NXT Star Debuts *RR Spoiler*

[Dale]

So last night, NXT star Alexander 'The Bulgarian Brute' Rusev debuted in the Royal Rumble at #6 and a pretty nice showing hitting his signature moves before he was eliminated by several guys.

Personally, I hadn't been overly impressed by him in NXT but read he was working alot of house shows and that his debut was imminent. He moves well for a guy his size and obviously has the WWE look but I still think they've got a bunch of work to do with him.

His theme music was great last night though, really glad they changed it as it had a real impactful vibe about it unlike that trashy, national anthem like theme he had in NXT. Will be worth keeping an eye on whether Lana gets the call to manage him like she did in NXT.

I'm quite surprised he got the call up on the road to WrestleMania though as there's a pretty damn good he gets forgotten about amongst all the other angles they've to build to and given what happened last year, i've got this awfully bad feeling that this is going to be Jericho's project should he return.

Thoughts on what you've seen of the guy.​

 

[SAIYANS]

Who said he got a full call up like Xavier? That could have been his test and teaser, like Bo the year before. I don't think him, Emma, Paige, or anyone will be called up as full time roster members until after mania. Getting them all seen at different points on TV before the live special is smart though as they are planning a preshow to tell who these guys and girls you've seen bits of are if you believe Meltzer

 

[Weez]

Yeah, I think Saiyans is probably right. I assume we'll see NXT Teasers for the next month, getting the WWE Universe familiar with at least a few people. They already have a Passing "Oh yeah, that dude.." Memory of Bo Dallas (more on him later lol). Rusev has been tearing it up on NXT, his push has been ridiculous, so I COULD see him getting the call up post-Mania. I also liked, from what I read, that Rusev and Kofi played together. Theyve had a couple pretty decent matches on NXT, and its odd to see them actually somewhat continue it, if nothing else for NXT Purposes..

I figure since they've set Neville vs Dallas for the NXT Championship at the Live Special, that we'll get those 2 on RAW at some point in the next month, maybe someone gives them the rub on TV, I dunno. THe ONLY thing I'm really worried about is them fucking with the NXT FOrmula. NXT is the best wrestling show I watch, and the only one I watch every week. Don't fuck it up for the Network.

Edit: Bo Dallas. I have to give the guy a lot of credit. His heel character is fantastic. I thought I hated this dude, like.. legit Xpac heat, but then I realized I was being a mark and he's doing a great job lol. He gets the best reactions every week, gets a bit better and he's not a bad hand in the ring.

I'm probably going to get a lot of shit for this, but the character is perfect. That "oblivious heel" angle, where he just pretends everyone loves him REALLY gets the audience against him. If he was put in a program that people had a reason to give a shit about, and enough air time to get the crowd into it, I could see him getting near-Vickie levels of heat.

True story.

 

[Fauche]

Dude is probably the next in the line of Lord Tensai, Ezekiel Jackson, Mason Ryan, Koslov, etc. - endless stream of big guys built on jobbers to get fed to the stars and dropped when its shown they can't draw real heat or work, or just given some comedy gimmick. Somebody probably going to argue that this guy could be big cause he'll draw a big Bulgarian audience for the company. I already hate that person. All that said, dude looked pretty mobile for a big guy, maybe if he can move like Umaga he'll last longer. Probably good to get a mouthpiece for him, and with so many useless authority figures and co-gms kicking around these days, why not hook him up with one?

Entrance music was also rad.

 

[SAIYANS]

I think Aksana manages him when he's fully called up

I'm almost expecting it to be Bo v Neville, Cesaro v Zayn, Kofi v Rusev, Emma v Paige, Total Divas v BFFs, and the Wyatt's vs the Ascension for the special. I think Graves finds his way on and we get the return of Shaul Guerrero and Richie Steamboat. Wouldn't be shocked if they go Ambrose vs Langston teasing too while they are visiting

Just my predictions

 

[Chris]

I haven't seen NXT in awhile so all I've seen from his was the Rumble but I like him. He was entertaining as fuck in the ring and dat theme music

 

[Dale]

They should do a NXT Showcase match every week on RAW leading upto the Network Launch. Literally have the ring announcer call it that and have your brightest prospects shown off. Just no Tyler Breeze or CJ Parker, those two are the absolute worst.

 

[SAIYANS]

Did you miss vs Neville? He tore it up. Parker and Jordan shouldn't be used

 

[Dale]

I won't watch anything with Breeze, he's absolutely garbage. He's a combo of Fandango, Ryder & Ziggler all morphed into one.

 

[Crippler]

I love the Breeze gimmick but the in ring just isn't right yet.

 

[SAIYANS]

I won't watch anything with Breeze, he's absolutely garbage. He's a combo of Fandango, Ryder & Ziggler all morphed into one.

So how do you know if he's improved if you will not even watch him? He and Neville had a good match. Probably the longest he's ever been allowed to work as well

 

[Dale]

Because he could become the best wrestler in the whole of the WWE and it still wouldn't change the fact his gimmick is utter trash and has no longevity just like Fandango.