10 Problems WWE Caused Themselves With NXT
NXT has done a lot of things right but that doesn't mean that it is perfect.
Since its rebranding in 2012, NXT has become a haven for WWE fans.
Away from the confused booking and dodgy comedy of the main roster, wrestling was allowed to flourish, and soon world class performers were joining a revolution led by Triple H.
It was a successful revolution, too. Before long the shows were getting bigger and the matches were getting even better. We had the Four Horsewomen, Neville vs. Zayn, and the debut of Shinsuke Nakamura. Yes, things may have cooled off a little bit now, but the world of NXT is still a healthy one. It is hard to complain about a show that is building up Hideo Itami vs. Kassius Ohno and Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa.
Or is it?
Because for all its successes NXT is also creating problems, problems that extend not only to WWE, but to the wider world of wrestling as a whole. Great matches are all well and good, but the bigger the brand grows, the more these issues come to the surface. Not all of them are earth-shattering, but they are big enough that they should be cause for concern.
10. Raised Fans' Expectations
How many times have NXT stars outclassed their colleagues on the main roster? Whenever a TakeOver happens on the same weekend as a big show, it’s become almost inevitable that most people will prefer the smaller event. They are tight, wrestling heavy, and full of great workers, the perfect antidote to WWE’s overblown Network Specials.
All of which has served to give fans hope. Hope that when the boys and girls from NXT are called up things will get better. That when Triple H steps into the position that Vince McMahon eventually has to vacate (he can’t live forever, can he?) WWE will move into a new glorious era inspired by the work done in developmental. Sadly, that hope is unlikely to come into reality.
For great workers are not enough to change the dodgy booking of the main roster and when Triple H takes control, he’ll be doing it alongside Stephanie McMahon who is very much her father’s daughter. It may seem churlish to complain about fantastic matches and solid booking, but when only half of the company is providing it, the worries have to be taken into account. NXT fans now expect the best and Raw and SmackDown too often don't deliver it.