It's week 5 of WedHead2Head the combat sports style scorecard of the Wednesday Night Wars. NXT rides a 2 week winning streak into this edition and AEW is dealt a blow as regular reviewer and AEW fan Matt is away, don't worry though we've brought in a substitute, with WSBF Boss, Ross Casey filling in for the week.
1. Pac vs Best Friends w/Pac promo vs. Dunne vs Priest w/Dain
Ross: The PAC v Trent match was spectacularly good. Right up my street. The action was crisp, clean and well-paced. I loved it. My only beef with it production wise was Trent getting the upper hand via an Orange Cassidy distraction and Chuck distracting the ref. Those are heel tactics, and at that point PAC hadn't broken any rules. Would have been a 10 but the ref mishap takes it away from that lofty score.
NXT opened with Dunne v Priest and holy shit what a match this was. A gritty, smash mouth affair that got both wrestlers over, had a satisfying ending as it played into their previous encounter and had Dain standing tall over both as the post-match run in. 10 to NXT!
NXT 10-9
JCH: Yes, there was a slightly dubious finish in the AEW match…however I am absolutely loving Pac. His disdain for Orange Cassidy was incredible and this was a good match. Dunne and Priest was also another good meeting between the two with a nice call back to the previous finish. Nothing wrong with NXT but I’m giving this one to AEW, mainly due to PAC
10-9 AEW
Brum: PAC & Trent was a good match considering the ending was inevitable. However, what wasn’t inevitable about the ending was the botch. I thought this Dunne Priest encounter was better than their first & nice to see Peter get his win back. I’m not entirely sold on Dain vs Dunne & actually might prefer this to become a triple threat.
With that said, Damian Dain Dunne doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. It could only be made worse if Anti-Fun Policeman, Damian Dunne is added to the mix. I digress – close one for the opener but Damian Dunne edges it because of the AEW finish botch.
10-9 NXT.
2. The O.C and Ciampa/Riddle/Lee talk segment and brawl Vs. Cody Promo
Ross: I watched AEW first for all of these segments and blimey, if NXT beats this Cody promo it will be blow away. This impassioned, brilliantly nuanced monologue touched on the past, questioned reality and lit a fire under the main event of Full Gear. Top marks. Fucking amazing stuff, Cody.
The OC kicking ass and answering the challenge from NXT was awesome. AJ's promo was spot on and the Ciampa, Lee and Riddle arrival paid off well. I really enjoyed it, but it wasn't a scratch on Cody's promo.
AEW 10-8 - 19-18 AEW
JCH: I thought the choice of Styles to lead the invasion was a good one. He’s never been there before, so wasn’t treated as a returning hero. Ciampa’s well done on making it to the main roster line was ace and Riddle kicking his flip flops into the OC’s faces was great. Those things get NXT a 9. Cody was bloody brilliant. I had goosebumps as he spoke. The passion and delivery were fantastic.
10-9 AEW - 20-18 AEW
Brum: That Cody promo. Wow. That would be a 10-8 most weeks but Ciampa said “Welcome to the main roster” to AJ Styles. BOOM.
10-9 AEW. 19-19 so far.
3. Private Party/Dark Order vs Taynara/Garrett & Kai/Shayna
Ross: Taynara and Garrett put on a nice little match, with the submission transitions and strikes of Taynara being particularly impressive. The slow-motion stuff that made its way onto Twitter as part of the anti-NXT stuff wasn't half as bad in full context here, either.
Talk to me about that Baszler and Kai match though, lads! Kai was intimidated by Baszler in the past, but here she took the fight to the Queen of Spades. Unfortunately, the leg work on the surgically repaired knee eventually took its toll and she tapped out after a valiant effort. What a match! Huge story arc for her character in this episode.
AEW put on another tag team spot fest this week, with Dark Order getting A LOT in and getting themselves over with me in the process. The crowd love Private Party and booking wise, them winning was the right call.
Whilst, the wrestling wasn't as eye-opening and flashy as that of the AEW tag, NXT wins this segment for me, due to the emotion created in the Kai v Baszler match. Kai is an amazing plucky face and Baszler is a dominant bully of a heel champion. Loved it.
NXT 10-9. 28-28
JCH: For me the Dark Order outshone Private Party here and the end was a little disappointing. Grayson was sat on the top rope for an age waiting for the gin and juice. Over on NXT the rivalry between Dakota Kai and Shayna Baszler continues to build nicely.
The added dynamic of Dakota trying to prove she was worth a spot on the WarGames team she gave Shayna all she could handle in a strong match followed by Mia Yim’s introduction to the fold. Also, we got a little showcase of the women’s mid-card. I’m a big fan of Taynara and she hit two fantastic knees here. A comfortable win for NXT
10-9 NXT. 29-28 AEW
Brum: I’ve discussed before how I was a fan of Super Smash Bros but disappointed how Dark Order haven’t clicked. This is my least favourite Private Party match so far which was brought down further by Stu “Intimidating Name” Grayson sitting on the turnbuckle for 40 minutes.
Kai/Shayna was a really engaging match (the Kai story arc is one of the best things in NXT) and maybe enough for a 10-8 but the average Taynara/Garrett match brings it slightly down.
10-9 NXT. 29-28 NXT so far.
4. Hayter/Sakura/Riho/Shanna vs Garza/Nese
Ross: Bloody hell this AEW women's tag was great. Clear heels and faces make for the best
matches. Fight me. Jamie Hayter was a brilliant horrible bastard here. She might be from Southampton, but she's definitely a scummer. Match of the night for me so far from AEW. Follow that, NXT!
Garza and Nese put on a great match themselves that really started to gain steam once Nese powerbombed Nese's trousers off the top rope. Yes, you read that correctly. Wrestling Should Be Fun!
However, the women's match takes it for me in this one...
AEW 10-9. 38-37 AEW
JCH: The battle of the Abs on NXT was good. I continue to be impressed with Garza and I liked the comms talking about how his granddad (or whichever relative it was) had challenged him to inspire the next generation. Garza vs Rush should be strong next week.
2 and a half years ago I went to my first Eve show and the main event featured Emi Sakura and Shanna on different side of the main event. That was in front of 200 people, now they’re in front of thousands. Well done to them. Jamie Hayter is a star. I expect her to shoot up this division pretty quickly. The match was strong and set up the title match nicely for Saturday. With the history that Riho and Emi have I expect that to be a banger.
10-9 AEW - 39-37 AEW
Brum: Jamie Hayter has had a fun run these past couple of weeks & Riho/Sakura had some nice interactions, but I’m still struggling to be drawn into the AEW women’s division. Despite his 14 pack and polished in-ring work, I’ve never been the biggest Nese fan. He had a fun session with Garza tonight though and enough to give another round to NXT.
10-9 NXT. 39-37 NXT so far.
5. Backstage & Videos - AEW - Jericho/Brandi vs NXT -Kai pre-match promo, Ripley team promo, Forgotten Sons vid, Nese Vid.
Ross: Fuck me, the Inner Circle vignette was glorious. Funny as hell and it featured fucking Virgil, guys! Brandi Rhodes' vignette where she seemed to be possessed by Awesome Kong was excellent too and as a man who has watched far more Vampire Diaries than he would care to admit, she needs a cameo on that show!
Not going to even bother recapping what NXT did here. Other than Kai paying homage to Christopher Daniels in Beyond The Mat. AEW took this one easily.
AEW 10-9. 48-46 AEW
JCH: The Kai/Team Ripley stuff here was NXT’s best backstage segment of the week. Dakota’s disappointment at being usurped by Mia Yim and the seeming lack of care from her best friends Tegan and Candace led to her leaving. Could we see her emerge as the 4th member of Team Shayna…? I also enjoy the irony of the Forgotten Sons having a video package to prevent us forgetting them.
Over on AEW, Brandi Rhodes had an interesting segment. Calling out bullies for criticising her and saying she’s in a spot she doesn’t deserve. It was an interesting angle. Then there was the Jericho package. Which was incredible. Such a good parody on the Cody vid from a few weeks ago. Jake Hager’s silence, the Aunt’s friend from church and Guevara pimping Jericho as the youngest ever AEW champion at 48 were big highlights. I was in stitches at this. The Dakota stuff keeps it to a 10-9. But good win for AEW.
10-9 AEW. 49-46 AEW
Brum: Apart from giving a perfunctory diss to The Forgotten Sons, and a “this is executed well & I’m pleasantly confused” nod to the Brandi segment, this round is all about the Jericho video vs the NXT women’s division. As mentioned in the prior round, the AEW women’s division isn’t clicking for me. NXT’s is doing the opposite.
There is an argument that it’s the hottest the division has ever been as there are so many moving parts. The Rhea interview segment may have put people off as shunning Kai isn’t exactly a face move, but I loved it. Sorry to double down on the Kai arc, but this has so many potential routes (the obvious one being her turning heel in the Kim/Io match) and all are interesting; especially if it results in her being the one to finally beat Shayna.
After that waterfall of gush, I will look like a nincompoop when giving this segment a 10-8 to AEW. Go watch the Jericho segment & see why. This wasn’t just “wrestling funny”; it was actual funny.
10-8 AEW. 47-47 so far.
6. Scott/Dijakovic vs Spears/Cutler w/Janela
Ross: Yeah, this NXT match was a banger. One of those that had no story going in, so the crowd were cold to begin, but once they started throwing bombs, they were well into it. Would have loved to see this at The Dome.
Despite the sight of Tully Blanchard, AEW failed to live up to the Scott v Dijakovic here. This was probably the weakest part of the AEW show, but a fair build-up to the match between Janela and Spears at Full Gear.
NXT 10-8 - 56-56
JCH: “The Chairman” - when did that become a thing? He’s not doing a lot for me yet. Also, not a huge Janela guy either and I don’t know who Brandon Cutler is. Over on NXT Swerve and Dijakovic, two of my favourites had an entertaining little match that comfortably takes a 10-9 victory. More Swerve please!
10-9 NXT. - 58-56 AEW
Brum: The Janela interference added some intrigue to this segment & despite getting in some offence, I’m a bit worried about what the future holds for Swerve (though you can’t push everyone at once). However, Dijakovic/Swerve was the better match so takes the win.
10-9 NXT. 57-56 NXT so far.
7. Page/Omega/Jericho/Guevara (plus aftermath) vs O.C/NXT (Plus aftermath)
Ross: As far as dream matches go, seeing Matt Riddle in the same ring as AJ Styles was up there. These 6 guys BROUGHT it. Props to Gallows and Anderson for bringing down the frantic action and getting the HEAT with their chinlocks halfway through this match. That portion allowed the quick start and crazy end to breathe. The AJ and Balor significance was played out perfectly and the champ Adam Cole stands tall to end the show over his foes from both NXT and RAW, Great stuff.
A very similar match and closing angle on AEW this week. However, due to the specialness of NXT, I am giving it to them for the final segment, but AEW did end with a bang too.
NXT 10-9
Overall
NXT 66 - 65 (I think - terrible at math)
JCH: AEW had the wrestling 101 textbook out here. Everyone interfering and run ins to pair off with their respective matchups for Saturday. I think it was probably better for the live crowd, however it was fine. I felt Guevara was the standout in the match.
The NXT match blew their counterparts out of the water. Matt Riddle had arguably the greatest hot tag in history. I may be going overboard, but that was absolutely sensational. The Balor/Styles/Cole/Ciampa stuff is interesting and I look forward to seeing where it goes. Also, if Vinny Mac can’t make Matt Riddle the biggest star in the business he should give up. Beat Goldberg, retire Lesnar. Easy. The AEW PPV build up is enough to keep this at a 10-9.
10-9 NXT
That gets AEW its first victory on my scorecard. I felt like I enjoyed AEW a little more as I watched them and the scoreboard reflected that in a very close week. Cody and Jericho stealing the show for AEW, along with a really strong women’s tag match. NXT’s women’s division continues to soar, and their mid card is stronger for me.
Overall: 67-66 AEW
Brum: The endings to both shows were quite analogous as we had fun tag/6 mans followed by a multi-story brawl. Enjoyed both (& big props to Sammy Guevara who had a great night in the ring as well as in the Jericho package earlier) but Riddle’s minute of madness & the Styles/Balor moment were enough to give the nod to NXT.
10-9 NXT.
Summary:
Back to back wins on my side now for NXT but it was closer this week. AEW had comfortably the best 2 segments of the night in the absolute fire Cody promo & the Inner Circle package, but NXT was overall the better show.
FINAL SCORE: NXT wins 67-65.
It’s back to back to back wins for NXT as they take it with a split decision for the second week in a row. AEW could look back on this week and wonder what could have been if Matt had been available. Pretty sure this was the closest week across the board.. More enjoyable wrestling.
Overall scorecard
NXT 3 (by split decision 2, by majority decision 1)
Majority Draw 1
AEW 1 (by majority decision 1)
Individual Scorecards
JCH - NXT 3 - Draw - 1 - AEW - 1
Brum - NXT 2 - Draw - 2 - AEW -1
Matt - NXT 1 - Draw - 0 - AEW - 3
Guests - NXT 1- Draw - 0 - AEW - 0
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