10 Ways WWE Rebuilt NXT In 2017
7. Surprise Surprise
In 2015, the WWE Network presented Breaking Ground as an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the life of an aspiring superstar as they navigated through NXT's parochial grind and the Performance Center's rigorous routines.
The series still provided insight into the competitive drive instilled in the talent even on the lowest rungs. It highlighted how the TakeOver events weren't just necessary storyline checkpoints in the model of WWE's monthly supershow system, but in fact crucial motivational tools in ensuring talent don't become complacent big fish in the company's tiniest pond.
Then-Women's Champion Bayley and soon-to-be-called-up Tyler Breeze both spoke of the importance of making every TakeOver show somehow or another, and what a slight it was to be overlooked. With the talent revolving door spinning faster than ever in 2017, anticipation dwindled for the events until the select recipients utilised the premium exposure to make themselves the new talking points.
Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot exhibited individual excellence in multi-woman matches with Asuka on the shows, whilst Andrade 'Cien' Almas' down-and-up year on the cards exquisitely represented the character's chequered journey to the top.
Aleister Black remains the most obvious candidate to dethrone the Mexican Champion, but he too required the star-making night he experienced alongside Patrick Clark's Velveteen Dream persona during November's WarGames match. If either man ever receives their own Network Documentary treatment, it will be that incredible encounter dwelled upon as the night they took their biggest steps to superstardom.