One of the best attributes Triple H has demonstrated while running NXT is his ability to expand his scope past WWE while looking for the next big stars to carry the company. Current NXT standouts Finn Balor and Hideo Itami came from the international world of wrestling, both making names for themselves in the Orient. Recent signee Samoa Joe experienced tremendous success in both Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, winning both promotions' heavyweight championships. And then there is Kevin Owens, who dominated ROH years after Joe's historic reign, then entered NXT and quickly captured that brand's top prize. The fact of the matter is that Triple H does not allow preconceptions about size or a wrestler's past history on the Indys devalue them as workers. Balor, Itmai and Owens have been absolutely instrumental in the success of the brand while Sami Zayn has been the face of NXT since the brand launched on the WWE Network in February 2014. Those men have helped carefully mold that brand into the most revolutionary program in the sport and earned The Game critical acclaim for his willingness to bring in the best workers possible in the process.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
