The boss Ross Casey joins myself, JCH, and Brum as this weeks guest judge. AEW with just one defeat in 4 weeks looks to carry on its strong form since the turn of the year, NXT has been keeping them at arms length but defeat this week and they may start to get nervous. Find out who wins right here.
Form Guide:
Week 16 - AEW split decision.
Week 15 - NXT split decision
Week 14 - Majority Draw
Week 13 - AEW majority decision
Week 12 - NXT unanimous decision
Rd 1: Strong vs Reed (plus Dream promo) vs Elite/SCU (plus tag Team brawl)
JCH: Two good in ring segments, followed by storyline progression after the matches. This is what I signed up for. SCU and the Dark order weren’t at there worst here but they were involved and that coupled with some excellence from the Dream sees NXT take round 1
NXT 10-9 AEW
Brum: Two good matches to kick off proceedings tonight. Over on NXT, they didn’t ignore the ramifications of UE’s previous bullying exploits, as Reed came back for revenge on Roddy. This was a fun contest & furthered the Roddy Dream build. NXT have to be a little careful here so they don’t make Roddy too sympathetic but all good so far.
I’ve pleaded my SCU ambivalence on these pages before but I enjoyed tonight’s encounter. It was a gruelling affair which showcased both teams well. As for storyline implications, we have some potential good news! Commentary were speculating a lot about Daniels as the higher power so that should hopefully mean it isn’t him? Still hoping for by Raven (especially as now it looks it’s not Marty). AEW edge this.
10-9 AEW.
Ross: First things first this was a great showing from Reed, who I have rated for a long time and I am glad he got to have a decently long TV match against a very good opponent. Especially as it made sense story wise.
However, this Dream versus Strong stuff… how am I supposed to support Dream here? Bringing family into the feud is VERY heelish and it’s hardly a double turn when Roderick Strong was being a jock prick last week by shaving people’s heads because he can.
Their promos were both delivered very well, but the content for me made me question why I should pull for either guy.
AEW on the other hand produced a very good match that all made sense from a storyline perspective, adding layers to the Page and Omega dynamic and also promoting next week’s battle royal.
A slim victory for TNT.
AEW 10-9
Rd 2: Kai vs LeRae (plus aftermath) vs Guevara vs Dustin (plus post-match promo)
JCH: See above. Again the in ring was good and we got movement on stories after the matches. Tegan/Dakota is all set to go off on Sunday whilst Dustin angering Big Hurt gets their feud moving again. Nothing separating two good segments here.
NXT 10-10 AEW. 20-19 NXT.
Brum: Another tough round to grade. I’m enjoying the Kai/Nox feud & I think LeRae is great but this match wasn’t more than “good”. AEW wasn’t a classic either but just edges it.
I can imagine some people being put out that 74 year old Dustin beat the Spanish God but (a) I don’t think the loss hurts Sammy too much; (b) that home town pop was great; & (c) it was a good setup for the Hager match. My main criticism of this was Dustin talking about Hager’s “failing” MMA career. He’s undefeated! That just makes the good guy look stupid. And even if it was failing, why highlight that as in a feud you want to build up the credentials of your opponent! Silly.
10-9 AEW. 20-18 AEW so far.
Ross: How on earth is Dustin Rhodes still this good? I love him. His match was decent and whilst I was somewhat surprised that he went over here, I think it played brilliantly into the post-match angle and he was fire on the mic. I’m excited for Goldust v Jack Swagger in 2020. Who knew?
I make no apologies to say that the Nox v Kai stuff on NXT has been my favourite feud for a while
on the show. I think they have delivered big time and their match at Takeover was excellent too.
The blood in this match added to the drama and Kai winning was the right call. Getting Nox to come out on top in the post-match was the icing on the cake - their aggression and chemistry is fantastic.
A clear draw here - can’t fault either.
AEW 10-10 NXT. 20-19 AEW.
Rd 3: Grimes vs Gargano vs Nyla/Riho
JCH: These were two good shows. Grimes continues to impress when giving the opportunity as Gargano tuned up for Sunday, however Rose vs Riho was my Match of the Night. Perfect match between underdog babyface and dominant heel. Believable near falls on both sides and Nyla back stage asking where her bubbly was just iced the cake.
AEW 10-9 NXT. 29-29
Brum: Bloody hell, hard set of judging tonight. Third round in a row that I’ve had to wrestle with. Gargano & Grimes are such smooth guys and they matched up well. The inevitability of the result held this back a bit but was still a good watch.
AEW edge another round though as they deliver the best Women’s Dynamite match to date. Riho is very talented but her reign has been a bit of a damp squib. The women’s roster challenging a dominant Nyla with Baker in the background being a mean dentist looks a good framework for the division as a whole.
10-9 AEW. 30-27 AEW so far.
Ross: Considering that this all happened only a few days out from NXT: TakeOver Portland then you’d have forgiven Gargano phoning it in like Grimes at SSS16, but no, these two slugged the hell out of each other in a super competitive match and I loved it.
Usually, that would be enough to win the round, but AEW put on a very good match and a title change that featured a great story and a genuine game changing moment in a trans woman winning a title.
I really enjoyed this match as I am an absolute sucker for small babyfaces wrestling big monster heels. Rose was a brilliant arsehole here. Congrats, champ!
AEW 10-9 NXT. 30-28 AEW.
Rd 4: Rush vs Garza (plus Devlin). Vs MJF/Jungle Boy
JCH: Two guys with great chemistry met to decide the next challenger to Jordan Devlin’s Cruiserweight Title, probably the weakest of their trio of matches, but still enough to see off MJF and Jungle Boy in ring. However the re-direction of Brandi, and ditching the Nightmare Collective, and the continued attention paid to the Cody/MJF feud grabs a draw for AEW
AEW 10-10 NXT. 39-39
Brum: This is getting silly. In the words of Hercule Poirot, my little grey cells are being exercised tonight. All 4 rounds have been tight so far. Over on NXT, Garza & Rush have great chemistry. I think my favourite encounter was their second but this was fun too. We also get a face off with Devlin and I’m not complaining about Jordan on my TV.
MJF & JB delivered too. I watched JB’s Dad’s last film appearance the night before so I got a bit emotional during this match. Though he’s a ridiculous promo, MJF has received a bit of flack on his in-ring work. With that said, he looks to be improving &, dare I say it, I think his previously maligned CrossRhodes may now be the best variant of the move. Praise aside, NXT did enough to squeeze out their first win of the night.
10-9 NXT. 39-37 AEW so far.
Ross: Those who question MJF’s in-ring work were probably eating their words watching his match with Jungle Boy this week. Some of the sequences were fantastic. He continues to flourish and the more he can put in performances like this to add to his incredible mic work, can only be better for his longevity in the company,
However, Rush v Garza was fucking awesome and a worthy round winner for NXT. I loved the callbacks to their previous matches and think Rush winning was the right call.
HYPE for him versus Devlin.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 39-37 AEW.
Rd 5: Belair vs Garrett (plus Ripley) vs Britt Baker promo
JCH: Britt Baker continues her redemption tour from uninteresting babyface to fantastically hateable heel. Bianca got the drop on Rhea going in to the Takeover match which reminded me of a writer called John Canton who’s motto was Look good on T.V, lose on P.P.V. I think this will be the case here as well. I’m staying on the fence.
AEW 10-10 NXT. 49-49
Brum: ANOTHER TIGHT ROUND. AAAAHHHH. Nice squash over on NXT. NXT have done well building Rhea & Belair up even though everyone knows the outcome. My biggest issue with this segment was Garrett completely no-selling after the match. I’m not sure if that was her throwing a tantrum or just being a tad green.
Baker has been so entertaining since turning. I still find her cadence a bit jarring but that’s a minor complaint. After 4 rounds of being a brave & bold judge, I’ve finally been defeated & handing out my first tie of the night. Lo siento.
10-10. 49-47 AEW so far.
Ross: Baker as a heel is fun isn’t it? Her interviews with poor Tony are becoming must see. My highlight this week was the “That tooth had extensive decay and was coming out anyway, so I took that tooth out for free.“
Again though, this round goes to NXT. The three way feud between Bianca, Rhea and Charlotte has me as excited as Pete would be at a female bodybuilding event.
NXT 10-9. 48-47 so far.
Rd 6: Cole vs Kushida (plus Ciampa). Vs Santana/Moxley (plus Cobb)
JCH:This is a weird one, the person I enjoyed watching the most in the ring out of these 4 was Kushida, he was looking great until Cole beat him in two moves. The highlight of the two segments was the introduction of Jeff Cobb. The big man’s introduction after the tease earlier in the night steals the round for AEW
AEW 10-9 NXT. 59-58 AEW
Brum: My hope of any easy rounds to judge tonight has now officially gone down the shitter. This may actually be the hardest to judge of all. Really happy to see KUSHIDA get a main event match over in NXT. I’m not going to overly criticise NXT’s use of KUSHIDA but considering his background, he’s been a bit quiet. I’m hoping he’s just being benched for later in the year. Good match & good post-match too.
Mox vs Santana wasn’t as good in-ring as the NXT match but the story & post-match were great. I get why they mentioned Cobb earlier in the show as otherwise people would think he was in the Inner Circle, but it did take a bit of shine from the debut. I’m sitting on the fence again for this one.
10-10. 59-57 AEW so far.
Ross: I really bloody love KUSHIDA, but he isn’t winning that Full Sail crowd over is he? This match felt flat despite the decent in-ring work because of that in my opinion, the crowd either wanted Cole to win or didn’t care enough to truly get behind KUSHIDA.
The post-match was simple and effective in my opinion, not everything has to end in a brawl.
However, I thought the AEW closer was better, with Mox having his eye for an eye match and then the big Jeff Cobb debut. I also love a stable pose over a fallen body, so bonus points there.
AEW 10-8 NXT. 58-55 AEW
Rd 7: Other - Riddle/Dunne, Dijakovic/Lee (Merk Henry package), Ciampa. Vs Darby promo, JR and Santana. Jericho promo, Pac Video
JCH: Great stuff all-round on the backstage side this week. Let’s start with Riddle and Dunne’s adventures, yeah it was a bit cheesy, but it was fun and that is why we’re here. I absolutely loved the narration from Mark Henry on Dijakovic/Lee, plus some strong Ciampa work. That was great and after watching NXT I thought for sure they would take the bonus round this week. Then AEW started. Santana with his heartfelt sit-down. Darby Allin using Sammy Guevara’s own placards as a challenge was excellent and Pac continued with his series of promos that I love from both an aesthetic and tonal point of view. I’ll get back on to my fence!
AEW 10-10 NXT.
Brum: Even the bonus round is tough to judge! I liked the Mark Henry hoss review over in NXT but the main segments there tonight are the 3 Broserweight skits. I’m interested to see what the general reaction to these are; I’m guessing it will be pretty positive. I did enjoy them but they were a bit on the nose for my kind of humour. NXT’s standout for me tonight was the Ciampa piece. Interesting setting & well delivered.
Over in AEW, we got 2 fantastic segments. The Santana interview was great. The start about his Dad legit got my spine tingling. I thought it had a risk of making him too sympathetic, but he turned it around with his hypocrisy later in the interview – subtle & well executed. These PAC grimacing his way around Newcastle videos are so good. More please.
I think people who loved the Broserweights stuff may disagree but for me, AEW edged this too.
10-9 AEW.
Ross: I can’t really fault any of the packages this week, but a shoutout to Pac for his performance again. Loving his work.
10-10 DRAW
Overall
JCH: I thought today was a good week of TV wrestling, not a huge a lot of in ring action I will remember but lots elsewhere. Where AEW shaded it, I think, is that they are two weeks away from their PPV and things are still progressing, whilst NXT’s stories are ready for Sunday and they were mainly just setting the table. Very tight matchup and Nyla/Riho deserved to be on the winning side for me. The AEW women’s division has come in for a lot of criticism but these two delivered in the High Stakes match (speaking of High Stakes, if you missed the excellent RevPro show from Friday, go out of your way to build a time machine and go back and experience it live)
69-68 AEW
Brum: Tonight’s H2H is a perfect microcosm of AEW’s largest strength over NXT: entertainment. NXT is overall a tighter product than AEW; it is better in-ring & makes way less mistakes, but it never feels as “must-watch”. If asked, I would probably (though it’s very close) say NXT is my favourite weekly wrestling show but yet since its birth, I’ve watch AEW first every single week.
I know I banged about it each round, but every segment was close tonight. With that said, I think the scores echo my overall thoughts as AEW delivers again.
69-66 AEW.
Ross: AEW have won for the first time under my scoring card and they are worthy winners in my opinion. Not to say that NXT was a bad show this week, but AEW just felt a little more important, which is kind of strange considering this was the go home show for NXT.
Wednesdays continue to be a blast, though. We are pretty spoilt. WSBF and these shows certainly were.
68-65 AEW
Winner by Unanimous Decision - AEW
Two on the spin for AEW. All three of us thought these shows were pretty close but AEW edged the big moments and takes home its second unanimous decision win overall and closes the gap to 8-5. Will they continue to roll on the road to Revolution? Find out next week with myself, Brum and guest host Dom Van Dam.
OVERALL SCORECARDS
NXT - 8 (by split decision - 4, by majority decision - 2, by unanimous decision - 2)
Draw -4 (3 majority draws, 1 split draw)
AEW - 5 (by majority decision - 1, by unanimous decision -2, by split decision - 2)
INDIVIDUAL SCORECARDS:
JCH: NXT - 9; Draw - 3 AEW - 5
Brum: NXT - 6; Draw - 5; AEW - 6
Matt C: NXT - 5; Draw - 1; AEW – 4
Ross : NXT - 3; Draw - 0; AEW - 1
DVD: NXT -0; Draw - 0; AEW - 1
Sal: NXT - 0; Draw - 0; AEW - 2
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