6 Similarities Between NXT Of Today And The TNA Of Yesterday

6. The Land Of The Not Quite Giants

Since as long as one can remember, World Wrestling Entertainment has had something of a fascination with mass. Over the years a lot of performers have received spotlights and attention that their ability may not have warranted because of their impressive physiques.

There is a logic behind it, of course, but wrestling fans have always been enchanted by the success of someone a who looks a little bit more like the average guy (see: Bryan, Daniel & Ambrose, Dean). 

More so than almost anything else the X-Division was considered TNA's major selling point. 

2005 saw the pinnacle of the division, with every passing show punctuated by some of the finest smaller guys in wrestling. AJ Styles, Chris Sabin, Christopher Daniels, Petey Williams and a host of others were putting on top-notch showcases month after month, displaying a brand of professional wrestling that didn't involve hulking masses of muscle.

WWE as a whole may have started to move away from this in 2016, but NXT is where the idea has thrived. Even a cursory glance at the list of NXT Champions will show a focus on character and ability as opposed to size, with only Big E Langston coming under the 'hulking muscle mass' umbrella (and even he is more well-known now for his character and ability rather than his tricep meat).

NXT today is quick to showcase smaller professional wrestlers, something that TNA did with much critical success eleven years ago and, in both examples, the not-quite giants took the ball and ran with it.