NXT Vs. AEW: Head To Head

4. Match Hype

Cody HHH
AEW

NXT is a clinical and very produced TV show. It's WWE, only good, beholden to the same tropes and formulas. Contracts are signed for title matches. Opening segments are interrupted. Scripted jibes are exchanged with suspiciously perfect timing. The material is handily better than the main roster - "I want to touch you," Velveteen Dream said to the untouchable Adam Cole a few months back - but the show, mostly, is stilted. Dry. The sports-centric build of the Johnny Gargano Vs. Adam Cole rivalry was excellent, as was Cole's d*ckhead visit to Cleveland, but such inspiration is too rare.

The Road To All Out is superb in contrast.

The sit-down promos add a layer of reality to the programmes. The wrestlers don't wait for their cue; they record promos, in their own time, resulting in a sense of autonomy. The feud between Cody and Shawn Spears has been built incredibly. There's a nuance to everything, breeding intrigue and conversation. Is Cody, by refusing to acknowledge Spears, hurt by the betrayal? Is he afraid? Or is he reinforcing the lack of respect that led us here, pissing Spears off to the point of a rash mistake in Chicago?

The sinister, authoritative presence of Tully Blanchard enhances everything, as did Brandi’s superb promo on the latest episode. Her speaking on Cody’s behalf was rich world-building, in that it created the illusion of the professional fiction bleeding into the personal reality.

NXT 2 - 5 AEW

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!