT = Tian Sha’s reveal was crazy and over the top, but I freaking loved it! I’ve not been high on Xia Li, but NXT has my attention now. I also loved the interaction between Edge and Karrion Kross, and I would love to see their interaction built upon.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite felt slightly lethargic at times this week, although that is not to say the show was bad. The pacing could have been improved, however.

NXT = NXT was an exciting show. It benefitted from the announced appearance of Edge, with the show was paced extremely well.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for KENTA’s appearance at the close of the show. It creates an intriguing narrative whilst hinting at a further partnership with NJPW.

AEW also gains points for Lance Archer continuing to look strong.

AEW loses points for the wedding of Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian. It just did not come off well.

NXT gains points for the consistently high quality of both Dusty Rhodes Classic tournaments.

NXT also gains points for making Karrion Kross look dangerous.

NXT loses points for Santos Escobar vs Curt Stallion, which was unfortunately not as exciting as it could have been.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+2 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT

With a score of 5 to 1, NXT easily wins this week’s Wednesday Night War. The show was just so much more consistent, and I thoroughly enjoyed the show as a whole. Although Dynamite had its high points, it honestly paled in comparison to NXT.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Eddie Kingston vs Lance Archer was a great opening match, with Archer having arguably his best performance in an AEW ring. Both men fought with passion, resulting in a match that was off the charts. Britt Baker also worked hard to get a good match out of Shanna, performing better than I had anticipated.

The main event was a fantastic match, with The Dark Order once again showing they are the complete package. Not only are they funny, but they are also talented in ring technicians. The Elite won, but both teams showered themselves in glory.

NXT = As usual, NXT featured a solid set of matches this week. Each Dusty Rhodes Classic match came off well, with both MSK and the team of Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez looking extremely strong in victory. Gonzalez, in particular, looked a real star.

The main event was a fantastic way to end the show, with Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly putting their differences aside to defeat Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. Both Balor and O’Reilly showcased their abilities to underline why they cannot be touched in terms of in ring quality and entertainment.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Sting gave an extremely short, yet highly effective promo this week, stating that both he and Darby Allin are hoodlums. This allowed fans to look forward to their match at Revolution, rather than focusing on the fact that Sting should not be competing, given his history of injuries. PAC and Jon Moxley gave strong performances of their own to build up their match next week against Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, displaying a level of fire and confidence that we haven't seen in either man for a while. Props also need to be given to Arn Anderson for delivering a geuinely heartfelt promo with Cody Rhodes.

NXT = Scarlett provided yet another promo this week, however it came off as very old hat. I fully understand why she is the mouthpiece for Karrion Kross, but she really needs to throw fans a curveball once in a while.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Sting and Darby Allin gave a moody promo to advance their issues with Team Taz, whilst Hangman Adam Page was courted by Matt Hardy. The issues between The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega were hinted at again, but it is clear these developments will be addressed on next week's show.

NXT = There was a considerable amount of storyline development this week, with the spectre of Legado del Fantasma hanging over the show once again. Finn Balor also solidified his alliance with The Undisputed Era, however it is clear he is only using them to achieve a united goal.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was a fun show, featuring a better level of pacing than recent weeks. The match quality was great, whilst storyline development was scheduled in a manner which added to the enjoyment value of the show.

NXT = NXT felt fresh this week, coming across as a wholly entertaining and enjoyable two hours of television. The pacing was solid, whilst the show was scheduled in a logical manner.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for making Hangman Adam Page feel like a hot comodity within AEW.

AEW also gains points for giving Jon Moxley a sense of revenge in anticipation of their tag team match next week.

AEW loses points for the finish to Lance Archer vs Eddie Kingston, which could have come off so much better.

NXT gains points for featuring a positive amount of storyline development, utilising a number of subtle hints at future feuds and developments.

NXT also gains points for trying to make Toni Storm seem like a credible challenger to Io Shirai. If she can be booked well over the next few weeks, then I have no doubt she can be a success.

NXT loses points for Curt Stallion’s generic and uninspired promo skills.

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 strong, however it was the tighter experience from NXT that left the biggest impression, especially when considering the Dusty Rhodes Classic matches.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Cody Rhodes vs Peter Avalon was a solid match, with Rhodes working hard to put Avalon over. Jon Moxley also worked hard during his match with Nick Comoroto, making him look better than he perhaps should have. Both men won, but they understood the importance of making their opponents look credible.

The tag team action this week was solid, with every tag team match coming off well. The main event was better than it had any right to be, with all three teams within Inner Circle working hard to show how important it is to be known as the tag team of the stable. Overall, it was a great night of wrestling for AEW.

NXT = NXT hosted some of the quarter finals of the Dusty Rhodes classic this week, with KUSHIDA and Leon Ruff advancing alongside Lucha House Party. Each match was exciting, displaying the best of NXT's tag team division. The women of NXT also held up their end of the bargain by putting on a solid match of their own, justifying the creation of the women's Dusty Rhodes Classic.

The main event of the evening was a Fight Pit match between Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher, which was a fantastic way to end the show. It was hard hitting, violent, and thoroughly enjoyable. Overall, NXT had a quality night of wrestling.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Jon Moxley gave a passionate promo about how he will go through Kenny Omega and The Elite to reclaim his AEW World Championship. Moxley is a solid worker on the microphone, and this promo succeeded in keeping him relevant. The vignette at Kenny Omega's house between Don Callis and The Young Bucks was great, with Callis once again coming across as a total slimeball.

NXT = Santos Escobar gave a strong promo this week, criticising people who don't act like champions. He even insulted Karrion Kross, which was an interesting development.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Jade Cargill continues to be a thorn in Cody Rhodes' side, however the storyline is still doing no favours for Rhodes. Cargill doesn't provide any compelling heel work, whilst it seems Rhodes himself couldn't care less about getting the storyline over. It was heartening, however, to see the issues between The Young Bucks and Don Callis spill over into an issue between the AEW Tag Team Champions and Kenny Omega. Yes, it is over the top, but it is a guilty pleasure.

NXT = Storylines took a backseat to the wrestling this week, but the issues between Legado del Fantasma and Lucha House Party were ramped up this week. Hopefully this will lead to a real challenge of Legado del Fantasma's vicegrip on NXT.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was an extremely fun show this week, featuring a solid mix of matches and promos. The pacing of the show was superb, and it didn't come across as chore at all.

NXT = NXT was also an extremely fun show, focusing on quality wrestling as part of the Dusty Rhodes Classic. The show was well paced, with everything coming across as logically booked.

WINNER: AEW

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for a perfectly executed heel turn by Private Party.

AEW also gains points for -1 getting involved in the humiliation of Luther.

AEW loses points for the storyline of Chuck Taylor as Miro's own personal butler. Can we not just get a solid storyline for Miro, please?

NXT gains points for keeping Karrion Kross' mystique up as a top guy. It is clear he is being primed for another tilt at the NXT Championship, therefore perormances like this week are very much appreciated.

NXT also gains points for giving the women of NXT a platform to show how talented they are. The women's Dusty Rhodes Classic is the perfect opportunity for some of them to make a real name for themselves.

NXT loses points for having Finn Balor look for a favour. He is The Prince, therefore he needs no favours.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+2 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = AEW

With a score of 4 to 2, AEW wins this week's Wednesday Night War. As always, both shows were fantastic, however Dynamite just felt slightly more enjoyable than NXT. Props need to be given to both the men's and women's Dusty Rhodes Classic tournament matches, as these are the highlight of NXT.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = This week’s matches were good, however, they did not quite match the quality on offer from last week. The huge exception was Serena Deeb vs Tay Conti, which was a fabulous women’s match. Deeb proved she is arguably the best wrestler in the women’s division, whilst Conti continued to show how much she has developed since she left WWE.

The main event was a solid encounter, with Darby Allin surviving a physical onslaught from Brian Cage to retain his AEW TNT Championship. I didn’t appreciate the interference from Sting, no matter how small it actually was. Allin and Cage worked hard, but they couldn’t hold a candle to last week’s main event.

NXT = There was a heavy focus on the quarter finals of the Dusty Rhodes Classic, with each match coming across superbly. MSK made their debut in a frenetic match, defeating Isaiah Scott and Jake Atlas to progress. This was an amazing debut for MSK, highlighting the importance of winning the competition.

The Undisputed Era also progressed, and although the quality of this match was lower than that of MSK’s victory, it was still a great way to cap off a strong show.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Britt Baker absolutely floundered on The Waiting Room, featuring a poor excuse of a promo segment. Reba was admittedly funny in her over the top mannerisms, but Baker struggled to create a compelling promo.

NXT = The Brand and Finn Balor engaged in a solid promo. Whilst not ground breaking, it was better than the offering from AEW.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Britt Baker vs Thunder Rosa was suitably advanced, whilst Jade Cargill’s issues with Cody Rhodes were reignited. The big talking point of the show was Don Callis preferring The Good Brothers over The Young Bucks, with the AEW Tag Team Champions teasing leaving their new alliance with Kenny Omega. This was a solid storyline development, if not exactly groundbreaking.

NXT = Heavy emphasis was placed on the Dusty Rhodes Classic, therefore the level of storyline development was low this week. Xia Li continued to look strong, whilst all of the teams involved in the tournament put extra effort into looking like stars.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was well paced and scheduled in a logical manner. The show was fun, but the downgrade in quality from last week was clear.

NXT = NXT was a great night of wrestling, with the show coming across really well in terms of pacing and logical progression.

WINNER: NXT

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for the Sammy Hagar reference. Is it a sign I’m old if I got that straight away?

AEW also gains points for John Silver fanboying over Hangman Adam Page. It was funny to see, which represents what the new Dark Order are all about.

AEW loses points for the train wreck that was The Waiting Room.

NXT gains points for highlighting the importance of the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

NXT also gains points for making MSK look like stars on their debut.

NXT doesn’t lose any points this week as it was an extremely solid and tight show.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+2 / -0)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT

With a score of 5 to 2, NXT wins this week’s Wednesday Night War. NXT was a more enjoyable show, whilst night 2 of New Year’s Smash failed to match the high level of night 1.

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Each and every match was of top quality this week, with the show featuring a strong mix of high flying action, hard hitting fighting, and intriguing in ring psychology. The opening match was yet another fine example of the quality available to AEW's tag team division, as The Young Bucks and SCU imposed themselves on TH2 and The Acclaimed. SCU in particular looked great, which helps to make their stipulation of disbanding when they next lose feel important and impactful.

Kenny Omega defended his AEW World Championship against Rey Fenix in a match which promised to be off the hook, and this is exactly what happened. Omega successfully retained the title, but Fenix looked like an absolute star in defeat. Not only was this a fantastic match, but Fenix felt like a star on the same level as his brother, Penta El Zero Miedo. This was a solid and enjoyable end to the show, adding to the prestige of the title.

NXT = Karrion Kross imposed himself on Damien Priest to open the show, with both men engaging in a fantastic and hard hitting contest. Kross looked to be back to his very best, whilst Priest once again showed that he is one of the very best wrestlers in NXT. Should he be promoted to the main roster soon, he would be doing so with his head held high.

The main event of the night was Finn Balor defending his NXT Championship against Kyle O'Reilly, which was, as expected, an incredible contest. Both men worked hard, reprising the violence of their previous match. Balor was victorious, but O'Reilly once again came so close to reaching the top of the NXT mountain. From here, it is clear that whoever defeats The Prince will be a made man for years.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Frankie Kazarian gave a short but passionate promo about how he and Christopher Daniels will disband the next time they lose as a team, however they would have no problems doing so once they have challenged The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team Championship. Jon Moxley also gave a strong promo in which he stated he won't complain about losing the AEW World Championship, however he will get even with Kenny Omega.

NXT = A Mercedes Martinez vignette was used to great effect to highlight how she doesn't want accolades such as 'Superstar of the Year', but rather, she wants the NXT Women's Championship. This was a highly effective way to advance her feud with Io Shirai.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Dynamite was short on storyline development this week due to the nature of New Year's Smash, but the feud between Darby Allin and Team Taz continued, with Allin being supported by Sting. Taz gets angrier every week, which is actually a sight to behold. My interest has been kept high throughout this feud, and it only seems to get better and more personal each week.

The true highlight of this week's episode, however, was the reunion of Kenny Omega, The Good Brothers, and The Young Bucks. By throwing up the Too Sweet sign, they ushered in a new era of potential dominance, whilst also signalling the true start of the war between AEW and Impact Wrestling.

NXT = In defeating Rhea Ripley, Raquel Gonzalez continued her organic push towards the NXT Women's Championship. She has gotten over with fans due to her hard work and solid wrestling, and in defeating Ripley this week, she made good on her promise to be a serious threat within NXT's women's division.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = New Year's Smash was a strong event which felt like a mini pay-per-view. All matches were of a high quality, with promos and storyline advancement adding to the quality of the show. It was well paced, which made it a delight to watch.

NXT = New Year's Evil was a fantastic show, mixing solid wrestling with good promos and storyline development. Similar to Dynamite, this week's show felt like a true mini pay-per-view, which only improved the quality of the wrestling on offer.

WINNER: AEW

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for providing Rey Fenix with yet another star making performance.

AEW also gains points for continuing to use Sting to support Darby Allin. Both are moody assholes who operate as lone wolves, therefore it is great to see them allign in such a mysterious manner.

AEW loses points for Snoop Dogg's appearance. It made no sense, and just came off as hokey. I also feel his appearance would have been better suited to WWE, such is his relationship with Sasha Banks. Here, it just did not come off well at all.

NXT gains points for the manner in which Santos Escobar successfully defended his NXT Cruiserweight Championship, which continues to be elevated as one of the best titles under the WWE umbrella.

NXT also gains points for showing multiple matches without commercial interruption. This helped to make the show feel important.

NXT also gains points for announcing the first ever women's Dusty Rhodes Classic next week, which is a great way to entice fans to tune in.

NXT loses points for Austin Theory's slapstick. It just doesn't do anything for me.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+3 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = AEW

With a score of 4 to 3, AEW wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were incredible, but it was AEW which was the tighter show overall. NXT worked really hard to match the quality of Dynamite this week, and in all honesty, it is the fans that are the ultimate winners. Wednesday night remains the best night for wrestling!

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!

Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Dynamite featured a collection of multi wrestler matches this week, such is the nature of wrestling contests on a memorial show. Everyone worked hard to put on a night of strong wrestling and entertainment that would have made the big man proud.

NXT = Most matches this week on NXT were of a good quality, with Pete Dunne vs Roderick Strong the clear match of the night. It was hard hitting and exciting, which was a great way to remind fans how strong they both are. Johnny Gargano vs Leon Ruff was a solid main event, but it wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = The promos for this week's show were tailored to celebrating the life of Brodie Lee, with wrestlers sharing their thoughts and feelings for Lee. It was emotional and gut wrenching, as I fully expected it to be.

NXT = Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly worked well on the microphone this week, displaying a fire that keeps their feud well and truly relevant.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Storylines were not the focus of this week's show, and understandably too.

NXT = Karrion Kross and Damien Priest kept the interest alive for their titanic collision at New Year’s Evil, whilst Mercedes Martinez well and truly put the NXT women’s division on notice.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = For a memorial show, Dynamite was paced well. The matches all worked well, whilst the special touches to honour Brodie Lee's life were touching. The scheduling was as tight as it could be, all things considered.

NXT = NXT was a great show this week, combining awards with matches and storylines to keep fans engaged.

WINNER: AEW

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for putting on a memorial show that Brodie Lee would have been proud of. His passing has hit the wrestling world hard, therefore this show was a great way to give back to a man that lived for professional wrestling.

AEW also gains points for the manner in which everyone put their heart and soul into their performances. Results did not matter tonight, as it was all about remembering Brodie Lee. The fact that everyone worked hard for him was a loving bonus.

AEW loses no points this week, as the purpose of this show was to remember and honour the life of Brodie Lee, which it did perfectly.

NXT gains points for giving the end of year awards to everyone who deserved them. Adam Cole and Io Shirai have been the pillars of NXT this year.

NXT also gains points for putting on a strong show whilst being fully aware of the importance of this week’s episode of Dynamite.

NXT loses points for not putting Pete Dunne vs Roderick Strong in the main event spot.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -0) / NXT (+2 / -1)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER = AEW

With a score of 5 to 2, AEW wins this week's Wednesday Night War. It is hard to grade both shows against each other when AEW provided a memorial show for Brodie Lee, as it is less about a war and more about celebrating the life of a wrestler that meant so much to men and women in both companies. This was a fabulous night of wrestling from both shows, and I feel proud to be able to experience such wrestling. Thank you to everyone who works hard to put a smile on the faces of fans and fellow wrestlers alike.

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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Welcome to another edition of Wednesday Night War from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT and determine which one of the two was the better show.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:

AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT

FACTOR 1: MATCHES

AEW = Dynamite featured a number of solid to great matches this week, with particular emphasis on the quality of the tag team division. Jurassic Express vs Dark Order was all sorts of exciting, whilst The Young Bucks vs The Acclaimed was a fantastic main event.

The only real blip on the show was Chris Jericho and MJF vs Top Flight, which did not come off well at all.

NXT = Dakota Kai vs Rhea Ripley was a tremendous bout, highlighting how talented both women are. Kai in particular looked strong, and whilst she lost, she nevertheless made herself look like a strong threat to NXT’s women’s division.

The main event was extremely disappointing, however this can be attributed to the fallen stock of Velveteen Dream. Adam Cole deserves better than this, whilst it may be best for everyone if Dream quietly goes away from NXT.

WINNER: AEW

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

AEW = Sting’s interview was solid and enjoyable, whilst Kenny Omega and Don Callis were once again entertaining as absolute dicks.

NXT = The Gargano’s performed well in their promo segment, combining dickish heel sentiments with hilarious and over the top jokes.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

AEW = Storylines were lightly advanced this week, but Sting’s presence on the show created tension and anticipation for his first real storyline involvement. It is clear AEW are planting the seeds for multiple feuds, therefore it is great to see this in action.

NXT = The Gargano’s enhanced their glowing reputation as slick heels, whilst NXT’s women’s division continues to effectively weave multiple feuds that have effective builds into one coherent and cohesive overarching storyline.

WINNER: NXT

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

AEW = Dynamite was a solid show this week, and although there was a clear element of holiday fatigue, the pacing of the show wasn’t bad at all. It also helped that the show finished on a high.

NXT = NXT was also a solid show, however the pacing was greatly affected by how the show was structured. Adam Cole vs Velveteen Dream was not a great way to end the show.

WINNER: AEW

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

AEW gains points for pushing Top Flight and The Acclaimed as the future of AEW’s tag team division.

AEW also gains points for Sting continuing to be used correctly. AEW have already surpassed the manner in which WWE presented Sting.

AEW loses points for the struggles experienced by MJF and Chris Jericho as a team. For some reason, this is not the pairing I want to see within Inner Circle.

NXT gains points for continuing to highlight how silly Johnny Gargano is as a heel. He is so over the top that it actually works.

NXT loses points for how poorly presented the main event was. Adam Cole deserves much better than facing off against a damaged and half hearted Velveteen Dream.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+1 / -1)


With a score of 3 to 2, AEW wins this week’s Wednesday Night War. Both shows were more enjoyable than the time of year would suggest, but Dynamite was a much tighter show overall.

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