THIS Is WWE’s Plan To Defeat AEW

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WWE.com

Say AEW meets or exceeds expectations, and the new NXT is instantly perceived as the skippable show. This won’t please Vince, and he will revert to the old impulses. Baron Corbin sent back to NXT to claim how above it he always was, anyone?

That’s the heat Vince seeks now, too. And what else is he going to pitch? “Asuka Vs. Shayna Baszler is a meeting of the two most protected forces in NXT history—that sounds awesome!”

Which scenario is more likely?

And what if Vince, his attention focused more on NXT, sees a performer like Matt Riddle in action—and decides, there and then, to promote him to the main roster? In the middle of a major push as challenger to the NXT Championship? He doesn’t care about NXT continuity. That has been established. Hell, he doesn’t care about main roster continuity.

And Vince will pay more attention to this prospective, televised NXT. The prospect of All Elite Wrestling has clearly unsettled him.

According to on-fire Fightful scoopster Sean Ross Sapp, “WWE was telling some on a need to know basis that NXT would be going up against AEW on "whatever night they aired.””

So this isn’t a deal resulting from happenstance, just because NXT’s Wednesday slot is already established. Vince wanted to move heaven and earth to undercut the competition that he supposedly thrives on. He isn’t just unsettled; he’s scared. When faced with a threat, the natural response is to lash out. Vince did precisely that during yesterday’s Q2 financials conference call.

CONT'D...(4 of 5)

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK 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 AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and 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!