With the official announcement of WWE NXT’s move to the USA Network, I am nervously optimistic about the future of the black and gold brand.
Regardless of the reasons behind the move, I am glad that the amazing superstars of NXT are getting the spotlight that they truly deserve. Talents like Johnny Gargano, Shayna Baszler, and Adam Cole should be household names. In fact, in my humble opinion, Triple H’s labor of love is THE best brand – and here’s why:
The Roster:
NXT started out as a developmental brand that has taken on a life of its own. Once upon a time the goal was to get called up to RAW or Smackdown. But now things are a little different. These guys and gals fight every week with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Talents such as Johnny Gargano are all heart and phenomenal storytellers in the ring. Gargano has a special relationship with the brand and wants to do everything he can to leave his mark. He takes pride in NXT and everything that it is.
Talents like Shayna Baszler and Tomasso Ciampa are some of the best heels on the planet. The Undisputed Era is one of the top factions in the business. Matt Riddle has slowly but surely become a fantastic performer, and Io Shirai’s recent heel turn has been one of the most successful transformations I’ve seen in a long time.
The Women’s division is stacked with names like Candice Larae, Bianca Belair, Mia Yim, Kacy Cantanzaro, etc. Now with two hours this could give more opportunity for more women’s matches on the show.
Additionally, has anyone else noticed that wins and losses are super meaningful in NXT? Take superstars like Asuka and Aleister Black who were nearly undefeated in NXT. Until recently Keith Lee had a pretty impressive streak as well. Baszler has been nearly unstoppable. The (Rebel) Heart and Soul of the brand, Gargano seems to take a lot of L’s at Takeover events which commentary is usually right on top of. Superstars are able to build their characters on respective wins and even on losses. Everything is accounted for. Something the red and blue bands have been sorely lacking.
Arguably, some of the best feuds in recent memory in all of pro wrestling have come straight from NXT. Who can forget the drawn out yet perfectly executed Ciampa vs Gargano feud? That feud had everything including personal relationships, betrayals, phenomenal matches, reunions, and payback. Feuds like Dream vs. Aleister Black help make these Superstars. And any feud involving the Undisputed Era in the tag division is instantly pure gold.
But wait….there’s more! It’s almost like NXT has a magical well of up and coming or indie talent they can pull from at anytime. You never know who is going to make their WWE debut on NXT at any given moment. On more than one occasion, I’ve even some of my Indie wrestler pals show up. The superstars on NXT TV are already phenomenal with an unbelievable amount of talent just waiting in the wings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1PJU6ZdR7Y
Match Announcement and Match Pace:
As I’ve already said, you never know just who is going to show up on NXT. I think one of the MAJOR problems with RAW and Smackdown is that they announce nearly EVERY SINGLE match that is going to happen before or during that particular show. I think this has really gone under the radar, but I particularly notice that NXT is incredibly good at letting superstars come out to their matches unannounced much like in the Ruthless Aggression era of WWE. Little details like this are everything.
More importantly, the match pace of NXT is the icing on the cake. NXT Takeovers usually have a three hour show that feature only five matches. On paper it sounds crazy. In reality it’s amazing! Every single guy and gal gets the time they deserve in the ring. Each one gets to tell a story. Even on the weekly NXT show (which is only an hour) there are PPV worthy bouts such Riddle vs. Cole, Mia Yim vs. Bianca Belair, or Keith Lee vs. Dijakovic.
Now I will be completely fair in saying that the one drawback of NXT has been the show being taped so far in advance. Spoilers have more than enough time to make their way out into the world which I absolutely hate. Debuts, title changes, and returns are all on the internet weeks before the respective episode airs. Until now, there’s really been no way around it, but this will be rectified in the move to Wednesday Nights with a LIVE show.
The Commentary
Two Words: Mauro. Ranallo.
I talk a lot about storytelling in the ring, but this man is the BEST storyteller outside of it. Talk about passion. This guy gives 110% to every single call. We are truly not worthy. Add a few amazing puns and some in-ring IQ from the likes of Nigel McGuinness and Beth Phoenix and we are golden.
The Tunes
Am I the only who notices how good the music is on NXT? The brand constantly features tunage from the likes of Halestorm, Nita Strauss, and Slipknot to name a few. (Even Fozzy at one point). Some of the TakeOver events even feature live performances by the likes of Lzzy Hale and Code Orange. NXT introduced the live electric violin performance for Nakamura’s entrance, and even had NXT crew member Josiah Williams rap to Adam Cole’s entrance at Takeover. There is clearly a major focus on the music scene within NXT and it is something I truly appreciate.
One Word: Takeover
When is the last time there was a bad Takeover event? I can’t even remember if there was a bad one in recent memory. It boggles my mind how each and every one of these shows are amazing right down to every detail. The Set is much grander, the superstar attire is always new, and the entrances are always big time.
I feel that this is something that the main roster PPVs (now known as “events”) have been lacking. There is absolutely ZERO change to the set other than the ring apron and the images on the Titantron. I remember when WWE had some amazing sets that guys would jump off of, or swinging mechanical pieces, and of course lots of pyro! (That’s a different conversation) Every main roster PPV outside of Wrestlemania is missing that big show set, and big show feel.
When NXT Takeover starts, you feel it and you see it. The cards and the in ring work speak for themselves. I have to give credit to Triple H and his crew.
Full Sail and The Performance Center
Anyone who knows that if you’re a WWE Superstar you are essentially living in hotels and on the road. Every show is in a different venue, in a different city, with a different locker room. Yet I think NXT having a home base at Full Sail is critical to the success of the brand. Sure it’s a smaller operation and capacity, but man do they make the most of it. NXT has a home for its superstars at Full Sail and the Performance Center. Some may not consider
that a big deal, but I think it’s everything. The Full Sail crowd has absolutely MADE some of these stars including the likes of the four horsewomen, DIY, and Finn Balor, just to name a few.
Also key fans like Bayley’s number one fangirl, Izzy or the notable sign makers known as @adventureswithbayley (Hugger Section, Johnny Emoji signs) play a HUGE part in the brand. Simply put. Full Sail is home. If you don’t think this is true just watch Nikki Cross’s goodbye on the WWEPC Youtube Channel.
If you’ve come here looking for an AEW vs. NXT article you’ve come to the wrong place. And quite frankly I think you’re missing the point. This is a MASSIVE move for what was once the best kept secret in wrestling. I only ask that NXT stays the course because as the old saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Let Triple H, Matt Bloom, Sara Amato, William Regal, Robbie Brookside and co. do their thing. Don’t bring in talent from the red and blue brands. Two hours of NXT is going to be amazing IF they keep doing what they’ve been doing. I know many will make the argument that the same can be said for AEW, but I think we can all agree on one thing. The real winners on Wednesday nights are going to be the wrestling fans because the future is more than ever NOW.
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