8 Ups And 4 Downs From NXT TakeOver: Orlando

3. Recycling Staging

Bobby Roode NXT
WWE.com

When NXT started doing TakeOver specials outside of Full Sail University, they had distinctive staging that set them apart from the main roster programs, even if they were sharing the same arena that weekend with WWE (think Brooklyn).

But Saturday’s TakeOver simply used SmackDown’s staging – which also was used Friday night for the Hall of Fame ceremony. Look, there’s a ton going on WrestleMania weekend and it’s tough to build unique stages multiple times, but one of the things that has made NXT stand out from WWE is that it looks and feels different. That’s what appeals to so many fans who otherwise might be jaded by the main roster shenanigans.

Little things like a different stage can give a different vibe, rather than seeing the SmackDown set with different graphics and realize you’re watching the WWE’s minor leagues.

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Contributor
Contributor

Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fondly remembers watching WrestleMania III, IV, V and VI and Saturday Night's Main Event, came back to wrestling during the Attitude Era, and has been a consumer of sports entertainment since then. He's written for WhatCulture for more than a decade, establishing the Ups and Downs articles for WWE Raw and WWE PPVs/PLEs and composing pieces on a variety of topics.