Nick Jackson of AEW Misses Head-to-Head Competition with WWE NXT

One big thing

Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks has admitted that he misses the direct competition between AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT on Wednesday nights.

Why it matters

The admission highlights the impact of competition on product quality in professional wrestling and the shifting landscape of TV wrestling programming.

Key details

• AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT went head-to-head on Wednesday nights from October 2019 to April 2021.
• This period was dubbed the “Wednesday Night Wars” by fans and media.
• NXT moved to Tuesday nights in April 2021, ending the direct competition.
• NXT is now moving from USA Network to CW, starting October 1, 2023.

What they’re saying

Nick Jackson told Justin Barrasso:

“Absolutely, competition breeds excellence. One thing I actually kind of miss is when we’d battle it out weekly on Wednesday nights. It was exciting, seeing who would have the better night. It makes you feel more alive.”

The big picture

The competition between AEW and WWE has been a driving force in the wrestling industry’s recent resurgence. While direct head-to-head battles have ended, the rivalry continues to push both companies to innovate and improve their product.

What’s next

With NXT’s move to CW, both shows will have new opportunities to grow their audiences without direct competition. How this affects ratings and product quality remains to be seen.

Do you think the end of head-to-head competition between AEW and NXT has been good or bad for wrestling fans? Share your thoughts in the comments below.