The War Report - March 24 2021: Cole And O’Reilly Make It Personal
NXT vs. AEW: Dynamite - which was the better show this week?
Storyline Development
Did you not read the last segment? NO. SLEEP. ’TIL TAKEOVER.
NXT gave everything that needed meaning some meaning, and everything that already had meaning, a little extra spice.
Kross vs. Bálor finally feels personal rather than inevitable, even if Kross’s victory certainly does. While Io vs. Gonzalez ticked along nicely with a huge Baldo Bomb onto the announce table for the champion. Genuinely thought Raquel was going to turn on Dakota here, but maybe they’re saving that for the post-TakeOver edition of NXT.
Cole and O’Reilly looks like it could be feud of the year, while the announcement of WALTER vs. Tomasso Ciampa for the NXT UK Championship could be match of the year.
We also got Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae challenging Shotzi and Ember for the tag straps, whilst MSK vs. GYV vs. LDF has been made official for the men’s tag titles. I’m hoping for a Grizzled Young Veterans win, let MSK have something to chase rather than just turn up, be undefeated and win everything.
As for Devlin vs. Escobar? More on that in a minute…
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As always, AEW kept everything ticking over, with several elements in play.
No mention of Omega vs. Rich Swann at IMPACT Rebellion, but Omega isn’t done with The Young Bucks, with Nick and Matt turning their back on Kenny leaving him to be trounced by The Lucha Bros. Intrigued to see where this is going, I’m personally itching for a Young Bucks heel turn.
We have multiple feuds in the women’s division too! About damn time. Conti vs. Bunny. Rose vs. Shida. Baker vs. Rosa. Cargill vs. Velvet. Everything is finally falling into place.
Talking of The Bunny, Matt Hardy’s crew is now known as The Hardy Family Office, ad Hardy looks like he’s next in line to challenge Darby Allin.
The Pinnacle looked good in victory this week - alongside a theme that has a passing resemblance to The Four Horsemen theme (but nowhere near as good) - and called out The Inner Circle again. FTR vs. Proud and Powerful should be outstanding, just wish they were fighting over the Tag Titles.
Speaking of which, The Lucha Bros want the Tag Titles. They always deliver when against The Bucks, so go for it.
Winner: NXT. A close one this. AEW kept several feuds ticking over, and even started some new ones, but all roads lead to TakeOver, and NXT have found their groove leading up to the big show - TakeOver, not Captain Insano.
