5 Ups And 5 Downs From NXT 400
4. Who Is Roderick Strong?
NXT has a problem with Roderick Strong. As good a wrestler as he undoubtedly is, the brand is struggling hard to come up with a character for him. The level they have reached so far is 'nice guy with a child', putting more emphasis on the presence of Strong's infant son than on the personality of the man himself.
Packages and interviews about him paint a picture of a nice guy trying real hard, like a Diet Coke Shawn Michaels seeking his childhood dreams. Maybe Roderick Strong just isn't a charismatic guy, or NXT's creative haven't found the right schtick beyond generic glad-to-be-here babyface for him yet.
It could be there is another phase in the wings for Strong that gives him stronger motivation, a hook to distinguish him from the background noise and some inner steel to get the audience behind him. For now, though, Roderick Strong isn't really anybody, a create-a-character template with a long way to go before he becomes his own man.