10 Problems Nobody Wants To Admit About NXT
5. Too Many Stars Are Directionless
Matt Riddle is the most popular NXT star in the demo no wrestling company can penetrate, is almost universally beloved beyond that, is almost the perfect modern pro wrestler in terms of his legitimacy and personality, and has thus far lost a big match to Adam Cole and meandered through what were effectively placeholder exhibition matches against the likes of Bronson Reed and Cameron Grimes. There is no arc; just a sense that NXT wishes to do something with him, at some point, probably.
Isiah 'Swerve' Scott is an outstanding, head-turning talent, but has been a sporadic presence onscreen thus far. Dominik Dijakovic is the intense guy who feuds with Keith Lee. It's very difficult what to make of Cameron Grimes, which suggests the writing team don't know what to do with him, either, which in turn breeds a lack of interest and trust in the process. NXT appeared to have invested in Grimes - his Cave In finisher was put over big on the early run of USA shows - but his character now is simply a geek who can put on excellent matches.
This probably isn't what NXT intended when announcing itself as the main roster.
KUSHIDA's vignette portrayed the incredibly advanced civilisation of Japan as a sh*thole, but KUSHIDA's engaging personality transcended the material. NXT is capable of connecting its talent to the audience; we've just seen scant evidence of it.