AEW’s Title Tuesday is shaping as much as be a large letdown—and critics aren’t staying quiet. With WWE stacking NXT Showdown like a pay-per-view-level occasion, all eyes turned to what AEW would convey to the combat on October 7. To date? Not a lot.
The top-to-head conflict is now official. AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday airs dwell from Day by day’s Place in Jacksonville—the identical evening WWE airs its loaded NXT Showdown particular on the CW Community. And whereas WWE has constructed its lineup with Survivor Collection-style matches, title-for-title bouts, and main star energy, AEW has provided up only one match: Mercedes Moné vs a thriller opponent from Florida.
Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer weren’t having it. On Wrestling Observer Radio, they made it clear: AEW isn’t displaying up with sufficient ammo.
“Effectively, we’ve additionally bought to attempt to draw a quantity from the AEW Title Tuesday. And at this level, although, they haven’t.” — Bryan Alvarez
Dave Meltzer echoed the frustration with even much less persistence. “Achieved something for that.” The issue? AEW’s large “Homecoming” occasion is sort of right here, and the cardboard remains to be paper-thin.
“Yeah, they didn’t do, they didn’t do a superb job in any respect, in any respect, in any respect, in any respect on that. You realize, I imply they’re getting into there face to face. They’re, they’re gonna get beat. I imply, they’re gonna get beat handily.” — Dave Meltzer
Meltzer in contrast AEW’s strategy to WWE’s personal missteps earlier this yr when additionally they put out a lackluster present in a aggressive slot.
“It’s like when WWE on July 12… you’re going face to face and also you placed on a median two-week present. It’s the identical factor. You’re going face to face, you bought to place up a combat.”
And whereas WWE has been constructing to NXT Showdown with constant segments, promos, and storyline momentum, Meltzer mentioned AEW merely isn’t matching that power.
“In case you watch the NXT present on Tuesday and the AEW present on Wednesday, you recognize which present higher promoted subsequent Tuesday. I imply it’s, it’s not even a combat… all the pieces was constructing in the direction of Tuesday. They’re peeking for this factor and AEW has a present known as Title Tuesday. And now we have Mercedes Moné in opposition to a wrestler from Florida, you recognize who. What does that imply? I don’t know what meaning.”
Alvarez didn’t disagree. “I don’t know what meaning. Means nothing to me. It’s only a match.” And if AEW is hoping the thriller opponent angle will promote itself, Meltzer thinks that’s a mistake too.
“If it was any person good, they need to announce it and if it’s any person dangerous, that shouldn’t be on that present and it definitely shouldn’t be the one match introduced.”
Whereas WWE continues to fireplace on all cylinders with its NXT crossovers, AEW’s lackluster rollout for Title Tuesday has followers and insiders scratching their heads. If that is AEW’s shot at reclaiming momentum, they’re beginning method behind the curve.
Please credit score Ringside Information for those who use the above transcript in your publication.
What’s your take—ought to AEW be doing extra to face toe-to-toe with WWE NXT Showdown? Please share your ideas and suggestions within the remark part under.