10 Real Reasons Why Wrestling Fans Never Get What They Want

6. The Return Of NXT "Black & Gold"

AEW Double Or Nothing Set
WWE

NXT is the best worst show in wrestling TV.

It is at points excruciatingly stupid. Italian-American stereotypes commit attempted murder with an invisible camera right in front of their faces. The wrestling is often terrible and dangerous; near-misses occur with a terrifying frequency. It is also weirdly charming in a very stupid way; Von Wagner's arc is so much more heartwarming than it has any right to be, and Thea Hail's spirited underdog bit is worthy of the protect-her-at-all costs cliché. When the wrestling is good, it rules: dumb jock meathead wrestling and its savage intensity is alive and well, and it's on the same show on which the best new high-flier in the world is a talk show host.

So why won't Triple H use his immense influence in WWE these days to bring back 'Black & Gold'?

Because it failed.

NXT was annihilated by AEW in the Wednesday Night War - pro wrestling moved to a new home - and while NXT "2.0" was considered sacrilegious, it was the right move. The WWE fans who wanted great wrestling migrated to AEW, and those who remained actually preferred the melodramatic big-time of the main roster to NXT. Gauging by the talents Triple H brought back in the autumn of 2022 to zero reaction, those fans didn't even watch it. NXT was no longer fit for purpose. Main roster fans prefer LA Knight to Johnny Gargano.

The paradigm has shifted completely.

 
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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!