Wrestling Is About ONE Thing - And Here's Who Rules At It

Jon Moxley had much to prove and proved it throughout an arc that, removed from itself, looks like it warrants the dreaded "Super" prefix. He's essentially undefeated, shreds all comers, is rarely outsmarted - and yet he's so human, tough, disarming and cool that it never resonates as farce. Cody, Chris Jericho, and the maligned Kenny Omega have enhanced their popularity - but it's Hangman Page who is the best (80%) proof of AEW's booking concept. A failed babyface following All Out, Page has distanced himself from the Elite and embraced those he perceives to have his back - the fans - and what an inspired ploy. You'd buy overpriced arena beer just to see him tactically spill most of in his chest, he's that talented and funny.

To contrast this with NXT, the chasm is gaping. NXT has effectively elevated just two acts since October 2. Several of the name acts who have starred on the show were already over (Matt Riddle, Adam Cole) or have regressed badly to the point of near-parody (Johnny Gargano, Velveteen Dream). Those two acts were Keith Lee and Rhea Ripley, both of whom felt like major deals in the wake of Survivor Series weekend. They've since regressed badly.

Keith Lee was so fantastic in his bomb blast with Roman Reigns, and got himself over as such an amiable spectacle performer, that many forecast him to play a major role over WrestleMania week. Reports surfaced that Vince McMahon was similarly enthused. This did not happen. The only thing that was limitless about Keith Lee, after November 24, is the amount of bloody matches he worked with Dominik Dijakovic. Lee dethroned North American Champion Roderick Strong in a good match on January 22, some weeks after a poorly-timed relegation from the main title picture. And then it was back to Donovan.

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