10 Creative Triumphs Of WWE’s PG Era
9. The Debut Of The Nexus
Contrary to the pervasive myth, an argument can be made that the Nexus (and most if not all of those who comprised it) never stood a real chance of reaching the heights scaled by the greatest factions.
But the initial concept, and the legendary formation angle, will never be anything less than glorious. The first season of NXT was possibly the most baffling thing ever presented on WWE television, which is saying a lot. The contestants of this game show devised to pad out a TV contract weren't average developmental punts, like Eric Escobar - these were actual prospects WWE had faith in, wheeled out and made fools of by being thrown to the wolves in totally improvised segments the company would never expect seasoned TV vets to pull off. It was the onscreen equivalent of Vince McMahon throwing pieces of his own sh*t at the wall to see if any of them magically turned into a main event wrestler.
But that first RAW angle...
It was disturbing. Violent. Unlike anything seen before on WWE TV before. The disgruntled "Rookies" during their decimation of John Cena even went as far as to reveal the protective make-up of a WWE ring to get the angle over. It felt like the ultimate transgression. What a way to get the chaos ever.
The stable was something of a metaphor for WWE itself; just when it was thought they weren't merely clueless but wilfully sabotaging their talent, they booked an angle so hot it allowed Michael Tarver to headline the second biggest PPV of the year.