10 Wrestling Moments That Exploited Nostalgia (And Failed)

8. If I Can Be Serious For A Minute

Nikki Cross nWo
WWE

Those who followed Triple H's NXT from the start will likely cherish the 2014-15 period with an almost painful longing forever.

It was nostalgia unfolding in front itself, a glorious, upbeat, soulful period of professional wrestling from the most unlikely source, and it used the wonderful influences from said source to present itself with such big-time importance. It was an era of opportunity, of fun, of truly advanced professional wrestling - and Tyler Breeze typified all of it. He was once a future megastar, jarring as that may be to read now, but he was consigned to main roster failure after A) not getting over immediately, B) transgressing on the backstage code of conduct and C) being promoted from NXT.

After a wilderness period highlighted by the endearing as hell Fashion Files skits, Breeze returned to NXT last year. It seemed like the perfect move; the brand had accelerated into a new era of super-intense melodrama, and his levity was needed to vary the tone, but in a bizarre decision, he returned as a serious wrestler intent on proving himself amongst the best, when he wasn't and shouldn't have striven for it.

Somehow, Velveteen Dream Vs. Tyler Breeze at TakeOver: XXV wasn't fun at all. It didn't begin to maximise its dynamic; it was simply a wrestling match, one that couldn't hope to compete with NXT's stratospheric top end.

Breeze now continues to just wrestle, sporadically and seriously, though the entrances are fun. It's not the same.

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!