10 Problems Nobody Wants To Admit About NXT

The future is now - not on that other channel, DO NOT SWITCH OVER - NOW!

Adam Cole
WWE.com

NXT's superb women's division marks its greatest triumph of this USA era.

That it almost embarrasses AEW's counterpart isn't enough of a flex to celebrate; NXT has surpassed the Four Horsewomen era, even, with a stacked roster of motivated, distinctive and incredibly skilled talent booked in awesome, layered synergy. The babyfaces have an edge (Rhea Ripley), or are of the purest, most wondrous strain (Candice LeRae) and the heels are spectacular though still effective (Io Shirai) or deadly propositions (Shayna Baszler). The prospective match combinations are wonderful, not beholden to binary dynamics, and the intricacy of contrasting motivations has spawned several absorbing feuds beyond the title picture.

The men's main event scene is equally loaded and fascinating; these are characters with a primary objective of reaching the pinnacle, and there is so clear path to it, nor any sense that a heel must clash with a babyface, even though a heel has a stronger claim to the prize they hold. It breeds suspension of disbelief.

And, of course, the match quality is phenomenal at its best: NXT excels at pulsating, deeply thought-out adrenaline festivals received rapturously by that furnace in Full Sail.

NXT is amazing.

It isn't beyond criticism.

10. The Most Basic Midcard Feuds Imaginable

Adam Cole
WWE.com

That isn't hyperbole.

Seriously: can you imagine a more basic set-up for a programme than heel wrestler wears hat, babyface rival steals it? That is the premise of the ongoing KUSHIDA Vs. Cameron Grimes programme, which was catalysed and advanced through two dire main roster tropes, which we'll later cover in depth: an impromptu match and a distraction finish.

What about babyface wrestler punches disrespectful heel wrestler? That formed the basis of Cameron Grimes Vs. Tyler Bate a month or so back; Bate took issue with Grimes' lack of sportsmanship (he just happened to be watching at ringside) and punched him in the face. The most basic (and contrived) of physical interactions set up their match, and it was fire, but that isn't the point.

Killian Dain emerged on the ramp to confront Pete Dunne on October 16. Dunne snapped his fingers (this was sold for exponentially longer than is normal, but that's incidental). This most basic of physical interactions instigated their rivalry, which was furthered solely by post-match attacks and zero character work.

"I don't care about Killian Dain," was the extent of Dunne's input.

It's this bland formula that, weirdly, positions NXT as the sacred cow. There is no ambition nor verve to it, but it makes sense, and it therefore cannot be scrutinised without drawing accusations of pedantry. The whole physical attack/intense stare-down/eye-for-an-eye vengeance deal is rote, uncreative, and entirely reliant on the match itself to become interesting.

Where's the emotion? The personality? And, more to the point: that sense of can't miss anticipation?

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!