WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
AEW = This week's episode of Dynamite featured some strong matches, including the intriguing tag team match between the team of Darby Allin and Cody Rhodes, and the team of Ricky Starks and Hobbs. It was an exciting match that blended a strong storyline and pulsating action. Allin won, but the post match beatdown added to the intensity of the contest.
The main event of the show featured Jon Moxley vs Kenny Omega for the AEW World Championship. This was a vicious match that facilitated a heel turn from Omega, as Don Callis helped him win the title. This felt like the Omega of old, with both men putting on a fantastic performance.
NXT = NXT once again felt like a show booked around the main event, with yet another Ladder Match determining the advantage for one of the WarGames matches. Shotzi Blackheart was able to overcome Raquel Gonzalez to secure the advantage for her team, with both women looking strong throughout the contest.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
AEW = Jon Moxley's promo was the highlight of a show light on these segments. He has really grown into a strong talker in AEW, with this week's offering coming across really well.
NXT = NXT once again struggled with Boa and the storyline revolving around Xia Li. It is just awful at this point, and it is doing nothing positive for anyone involved.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
AEW = It appears as though we are in the midst of an invasion angle between AEW and Impact Wrestling. Don Callis has orchestrated this alongside Kenny Omega, but we will have to wait until next Tuesday to see what it means. Honestly, this is a superb development in the world of wrestling.
NXT = Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa are enjoying a fine storyline, with both men coming across as pure badasses. Both of the WarGames matches received a fair amount of exposure, which means that overall, NXT storylines are chugging along just fine.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
AEW = Winter is Coming was a quality episode of Dynamite, combining great matches with fantastic storyline development. The pacing was great, adding to the quality of the show.
NXT = NXT was a good episode this week, serving as a good go home show for NXT TakeOver: WarGames. The pacing was good, but not as fresh and breezy as Dynamite.
WINNER: AEW
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
AEW gains points for Kenny Omega becoming AEW World Champion. It will be intriguing to see how his reign pans out.
AEW gains points for Sting's return to TNT television. I agonised over whether or not this was a positive, but ultimately, his name value could bring more viewers to the product.
AEW loses points for how soon it has taken for Inner Circle to look foolish with MJF in their ranks.
NXT gains points for putting on yet another exciting Ladder Match.
NXT also gains points for making Grizzled Young Veterans look like a big deal. Hopefully this will be a continuing trend.
NXT loses points for everything Xia Li related. Just stop this nonsense now!
POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -1) / NXT (+2 / -1)
THIS WEEK'S WINNER = AEW
With a score of 5 to 1, AEW wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Winter is Coming was a fantastic special episode of Dynamite, for which NXT simply had no answer.
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!
0 comments: