10 Problems Nobody Wants To Admit About NXT

8. The In-Ring Action Is Getting Too Dangerous

Adam Cole
WWE.com
"We're monitoring Tommaso Ciampa closely. He may have to change up his style. People like to play armchair doctor on Twitter, but WWE takes care of their talent and has access to the best doctors and training teams."

- Triple H, November 20, 2019.

Smash cut to: Tommaso Ciampa climbing up the WarGames cage, three days later, and taking part in one of the riskiest bumps witnessed in years.

Also, funny that the armchair doctors of Twitter correctly diagnosed a significant problem with Kairi Sane at TLC, and the best doctors did not, but back to NXT: since the move to USA, the demand for huge moments and spots, with which to win the social media GIF wars on Wednesdays, has manifested in far too many reckless near-misses.

In a bid to make the Forgotten Sons interesting, NXT opted not for a complete character repackage, but by having them annihilate Leon Ruff with an over-the-top-rope chokeslam to the apron. This move offered very little protection, nor did WWE's insistence that Mia Yim - hardly the best worker - wrestle a Ladder match ahead of WarGames (!). She endured/botched two horrendous looking bumps, for which she was praised, which underscored the grim, hidden curriculum of how to impress NXT brass. She also endangered Dakota Kai just last week in another mistimed stunt.

That NXT booked Ladder matches to earn the WarGames advantage in itself undermined Triple H's words...

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!