It’s week 16 of our combat sports style scorecard of the Wednesday Night Wars. Brum and I are thrilled to welcome back Sal to the panel this week. It’s his 2nd appearance as a judge. Moving him to 5th All-Time in Head to Head appearances. Find out what the three of us thought right here.
Form Guide
Week 15 - NXT split decision
Week 14 - Majority Draw
Week 13 - AEW majority decision
Week 12 - NXT unanimous decision
Week 11. - NXT unanimous decision
Rd1: Moxley/Ortiz vs Swerve/Garza
JCH:Round 1, I was a bit burnt out at the start of these two shows. I went to an excellent Attack show last night and I don’t think either of this week’s efforts came close to matching that, but there was still some good stuff. Swerve and Garza for one thing. I could watch these two wrestle a lot and knowing WWE’s love of doing things to death there is a chance I might. Jericho and Sammy on comms were entertaining again. They and the post-match attack salvage a draw for AEW after the in-ring action from Mox and Ortiz passed me by if I’m honest.
10-10
Brum:For the second week in a row, the first segment is a tough one to grade. Garza & Swerve are a good match up & they deliver again. I think this was the better in-ring match of the two, but AEW bring it up to all square with the post-match. Commentary were fantastic here as they didn’t just back Moxley because he’s the face. Instead, they criticised his actions because he went too far. Good stuff.
10-10.
Sal:Garza vs Swerve: Nigel marking out for the most beautiful man in the world always pops me. Swerves offense of springboard top rope hurricaranas, back suplex into a flatliner ultimately not enough to outdo Garza removing his pants and hitting the wing clipper.
Mox vs Ortiz: pirates and people who own TNA world titles are in the crowd as they sing Judas for Jericho on commentary. Ortiz looked really good in singles competition, but the cigarette machine as Jericho calls him, falls to Mox. We’re going downtown to Chinatown! Santana jumps Mox post-match which proves to be a terrible idea as Mox who still has the Ford GT keys and decides to jam it into Santana’s eye!!!!! Mox escapes through the crowd and gives us a Steve Urkel did I do that pose.
Garza gets me as excited as Nigel and the match was brilliant. However, we are well on our way to turning all the Inner Circle into cyclops.
10-9 AEW
Rd2: Best Friends/SCU (plus Dark Order) vs Dain/Dijakovic (plus Keith Lee)
JCH:I’m not into the Dark Order and I’m not into SCU (Sorry Scorpio you’ve been good). I was hoping the Best friends would get a win here to move up in the ranks. However, they did not and this whole segment descended into Dark Order bollocks. If it turns out to be Christopher Daniels. IT WAS ME ALL ALONG. SCREW YOU AUSTIN. Then I will be the opposite of ecstatic. Dijakovic is the highlight of this segment. He is fun to watch, Dain the man put in his path to overcome and keep on rolling towards big Keith. The very sight of Big Keith with a mic was the equivalent of an injury time second goal to put the round out of reach.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 20-19 NXT
Brum:Not a lot to say about the NXT match apart from that it was good. I was excited when Damo signed with WWE, but there’s something that still isn’t clicking for me with Killian Dain. I don’t really know what his character is. Similar story to Round 1 with AEW. Match good but slightly weaker than NXT. However, post-match brings it up to a draw.
In terms of the “Who Is The Higher Power???” storyline, no contact implies Daniels, but commentary referenced the voice from weeks prior which was 98% Raven. Though it feels a few weeks early for the reveal; if it was Daniels, tonight would have worked as beating up Orange Cassidy is a guaranteed way to get the crowd to boo you.
10-10. 20-20so far.
Sal:Dijak vs Dain is a great big hoss match. We get Dijak somersaulting off the steps and Dain doing John Woooooo dropkicks. Dijak serves up an eye feast then we get a Basking of glory stare down with Lee.
Best Friends/SCUuuuuuuu
Orange Cassidy makes me question global warming because he puts on both Chuck and Trent’s ring jackets right off the bat and I begin to lose my mind. Ross reminds us that despite this fun a man will be whipped tonight. He also claims he isn’t senile because he knows the difference between Scorpio Sky and Two Cold Scorpio. SCuuuuuu reverses the best friend finisher for the win.
Cassidy at one point in the match with everyone down and just lays down with them like a stoner on a grass hill starring at the clouds. Trent sells his neck like an actor in a car accident lawyer commercial. I’m really looking forward to the Godzilla vs King Kong battle of the monsters as its one of the better feuds of all time. Orange Cassidy’s existence will one day unite the world and for this gets the edge.
10-9 AEW. 20-18 AEW
Rd3: Baker/Yuka vs Mercedes/Kacy
JCH:Nothing wrong with Martinez and Catanzaro. It helps to establish Mercedes as a character. She showed some viciousness smashing Kacy into the barricade a few times and picked up the win. New however continue with some strong work in their women’s division. Britt Baker is a great heel. Maybe she is just a bit unlikable or maybe it suits her wrestling style better, whatever it is this was a fun match with a super-likeable babyface in Yuka. Yuka got the win by outfoxing her, Pissed off Britt curb stomped her tooth out. Does anyone know a dentist? Aside - the coms were talking about Baker’s taste in men. I thought they said she only dates fat guys? Was this a dig at Cole or did I miss-hear it?
Win for AEW
AEW 10-9 NXT. 29-29
Brum: Decent match over in NXT with Martinez looking good (or bad I guess, in storyline terms). However, it gets a 10-6 because AEW didn’t give Yuka her AYAYAYAYAYAYA music. Actually, 10-6 isn’t enough. This is a knockout. Fuck you AEW. My review ends here.
Apparently, knockouts aren’t allowed so I’m going to forget about the music thing otherwise I’ll cry myself to sleep. The rest of the match was good. Yuka is such a brilliant babyface that it makes her a perfect foil for new mean Baker. Yuka winning was great too and the right move. We also get the third straight banging post-match segment from AEW!
Firstly, well done Britt for using the ring bell – such a nostalgic foreign object!! The Jimmy Havoc style curb stomp was good too (I wonder if she learnt this from her AEW colleague? If she did, I’m glad she didn’t go full Jimmy style – that is too brutal for my Victorian dowager temperament). Finally, the tooth and blood coming out of Yuka’s mouth was a wonderful touch! Good stuff all round (apart from the fucking music – sort it out Kenny!!)
10-9 AEW. 30-29 AEW so far.
Sal:Mercedes vs Ninja Warrior was a solid tv match that welcomes Kacy. She wants to prove “you can do anything that people tell you that you can’t”. Rage against the machine. Kacy’s offense looks clean here but ends in a fisherman suplex giving Mercedes the win.
Bakers new attitude continues to evolve as she takes on the magical girl. Britt as a heel on the offensive is fantastic doing the little things like pulling Yuka's hair to apply the lock jaw. Yuka will a surprise crucifix pin makes Baker wig out full kill bill mode. She hits Yuka with the ring bell and CURB STOMPS her in the rope. It knocks out a few teeth and Britt applies the lock jaw with Yuka bleeding from the mouth.
Mercedes had a solid match to establish her more as she comes up in the ranks. Baker went full American History X. I’m impressed by AEWs ability to change Bakers character when it wasn’t working. Plus, Tony Schiavone screams Britt needs to stop, she’s a dentist for crying out loud. Haha
10-9 AEW. 30-27 AEW
Rd4: Sabian/Janela vs Devlin/Breeze
JCH:Last week Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford won a big segment to nick a victory for AEW, not so much this week. I’m not into Joey Janela. I don’t care that his old girlfriend is now dating Kip Sabian. Even though she is a great asset and heel manager. J.R was good here I thought telling us how Janela is more than a death match guy. The match was fine, but I wasn’t hooked to it. I wasn’t expecting to be hooked by a 2020 Tyler Breeze match to be honest. I think he’s a good performer. Just by never making it to the top he’s sort of designated to always be in this role of putting people over, however he’s working with an excellent talent in Devlin and these two had my match of the night. It’s a knockdown win.
NXT 10-8 AEW. 39-37.
Brum:R4: I wasn’t particularly excited about Janela & Sabian tonight. I like them both, but the pairing didn’t stir my loins. However, well done both as it was a decent match. Not as good as NXT though. Jordan Devlin is an absolutely fantastic wrestler. Beating Breeze is a good way to give his reign credibility. Even though Tyler isn’t very high on the totem pole, he has name value so a good scalp for Devlin.
10-9 NXT. 39-39 so far.
Sal:During the entrance we get a how you doin’ on commentary from JR directed at Penelope. This match is really good and one of the more technical matches I’ve seen from Janela. Kip and Penelope give us the kiss cam and Janela bumps Ford off the apron leading to a pull the tights roll up for the kip win.
Devlin is one of my favorite in ring guys to watch and Tyler might be my favorite gimmick ever to not be a legit singles champion. Devlin attacks a breeze pre match because he hates good looking people. Really aggressive back and forth and Breeze is taking it to Devlin. At the end we get a wicked Devlin head butt and his back drop driver for the win.
I love Jordan in ring and I legit scream TYLERRRR like a teenage girl at a Backstreet Boys concert every time I hear the beginning of his theme. I like the Janela/Kip feud but neither of them are gorgeous.
10-9 NXT. 39-37 AEW.
Rd5: Cody/MJF vs Bianca/Charlotte/Rhea
JCH:I don’t really know what to say about Cody and MJF. It was an awkward, disturbing segment of television. It was performed fantastically well by CODY who was an absolute star here. Dustin and the Bucks were great as well. MJF was an annoying shit. Brandi getting him through the last one. It was a rollercoaster. Did I enjoy it? I don’t think so. Has it made me want to see him beat the shot out of MJF? Yes. So, the segment worked. I think the match should go about 5 minutes though. Just CODY destroying the little prick. NXT bought out the big gun, but first we got Bianca Belair. Who was the star of this segment. If anyone saw the Mad Kurt vs Trent Seven vs Eddie Kingston match, this started out a little bit like this. With Charlotte ignoring Bianca - side note - “You don’t even go here” Great line. I loved the twist of Rhea sticking up for her brand and the two of them disposing of the Queen. My heart is saying they shouldn’t lose this segment, but I think I have to give AEW the nod here. I’d like to go 11-10 but I’m not breaking my own scale.
AEW 10-9 NXT. 48-47 NXT
Brum:Great segment on NXT. I get why they did it on a bigger stage, but I wish Rhea & Flair’s first confrontation would have been in NXT rather than Raw. Tonight wasn’t just about Rhea & Charlotte though as Bianca was good too. “You don’t even go here” is a top catchphrase. The TakeOver match is not in doubt but at least this helps me pretend more.
As good as that NXT segment was, it’s taking nothing from this round. Woof, AEW. Woof. The pacing on the 10 lashes segment was bold. To have the patience to do it at that pace was a surprise but they got it spot on. It all felt so visceral and the attempted interventions worked too. Excellent job.
10-9 AEW. 49-48 AEW so far.
Sal:The whole build-up to this and making it a main event segment really makes you anticipate the moment but also cringe with how vicious this may turn out. The time between whips, Wardlow getting a go and everyone coming out to show Cody support/watch the spectacle make it all feel important.
Belair comes out and reminds people to not overlook the EST which brings out Charlotte and eventually Rhea. I mean I’m all for Charlotte vs Rhea in a battle of the strongest shoulders in the women’s division. Belair steals the moment in this segment with her reaction to Charlotte sticking her hand in Bianca’s face.
I have taken maybe one or two belt whips as a kid on my legs and that was too much. Props to Cody. I almost wanted to call it a draw if you could believe it simply based on the “You don’t even go here” line.
10-9 AEW. 49-46 AEW
Rd6: Elite 8-man (plus Pac/Kenny) vs Era 6-man (plus Dream)
JCH:A couple of fun multi-man matches with all the biggest stars in. Enjoyed both, won’t remember much about either. Shout out to Matt Riddle and his hot-tag and Page not tagging the Bucks to continue that storyline. The post-match was where it was at though. I’d forgotten about last week’s numbers and the Dream return was good, PAC however gave another outstanding, chilling performance to earn his match with Kenneth and build up to next week’s Women’s title match as well and I think that gets the job done for AEW
AEW 10-9 NXT. 57-57
Brum:R6: With the people involved, no surprises that this was a really fun match. The Dream return was a bag of fun too – those tights!! The downside was that they spoiled the reveal last week. I love a vignette as much as the next person but what did that add? Dream’s return would have been a lot hotter if it was a surprise. People may say that advance advertising improves viewership (which is true) but in this case, it was a semi-mysterious vignette so wouldn’t have grabbed casual fans anyway.
The AEW multi-man was also fun though not quite as good as NXT’s. My favourite part was the finish as rather than Page creating tension by refusing to tag in (a heelish move), he did it by refusing to tag out. Even more so, they set it up well by having it be the Bucks who were jilted, rather than his partner, Omega.
Even though I preferred the NXT match itself, AEW save themselves again with a great post-match! PAC was great here. I genuinely didn’t know what would happen. I’m also proper shipping PAC & Nyla Rose now. This, combined with the reveal spoil, wasn’t enough to beat NXT but it was enough to make honours even.
10-10. 59-58 AEW so far.
Sal: The 8 man starts with a heartfelt moment of Tony complimenting JRs mustard and sauces. The match is all the sauces all the time non-stop action. Only Dustin Hoffman in Rain man knows who is legal. Pages character work throughout of sitting out during the double teams and interrupts the super kick party is intriguing. Page refuses to tag out and he gets caught my Penta for the win
UE vs Ciampa/Broserweights
Of course, a brilliant match but I really enjoyed the part where Ciampa allows Kyle to tag in Cole. Roddy interferes leading to a Dairy Queen finish and beat down. Then those lottery balls show up on the tron and BAH GAWD it’s Velveteen Dream. I fall to the floor and start shaking like D Von taking any big bump. Dream takes on UE by himself and poses making my heart full.
Everything about the AEW tag had me going. Page is so great I’m actually cheering for alcoholism. PAC threatening Hitting women makes me laugh only after Nyla does the dirty work for him.
Once Velveteen Dream came out, I felt the way you feel when picking up a loved one at the airport you haven’t seen in a while and hugging them. Dream had Rick Rude esque tights on with Roddy’s whole family including a generous offer of Call me up Marina. Someone call Jack Tunney and tell him never mind Brock vs Drew. Dream should main event Mania and all shows and brands of WWE.
10-9 NXT. 58-56 AEW
Rd7: The rest -Santana promo, Elite angst, Dark Order Commercial, Lashes chat vs. Era/Riddle/Dunne in ring segment, Balor/Gargano interview, Era looking for and finding Ciampa, Mercedes vid
JCH: Weekly Elite angst segment which Hangman doesn’t care about as he’s drunk. Loved it. Santana promo. Really liked it. Taz and Dustin chatting lashes. Nice Touch. Dark Order commercial. I don’t like commercials and I don’t like the Dark order. So not fussed. It was a good week backstage for AEW, but this week we had in my opinion, a really strong back and forth between Balor and Gargano. I felt there was feeling there, but the winning point in this round is scored by Matt Riddle. He came out in a golf cart, he’s managed to make ‘that’s a thing now’ a thing and he started a chant of ‘How many fish could Bobby Fish fry, if Bobby fish could fry fish’. Do we deserve Matt Riddle? Yes, Does Vince McMahon deserve him? No. I hope the rumours are true and Vince hates him and he stays on NXT. Riddle for the win.
NXT 10-9 AEW
Brum:I’m going to buck a trend & not give the bonus segment to AEW! NXT had a lot of extras this week. I think the highlight was them shaving that poor lad’s head. I get oddly triggered by head shaving without consent so that made me want the UE to get beat up which is the point. I also hope Riddle succeeds in getting the fans to cheer that Bobby Fish tonguetwister in one of his future matches. The Balor Gargano promo was good too.
However, my favourite bonus bit of the week was that Santana promo. It was a tad weird as he’s a heel, but it was absolute fire. The Elite stuff continues to be good and we also got another nice fake Dark Order ad (check out the captions if you missed them). I said AEW didn’t win but they did enough to make this the 4th tied round of the night!
10-10
Sal:The segments of UE looking for Ciampa were brilliant. They find a small barber college backstage and give bad haircuts. They turn Kushida into Oscar the grouch and put him in a trash can and beat up Bronson Reed. I liked how Rhea and Bianca came together to beat up Charlotte. Finn the guy who lost to Lashley 17 times going says he will murder Gargano. Gargano is going to plant the NXT flag into Finns heart Neil Armstrong style. Finn claims to be the tin man and doesn’t have a heart. Calling wrestles by their full names Matthew riddle and peter Dunne gets me laughing every time.
The Elite turmoil and now addressing that the drinking may be the problem. Matt Jackson taking Page’s beer then he pulls out a full picture after makes me want to become a cowboy. The Dark Order wants to end heartburn and your existential crisis. Also, Orange Cassidy refusing to join them makes me believe he is the one to bring us world peace. Really enjoyed the teasing of Daniels being a potential leader of the Dark Order.
NXT 10-9
I just enjoy watching UE acting like frat guy dick heads.
Overall
JCH:It’s a tight week, largely forgettable in-ring action with post-match angles and storylines the driving factor of both shows. In the end it’s the 2-point knockout of Sabian and Janela by Devlin and Breeze, incidentally the main ring-based segment, that makes the difference and NXT picks up the victory.
NXT 67-66 AEW
Brum:I am almost embarrassed at my level of fence sitting tonight with 4/7 rounds ending 10-10. I found tonight tough to judge but AEW seemed to keep saving rounds with entertaining post-match incidents. With the amount of post-match shenanigans, you would expect it to become repetitive, but I didn’t feel that at all.
The H2H results echo my overall thoughts in that I slightly enjoyed AEW more. The lashes segment is not one I will forget in a hurry. Well done AEW.
AEW 69-68 NXT.
Sal:My love of drunk Page, Orange Cassidy’s existence and my love of Cody’s story telling narrowly outweigh my crush on Breeze, UE’s don’t be a star bullying campaign, wanting all my life to be velveteen and people not going here.
AEW 67 NXT 66
Winner by Split Decision - AEW
It was a tight week with all the scorecards decided by 1 point. 1 segment going the other way could have changed the whole situation. I think AEW probably deserve the win for the lashes segment, which was captivating, harrowing television. We’ll be back next week with the Takeover go home show looking to get NXT back to winning ways whilst AEW will hope to continue its comeback.
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 - 4 (by majority decision - 1, by unanimous decision -1, by split decision - 2)
INDIVIDUAL SCORECARDS:
JCH: NXT - 9; Draw - 3 AEW - 4
Brum: NXT - 6; Draw - 5; AEW - 5
Matt C: NXT - 5; Draw - 1; AEW – 4
Ross: NXT - 3; Draw - 0; AEW - 0
DVD: NXT -0; Draw - 0; AEW - 1
Sal: NXT - 0; Draw - 0; AEW - 2
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