Why AEW And NXT Will BEAT WWE RAW In 2020
When AEW broke a million for its first three episodes in October, WWE dedicated November to elevating NXT in the eyes of the casual fan. A frantic race to Survivor Series weekend saw the show somehow juggle contradictory booking elements well, and the potential appearance of Raw and SmackDown superstars on Wednesdays enhanced interest beyond the brand's hardcore base.
AEW, meanwhile, struggled to follow up on the well-received Full Gear pay-per-view. A destination had given Dynamite clear focus but the lack of follow-through was jarring for those that had been satiated by early promise. Conversely, NXT's post-Survivor Series stint was even better than the run-up - the roster felt alive all over again without the main roster influence, and several captivating angles climaxing on December 18th saw NXT score one of its only three ratings wins thus far.
This ebb and flow between the shows was thrilling, and will likely happen as the "War" continues in earnest, but a bigger picture was coming together that blew away Vince McMahon's NXT reduction plan - both shows were gathering steam.
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