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!
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