8 Ups & 9 Downs For WWE NXT In 2020
2. Pat McAfee
Entering into proceedings via a longstanding pre-show beef with Adam Cole, Pat McAfee brought his ultra-infuriating self-confidence and an NFL punter of the year's kick into regular rotation after a blow-up between the two on his radio show. A gripping build yielded an even better match, informing some of the best television all year in the months that followed.
McAfee's shocking return brought about the arrival of The Kings Of NXT. Pete Dunne and new Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch - all rejuvenated IRL and in kayfabe by their association with an ex-footballer that's been doing any of this about 10 minutes.
A gutsy display at WarGames highlighted that the debut was no fluke, and his promos would be talking people into buildings should such a thing be allowed. He's got a genuinely prodigious gift for the gab - so good that it may force a reevaluation into the Performance Center's clearly too-strict promo rules. A change in content and cadence is such a breath of fresh air, especially considering the quality of Pat's angles so far. Here's to loads more of this next year.