11 Ups & 7 Downs For NXT In 2018

4. EC3

EC3 NXT
WWE.com

It's easy to see why WWE snatched EC3 back from Impact Wrestling. He looks great, plays his character well, and was an important piece for a company once considered Vince McMahon's biggest competitor. On top of this, the former Derrick Bateman was someone fans were pining for after his previous misuse in the company. Thus, his signing was celebrated, though he has always carried one dirty little secret: he isn't very good in the ring.

His lacklustre TakeOver performance versus Velveteen Dream can be excused. EC3 was concussed, and it showed. Still, his week-to-week showings aren't up to scratch. Surrounded by some of the most athletic and creative wrestlers in the world, EC3's antiquated style is badly exposed, and while shorter match layouts help mask his shortcomings, they're there for all to see when he's asked to go longer than a few minutes.

'The One-Percenter' would've been fine a few decades ago. Unfortunately for him, the working standard in this company is now far, far too high for him to hang, particularly in WWE's most workrate-centric brand. He'll undoubtedly fare better in the main roster's wacky Sports Entertainment world, though. Let's hope his call-up comes soon: EC3 is just taking up space at the moment.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.