5 Things We Learned From NXT At Download Festival

4. Baron Corbin Is Still NXT

Despite being called up to the big leagues earlier this year winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32, no less Baron Corbin made a surprising appearance on NXTs Friday night card at Download. Defeating Alexander Wolfe and Angelo Dawkins in a Triple Threat match to close out the night, Corbin would return to the ring again the following day to tag with Samoa Joe (once again, in the main event).

Anyone familiar with WWE Networks Breaking Ground series will know the emphasis WWE trainers and coaches place on the need for aspiring stars to gain reps (i.e. matches). Nothing compares to ring time in the wrestling business and matches in front of a live audience are invaluable when it comes to developing ring work. The more matches you have, the better you get and the fact that Corbin was booked recurrently at Download shows that WWE still recognises Corbin as a developing talent that needs match time.

While Corbins appearances did add TV star power to the overall event, its nonetheless interesting to see that WWE has made the conscious decision to re-add Corbin to the touring NXT team, despite his status as a current member of the main roster. Whether or not he appears again for the brand again remains to be seen.