Ignoring the accidentally brilliant NXT Redemption that somehow found a way to parody the parody, this absolute f*cking parody of pro wrestling talent development was effectively the show that permanently gave Triple H the keys to the kingdom. You can practically hear the Titan Tower pitch; "Have you even watched this sh*t nnnnDadddddd, we need a Performance Center!"
Throwing out a bunch of FCW trainees onto national television and proving that most weren't actually ready for it, NXT barely even let them wrestle half the time, instead creating a hybrid wrestling/talent show that worked to exploit the weaknesses rather than the strengths as if to completely subvert Paul Heyman's entire ECW booking philosophy.
Wrestlers stumbled over their words, stumbled over obstacles and stumbled getting over until the sheer farce of it all became the only reason to tune in. Season One itself was so calamitous that it spawned a stable furious with their treatment on the show...but more on those shortly.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
