**Please note: In covering NXT for Last Word on Sports, I don’t read taping results for NXT. I am first and foremost a fan, and I enjoy watching the stories unfold in front of me as they happen. I would ask that you bear this in mind while reading my articles, as I may mention thoughts or predictions that don’t lineup with what has occurred at tapings.**
After a stunning 2014, it’s safe to say that World Wrestling Entertainment’s development territory NXT, and their hit show on WWE Network are a hot ticket in the world of professional wrestling, and most certainly WWE. The feeling is not exclusive to fans of the product however, as many wrestlers on the Raw and Smackdown roster have taken notice as well, not just for the quality product, but what it can do for your career. There are a number of main roster competitors who have used NXT to reinvigorate their careers or even give it a temporary boost. For many of those athletes, NXT is not a step backwards, but merely a different path to the same destination.
WWE main roster star Emma now finds herself in such a position. On last week’s edition of NXT, Emma was interviewed backstage and made the announcement that she would be returning to action at Full Sail University tonight. One thing that people seemed to notice about the interview was that Emma was certainly not her usual, bubbly self. Many have guessed that this might be a sign of frustration from of the Australian born wrestler, having to leave the big leagues to toil away in NXT.
If that turns out to be the case, it isn’t hard to see why Emma would feel that way. Before being called up to work on Raw and Smackdown, Emma was largely considered one of the most talented female NXT wrestlers on the roster, if not the most talented. She had a spectacular string of matches against Paige for the NXT Women’s Championship and her charismatic personality made her a crowd pleaser. Both Emma and her fans knew that when she left for the greener pastures of WWE’s global roster, there was nothing that could kill her momentum.
Sadly, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and Emma learned that the hard way. On January 13th, 2014, Emma made her first appearance on Monday Night Raw appearing in the crowd with lots of fans recognizing her and cheering at her appearance. From there she was paired up with perennial clown Santino Marella and the two attempted to develop an on screen chemistry with a “friend zone” gimmick. Sadly, Marella suffered a neck injury and on July 6th, 2014, he announced his retirement from professional wrestling, killing the angle and destroying whatever momentum Emma had built during her time with him.
Adding to her career woes was an incident that occurred a mere five days before Santino’s retirement announcement where Emma was charged with misdemeanor larceny in the 6th degree when she was caught stealing an iHome ‘Slim Swivel’ iPad Mini case. She was given a single day of community service and her lawyer maintains the incident was an innocent mistake of confusion regarding the self-service checkout. Mistake or not, the impact was felt as tabloid websites like TMZ were quick to pick up the story and Emma began to fade into obscurity on WWE’s B programming like Main Event and Superstars.
How could anyone blame Emma for being frustrated? She was supposed to be the big break out female star from NXT, and instead she went from being a can’t miss prospect to an afterthought in six months. Her contemporary Paige, on the other hand, waltzed into RAW the day after Wrestlemania XXX and defeated AJ Lee to capture the WWE Divas Championship in her first match! While women like the Bella Twins took center stage, on Raw, she was losing matches on Superstars. While her former peers in NXT were putting on showcase matches, she was getting buried on Main Event. It was time for a change.
That change is going to happen tonight, but what does the drastic shift in environment mean for Emma now that she’s already spent some time in the burning spotlight of both the WWE main roster, and the scrutiny of the public eye? Judging from her attitude during last week’s interview, a large chip just may have developed on Emma’s shoulder during her time away from Full Sail University, which could be bad news for the other NXT Divas, and motivational tool for the athletic Aussie.
There have been some big changes to the NXT women’s division since Emma left. Namely, her arch rival Paige no longer has a dominant hold on the division. That spot has been taken by Charlotte, who has ruled on top of the women’s roost in NXT since becoming champion on May 29th 2014. With Charlotte appearing on RAW recently, and talk of her eminent departure, it will be time for someone else to step up and take on the role of leader in the NXT women’s locker room. Although the NXT Championship was once her goal, Emma may no longer crave championship glory, at least not as much as impressing WWE officials. She made it to the main roster without the championship before. In her mind, I’m sure she believes she could do it again.
Although some might see her return to NXT as a demotion, Emma likely sees it as a second chance. Another opportunity to remind the world why she was considered the best NXT had to offer, and to show that she is still that blue chipper prospect capable of being the number one Diva in not just NXT, but all of WWE.
With this in mind, those expecting the dancing, bubbly Emma of the past might be disappointed after tonight. Although Emma reached incredible heights in NXT with her big smile and unique dance moves, she is a woman smart enough to learn from her past, and being fun loving only got her so far. If her demeanor last week was any indication, then fans might be looking at a more focused and less friendly Emma. Let’s face it, Paige didn’t care about being a nice girl, and she’s a three time Divas Champion.
This could also spell trouble for the other Divas in NXT. With the exception of Natalya, no one else has made it to the WWE Diva main roster, which means that Emma has an experience edge over the other women in NXT. Charlotte might be a champion now, but when Emma was in NXT, she defeated the daughter of Ric Flair on numerous occasions. Baylee might be similar to Emma’s former personality, but that just means that Emma knows how she operates, which can be deadly in the ring. Sasha Banks might be talented in the ring, but Emma is one of the most versatile and innovative Divas ever in NXT. She almost reached the top when she was dancing and laughing. How dangerous could she be if she stopped playing around?
No matter what she decides to do, having Emma on the roster will be an incredible addition to the already exciting Divas division in NXT. Although it certainly is crowded at the top of that mountain, Emma would have no problem inserting herself into the title picture and adding another dimension to what we see on Wednesdays, especially if it’s a side of Emma we haven’t seen before.
Tonight, NXT Diva Carmella is Emma’s first challenge, and ironically, it is a test for both women. Carmella has only had moderate success against no name talent in NXT (literally, her only opponent has been the nameless “blue pants”, whom she has struggled defeating at times), so competing against an opponent the caliber of Emma is truly a step up for her. In the case of Emma, it’s a chance to remind everyone watching why she was, and still is, a top prospect for the WWE main roster.
Going from the penthouse to the outhouse is a humbling experience, and although there are far worse places Emma could be than the hottest program on WWE Network, it will still be a long road ahead for her to win back her place of prominence in NXT. With that in mind, if her track record is any indication, she has the tools and the determination to get there. It’s time for Emma to take off the dancing shoes, and put on her working boots. Let the #Emmalution begin again!
Photo courtesy of Online World of Wrestling
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