3 reasons AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam was better than WWE Extreme Rules and 2 reasons it wasn't

WWE Extreme Rules 2021 capped off another intense week of wrestling for fans as AEW Dynamite and Rampage Grand Slam editions took place the same week. Fans got to witness Roman Reigns, Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson, AJ Styles, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, Adam Cole and Bobby Lashley wrestling in the same week.

With two significant events happening in the same week, it only makes sense to see which show outdid the other as the competition between the two companies heats up. Of course, AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam wasn't a pay-per-view, but it was billed as the biggest AEW TV show yet, and WWE Extreme Rules is one of the most popular gimmick pay-per-views in the company's calendar.

However, this author believes AEW slightly outperformed their counterparts by the smallest of margins, and without any delay, let's see why.

---

#3. AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam didn't have any questionable booking decisions like WWE Extreme Rules

Although people criticized the finish to the Kenny Omega vs. Bryan Danielson match, it made perfect booking sense. We got a classic bout and a build-up to a longer future match between two all-time greats.

WWE, however, made several questionable booking decisions. First and foremost, WWE champion Big E didn't even defend his championship on Sunday and only got involved in the show after a backstage segment during the kick-off.

For a pay-per-view titled Extreme Rules, there was just one gimmick match out of 7! Six standard matches didn't seem very extreme. Finally, the 'Demon' Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns main event was an abysmal booking.

The idea was obviously to protect The Demon, but the finish did neither man any favors, and The Demon's aura is severely dented now.

AEW, on the other hand, got their booking spot on. The right people went over, especially Malakai Black, who many feared would suffer his first AEW loss to Cody Rhodes. MJF and Brian Pillman Jr. had a fun match. Britt Baker defeated Ruby Soho in a solid main event that saw just enough heel work from the dentist not to seem overbearing.

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam was the clear winner over WWE Extreme Rules from a booking standpoint.

#2. WWE Extreme Rules had the better surprises compared to AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

All Out set an unfair precedent for AEW with the level of surprises on offer, with ex-WWE top stars like Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole making their debuts. AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam saw no new stars debut or return, while Rampage saw Homicide debut during the main event.

WWE, however, pulled out Sasha Banks during the Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch match. Even though a championship match on pay-per-view ended in a disqualification, it made excellent sense booking-wise.

Sasha Banks is one of the biggest stars in WWE with genuine mainstream appeal, and people were awaiting her return. Banks showing up at Extreme Rules in any capacity was a significant plus for the show.

---

#2. AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam's storylines were more coherent than WWE Extreme Rules

AEW has placed more emphasis on coherent storylines than WWE, with Grand Slam and Extreme Rules continuing that theme. AEW gave sufficient build to all feuds and rushed nothing. In particular, MJF vs. Brian Pillman Jr. and Ruby Soho vs. Britt Baker, both matches saw exemplary mic work before Grand Slam.

On the other hand, WWE had a strange Alexa Bliss storyline, rushed a Big E match, and the main event was an afterthought as Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns had been announced for Saudi Arabia weeks ago.

Liv Morgan and Carmella fought for the umpteenth time with the same result, and Damien Priest retaining the US title was the only result without logical fallacies.

The in-ring action was quite remarkable at Extreme Rules. Alexa Bliss vs. Charlotte was better than expected, Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair delivered until Sasha Banks interfered, The Usos vs. Street Profits was the match of the night. Demon vs. Roman Reigns was great until the finish.

However, the storylines left a lot to be desired, and AEW trumped WWE big time in this aspect.

#1 WWE Extreme Rules trumped AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam in terms of star power

WWE Extreme Rules and AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam combined to give fans huge names in action, all in one week. However, WWE had the edge in this regard.

While Dynamite saw Bryan Danielson, Kenny Omega, Britt Baker, Ruby Soho, MJF, Sting, Darby Allin, FTR, Cody Rhodes, and Malakai Black in action, WWE trumped them with Big E, Bianca Belair, Roman Reigns, The Usos, Becky Lynch, Charlotte, and a returning Sasha Banks.

Extreme Rules had the upper hand over AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam when it came to star power.

---

#1. AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam lived up to its name, unlike WWE Extreme Rules

Grand Slam was AEW's first foray into a stadium show as they went to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Bryan Danielson vs. Kenny Omega was a massive opener, and all matches on the card felt grand indeed.

Most importantly, nearly 20,000 AEW fans maintaining their energy throughout the show made it feel more special in a city that has historically been WWE's backyard.

On the other hand, WWE Extreme Rules had one extreme rules match, and that's it! Six standard matches on a pay-per-view that has Extreme Rules in its name is a letdown. It immediately diminishes the aura of the event and takes away from the gimmick. The extreme rules' main event did not feature nearly enough 'extreme' to justify the pay-per-view name.

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam was advertised and felt like the biggest Dynamite in company history, while WWE Extreme Rules ended up feeling a bit hollow with the match card not living up to its name.