Has NXT become a brand viable to RAW and SD?

[Bort]

While I do check NXT from time to time, I always get that vibe of pretentiousness from the show, it makes me kind of uncomfortable.

 

[Stopspot]

It's a bit of both.

It is a brand in the sense that it is used to help sell the network to hardcore fans who want to see guys like Steen, Devitt and such.

But it is still mainly a developmental tool, with the goal to get talent onto the show to gain experience in front of cameras before they get called up.

 

[Snowman1]

Obviously not from a ratings/popularity standpoint and all of that, but if I'm going to try to get anyone into pro wrestling, I'd show them NXT. Don't see what about that show "only appeals to hardcore fans".

 

[Vince McDonald]

Obviously not from a ratings/popularity standpoint and all of that, but if I'm going to try to get anyone into pro wrestling, I'd show them NXT. Don't see what about that show "only appeals to hardcore fans".

I don't think it appeals more towards "hardcore fans" necessarily, I think it draws the attention of independent fans who maybe drift away from the mainstream brands like raw and smack down, but still stay loyal to WWE.

But, as NXT continues to grow, I am sticking by the fact that ten show isn't good because there is a small audience, it's good because Triple H runs the show himself, and there isn't anyone better who Can run the show than the game.

 

[Trip in the Head]

I'd like to start out by just saying that I am a big fan of what NXT has been doing.

Now - to compare it to RAW, SD, and even ME is a little ridiculous as NXT as a brand is only in it's, what, 2nd or 3rd year. While other shows have been on for a long time and have (roughly) the same time spot they've always had. Give it time.

I see 2 aspects of it though:
1. Quality of in-ring entertainment - NXT has this category by a mile as of late.
2. Size of roster - this is where NXT is lacking in comparison to the flagship shows but when you are doing a much shorter show every week it is harder to notice. But then again they have started bringing in the "indy" talent (i.e. Rhyno and The Kendrick) to help spice things up in the roster

I'm excited to see when these NXT guys get to move up and see how they do. That can also be a curse though. Look at Big E and Xavier Woods - both cornered in a stable and not going anywhere. The Ascension - I was so pumped to see them move up and they ain't done shit. But then The Shield and The Wyatts all came from NXT as well. So its about a 50/50 success rate at this point I think.

A big hope of mine is that the AMAZING divas matches that take place in NXT find their way to RAW/SD as the NXT female talent moves up as well. They didn't work out so well for Emma - but I was never a big fan of hers anyway.

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

I'd like to start out by just saying that I am a big fan of what NXT has been doing.

Now - to compare it to RAW, SD, and even ME is a little ridiculous as NXT as a brand is only in it's, what, 2nd or 3rd year. While other shows have been on for a long time and have (roughly) the same time spot they've always had. Give it time.

I see 2 aspects of it though:
1. Quality of in-ring entertainment - NXT has this category by a mile as of late.
2. Size of roster - this is where NXT is lacking in comparison to the flagship shows but when you are doing a much shorter show every week it is harder to notice. But then again they have started bringing in the "indy" talent (i.e. Rhyno and The Kendrick) to help spice things up in the roster

I'm excited to see when these NXT guys get to move up and see how they do. That can also be a curse though. Look at Big E and Xavier Woods - both cornered in a stable and not going anywhere. The Ascension - I was so pumped to see them move up and they ain't done shit. But then The Shield and The Wyatts all came from NXT as well. So its about a 50/50 success rate at this point I think.

A big hope of mine is that the AMAZING divas matches that take place in NXT find their way to RAW/SD as the NXT female talent moves up as well. They didn't work out so well for Emma - but I was never a big fan of hers anyway.

In regards to #2 I think you meant "enhancement" talent rather than 'indy' talent if I'm not mistaken.. but I see what you mean regardless

Basically the success rate is 50/50 because of how the WWE promotes them to the main roster.. you take someone like Adam Rose or The Ascension but don't have any sort of storyline or plans when you bring them up they will fail.. The Shield & Wyatt Family, they made their impact pretty well known right out of the gate.

Emma was just.. not good, she had a stupid bubble popping gimmick that was definitely not going anywhere.. Paige getting called up though was awesome, she had good NXT matches and continues to do what she can with the alotted time on the main roster.. Charlotte, Alexa Bliss & Sasha Banks are the only 3 Divas I see right now that are anywhere close to if not right on the cusp of being the next girls to try their stuff on the main stage.

 

[Trip in the Head]

In regards to #2 I think you meant "enhancement" talent rather than 'indy' talent if I'm not mistaken.. but I see what you mean regardless

Basically the success rate is 50/50 because of how the WWE promotes them to the main roster.. you take someone like Adam Rose or The Ascension but don't have any sort of storyline or plans when you bring them up they will fail.. The Shield & Wyatt Family, they made their impact pretty well known right out of the gate.

Emma was just.. not good, she had a stupid bubble popping gimmick that was definitely not going anywhere.. Paige getting called up though was awesome, she had good NXT matches and continues to do what she can with the alotted time on the main roster.. Charlotte, Alexa Bliss & Sasha Banks are the only 3 Divas I see right now that are anywhere close to if not right on the cusp of being the next girls to try their stuff on the main stage.

Enhancement talent - right. I had forgot what they called it. And I totally forgot about Adam Rose and Paige being from NXT as well. There's actually quite a few on the main roster now huh

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

Enhancement talent - right. I had forgot what they called it. And I totally forgot about Adam Rose and Paige being from NXT as well. There's actually quite a few on the main roster now huh

If we're going with NXT that was in 2010 as well before they did FCW that rebranded itself back into new NXT then this is the list that I have..
Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan, Ryback, Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, Husky Harris/Bray Wyatt , Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Diego & Fernando (epico & primo), Paige, Emma, Adam Rose, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Konnor, Victor, Xavier Woods, Big E.. I think I forgot one but I'm not sure who.. oh Fandango! but if we're just going this 2012 NXT and on it's; The Shield, Wyatt Family, Adam Rose, Paige, Emma, Xavier, Big E and Ascension.. idk but yeah there's a good bit of them on there, and soon to be even more I imagine.

Edit: Oh also I'll throw Corey Graves even though he's only a commentator/announcer but he still does the pre-show for the PPVs so that's kind of the same as being called up to wrestle I suppose.

 

[The GOAT]

I see 2 aspects of it though:
1. Quality of in-ring entertainment - NXT has this category by a mile as of late.

Only because the main roster are told to water their move sets down for the purpose of making their signature moves stand out more. A lot of guys and gals at NXT aren't generally neutered quite as much and are basically allowed to have more freedom with what they do in the ring. Imagine if guys like Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Tyson Kidd, Dolph Ziggler, and probably 80-90% of the roster weren't micro-managed so much and were afforded that same freedom on the main roster that the NXT cats have. The in-ring quality of the show would be a lot different.

Even then, the greatest WWE matches can probably still compete with the greatest matches that NXT has to offer, but that's a debatable point.

 

[Trip in the Head]

Only because the main roster are told to water their move sets down for the purpose of making their signature moves stand out more. A lot of guys and gals at NXT aren't generally neutered quite as much and are basically allowed to have more freedom with what they do in the ring. Imagine if guys like Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Tyson Kidd, Dolph Ziggler, and probably 80-90% of the roster weren't micro-managed so much and were afforded that same freedom on the main roster that the NXT cats have. The in-ring quality of the show would be a lot different.

Even then, the greatest WWE matches can probably still compete with the greatest matches that NXT has to offer, but that's a debatable point.

Oh I don't think it needs much debate. Some of the classics from the past will always be classics and the NXT matches won't even come close (at least not right off). There's just to many great ones from the past.

And yeah, I guess I never thought about WWE asking them to hold back some. Seems dumb to me but what do I know I suppose. I guess I don't feel like the other moves need to be watered down to make the GOOD signature moves stand out, but I am only one fan.

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

Only because the main roster are told to water their move sets down for the purpose of making their signature moves stand out more. A lot of guys and gals at NXT aren't generally neutered quite as much and are basically allowed to have more freedom with what they do in the ring. Imagine if guys like Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Tyson Kidd, Dolph Ziggler, and probably 80-90% of the roster weren't micro-managed so much and were afforded that same freedom on the main roster that the NXT cats have. The in-ring quality of the show would be a lot different.

Even then, the greatest WWE matches can probably still compete with the greatest matches that NXT has to offer, but that's a debatable point.

Curious to see how Triple H would run the Main shows if he had full control.. you think he'd have them water down their move sets as well? I would hope not.

 

[The GOAT]

Curious to see how Triple H would run the Main shows if he had full control.. you think he'd have them water down their move sets as well? I would hope not.

Maybe not as much, but I don't think he'd let them go all out either. To be fair, when someone breaks out a move on a special occasion like Rollins' top-rope maneuver at the Rumble, Brock's shooting-star press at WM19 or Punk's Pepsi Plunge (actually, I don't ever remember him using it in WWE even once, but imagined if he had in a big match scenario, like one of the times he wrestled Cena for example), it does make those particular moves look much more outstanding as opposed to desensitizing us with seeing them every week or so.

 

[Trip in the Head]

I dunno man, I'm not completely disagreeing with you - but I can say that some moves amaze me just about every time. Like the red arrow for example. And while I'm saying it, Balor's coup de grat amazes me everytime because he hasn't broken somebody's ribs yet haha.

 

[The GOAT]

Well, a lot of moves are also banned (or used very, very rarely) because of the high-risk that's involved in executing said moves. Here's a short list of some of the moves that fall into that category: http://whatculture.com/wwe/10-wrestling-moves-wwe-banned-for-being-too-dangerous.php

 

[Prince Bálor]

I dunno man, I'm not completely disagreeing with you - but I can say that some moves amaze me just about every time. Like the red arrow for example. And while I'm saying it, Balor's coup de grat amazes me everytime because he hasn't broken somebody's ribs yet haha.

Red Arrow is so cool.

Speaking of Finn's finisher, I love it every time when Finn does Coup de Grâce, but I didn't like it when Itami used to do it...