It's Official: A New Era Has Begun In NXT

"31" was the number 2015's WrestleMania wasn't permitted to boast about. McMahon deemed it too old-sounding, prestige be damned. Having lost credibility, the babyface veneer and a substantial amount of respect, Triple H needs prestige more than just about anything else right now. He needs fans to trust the workers and the process, just like they used to before his baby became fodder in a quest to maintain a monopoly.

Finn Bálor vs. Kyle O'Reilly is more than just two very un-WWE guys likely to have a very un-WWE match on a show that will aim to be the most un-WWE of NXT's year. It's an outstretched hand to those that have lost their love for the brand, and the cutest act of defiance Hunter could realistically get away with.

Bálor hadn't yet won his first NXT Championship when the aforementioned 'Show Of Shows' featured more Triple H-per-minute than any other wrestler on the card. Back then, 'The Game' (who wrestled Sting, had a years-long entrance for that match and returned later for a segment featuring Ronda Rousey and The Rock) still wasn't convinced there were many better than himself for that stage. Five years on and he's come to understand how few have managed to reach that level with his help.

If this conscious attempt at a new era fails, only Vince McMahon's incandescent rage will be as loud as the audience's calls to abandon the existing model of NXT for good.