10 Ways NXT Got Its Groove Back
7. Established Stars Actually Helping Out
WWE sending established stars down to NXT isn't a recent phenomenon - just look at Finn Balor's aforementioned stint at the dawn of the Wednesday Night Wars - but it feels like it's only within the past year or so WWE has got the balance right on how to juggle NXT's established cast with appearances from main roster members.
In the bad old days, WWE had a tendency to allow RAW and SmackDown superstars to run roughshod over NXT's roster. Just look at Charlotte's pointlessly destructive reign as NXT champ for proof, as WWE's golden goose obliterated the NXT Women's Division - a division that included future WWE2K24 cover stars Bianca Belair & Rhea Ripley - before losing the belt in a triple threat match in which she wasn't even pinned. The message couldn't have been clearer - the main roster was for stars, and NXT was for schlubs.
Thankfully, WWE have since learned such counterproductive booking helps no-one. Becky Lynch's run as NXT Women's Champion helped elevate those who contended for the belt (not least Lyra Valkyria, who was actually allowed to pin Becky clean); Baron Corbin's year-long stint in NXT played a big role in helping Bron Breakker become main-roster ready; and even Cody Rhode's day trip saw the current WWE Champion treat the NXT roster with dignity and respect.
NXT may still be behind RAW and SmackDown in terms of public perception, but the gap between the three has shrunk considerably over the past year.