WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
AEW = Every AEW title was on the line this week to celebrate the milestone of the first anniversary of Dynamite. FTR vs Best Friends opened the show in a luxuriously decadent and thrilling match, with FTR successfully retaining the AEW Tag Team Championship. FTR managed to look stronger than ever, but they also managed to elevate Best Friends to their level, although credit needs to be given to Best Friends for making fans believe they had a realistic chance of winning the titles.
The main event of the evening featured Jon Moxley defending his AEW World Championship against Lance Archer in a No Disqualification match. The action was intense, but it didn't come anywhere close to the heights of their NJPW Texas Deathmatch. It was entertaining, but it left the show on a bit of a sour note, especially as both men are capable of better.
NXT = Just like Dynamite, NXT featured a tag team match in the opener. The Undisputed Era took on Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch in an exciting bout to determine the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship. The action was hard hitting and off the hook, setting up the rest of the show well. The Undisputed Era reaffirmed their value to the division, whilst Lorcan and Burch lost nothing in defeat.
Damien Priest defended his NXT North American Championship against Dexter Lumis in a match which promised so much, but throughly disappointed. Both men are capable of better, but I felt that Lumis still had some level of ring rust. It wasn't bad, but it was disappointing when considering how talented both men are.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
AEW = The promo segment between MJF and Chris Jericho was rather intense, paving the way for a steak dinner next week. The promo was cringey at times, but this fit the overall narrative. MJF is a real talent on the microphone, and he displayed so much chracter here.
NXT = The show opening promo from The Undisputed Era was a solid way to kick off the show. Kyle O'Reilly spoke of a second coming of the golden propehecy, which was a decadent way of saying The Undisputed Era would rule again. I enjoyed this promo, especially as it was short, sweet, and rather effective.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
AEW = Lance Archer increased the anticipation for his AEW World Championship match with Jon Moxley by attacking him backstage during the early part of the show. This was a highly effective manner to build to the match, whilst also serving as a strong way to garner sympathy for Moxley.
NXT = NXT continues to build up numerous feuds for Halloween Havoc, with Raquel Gonzalez vs Rhea Ripley advanced well. We also saw rematches set up for Damien Priest vs Johnny Gargano and Io Shirai vs Candice LeRae. This is the type of long term storytelling that NXT excels in.
WINNER: NXT
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
AEW = This week's episode of Dynamite felt truly special, and this can be attributed to the fact it was the first anniversary show. Matches had an extra level of gloss to them, whilst everyone on the show seemed motivated and proud of the acheivement of the anniversary.
NXT = NXT was a great show, featuring a healthy mix of matches and promo segments. NXT was always going to be at a disadvantage by not having a theme to go head to head with AEW's anniversary show, but they put on a good show nonetheless.
WINNER: AEW
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
AEW gains points for Eddie Kingston re-inserting himself into the main event picture. His supposed turn was handled well.
AEW also gains points for the finish to Cody vs Orange Cassidy. A time limit draw is rarely used on television these days, and it was used perfectly here.
AEW loses points for once again utilising Miro in a team with Kip Sabian. Give this man a strong singles push!
NXT gains points for building up Toni Storm as a threat in an already stacked women's division.
NXT also gains points for adding a level of intrigue over the NXT Championship situation. No-one wants to see Finn Balor stripped of the title, but William Regal hinting at potential action is highly intriguing.
NXT loses points for trying to make Xia Li relevant. She is not capable of pushing the ratings needle in the way that NXT needs.
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. AEW wins this week on the strength of their anniversary show, but that is not to say NXT wasn't strong. NXT is getting stronger each week, and I cannot wait for Halloween Havoc.
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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