2 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE NXT (Jan 11, 2017)

1. Repetitive Format

Andrade Almas
WWE.com

The overriding problem with this week’s edition of NXT is that the formula was repetitive. It’s an affliction from which the programme often suffers when it is headlined by a major match.

The remaining three were squash matches, glorified or otherwise, designed to flatter one corner exclusively. The problem is that no single act, as per the objective of a squash match in and of itself, emerged as something special. Though markedly different in quality, Elias Samson and Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas were positioned more or less as equals in the aftermath of their matches. Everything just blended into everything else.

The formula was homogenised yet further, given that Kay and Royce, Samson and Almas are all heels. The tone of the show was as one-note as Samson’s dismal vocals - and the content again underscored that NXT has a fairly major babyface problem.

At least one of the Cruiserweights - the popular and under-utilised Lince Dorado, probably - should have instead been dispatched to NXT to even out the slant. A Dorado Vs. Almas series would have written itself - and he would act as a marked upgrade on No Way Jose.

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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!