11 Ups & 7 Downs For NXT In 2018

Ups...

11. Great First Impressions

Matt Riddle
WWE.com

The effectiveness with which NXT introduces and builds new stars remained one of its greatest strengths in 2018, and a key difference between developmental and the main roster.

Matt Riddle has been handled perfectly. Kassius Ohno's promos on wanting to smash William Regal's 'new toy' built him up weeks before he'd even debuted, and the TakeOver squash was an adrenaline-pumping surprise. Already over in Full Sail University, and with an Ohno rematch on the horizon, it's only a matter of time before the 'King Of Bros' goes stratospheric, establishing himself as the black-and-gold brand's next franchise player.

Though Shayna Baszler debuted in December 2017, 2018 saw her built as a rightful heir to NXT's original Four Horsewomen and Asuka. Ricochet has never felt like such a huge star as he has during his freshman year in WWE. Io Shirai is only just getting started, but already feels like a big deal in the making. The list goes on.

NXT have botched debuts in the past, and they'll unquestionably do it again, but contrast this with the lame (re)introductions of Bobby Lashley, Andrade Almas, and others on the main roster. Night and day.

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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.