10 Ways NXT Got Its Groove Back

Every wrestling show needs a strong midcard to hold the audience's attention, and NXT is no exception. Fortunately, NXT is well served in that regard with a trio of worthwhile prizes for wrestlers to fight for outside the top titles.

Let's start with the most divisive prize - the Heritage Cup. Contested over a series of rounds, Heritage Cup matches may not be to everyone's taste - but there's nothing like them in all of wrestling. (Also, shoutout to Tony D'Angelo for treating the Cup with such reverence during his recent run. Nothing makes a belt - or trophy, in this case - matter more than when wrestlers treat it with respect).

Next up, the North American Championship has been given a huge glow-up during Oba Femi's reign. The current NA Champion is being booked as the NXT equivalent of Gunther - an imposing, menacing Goliath who has slain more than his fair share of Davids - and whoever takes the belt from him will have a rocket strapped to their back.

And finally, there's the Women's North American Championship. Replacing the moribund NXT Women's Tag Team Championship, NXT's most recent bit of hardware already feels like a big deal - it was won in an explosive 6-women ladder match, and feels like a successful blueprint for how WWE could bring midcard women's titles to RAW and SmackDown.

(Just to be clear, this writer isn't implying that WWE should scrap the Women's Tag Team Championships and replace them with singles titles - he's stating it outright).