Wednesday Night Wars: AEW vs NXT Week 6

After five weeks, All Elite Wrestling has had a clean sweep with the rating wars with their weekly AEW Dynamite. At the end of week five, I had AEW Dynamite as the high-quality show, leading the series 3-2. This week is the "go home" show for AEW Dynamite as AEW heads into the first Pay Per View of the Wednesday Night War era, Full Gear. Recently, with the fallout of WWE Crown Jewel, NXT wrestlers invaded RAW and Smackdown as WWE Survivor Series is on the horizon. Each show has an important exclamation point to put on their product in week six as AEW heads into Full Gear and NXT battles to gain attention on the NXT invasion for Survivor Series.

Here is how AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT unfolded through week six of the Wednesday Night Wars:

AEW Dynamite; Charlotte, North Carolina

1) "The Bastard" Pac (2-1-1) vs Trent Baretta (3-4)

Pac took advantage of the match early on, throwing Trent into the guardrails on the outside of the ring as he did in his match with Jon Moxley. As the action is taking place on the outside of the ring, Pac tries to step to Orange Cassidy, but Cassidy is not intimidated in the slightest. Pac goes back into the ring and gets a head start, hitting a Twisting Tope Con Hilo to the outside on Trent, landing on his feet. Heading back into the ring, Cassidy is waiting on Pac and they stand face to face. True to form, Cassidy throws his nonchalant kicks on Pac, but Pac interrupts Cassidy's schtick with a Standing Pump Kick.

Orange Cassidy caused enough of a distraction for Trent to get on the offensive and force the action back outside. Trent hit a Tope Con Hilo of his own on Pac and then returned the favor by throwing Pac into the guardrails. Still, on the outside of the ring, Trent hits a Spear and rolls Pac into the ring for a two count. Trent follows up with a Tornado DDT for another near fall. Pac goes to the outside of the ring and Trent follows, getting a Brainbuster for his troubles.

Trent is rolled back into the ring and Pac hits the Black Arrow for a two count, unbelievably. Pac then submits Trent in the Brutalizer.

Winner: Pac (3-1-1)

After the match, Pac said that he will "make an example" of Adam Page "again" at AEW Full Gear.

Cody makes his entrance to the ring as he is expected to announce on AEW Dynamite tonight what he was when he was interrupted by The Inner Circle two weeks ago. Tony Schiavone is in the ring to introduce Cody. Cody announces that if he does not win the AEW World Championship at Full Gear from Chris Jericho, he will never challenge for the AEW World Championship ever again. His rundown of Jericho exposes Jericho for being the same silver-spooned person that he shames Cody for, which is why Cody is making this a one or done opportunity if he fails at AEW Full Gear. Cody says that he read Jericho's book and mentioned that "it must be so hard" with the same silver spoon he had from his famous NHL athlete father.

2) Dark Order (3-1) vs Private Party (2-4)

This match is to determine who will be the third team in the triple threat tag team match for the AEW Tag Team Championship at AEW Full Gear. Stu Grayson and Marq Quen start, but Isiah Kassidy is tagged in quickly and Private Party connects with a Camel Clutch/Leapfrog Double Stomp combination. Grayson makes the tag to Evil Uno and Uno gets some offense in on Kassidy. Quen gets tagged back in and does a cool spot where he uses Uno as a launchpad to Dropkick Grayson who is standing on the apron. Kassidy gets tagged back in and Private Party goes for a Double Clothesline, but Grayson evades and connects a Double Pele Kick on Private Party.

Marq Quen is tagged in and Private Party connects with Silly String on Evil Uno. Stu Grayson is stopped on the top turnbuckle by Private Party and pinned after the Gin and Juice double-team finish.

Winner: Private Party (3-4)

The Inner Circle has a video package that talks up Chris Jericho for his match against Cody. Jake Hager says nothing in the package, he just stands there. Sammy Guevara calls Jericho the youngest AEW World Championship at 48 years old. Soultrain Jones, better known as Virgil, compares Jericho as AEW World Champion to Olive Garden breadsticks; "unlimited" and "the best in the world."

3) Jamie Hayter (0-1) and Emi Sakura (1-2) vs "Portugal's Perfect Athlete" Shanna (0-1) and Riho (6-1)

Sakura and Riho start as we learn that Riho was trained by Sakura. Riho hits a Running Knee on Sakura then tags out to Shanna. Hayter is tagged in and Shanna hits a Running Forearm for a two count. Following a Stunner from Shanna, Hayter hits a Uranage Backbreaker before tagging Sakura back in. Sakura goes for a Vader Bomb on Shanna, but it's blocked.

Hayter pulls Riho off the ring apron, who had a long fall to the ground. Back in the ring, Shanna hit a Hurricanrana on Sakura who went to the outside of the ring. Following the Hurricanrana, Shanna hits a Diving Crossbody from the top rope to the outside of the ring on Sakura and Hayter. Shanna hit a Double Underhook Facebuster and Sliced Bread on Sakura for a two count. Sakura returns the favor with a Rolling Cutter and tags in Hayter.

Shanna takes a Running Lariat from Hayter, but Riho breaks up the pinfall. Sakura is tagged in and hits a Vader Bomb on Shanna. Riho stops the pinfall again and Shanna tags in Riho. Sakura and Riho trade pinning attempts, but the teacher pins the student with the La Magistral Cradle.

Winners: Jamie Hayter (1-1) and Emi Sakura (2-2)

4) Brandon Cutler (0-2) vs "The Chairman" Shawn Spears (2-2)

Early in the match, Cutler does a Tope Legdrop from the inside of the ring to the outside of the ring apron. Spears then throws Cutler into the guardrails, showing a mean streak that Cutler just doesn't seem to have. Cutler throws a few more kicks, stunning Spears for a moment. Spears connects with a Death Valley Driver for the pinfall.

Winner: Shawn Spears (3-2)

Joey Janela runs into the ring post-match and Shawn Spears leaves the ring with Tully Blanchard. After AEW Dark, Spears tried to pull the tongue out of Janela's mouth because Janela put out his cigarette in Blanchard's drink.

Main Event: "Hangman" Adam Page (4-3) and "The Cleaner" Kenny Omega (5-3) vs "The Best Ever" Sammy Guevara (2-3) and "The Painmaker" Chris Jericho (5-0)

Guevara and Omega start the match with chain wrestling and Guevara gets chopped down to the canvas by Omega. After hitting a Back Suplex on Guevara, Omega tagged in Page. Page hits a Fallaway Slam on Guevara for a two count. Jericho tags in and gets a Big Boot by Page immediately, but Jericho answered back with a Missile Dropkick. Omega and Guevara are back in.

Omega hits a Diving Moonsault on Guevara for a two count. About to do a Suicide Dive on Guevara and Jericho, Omega runs the ropes, but Jake Hager hits Omega from behind. Page is tagged in and Jericho is the legal man. Page and Jericho escape out of finishing holds while Omega clears Hager and Guevara with a Tope Con Hilo. Just about to go for a Buckshot Lariat on Jericho, Pac runs down to the ring kicks Page low while standing on the apron.

Jericho takes complete advantage and hits the Judas Effect on Page for the pinfall.

Winners: Sammy Guevara (3-3) and Chris Jericho (6-0)

Cody runs down to the ring and hits an uppercut on Sammy Guevara. Chris Jericho and Jake Hager leave the ring, but MJF takes out Hager with a chair. Jericho is forced into the ring and Cody makes quick work of him. Jon Moxley appears in the ring with a barbed wire bat and Kenny Omega gets the barbed wire broom. Proud and Powerful attack Moxley and Omega from behind and pick up their weapons.

The Young Bucks then run down to the ring and hit a Superkick Party on Proud and Powerful. Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley brawl backstage. Nick Jackson goes to the top of the entrance set and hits a Tope Con Hilo on The Inner Circle. The Elite and The Inner Circle are fighting as AEW Dynamite goes off the air.

Continued on the page below.

WWE NXT; Full Sail University

The OC invade NXT after the battle lines had been drawn when NXT invaded RAW and Smackdown. Backstage, The OC attacked The Undisputed Era. They make their way to the ring and AJ Styles is on the microphone and says that they are "bringing the war to you" regarding NXT. Styles says "that is not just phenomenal, that is undisputed." Tommaso Ciampa makes an entrance and welcomes The OC to "the main roster" at NXT.

Tommaso Ciampa speaks the truth when he calls NXT "the show." Keith Lee and Matt Riddle join Ciampa to even the odds against The OC. Ciampa, alongside Riddle and Lee challenges The OC and it's accepted by AJ Styles.

1) "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne vs "The Archer of Infamy" Damian Priest

Dunne and Priest trade reversals of finishing moves in the early stages of the match. Priest gets the first near fall of the match after a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Eventually, Dunne gets on the offensive, landing a high kick to the side of Priest's head, forcing him to roll to the outside of the ring. Dunne connects with a Diving Moonsault to the outside of the ring, but Priest ends up turning the tide with a Chokeslam onto the ring apron. Back into the ring, Dunne connects with a Sit-Out Powerbomb for a two count.

The action moves back to the outside of the ring and Priest connects with a Springboard Tope Con Hilo on Dunne. Back in the ring, Priest does a Crucifix Powerbomb for a two count. Priest taunts Dunne, but Dunne grabs the fingers and does the Finger Wishbone after returning a previous receipt with a low blow when the referee's view was obstructed. Dunne taps Priest in the Cross Armbreaker.

Winner: Pete Dunne

Killian Dain attacks Pete Dunne after the match from behind. Dain leaves Dunne laying after a Vader Bomb. Damian Priest gets shoved into the ring steps and then takes a Cannonball from Dain.

Backstage, Dakota Kai is interviewed. She replied to Shayna Baszler saying that Kai would be a "waste of a pick" as a teammate for War Games. Kai admits that she was at one time intimidated by Baszler, but came back from her injury with more aggression and fire. Kai says "we'll see what she says after I kick in her face off tonight."

2) Taynara vs Santana Garrett

Garrett hits the first offensive maneuver of the match, a Russian Leg Sweep, for a two count. Taynara answers with a Running Knee while Garrett was in the ropes. Following the knee, Taynara does a succession of Judo Throws before locking the Rings of Saturn, but Garrett escapes. Garrett goes for a Handspring Moonsault but missed. Taynara hits a Pump Kick on Garrett for the pinfall.

Winner: Taynara

3) "The Captain of Team Kick" Dakota Kai vs "The Submission Magician" Shayna Baszler

Kai spent the early part of this match trying to get inside the head of Baszler. Baszler assumed control on offense when Kai went for a Running Kick on the apron but was thrown into the ring post. The braced knee of Kai was the focal point as Baszler put Kai in a Leglock. Kai was able to connect with a Pendulum Knee for a two count, but Baszler would answer back with a Gutwrench Superplex for a two count. Both competitors exchanged strikes, which was impressive.

Baszler was hit with the Kaio Kick and Kai attempted the GTK, but Baszler escaped and hit a Running Knee. The first time, Kai escaped the Kirifuda Clutch, but couldn't the second time and tapped out.

Winner: Shayna Baszler

Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir attack Dakota Kai post-match. Team Baszler and Team Ripley fight each other. Mia Yim comes down to the ring with a kendo stick and just unleashes on everyone on Team Baszler. It looks like Rhea Ripley will be choosing between Dakota Kai and Mia Yim.

4) "The Premier Athlete" Tony Nese vs Angel Garza

This match determines the number one contender for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Garza goes on the advantage with a Clothesline and on the outside of the ring, Garza hits a Diving Moonsault on Nese. Back in the ring, Nese hit a Pumphandle Sitout Slam for a two count. Nese tries the same move again, but Garza reverses into a Lungblower. On the outside of the ring, Nese hits a DDT and rolls Garza back into the ring again for the 450 Splash for a two count.

Garza goes for his Springboard Moonsault, but Nese moved out of the way and Garza landed on his feet. Nese played right into Garza's hands and Garza nailed the Wing Clipper for the pinfall.

Winner: Angel Garza

After the match, Lio Rush comes out to shake the hand of Angel Garza. Garza slaps Rush right in the mouth.

Backstage, Rhea Ripley is walking with Mia Yim, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, and Candice LeRae. She reveals her fourth member to be Yim. Ripley tells Kai she "didn't make the cut" in an apology. Kai is disappointed and says "Mia, you earned it."

5) Isiah "Swerve" Scott vs Dominik Dijakovic

Dijakovic controlled the earlier stages of the match, cornering Scott with strikes. Scott spiked Dijakovic with a DDT out of the corner for a two count and then reversed the Feast Your Eyes into a Schoolboy Pin for a two count. The offense went back to Dijakovic who was able to connect with a Sit-Out Chokebomb for a near fall. Dijakovic went for the same move again, but Scott reversed it into a Poisonrana. Scott followed with a Diving Double Foot Stomp on Dijakovic who was laying on the ring apron.

Scott made Dijakovic flip with a Discus Clothesline and Dijakovic returned the favor with one of his own. Very quickly, Scott connected with a Diving Foot Stomp on Dijakovic and seemed to be going for the win. Dijakovic found a way to connect with Feast Your Eyes for the pinfall.

Winner: Dominik Dijakovic

Main Event: The OC vs "The Original Bro" Matt Riddle, "Limitless" Keith Lee, "Blackheart" Tommaso Ciampa

Both teams begin with an all-out brawl on the outside of the ring until AJ Styles and Ciampa get into the ring and the bell rings. Styles hits a Phenomenal Forearm on the outside intended for Ciampa, but on Riddle. Ciampa does hit the Widow's Bell on Styles for a two count early on. Lee is tagged in as is Luke Gallows. Gallows doesn't win the test of strength against Lee, so he makes a tag to Karl Anderson.

Lee hits the Standing Crossbody on Karl Anderson as Anderson comes running off the ropes. Ciampa is tagged in and Anderson hits a Spinebuster before tagging out to Luke Gallows. The OC plans to isolate Ciampa with quick tags as Anderson is tagged back in. Anderson catches a knee to the face courtesy of Ciampa, who tags in Riddle. Anderson tags in AJ Styles and Riddle hits the Exploder Suplex and Broton Bomb on both Styles and Anderson.

Riddle hits the Final Flash and Bro To Sleep on AJ Styles for a two count when Luke Gallows makes the save. Styles answers back with a Brainbuster for a near fall. A Phenomenal Forearm misses Riddle and Lee hits the Pounce on Styles, which sends Styles flying into the referee. Ciampa connects with a Running Knee while Styles is seated in the corner of the ring. He has Styles in position for the Fairytale Ending, but Finn Balor makes an entrance.

Finn Balor hits the Impaler DDT on Riddle at the entrance ramp. It seems that AJ Styles and Balor are on the same page, but Adam Cole runs in and Superkicks Styles. Cole also hits the Last Shot on Ciampa. NXT goes off the air with Balor standing on the entrance ramp, looking back into the ring at Cole. We're still unsure if Balor is with The OC, The Undisputed Era, or on his own.

Winner: No Contest

Continued on the page below.

Verdict

Heading into this week, AEW is a perfect 5-0 in the rating war. That streak lives on to 6-0, but not by a margin that AEW is used to. NXT is breathing down the backs of AEW this week with the current hype surrounding NXT in the WWE. AEW Dynamite had 822,000 viewers and NXT had 813,000 viewers. NXT is the catalyst in WWE competing with AEW in rating supremacy.

It is 3-2 in my verdict between AEW Dynamite and NXT. This week, that is back to being split again as I tip my verdict in the favor of NXT. The invasion of RAW wrestlers on NXT helped bring something new to NXT and promote the upcoming Survivor Series Pay Per View, which I am looking forward to because of the brand invasions. The development of Dakota Kai going into War Games seems to have me thinking that she could end up on Team Baszler to spite Team Ripley and cause a rift with her tag team partner, Tegan Nox. Pete Dunne's match was quality as was Dominik Dijakovic's, which helped propel into an anticipated main event as The OC took on Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee, and Matt Riddle. The lack of answers from Finn Balor works for me at the end of the show because he works as NXT's biggest mystery at this moment heading into Survivor Series and War Games.

With AEW Dynamite, I do wish the pairings of matches were a little bit more competitive. I like Trent Baretta in Best Friends, but one-on-one against Pac left little to speculate. I felt the same with Private Party against The Dark Order. Brandon Cutler continues to be a blip on the radar in AEW, which makes me assume he will be doing the job. My favorite parts of AEW Dynamite were Cody's segment with his announcement, the video package from The Inner Circle about Chris Jericho, and the main event including the aftermath, which will send the audience right into AEW Full Gear.

My verdict in favor of NXT makes the Wednesday Night Wars 3-3 if it were up to me. As far as the rating war is concerned, AEW still has quite the lead with a 6-0 run. Again, like last week, it begs the question if we value ratings more than we should over quality. In my opinion, basing your wrestling on quality brings NXT into the fold more than what they get credit for. Follow me on Twitter at EricReesePSN and come around next week for more Wednesday Night Wars!