WWE Says AEW Is Not Competition, But Is It A Work?

How many times have we heard it? “AEW is not Competition.” “AEW is the minor leagues.” “It is not a sprint, but a marathon.” These were the normal cliches that we heard from WWE management when it came to AEW beating WWE NXT on Wednesday night. WWE was forced to move NXT to Tuesday nights. And now the war is rekindled for one more week as WWE NXT and AEW Dynamite go head to head on Tuesday, October 10th.

AEW Dynamite is forced to go to Tuesday night because MLB Playoffs are on next Wednesday on TBS. So what does WWE do load up NXT with more main roster superstars because they saw what happened on Saturday night to Collision when NXT held a Takeover called No Mercy. The numbers dipped with Becky Lynch headlining the show.

So next week, Cody Rhodes will be on the show with a major announcement. That is a play on words because Tony Khan always has major announcements. In addition, John Cena will be in the corner of Carmelo Hayes. Paul Heyman will be in the corner of Bron Breakker. Also, Asuka, who remains undefeated in NXT, will be back on the show. Again, it tells us you don’t view them as competition without telling us you view them as competition.

WWE ANNOUNCED ALL THIS FOR NXT NEXT WEEK. CODY, CENA, ASUKA, HEYMAN.

LMFAO, JUST SO THEY CAN BEAT AEW DYNAMITE FOR ONE WEEK.

Desperate as fuck. pic.twitter.com/wxfEmdECuk

— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) October 4, 2023

For years, WWE has been in denial about AEW. But WWE continues to counterprogram their own shows. Remember, NXT was “developmental” when Triple H ran the program. Now, all of a sudden, it is a legit third brand. Except, the original Black and Gold was better than what we have now. It tells you they don’t have the talent coming, so they need main roster stars on the show. Meanwhile, when Triple H ran it, there was a stockpile that was the time to bring the main rosters in and make it a legit third brand. Maybe then they wouldn’t get smoked in the ratings.

Around Full Press Coverage

AEW: AEW Dynamite Closes Out Colorado’s 1st Bank Center

AEW: Adam Copeland (Edge) Debuts at AEW WrestleDream

Wrestling News: AEW Terminates CM Punk Contract

FULL PRESS BETS: Odds Favor The Avalanche To Repeat As Stanley Cup Champions

NHL: Colorado Avalanche Long Journey Back To The Stanley Cup

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots

Remember back in September of 2021, WWE changed RAW, because AEW Dynamite beat RAW in the 18-49 demo. The company’s reason was because of Monday Night Football. Some believed it, but most believed it was because of AEW. And while WWE may not acknowledge AEW in the media, their moves say otherwise. The counter-programming on NXT next Tuesday is a perfect sign that WWE knows AEW is a legitimate competitor, especially with Adam Copeland heading over there.

Adam Copeland, formerly known as Edge, will be in action on AEW Dynamite “Title Tuesday.” Also, it is Tony Khan‘s birthday. It is an exciting time with AEW coming off so many good shows like All In, WrestleDream, and All Out. So we will see what AEW does on Dynamite next Tuesday. But what if it is all an act? WWE really sees AEW as competition and they are working everyone?

Remember, Christian Cage said, “Out Work Everyone.” And then he “Worked Everyone.” Maybe that is what WWE is doing to all the fans when they are asked about it. Because nobody really believes what they have to say. And actions always speak louder than words. So why not work the fans? It is professional wrestling after all.

We all know WWE views AEW as competition. Why would they plug the signing of Jade Cargill so much? Have Cody Rhodes on NXT. Promote the heck out of Brian Pillman Jr. Everyone knows the reason. AEW is their competitor. They want to win the ratings war like it is WCW and WWE.

IS IT A WORK? IS IT ALL LIES?

Whatever the case is, clearly, WWE knows AEW is the competition, but don’t act like they don’t exist when your moves say otherwise.