- Horror in America: 5 Horror Films For The 4th Of July - July 1, 2022
- Upcoming Horror: 5 Scary Movies Releasing July 1-8 - July 1, 2022
- ‘The Black Phone’: Movie Review And Rating - July 1, 2022
The Wednesday Night Wars are in full effect. NXT is just days removed from their latest TakeOver event. AEW Dynamite is moving ahead to their upcoming PPV AEW Revolution.
The Wednesday Night Wars review takes all of the matches from each show and gives them a star rating. The matches are then ranked from best to worst.
AEW vs NXT: Bottom of the Barrel
11) Jake Hager defeated Brandon Cutler (AEW)
Jake Hager is able to counter and avoid almost all of Brandon Cutler’s offense, overwhelming him at every turn. Cutler is finally able to get the upper hand when the match moves to the outside. Cutler with a suicide dive before Hager goes back inside the ring. Hager catches Cutler off a springboard before slamming him down and hitting a closeline for the win. Just a squash here. Take a Pass. SQUASH
10) Jon Moxley defeated Ryan Nemeth (AEW)
Not much to see here as Jon Moxley gets a quick squash against Ryan Nemeth, finishing it off with the Paradigm Shift. I guess Dolph Ziggler’s brother is just a jobber. Take a Pass. SQUASH.
AEW: Sting’s revenge
9) Brian Cage and Ricky Starks defeated The Varsity Blondes (AEW)
Brian Pillman JR. is a great talent but he’s been underutilized in AEW compared to how he shinned in MLW. The Varsity Blondes have shown flashes since their arrival but they felt just a step above enhancement talent in this one. Cage ends the match with a Discus clothesline and Drill Claw on Pillman. After the match. Stong arrives with Taz’s son hook in a body bag. He enters the ring as Darby Allen arrives via zipline from the top of the arena and they layout Team Taz. The match was nothing but the angle afterward was cute. Skim It. **
NXT: A friendship tested
8) Xia Li defeated Kacy Catanzaro (NXT)
Kacy Catanzaro uses her athleticism to avoid Xia Li’s offense, including a springboard head scissors. Catanzaro is caught springing off the ropes as she’s dropped with Snake Eyes. Xia overwhelms her with her power until Caranzaro goes on the offense as the action spills to the outside. Xia is able to reverse and throw Catanzaro into the fence. Catanzaro’s leg is draped across the steel steps as Xia snaps her leg with a vicious kick before bringing the action back to the ring. Catanzaro is unable to continue and the match is thrown out. Skim It. Not a long match, but it was fun for what it was and moved the story along nicely. Skim It on the high side. **1/2
Back on track
7) Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Drake Maverick and Killian Dain (NXT)
Drake Maverick is able to use his speed to keep the GYV off guard. Killian Dain tags in and is able to use his size and power to his advantage. The GYV retreat to the outside but are met with Dain tosses Maverick over the top rope to take them out. Dain then gets the tag and cleans house, including a belly-to-belly suplex. The GYV are able to double team their way to a brief advantage as the action moves to the outside of the ring. The GYV get the win after hitting the Ticket to Mayhem on Maverick. Fun tag match that gets the GYV on the winning track. Skim It. **1/2
AEW: Women’s Action
6) Nyla Rose defeated Britt Baker (AEW)
Nyla Rose uses her power to start the match causing Britt Baker to retreat to the outside. After some stalling, Baker heads back onto the ring but is once again on the receiving end of Rose’s offense, including a drop Gorilla Press Slam. Baker heads back outside and is able to slam Baker’s arm into the ring post as we head to a commercial. Back in the ring and Rose makes a comeback, including hitting a big chokeslam on Baker before attacking Rebel. A failed Lock Jawk attempt by Baker leads to Rose hitting a Beast Bomb for a close two count. Rose goes back to a second Beast Bomb for the win. Solid match as the AEW women’s division continues to take shape. Worth a Watch. ***
WHAT A FIGHT! Who wants it the most?
Which side are you on? @RealBrittBaker? Or @NylaRoseBeast?
Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama pic.twitter.com/czXe9b3Bsz— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 25, 2021
5) Io Shirai defeated Zoey Stark (NXT)
Chain wrestling to stark as Zoey Stark gets a brief advantage. Io Shirai goes on the offense with a low-angle dropkick followed by chops in the corner. Shirai goes for a 619 but is caught in the ropes and knocked out of the ring as we head to a commercial. Back from the break and Starks continues the offense until she misses a 450 splash and they clash with dual cross-body blocks. Hard Way suplex by Stark gets a two-count on Shirai. Double knees in the corner by Shirai followed by a moonsault for the win. The match started a bit sloppy but then came together well. Worth a Watch. ***1/4
Hangman’s upper hand
4) Hangman Adam Page defeated Isiah Kassidy (AEW)
Isiah Kassidy is one half of Private Party who has been impressive as of lately, including their stop in IMPACT Wrestling. Adam Page attacks Matt Hardy on the outside before overwhelming Kassidy inside, including connecting with a fallaway slam. The action spills to the outside as Page hits a crossbody onto a dazed Kassidy. Back in the ring and TH2 distracts the referee before Hardy grabs Page’s leg allowing Kassidy to get the advantage. Hardy and TH2 and then ejected from ringside. Solid back and forth action before Kassidy attempts a springboard but is caught in the Dead Eye by Page for the win. Fun match with Cassidy delivering a strong performance along with the always reliable Page. Worth a Watch. ***1/4
Non-Title Match
3) Dexter Lumis defeated Johnny Gargano (NXT)
The Way vs Dexter Lumis angle continues to move forward, this time in a non-title match. Johnny Gargano does his best to avoid Lumis who eventually is caught up in a stalling suplex. Gargano sneaks away and gets the upper hand on the outside of the ring. Nice spot as Lumis dukes a running kick, kips up, and then hits a modified spinebuster on Gargano to the apron. Candace attempts a hurricanrana from the apron but is caught by Loomis who is then nailed with a baseball slide by Gargano.
The Way eventually attempt to interfere but it backfires before Lumis locks in The Silence as he passes out Gargano for the win. This was a really fun match as Gargano shows why he’s one of the best in the world. A solid outing from Lumis as well. Worth a Watch. ***1/4
AEW: Main Event
2) Lance Archer defeated Rey Fenix (AEW)
A contrast of styles where the winner enters the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match. Lance Archer is a quality big man and Rey Fenix is the best luchador wrestling in the US and maybe the world. Fenix lands sick looking flipping suicide dive onto Archer. Jake Roberts pulls down Fenix from the top rope who then flips over his back and onto Archer in a nice-looking spot. Archer regains control and is able to power his way through the match, halting Fenix’s comebacks in the process.
After a long beatdown, Rey Fenix does manage to get on the offensive, including hitting a tightrope swing kick and a rolling cutter for a two-count. Fenix is able to hit a Spanish Fly for another two-count. Archer’s power proves to be too much for Fenix to handle as the big man ends it with the Black Out. Really fun match that helped save an otherwise mediocre AEW Dynamite Show. Worth a Watch. ***3/4
NXT: Main Event
1) No Disqualifications Match: Karrion Kross defeated Santos Escobar (NXT)
The match quickly starts on the outside of the building as Karrion Kross powers his way on offense. Santos Escobar avoids Kross by locking himself in a truck. Kross begins to rip apart the door with a pickaxe. They brawl in front of the car until the rest of Legado del Fantasma arrive as they triple-team Kross. Kross is carried to the ring but eventually turns the tables and fights off all three men. Escobar gets a steel chair and goes to work on Kross.
After a commercial break, Escobar is still in control until Kross makes his comeback, including a back suplex through the announcer’s table. Kross nails another back suplex in the ring and ends it with a running forearm. This was Kross’ best match in NXT to date and Escobar is a legit star in the making. Worth a Watch. ***3/4