Has NXT become a brand viable to RAW and SD?

[Snowman1]

Don't see why the NXT ring style can't work on Raw and Smackdown. The main roster does the "signature moves" style where the talents - especially the faces - stick to a few big moves people recognize, and the main roster fans are conditioned to "wait for the finishers" anyway based on crowd reaction... On NXT, you still have the signature spots with just more added on

 

[Leo C]

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".

Yeah, I agree here. The show does have the indy fan favorites on it, but that's not the only good part. Amazing writing, for example. I can't recall many stories from the main roster recently that have been as good as, for example, Sami Zayn's journey towards the NXT championship. Maybe DB at WM, but they were forced into that. And that's not because he was El Generico, I have seen 1 Generico match from before he signed for NXT. I'm a fan of him solely because of his NXT work. Then there's the fact that most of the guys have entertaining character work, the midcard matters, divas matter... I mean, all I can say is that Raw feels like a bunch of filler stuff, then some 20-minute pointless promo, a main event we've already seen twice last week, and then put the occasional bad booking decision here and there, while with NXT I just have fun. Is Raw bad because of 3 hours? Idk, maybe. But the point is NXT is fun to watch while Raw really isn't. Really don't see how it is designed for indy geeks or whatever.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

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".

Too much wrestling lol. If I wanted to get a new fan into wrestling I would certainly start with segments and angles before in ring action.

 

[Snowman1]

Too much wrestling lol. If I wanted to get a new fan into wrestling I would certainly start with segments and angles before in ring action.

Lack of promo segments? Yeah, although the ones backstage are kept short enough to get the point across without overstaying their welcome. And most of the matches on NXT advance angles and promote the parts of the characters people connect with instead of "just being wrestling"

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Lack of promo segments? Yeah, although the ones backstage are kept short enough to get the point across without overstaying their welcome. And most of the matches on NXT advance angles and promote the parts of the characters people connect with instead of "just being wrestling"

Eh, I guess. If I wanted to show someone wresting I'd probably show them like an Austin/Rock Mania build up and then be like "see how awesome that is?? Now, forget everything you saw, because it fucking sucks now and will never be that cool again."

 

[Stopspot]

I'd point to Lucha Underground and say "but it's still pretty darn good."

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

if Lucha Underground ever wanted me to take them seriously they should have started by choosing a better name

 

[Snowman1]

Eh, I guess. If I wanted to show someone wresting I'd probably show them like an Austin/Rock Mania build up and then be like "see how awesome that is?? Now, forget everything you saw, because it fucking sucks now and will never be that cool again."

Touche'.

 

[CFCrusader]

IMO, NXT is the #2 reason why I would buy the WWE Network, just behind the reduced PPV prices. Having seen some of NXT recently, the product > everything else on RAW and Smackdown and judging by recent house shows, Triple H has NXT up and running to be a viable "fans' choice" brand.

 

[edge4ever]

NXT is a better product for more hardcore wrestling fans. I feel that the NXT product, as far as wrestling is concerned, kills Raw and Smackdown most of the time: again, when it pertains to wrestling.

However, are the stories as good? Have all the superstars made a name for themselves in WWE for years? Well, no. And this is where it'll be hard for them to beat Raw or Smackdown in ratings...no matter what they do.

Even if NXT is given a lot of promoting and bigger crowds and more attention, the drawback is this: will it appeal to majority of the WWE universe? Maybe, but it still won't beat Raw and Smackdown in ratings when you have guys like DB, Cena, Reigns, Ambrose, Wyatt, etc., on Raw and Smackdown.

NXT is awesome and i prefer it, overall. But this is kind of apples and oranges somewhat as Raw/Smackdown have to appeal to a huge audience with tons of superstars that everyone has known for years... until we see Cena headlining NXT against its champion, i don't think it'll ever come close.

 

[Leo C]

NXT is a better product for more hardcore wrestling fans. I feel that the NXT product, as far as wrestling is concerned, kills Raw and Smackdown most of the time: again, when it pertains to wrestling.

However, are the stories as good? Have all the superstars made a name for themselves in WWE for years? Well, no. And this is where it'll be hard for them to beat Raw or Smackdown in ratings...no matter what they do.

Even if NXT is given a lot of promoting and bigger crowds and more attention, the drawback is this: will it appeal to majority of the WWE universe? Maybe, but it still won't beat Raw and Smackdown in ratings when you have guys like DB, Cena, Reigns, Ambrose, Wyatt, etc., on Raw and Smackdown.

NXT is awesome and i prefer it, overall. But this is kind of apples and oranges somewhat as Raw/Smackdown have to appeal to a huge audience with tons of superstars that everyone has known for years... until we see Cena headlining NXT against its champion, i don't think it'll ever come close.

I don't think anyone expects NXT to ever get close to Raw/SD when we're talking about viewership, and it's not supposed to: it's just developmental. It's about as big as it's going to get.
But what did you mean with the story part (if the stories are as good)? If you're comparing NXT and main roster storylines, the NXT ones are better also lol

 

[edge4ever]

I don't think anyone expects NXT to ever get close to Raw/SD when we're talking about viewership, and it's not supposed to: it's just developmental. It's about as big as it's going to get.
But what did you mean with the story part (if the stories are as good)? If you're comparing NXT and main roster storylines, the NXT ones are better also lol

Right, and i agree with you. I simply brought it up because people were acting as if it could reach those heights if it had the proper backing, etc. Which is feel isn't the case. Also, i was just covering all aspects of the question: "
Has NXT become a brand viable to RAW and SD?"


Well, that's a matter of opinion, as most things are. But, WWE puts more emphasis on the main story lines for Raw and Smackdown - whether it be promos, videos, and making the feud personal. I'm not saying NXT has shitty stories, rather WWE puts more time, money, and effort into their main feuds on Raw and Smackdown. Sometimes they can, of course, turn out crappy.

I feel that because we, more hardcore wrestling fans, prefer the NXT product because of its wrestling; we tend to simply say they're simply better at everything. Again, not saying NXT is bad. Just most of the bigger feuds on Raw and Smackdown I feel, as far as story is concerned, are better.

 

[Leo C]

Right, and i agree with you. I simply brought it up because people were acting as if it could reach those heights if it had the proper backing, etc. Which is feel isn't the case. Also, i was just covering all aspects of the question: "
Has NXT become a brand viable to RAW and SD?"


Well, that's a matter of opinion, as most things are. But, WWE puts more emphasis on the main story lines for Raw and Smackdown - whether it be promos, videos, and making the feud personal. I'm not saying NXT has shitty stories, rather WWE puts more time, money, and effort into their main feuds on Raw and Smackdown. Sometimes they can, of course, turn out crappy.

I feel that because we, more hardcore wrestling fans, prefer the NXT product because of its wrestling; we tend to simply say they're simply better at everything. Again, not saying NXT is bad. Just most of the bigger feuds on Raw and Smackdown I feel, as far as story is concerned, are better.

Oh, OK. I didn't really read the thread up to this, figured no one would ever think that. Fair enough if people were actually discussing it.
And if you think the main roster stories are better, OK then, to each his own. I just feel like it's not just the wrestling in NXT that's better, but the storylines, character building and overall booking are superior to the main roster as well, which is one of the reasons I like it so much, not just the wrestling.

 

[Josh...]

NXT is more of a brand and it's on entity than Smackdown. I like the way it is now though, no monthly specials, no wrestlemania matches or anything. It's still a developmental (territory? idk what the word is) at the end of the day.