One of the underlying concerns amongst wrestling fans following WWE‘s upcoming brand split and subsequent draft, is how the landscape of NXT will fair. After all, recent reports seem to indicate that as many as 10-12 NXT Superstars could be seeing themselves brought up to either Raw or Smackdown following July 19, or by latest, Summerslam in August. The main concern is that the smaller roster of NXT could see itself without a bonafide star power to carry it if the rumoured call ups of Finn Balor, Bayley and American Alpha – perhaps the three most over parts of NXT – were to all suddenly leave the NXT Universe. It could leave a black hole on a smaller roster and leave NXT a few steps back from where it had grown to. Or will it?
There’s no question Finn and Bayley are ready. They’re selling merchandise at a Main Roster pace with a fraction of the viewership or WWE Universe awareness from the casual fan. They’ve collectively made NXT a more consistently watchable product than it’s Main Roster counterpart – more so because of Bayley and her instant classic matches with Sasha Banks last year. And American Alpha are white hot right now, with a gimmick that is ripe for the larger audiences. They would be an ideal infusion into the WWE’s burgeoning tag team division. So who’s left? By the time the speculated “September restock” happens, what will NXT look like? Who will still be there? Who will be just arriving?
Let’s look at the names that will still be around in the NXT Universe come September, it’s rumoured new faces, and those who may be hanging on with a phone call just days away.
THE MAIN EVENT
NXT has a pretty good track record of elevating a new leader in the Main Event. Before he was dancing in the New Day, Big E usurped Seth Rollins for a fun run at the top, before losing it to Bo Dallas. A Bo Dallas that electrified the audience with both ring skills and charisma, sending him off with huge expectations of Superstardom, that never quite reclaimed (or even came close) the magic from his NXT reign. Dallas lead to the age of Neville, who arguably became the first true Icon of NXT. Neville’s departure gave way to the beginning of the WWE rivalry of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, who then open the gates to the era of Finn Balor, arguably the second biggest Superstar NXT has ever had (Bayley being first of course). But don’t worry about Finn leaving. NXT looks to have its strongest Main Event ever come September – now that it’s no longer classified as a developmental system but it’s own brand, that means it will now start competing in its demographic. Most people are critical of this, saying that it’s not fair that a lesser funded brand could compete with Raw or Smackdown. And they’re partially right. But NXT isn’t being built to compete with Raw or Smackdown. That would be too much dilution of the big pie. NXT is being groomed to go to war with Ring of Honor. And NJPW. And PWG. In order to do that, they need a roster that has the potential to send some guys to Raw or Smackdown – just like ROH, NJPW and PWG already do – but also need their core of guys who will keep a familiarity to the brand. That’s why WWE partnered with Evolve – they will in effect start taking on some of the enhancement talent from the Performance Center and getting them true indie experience, without having to job infrequently on NXT shows.
Bobby Roode is primed to be the top heel in the company, once Samoe Joe leaves. He can be a solid face too, but he’s at his best as a vicious, arrogant heel. Shinsuke Nakamura will most likely be the man to dislodge Samoe Joe from his NXT mantle and if that happens, I’d expect Nakamura to drop the belt to Roode upon his own elevation to the Main Roster. So who does that leave Roode to face? Well, Hideo Itami for one. He returned to the ring this past week at an NXT Live Event after over a year from a complicated leg injury than put a real damper on the man expected to be NXT’s number two star behind Finn Balor. An extra year of learning English off camera can only help, and with Nakamura showing that Japanese wrestling can thrive if done well, the time is ripe for Itami to show the NXT Universe what all the hype was about. The pending arrival of Roode’s former partner and enemy Eric Young is probably a lock to have a showdown at some point, and you can’t rule out runs by either favoured Cruiserweight Classic winner Kota Ibushi or Zack Sabre Jr. being inserted into the main event picture early on. Add in a possible reunion with Austin Aries as tag team before Aries gets called to Raw or Smackdown, and the looming possibility of Ricochet being in NXT by the year’s end, and suddenly a main event picture featuring Roode, Itami, Young, Ibushi, Sabre and Aries (and potentially still Nakamura and Joe), and you’ve got a pretty deep focal point of your men’s division.
THE MID-CARD
So surely if the top is so heavy, it must dilute quickly in the middle. There can’t be that many guys waiting to move up to the lobby of the main event. If some prospects pan out, some current buzz pops maintain longevity, and a few rumoured signees pan out, NXT’s midcard could be the best in the indie circuit. Andrade “Cien” Almas is in for a monstrous push. He was an international sensation as the masked La Sombra until he signed with NXT. His recent debut was less than sensational, but I doubt they’re giving up on him anytime soon. He’s got the skills, he just needs to find a character that will mesh with North American audiences. He should win the crowd over by the Fall. No Way Jose has been the breakout shock of the year. Trained by TNA/PWG Superstar Trevor Lee, the former Manny Garcia has won over the brutish Full Said crowds with his infectious charisma and he’s shown good judgment in the ring. Questionable if his gimmick would transcend to the 10,000 seat arenas, but he’s certainly winning over the hearts of the smaller, more passionate crowds. Tye Dillinger is proving to be a reliable workhorse – he’s wrestled Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Balor and Austin Aries in the past two months. He’s getting quality opponents and looking good in his loses. Anyone who thinks he’s being buried right now needs to shake their heads. He’s been showcased brilliantly. Rich Swann, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa should all come out of the CWC as brighter stars, with Johnny Gargano probably heading to the top of the midcard first. “Johnny Wrestling” is getting huge. Former CZW, Evolve and PWG Superstar Biff Busick has finally found his NXT shtick and it’s now the tough nut Oney Lorcan. He’s capable of being a midcard hand on the level of former WWE/ECW Superstar Perry Saturn. Former UFC Fighter and Evolve Superstar Matthew Riddle is expected to get brought up to NXT by the end of the summer and he’s definitely ready. He’s always had the charisma and his recent fight with former Ring of Honor star Cedric Alexander (another rumoured NXT call up by Fall) at Evolve 62 showed he’s learned the ropes as well. Scotland’s Noam Dar, another CWC competitor, is also expected to join NXT following the tournament, along with Dutch superheel Tommy End, coming off solid runs in Germany’s wXw, PWG and Chikara. Irish man mountain Damian “Big Damo” O’Connor is another rumoured September arrival. This former ICW World Champion was trained by Finn Balor and NXT trainer Robbie Brookside and currently wrestles for Revolution Pro, one of the UK indies WWE has begun affiliation with. And not to mention the whispered possibility that Ring of Honor’s two most recent departures, Roderick Strong and Moose, could be wearing NXT gold by the Fall. Andrade, No Way Jose, The Perfect 10, Johnny Wrestling, Ciampa, Rich Swann, Lorcan, Riddle, Cedric Alexander, Tommy End, Dar, Big Damo, Roddy Strong and Moose. A lot of talent and experience in there.
THE WOMEN
The women’s division is obviously going to be hit the hardest out of the gate. Yes, they have lots of talent coming up, but very few are close in stature yet to really threaten Asuka at the top. But there’s help coming. If the women’s division does indeed split between Raw and Smackdown, they will need more women up in WWE than just Bayley. Nia Jax is different enough she could be brought up soon, as well as Eva Marie. It’s time for those Total Divas paycheques to start paying off. She’s not there yet in the ring, but maybe the pressure of the Big Stage will help her. It sure helped Dana Brooke. She’s looked better since joining Charlotte than she ever did in NXT. Carmella also probably isn’t too far behind, although she could be kept in NXT a bit longer to be the sacrificial lamb to the next heel to take on Asuka, most likely Alexa Bliss.
As for the rest, there’s a few front runners who should see some deeper character development over the next few months. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are getting more active in Live Events and on TV and they’re both international indie stars (Billie Kay as Jessica McKay in Shimmer and Lance Storm trained Royce as KC Cassidy). Tess Blanchard, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer and former Horseman Tully Blanchard, is getting regular work on NXT, although she’s not officially signed to the brand. But although she may be losing matches, she’s being given some solid offence. It’s only a matter of time before she’s in full time. Same with Rachael Ellering, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering, the legendary manager of the Road Warriors who recently returned himself to debut the Authors of Pain. A few years back, Athena was one of the most sought after women on the indie scene, who’s now hit NXT as Ember Moon (following a brief enhancement run under her real name, Adrienne Reese). They just signed UK standout Nikki Storm who shouldn’t be far away from debuting, plus Deonna Purrazzo (who has appeared in NXT, TNA, ROH and House of Hardcore all this year already) is getting more tryouts as well.
THE TAG TEAM DIVISION
Losing Enzo & Big Cass, The Vaudevillains and American Alpha all in a few months is a huge blow to NXT’s tag team division. They’ve still got Gargano and Ciampa, but they’re clearly heading for singles runs soon. And Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley are part time at best – although if they have to stay brand exclusive, it’ll be interesting to see if they keep Ryder in NXT with Mojo, or if Zack brings the Hype up to Smackdown or Raw. Which only leaves current NXT Tag Team champions The Revival and a possibly reuniting Blake & Murphy to face the new teams, TM61 (formerly The Mighty Don’t Kneel) and aforementioned Authors of Pain. There’s a good chance a few more tag teams are signed in the coming months, as this is the weakest link in the NXT locker room for the foreseeable future.
Breaking it down, NXT is in good hands. They have a lot of reliable faces, respected veterans, and fresh ideas and blood coming in, that NXT is poised for it’s own New Era. One that can finally emerge from being the sidekick to the WWE. Robin has finally become Nightwing.
So don’t lament the state of NXT following the upcoming WWE Brand Split Draft on July 19. NXT may take a few shots, but much like it’s competitors, they’ll just dust themselves off and come back swinging.
(Main Photo: WWE.com)
