AEW Vs. NXT: Who Won The First Battle?
1. Incentive To Watch The Next Episode
Both NXT and Dynamite delivered shock cliffhangers, but more intrigue surrounds the debut of Jake Hager and the apparent formation of a new, Chris Jericho-led stable.
The audience can more or less infer what's coming in Full Sail: a title challenge or two, a quest to reclaim a forgotten aura. But what has brought Jericho, Hager et al. together? Who will be their next victim - or possibly their next member?
*Lex Luger voice*
I don't even know what they're called, what are they called?
In the main event of Dynamite, AEW effectively changed the complexion and direction of the company. In contrast, NXT played their hand: the brand promoted a TakeOver-adjacent card next week cannot replicate in terms of stakes and match quality, only without the title changes or major turns that usually spike interest in the televised aftermath. The only matches promoted for the week ahead - KUSHIDA Vs. WALTER and Young Bucks Vs. Private Party - are, aggregating match quality and stakes, equally alluring.
This hands the key advantage in what drives TV viewership to...
WINNER: AEW
(AEW 4 - 4 NXT)
FINAL SCORE: AEW 4 - 4 NXT.
Not to get too off-brand and optimistic, but last night truly was wonderful for the industry, and the toxicity of social media simmered down as neutral celebration surfaced. Let's maintain that form in the comments.
Everybody won...
...until the ratings become public, at least.