3 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE NXT (Dec 21)

1. The Authors Of Botch

NXT, by definition, is WWE’s developmental brand.

As much as it exists as a singular brand in its own right, propped up as it is by excellent, internationally-honed name talents, it’s there to develop greenhorns to prepare them for the big time. As such, the odd botch, the odd experimental gimmick (read: Elias Samson) could be excused. But NXT isn’t Tough Enough; if a performer is too dangerous to step foot in the ring, they have no business being in there.

Akam and Razar only laced up their first pair of non-skid baby shoes little over a year ago - and their inexperience endangered the career of enhancement talent Anthony Bowens, whose partner Jonny Vandal was powerbombed onto his head. The intended area of impact was missed by a good foot. Bowens, in the aftermath, was forced to pull out of his scheduled dates in December. His health, and his livelihood, was put at risk.

The GIF has already done the rounds online, but in full HD, on a decent-size television, the extent of the danger was sickeningly apparent. The entire Authors of Pain act is predicated on danger. Their opponents are thrown onto their necks in the corner, with dubious frequency. Such a miscalculation was probably inevitable.

“The Authors of Pain don’t seem to be anywhere near done,” remarked Corey Graves on commentary. He was right on two counts.