I wanted to do something to commemorate NXT's success thus far so I decided to do a little write-up for everyone that's been a part of the brand thus far. Hope you find some enjoyment in it.
Name: John Bradshaw Layfield
Accolades: General Manager of NXT
Portrayed by: rawisrey; Sam; Dresden
The announcement of NXT was made at Summerslam when JBL revealed that, with his own money, a new brand was going to be developed with Robert Roode as his hand-picked face of the company. After personal matters required his attention for several weeks, Sting assumed power until he returned, a gesture that was appreciated at first but once JBL's ego got the better of him, he came back to power with a vengeance, assaulting Sting and making his intentions to rid the company of the NXT Extreme Champion clear. What does 2013 hold for NXT as a brand with the hot-tempered JBL back at its helm? What will happen in the escalating personal issues between himself and Sting? And what will occur at New Year's Revolution to set the stage for 2013?
Name: Abyss
Accolades: Gold Rush Tournament Winner
Wins: 6
Losses: 3
Promos: 6
Portrayed by: Chriss
Abyss made certain his presence was felt from the get-go and it was clear management took notice when they made him one of the participants of a Championship Scramble to crown the very first NXT Extreme Champion. Although he was not victorious, he would go on to later win the Gold Rush Tournament and challenge Randy Orton for the NXT World Championship. After failing to capture both championships, Abyss developed issues with Smackdown's Brooklyn Brawler and the two did battle at Survivor Series. Though Abyss was victorious, it was later discovered that JBL released the "Monster" from his contract. Could we see Abyss return to a UWF ring in 2013, and if so, will it be on Wednesday nights to stick it to JBL?
Name: Austin Aries
Accolades: Former UWF Champion
Wins: 3
Losses: 1
Promos: 5
Portrayed by: Chriss
When Austin Aries made his shocking return to UWF, no one including Aries himself expected it would be on the yellow brand, but to the "Greatest Man That Ever Lived"'s credit, he has made the best of it and so far been as impressive as he was on Raw, having already bested Johnny Curtis and Derrick Bateman in a Handicap match as well as Kane in singles action. Now that he finds himself embroiled in another vendetta against a faction, will 2013 be another farewell to Aries or will it be the Year of Aries?
Name: Brock Lesnar
Accolades:
Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Losses: 11
Promos: 4
Portrayed by: NadupanyRobot
Don't let his win-loss record fool you, Brock Lesnar is no pushover. Fearsome, dominating, and relentless, Brock Lesnar inflicts harm on his opponents first and worries about following the rules later, which has lead to several defeats via disqualification. In 2013, Lesnar looks to go for gold and rack up on victories. Is the "Next Big Thing" an
F5 away from breaking through the glass ceiling or is there someone that has his number that's going to prevent it?
Name: Bully Ray
Accolades: NXT World Champion(10-28-12 to present)
Wins: 8
Draws: 1
Losses: 3
Promos: 6
Portrayed by: Lewb
Brash, arrogant, but able to back up every word, Bully Ray has proven why he is the man to watch on Wednesday nights. Nearly two months into his title reign and little sign of stopping, Bully Ray's time on top can be likened to a certain Rattlesnake's reign over Raw. With New Year's Revolution approaching, can Bully Ray make it into 2013 with his title intact or will his biggest challenge to date make Ray's resolution getting the belt back?
Name: CM Punk
Accolades:
Wins: 5
Losses: 6
Promos: 7
Portrayed by: Millenium; Shawn
CM Punk hasn't been very happy since coming to NXT, punishing everyone in the ring with his brutal style and everyone within earshot with venomous pipe bombs. Even though 2012 hasn't gone Punk's way, he looks poised to make 2013 his year, with the only obstacle in his way existing in the form of the "Man Beast" Rhino. Will he prove that his stake to being "Best in the World" is more than a boisterous claim, or is 2013 going to be as irritably pipe bomb ridden?
Name: Darren Young
Accolades:
Wins: 0
Losses: 1
Promos: 1
Portrayed by: Sabazon
Not much is known about NXT's newest signee except that, for some reason, he got involved in Kane and Austin Aries' match earlier this week. Does Darren Young have it out for Kane for his own reasons? Is he in cahoots with Austin Aries? Or was the young man simply going after one of the biggest dogs in the yard to make a statement? Whatever his motives are, Darren Young is chomping at the bit to get in the mix, and 2013 he'll get his wish. Keep your eyes on this newcomer.
Name: Derrick Bateman
Accolades:
Wins: 3
Losses: 5
Promos: 9
Portrayed by: CaptainxBumout
Derrick Bateman holds the prestige of being one-half of the only regularly recognized tag team on NXT, very rarely seen without his partner Johnny Curtis and their valet Maxine, whether one of them is in singles action or they're doubling up. Sure they like to joke and make video game reference, but in 2012 they proved they could be taken seriously when Derrick Bateman came back after suffering a vicious assault at the hands of Sheamus and Brock Lesnar. In 2013, one thing's for certain, this wacky tandem is looking to be utilized as such and get a taste of what they've long been clamoring for, the tag team championships.
Name: Jimmy Jacobs
Accolades:
Wins: 1
Losses: 1
Promos: 2
Portrayed by: Andrew
When Jimmy Jacobs came to the UWF, there was a lot of hype surrounding him because of the things he did during his time in UCW. He seemed poised to enjoy that same success, but JBL saw to it that his contract be terminated, just like Abyss. With his protege' Seth Rollins now aligned with Sting and Kane, could we see the return of the "Wicked Magician" in 2013?
Name: Johnny Curtis
Accolades:
Wins: 3
Losses: 5
Promos: 12
Portrayed by: CaptainxBumout
Johnny Curtis holds the prestige of being one-half of the only regularly recognized tag team on NXT, very rarely seen without his partner Derrick Bateman and their valet Maxine, whether one of them is in singles action or they're doubling up. Sure they like to joke and make video game references, but in 2012 they proved they could be taken seriously when Johnny beat Brock Lesnar in singles action and finds himself one victory away from challenging for Sting's Extreme Championship. In 2013, one thing's for certain, this wacky tandem is looking to capture some gold, whether it's the Extreme Championship or the UWF Tag Team Championships.
Name: Kane
Accolades:
Wins: 1
Losses: 4
Promos: 2
Portrayed by: Chris Dresden
Complacent, accepting humanity, and entirely down on his luck, Kane was a monster that needed some direction. Sting, taking advantage of his position in power, signed Kane to a talent contract on NXT and took him under his wing, beginning to rehabilitate him to his monstrous ways and form a friendship as it occurred. Thus far, Kane has no victories to his name but these are the things that will come in time. In 2013, will Kane reap reward or dwindle back into complacency and leave Sting and the Purveyors of Poison without a "Big Red Monster"?
Name: Michael McGillicutty
Accolades:
Wins: 4
Losses: 3
Promos: 6
Portrayed by: Aniking
The "Heir of Perfection" came to NXT for one thing, to get noticed and be successful on his own rather than his father's name value, despite being very proud of where it is he came from. McGillicutty was well on his way to doing that, but after losing to The Miz and watching the number one contendership to the World Title slip between his fingertips, Michael decided it was time to leave the UWF and gave management his notice. Could we see more of McGillicutty in the future? Well, he did leave the door cracked when he left.
Name: Randy Orton
Accolades: NXT World Champion(9-3-12 to 10-28-12)
Wins: 6
Losses: 1
Promos: 5
Portrayed by: SBS
Nearly four months ago, NXT debuted its first episode and on that show, Randy Orton became the very first NXT World Champion. As champion, Orton represented his brand proudly and never suffered a defeat in his entire run until Bully Ray beat him for the belt. After losing his title, Orton left the UWF again to pursue other interests. But it's a new year coming up and people from wrestling families always get the itch, so it's very possible we haven't seen the last of the "Viper".
Name: Rhino
Accolades:
Wins: 3
Losses: 6
Promos: 9
Portrayed by: Rated R Superstar
Despite losing to Sting in back-to-back encounters, no one can argue the presence that Rhino has had since coming to UWF and the NXT brand. With unmatched aggression and brute strength, Rhino has Gored many a superstar on the roster, and won't be slowing down either as he finds himself on the cusp of a shot at the main prize. Will 2013 be the year that Rhino exceeds expectation and claims the success that many feel he deserves, or will he continue to get "that close"?
Name: Robert Roode
Accolades:
Wins: 2
Losses: 3
Promos: 1
Portrayed by: EffectsofRaven
Robert Roode was the first superstar to be drafted to NXT after JBL hand-picked him to represent the brand as his literal golden boy, but when he tried to award him with the NXT World Championship, Orton intervened and the rest as they say is history. Roode debuted on NXT in impressive fashion when he made Sting submit to an armbar and in the following weeks, would continue to impress until a shoulder injury put him on the shelf. Payback is unforgiving, as Sting released Robert from his contract in response to JBL releasing Abyss and Jimmy Jacobs from theirs. Could NXT see Roode re-enter the fold somehow in 2013?
Name: R-Truth
Accolades: Former NXT Extreme Champion
Wins: 4
Losses: 4
Promos: 5
Portrayed by: Blizzard
R-Truth, though wacky and out there, was a successful superstar during his time on NXT, becoming the first NXT Extreme Champion and defeating Sting in his first defense of the belt. After losing the strap, unfortunately Truth's career would dwindle downhill as he lost his guaranteed rematch in a match he was forced to put it at stake in and eventually decided to leave the UWF. Have we heard the last of Truth's paranoid rants and comedic stylings or is he merely lying in wait for the most opportune time to reappear in 2013?
Name: Seth Rollins
Accolades:
Wins: 6
Losses: 5
Promos: 6
Portrayed by: Andrew
The protege' of Jimmy Jacobs, Seth Rollins has come to NXT to make a name for himself. After forming an unlikely friendship with Zack Ryder, it seemed he had found himself a tag team partner for the long haul but it wasn't to be as the desire to win caused Seth to eliminate Zack from a four-man battle royal they were competing in first. That seemed to be in the spirit of competition but after Seth returned from being blindsided and cost a title opportunity he was a different man and didn't care about his friendship anymore, he wanted to take his frustrations out on someone and did when he and Zack met in a First Blood match. With Seth scorned by his past failures and JBL's attempt to end his career as well as Sting and Kane by his side, is there any doubt that 2013 will be filled with poison?
Name: Shane McMahon
Accolades:
Wins: 0
Losses: 2
Promos: 0
Portrayed by: The Hoov
Shane McMahon's tenure in UWF wasn't long and resulted in two losses in matches contested under Hardcore rules. Shane left soon after but there's always a possibility that the "Billion Dollar Son" could come dancing his way back.
Name: Sheamus
Accolades:
Wins: 0
Losses: 6
Promos: 0
Portrayed by: Lub
Sheamus didn't seem to find his niche until he was paired with Brock Lesnar and the two began to pick their competition apart. Sadly it was too little too late and the will to compete was gone as Sheamus asked to be released from his contract. Could 2013 see the return of the "Celtic Warrior"?
Name: Sting
Accolades: NXT Extreme Champion(10-28-12 to present)
Wins: 4
Draws: 1
Losses: 5
Promos: 18
Portrayed by: Chris Dresden
The story of Sting has been a complex and interesting one to follow. After losing the UWF Tag Team Championships, Sting also lost his roster spot on Smackdown and was traded to NXT. Feeling betrayed by Desmond Wolfe, Samoa Joe, and the fans, Sting's heart hardened and he announced that his focus was now on his own needs and making those that let him down pay. Sting failed to defeat Robert Roode, but his showing impressed management enough that they put him in a Championship Scramble the following week, a night that would see Sting come out and foretell of his own demise later that evening after the show had concluded, speaking as though he was not Steve Borden but someone else entirely.
As time has gone on and Sting has gone to further and further extremes to prove his claims to be true, many of us are convinced that he in fact is not Steve Borden, but if that is true then who is he? Will his identity ever be revealed to the NXT viewers? And now that Sting finds himself in a war with the boss, will it be deja vu all over again and we see the Extreme Champion leave NXT? Only time will tell.
Name: Taz
Accolades:
Wins: 2
Draws: 1
Losses: 0
Promos: 2
Portrayed by: Aniking
After several weeks of calling the action, Taz found himself so captivated by the product that he decided to put the suit and tie away and get back to being an active competitor. Thus far, Taz is off to a great start, having not been defeated yet and already fighting to be contender to the Extreme Championship. With all the talk of next year being everyone else's year, it's got to only fuel Taz's hunger. After all, it will be 20
13.
Name: The Miz
Accolades:
Wins: 7
Draws: 1
Losses: 5
Promos: 6
Portrayed by: BigGreenApple
Ever since making his way back to NXT, The Miz has had one of the most impressive rises out of anyone on the roster, beating everyone that was put in front of him and not suffering his first loss until the conclusion of the Five Stages of Hell Elimination match. With the momentum he has on his side and the contendership to the World Title in his possession, will the new year begin with an awesome ending to his rise through the ranks, or will Bully Ray prove that he isn't quite ready to hang yet?
Name: The Rock
Accolades:
Wins: 1
Losses: 1
Promos: 1
Portrayed by: Itchweed
The People's Champion was not on NXT long, and it's a shame because everywhere The Rock is, that's where the eyes of the millions are. But Raw is home for The Rock, and that's where he's decided to go for now, but there's always a place on Wednesday nights for the "Brahma Bull".
Name: Zack Ryder
Accolades:
Wins: 6
Draws: 1
Losses: 7
Promos: 7
Portrayed by: The Hoov
Zack Ryder is destined to prove he's not a joke, and with a violently stipulated victory over Brock Lesnar under his belt and the ability to say he survived a First Blood match against Seth Rollins, he's well on his way. Can the broski from Long Island fist pump his way into the new year with a "Woo Woo" win or will Sting put his title ambitions on ice?
