21 Things We Learned From The WWE Network's NXT All-Star Panel

12. It’s Not Just The Fans Who Make ECW Comparisons…

NXT All-Star Panel
WWE.com

Ever since NXT got red hot over the past few years, fans regularly cite the brand as being like a modern-day ECW in certain respects.

The small, knowledgeable crowds, the enthusiasm of those watching both in attendance and on TV, the regular arrival of faces both familiar and new, being the brainchild of a visionary, the use of international stars, the impressive in-ring product, and the burgeoning popularity all add to NXT having an almost cult-like vibe… much like ECW had in its heyday.

But on the All-Star Panel, Finn Balor revealed that he also sees the current NXT product as something similar to Paul Heyman’s upstart promotion, saying how he thinks that in 10 years’ time this current NXT roster will be heralded and talked about in much the same way that ECW is today.

Obviously the violence is nowhere near comparable, but NXT certainly has a whole lot in common with Extreme Championship Wrestling. And it’s nice to know that it’s not just us fans who think so.

Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks/Saints, Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.