10 Quick Fixes To Save NXT

5. Generation NXT

Pete Dunne
www.wwe.com

A case of the whole currently being greater than the sum of its parts, a full-time return to tag teaming for Austin Aries and Roderick Strong may help an ailing division just as much it would their struggling NXT runs.

Newer to the fold, Strong as blended in rather too-worryingly, with his meat-and-potatoes 'pro wrestler' gimmick falling short of expectations from a much-heralded career on the independent scene.

Meanwhile, a medium-term injury was a rather fitting end to 2016 for 'The Greatest Man That Ever Lived'.

Arriving in NXT with the ballyhoo he deserved, his star aura was gobbled up by the debut of Shinsuke Nakamura in the same month, and despite a couple of choice matches with No Way Jose and 'The King of Strong Style' himself, it ended up a rather uninspired opening salvo for 'A Double'.

In an NXT championed by either #DIY or The Authors of Pain, the arrogant duo could relive their best Ring of Honor days as a cocky but cohesive unit on either side of the divide, making terrific Number One Contenders regardless of who's holding gold.

Strong has time to gain confidence and the approval of the Full Sail crowd, but Aries would benefit hugely from a confidence boosting run such as this immediately upon his return.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett