It's week 7 of the Weekly combat sports style scorecard of the Wednesday Night Wars. Last week the majority draw halted an NXT wining run. Who would come out on top this week?
Find out below
Becky Lynch/Rhea Ripley vs Nick Jackson/Rey Fenix
JCH:And so began the Raw/Smackdown invasion…Becky Lynch to a mixed reaction from the Full Sail Crowd. I worried for this show when they put Becky out here about who else we might see. Ripley continued her badass streak by standing up to her and they had a solid match before the first big mass run in off the day ended this. Nick Jackson and Rey Fenix had the sort of opener NXT have been having. Just a banger sprint fest. Nick Jackson does so many good little things, like looking for the tag in this match. Brilliant. An all-round cracking start to the show from AEW and its 10-9.
AEW 10-9 NXT
Brum:NXT’s opening segment tonight was unfortunately a downward trajectory throughout. Started crazy strong with Becky’s appearance. Her showdown with Rhea was still good but a step down. The match itself was just OK. And finally, the run in was meh. AEW kick off with Nick Jackson’s first singles match since BOLA 5 years ago! I wanted Nick to win, mainly to see what his singles finisher was but alas no. Still a fun match and enough to start AEW off with a win.
10-9 AEW.
Matt:Two really fun starts here. Becky being back in NXT but getting mixed reactions because of the crowds loyalty to "Their" champion Baszler. Ripley coming out was a surprise and then a solid back and forth contest, marred in my opinion by a wonky finish. Now that isn't to say I don't see the logic, but it did annoy me. Fenix and Nick had a banger here and maybe it is just the novelty of seeing Nick ride solo that makes me give AEW this round.
AEW 10-9 NXT
Riddle/Ricochet Vs Britt Baker/Hikaru Shida
JCH:I was getting excited for some Kona Reeves when Ricochet comes out of nowhere and suddenly I’m pretty hyped. Riddle and Ricochet had a great match. I later checked it was under 4 minutes. 4 minutes of dynamite though. Riddle still scored the pinfall and came out on top in the post-match brawl with Balor. Oh yeah and that ridiculous dive from Ricochet to Cesaro over the barricade! Shida and Baker was fine. Shida starring with, I think, 3 big knees as she continues to vault up the knee strike power rankings. It’s not enough to grab a draw here though. Round to NXT.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 19-19
Brum:Riddle & Ricochet was fun whilst it lasted but this was all about the shenanigans. Nice fast paced chaos here. My favourite bits were Cesaro’s cap & Nak’s cargo pants with one leg rolled up. Shida Baker was a decent match but not enough to outshine the NXT madness.
10-9 NXT. 19-19 so far.
Matt:Britt and Shida had a well-paced and in the end very good encounter. It took a minute to get the crowd going but in the end it got there. Can't say it will live long in the memory though. Riddle/Ricochet is a dream match and although we got the shortest version of this match the excitement was palpable. The bananas finish with run ins galore would have seemed a little overkill considering the opener had the same, but the lasting image is Balor being chased off by Riddle, so the focus remained on Takeover and for that reason NXT nick this round.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 19-19 so far.
Era/Revival Vs Dynamite Dozen battle royal
JCH:My favourite Tag Team vs probably my second favourite tag team. I wasn’t sure this could live up to my lofty expectations, especially as both teams usually play the same heel role in a tag match. However, it absolutely smashed it. The different version of the reversal stand-off moment at the start. The near falls, the double teams, this had it all. One of my favourite matches of the year. Absolute BANGER. I thought this had 10-8 written all over it. However, as Battle Royals go this was very well done by AEW. MR ‘Freaking’ Ass! What a performance from another one of my old favourites! MJF continued to be an excellent shit. Daniels mugged off Penta again and Page’s redemption continues. They save a 9 with a very well-done segment.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 29-28 NXT
Brum:My NXT thoughts are BANGER BANGER BANGER BANGER BANGER. As for AEW, I like battle royals as much as the next person and this one was fun (hi Jimmy), but I had a few issues with it. 1) Sorry to sound like Cornette (not in that way) but when Billy Gunn, a producer, is the most dominant guy; towers over everyone; and gets the biggest reaction, it makes the rest of the guys look bad. 2) I don’t give a shit about a $43k diamond ring. 3) The commentators are professional wrestling experts and have eyes – they should be able to see MJF is still technically in the match. This is a rumble cliché that is too worn out by now.
10-8 NXT. 29-27 NXT so far.
Matt:I really liked the Battle Royal. I think it was because it was a different flavour to what we have seen so far. I don't really like that two people win though as it is a bit of an anti-climax but there were plenty of moments here. The tag on NXT was glorious though. No more to say about it. They made an exhibition feel important and I really wanna see these two teams go at it during Rumble weekends takeover.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 29-28 NXT
Post Main event Brawl Vs Chris Jericho/SCU segment
JCH:It all went off following the Cole/Dijakovic match. The bit with the Era in between Raw and Smackdown was quite cool, then the Keith Lee killing McIntyre and doing the double dive was excellent. Smug Cole in the ring being taken out by Rollins, who the crowd absolutely hated. It was fine, but then out came Tommaso Ciampa. He was outstanding. Pausing to boot Cole in the head before going to fight Rollins was great continuity. Jericho from his backstage mockery to his inability to say sorry was on fire yet again, with Hager playing his straight man role perfectly as well. Scorpio Sky continues to be the star of SCU and his humble ‘I’m not worthy’ act to trick the egotistical Jericho into a title match was really good. AEW had its own big brawl which ended with the big spotlight for Luchasaurus. NXT had enough about it here to get a 9.
AEW 10-9 NXT. 38-38.
Brum:Sorry to come across like a curmudgeon, but NXT overdid the run ins tonight. If there was none of the prior stuff, I would have been super giddy at the NXT end-of-show clusterfuck. In reality, it heavily suffered from diminishing returns. Jericho delivers again for AEW. I’m fine with him being duped because of hubris & Scorpio Sky did a great job hyping next week. The bits afterwards were fun too.
10-9 AEW. 38-37 NXT so far.
Matt:Chris Jericho is just the GOAT and I don't think I will ever get bored of him cutting promos as Le Champion. Hager even getting in on the act here. I'm not as hyped for Sky/Jericho as others, but I like the angle they took with this. NXT lose this round purely for the "Seth's not cool" chant. Was a fine enough brawl though.
AEW 10-9 NXT. 38-38
Dakota Kai/Kay Lee Ray Vs Luchasaurus/Peter Avalon
JCH:Simple squash match for the big dinosaur did the job it needed as he continues to rebuild following his knee injury. Over on NXT the women had a decent outing with Dakota’s losing streak continuing before we got yet another big brawl run in which I was starting to get tired off, however the little tease between Kairi and Io is enough to salvage the monotonous run ins and get a draw.
NXT 10-10 AEW. 48-48.
Brum:Kai/KLR was a solid match and I’m all for Dakota’s losing streak (on the assumption it’s going somewhere) and it would have gotten the nod over Luchasaurus vs Avalon. I’m also glad they left the Survivor Series stuff until after the finish. However, they still did it and I’ve got heavy run-in fatigue, so NXT lose some marks for that.
10-10. 48-47 NXT so far.
Matt:I love Luchasaurus and seeing him back warms my heart. The potential Hager/Lucha match could be money as well. I'm going for the Girls here though. Match was far from a classic but did the essential of showcasing Ray as a threat going into Saturday.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 48-47 NXT
Forgotten Sons/War Machine Vs PNP/Private Party
JCH:I think NXT did a really good job with who they put in matches tonight. Outside of Becky it was some of Full Sail’s favourite former talents with War Machine having a very good match with the Forgotten Sons here. I know the Sons get a lot of flak, but they’ve had some really strong outings this year and this one really picked up down the stretch. Over on AEW the match was fine, but I found myself drifting out of it and what seemed to be a major screwup on a pinfall sees NXT takes the round.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 58-57 NXT.
Brum:There were a couple of issues with PnP vs PP, mainly around refereeing, but overall it was a solid match. Forgotten Sons had one of their better outings so far but that’s the equivalent of winning a tallest bungalow competition. Please go away lads.
10-9 AEW. 57-57 so far.
Matt:Had you said to me at the start that AEW would lose this round I would have laughed but Raiders/Sons had a bit more energy for me. The best thing Sons have done in NXT? That’s not to say the AEW contest was a dud.
NXT 10-9 AEW. 58-56 NXT
Cole/Dijakovic Vs Mox/Allin
JCH:Adam Cole and Dominick Dijakovic had the 2nd NXT ladder match in 2 weeks and again it had some memorable spots, this time though the AEW main Event was just better. Darby Allin had the best start to a match since Montez Ford opened that match with War Machine flying over the top rope with the somersault. Allin was great, continuing to just throw himself at Moxley with everything he had. Mox for his own part more than held his own. He played the grumpy older guy who just wants to put the little guy down. I loved the catching the coffin drop into the submission and battering him inside a body bag. What a nasty bastard. The finish was filth and it takes the segment for AEW.
AEW 10-9 NXT
Brum:The NXT main event was shorter than expected but still enjoyable. It also, like Kai/KLR, waited until after the match for the palaver which was greatly appreciated. With that said, possibly because of the pacing, it didn’t quite deliver to the level I expected. Mox/Allin on the other hand was great. The purists may have complained about the mid-match lull, but it made up for it with the finishing stretch. Mox continues to be a highlight of AEW and Allin loses nothing here.
10-9 AEW.
Matt:NXT did a fine job in this main event and credit both guys for taking some nasty bumps. I think the Women’s match last week was a better effort but that’s because I was less sure of who would win plus the extra drama that was created via Dakota Kai and Kay Lee Ray. AEW put on a banger of a Main. Moxley is winning me over week by week with this vicious persona and seeing him rag doll Allin was excellent. Allin sold like a hero here and the defeat felt gut wrenching like it should but Mox marches on. AEW get this one for me.
AEW 10-9 NXT
OVERALL
JCH:Again, two wrestling shows that were a pleasure to watch. My overall score is a 67 all draw which I think is a pretty fair result. AEW this week had the superior starting and ending, but NXT had match of the night. I think NXT got in its own way a little bit with the multiple brawl segments, yet every one had a little part that just about made it worthwhile. Looking forward to Takeover at the weekend and the return to regular NXT next week. Still wondering who will be the 4th member of Team Ciampa (please be Swerve).
NXT 67-67 AEW
Brum:I think I’ll be in the minority here, but I think this is the weakest head-to-head week yet. Neither show was anything close to bad, but we’ve been drowned with riches previously. NXT’s biggest issue was repetition. It felt like every segment ended in some “Brand Warfare” stuff and it just got gratuitous. AEW started and finished well & props to Jericho & Sky for building interest to next week. If you can only see one this week though, check out UE vs Revival. Lovely stuff.
AEW 67-66 NXT.
Matt:Sick of saying it but what a time to be a wrestling fan. Both shows consistently delivering every week.
NXT 67-66 AEW
It’s another draw! This time our first split draw. Just a point either way separated the score cards as we had one winner for each as well as a draw. In an upset of sorts, it’s Matt finding in favour of NXT this week. 4 of the 7 segments were scored the same and a 5th (Tag vs Battle Royal) saw us all vote the same way just with a 10-8 for Brum. The segment that decided this one was the battle of the Tags and the Forgotten Sons making sure we remember them getting a 2-1 victory which earns NXT the win for Matt and a draw for me. AEW kept out of the winner’s circle buy the Forgotten Sons! Who would have believed it?
See you next week and thanks for checking us out.
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OVERALL SCORECARDS
NXT - 3 (by split decision - 2, by majority decision - 1)
Draw -3 (2 majority draws, 1 split draw)
AEW - 1 (by majority decision - 1)
INDIVIDUAL SCORECARDS:
JCH: NXT - 4; Draw - 2 AEW - 1
Brum: NXT - 2; Draw - 3; AEW - 2
Matt C: NXT - 2; Draw - 1; AEW - 3
Guests: NXT - 1; Draw - 0; AEW - 0
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