WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAR:
AEW DYNAMITE vs. NXT
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
AEW = Nearly every match on this week’s episode of Dynamite was a roaring success. The tag team division was highlighted well, with The Acclaimed and Top Flight in particular looking strong in their respective matches.
The main event featured Kenny Omega vs Joey Janela in a No Disqualification match. The action was good, but it was the unique feel to the match that made it memorable. Omega and Don Callis gave live commentary of the action, which was something I haven’t seen executed so well since CM Punk did it at the 2010 Royal Rumble.
NXT = NXT featured two amazing matches this week. Pete Dunne and Kyle O’Reilly fought for the right to face Finn Balor for the NXT Championship, and both men put everything into the match. The action was hard hitting, frenetic, and oh so exciting. The Undisputed Era star won, but Dunne looked strong in defeat.
Toni Storm finally exorcised her demons by defeating Rhea Ripley in a fantastic match. Both women worked hard, but it was Storm who underlined just how valuable she can be to NXT’s women’s division.
WINNER: NXT
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
AEW = Top Flight truly announced their arrival with a strong promo, challenging Chris Jericho and MJF to a match next week. The Acclaimed also gave a fun in ring promo against SCU, rapping about how much better they are.
NXT = Toni Storm and Rhea Ripley gave some strong promos, but the show was missing a killer promo this week.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
AEW = Britt Baker advanced her feud with Thunder Rosa, whilst the tag team division continued to build up the litany of teams that can reasonably challenge for the AEW Tag Team Championship. Dynamite has done a great job making all of it’s feuds feel important, in addition to creating additional intrigue over what characters such as Sting will do.
NXT = Toni Storm vs Rhea Ripley and Karrion Kross’ return to in ring action were great storyline devices, as too was the development of the Gargano’s and their wider circle.
WINNER: AEW
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
AEW = Dynamite was a strong show this week, featuring a strong mix of matches and promos. The pacing was great, however the main event would have benefitted from more time.
NXT = NXT was a fabulous show, focusing more on great matches than overall storyline development. Pacing was good, as matches had time to breathe.
WINNER: NXT
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
AEW gains points for the subtle nuances to Sting’s appearances. His links to Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin may currently be tenuous, but I want to find out more.
AEW also gains points for remembering that Rey Fenix never lost in the AEW World Championship number one contender tournament. This allowed PAC to be the beautiful bastard he is and taunt Kenny Omega.
AEW loses points for once again making Miro look ineffective. A $75,000 fine is not cool.
AEW also loses points for the manner in which Eddie Kingston looked weak on the microphone, primarily due to his assertion that PAC was gone from AEW through injury.
NXT gains points for ehancing the strength of their women's division by giving Toni Storm the rub she needs to be presented as a viable threat.
NXT also gains points for setting up Finn Balor vs Kyle O'Reilly II.
NXT loses points for the silliness that is Xia Li's ongoing storyline.
POINT ADJUSTMENTS: AEW (+2 / -2) / NXT (+2 / -1)
THIS WEEK'S WINNER = NXT
With a score of 3 to 2, NXT wins this week's Wednesday Night War. Both shows were awesome, but it was NXT that was slightly more polished than Dynamite.
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: