For my first of what will hopefully be many articles for
Whatculture.com, I have decided to present 5 reasons why NXT is an absolute must-see wrestling broadcast. Pro wrestling has been an almost constant in my life. In fact, if you perused the Schibler family photo album you would find photos of my mom and dad when I was a small child attending a local Texas wrestling show, featuring the likes of Percy Pringle III, the master of Destrucicity the Ultimate Warrior, and the Von Erichs. So from a young age, I have watched, studied, and reenacted professional wrestling matches, be it with my brother or with various other inanimate objects and dolls around the house. The Schibler household was home to many a tag team classic between The Brothers Schibler and My Buddy Doll Collective. So when I tell you I love wrestling, you know it's a deep love. From time to time some events have happened in wrestling which have tainted my love for it and driven me away for a time, but something has always come about to bring me back to one of my first loves; pro wrestling. So a few weeks ago when I decided on a whim to start watching WWE NXT, it was with sheer delight that I found a show which reignited a passion for pro wrestling and brought me back to watching WWE on a regular basis. So without further ado, I present to you five reasons you should be watching NXT every week. Number 5...
5. William Regal
Regal serves as the resident color commentator for NXT. While the audio mixing on the episodes is such that it can be difficult to hear Regal's insights, when one tunes their ear to hear them they are blessed with such greatness that you will constantly be straining to hear the next nugget of wrestling goodness. Regal provides extensive knowledge about wrestler's background as far as training, and each and every comment is staged from the view of Regal and his work as a heel for many years. I never grow tired of hearing Regal talk about how he admires the heelish tactics on display because it is something he would have done himself. His mere presence as the color guy would be enough, but just as he did for CM Punk a couple of years ago, they are now utilizing Regal as a way to establish NXT talent. Recently, this has come in the form of a rivalry with Kassius Ohno, who savvy wrestling fans will recognize as indy darling Chris Hero. What started as a subtle feud has recently erupted into a full fledged one. After weeks of subtle glares and side comments, things finally got physical between the two. This last week, Regal returned to in-ring action to teach Ohno a lesson. If you haven't seen it yet, please stop reading my article right now and go watch it. Granted, you may want to watch it on mute because WWE decided to ruin the commentary by adding Brad Maddox as the color man, but if you look beyond his awful presence you will bear witness to one of my favorite matches of the last several years. It was a brutal, psychological affair which was worked very stiffly and Regal showed he more than still have it in the ring, and though I have enjoyed all of Ohno's matches which I have seen in NXT, it was a testament to his ability when he has talented worker to play off of in the ring. While I am anxious to see Ohno on the main roster, I am currently hoping against it happening right now so this feud can continue. Now, from one British wrestler to another, the number 4 reason you should be watching NXT...