Have The WWE Set A Dangerous Precedent?

[Dave]

So on Raw last night, we heard from Vince McMahon that all of the NXT rookies, now christened the Nexus, will be receiving WWE contracts. After a couple of weeks of pulverising anything and everything that crossed their paths, the Nexus have been rewarded for their breakneck tactics and will have been proven to be correct in the assumption that attacking defenceless people would get you places. However as happy as I was to see them getting their contracts after giving us one of the best angles in recent history, I couldn’t help but feel that the WWE are creating a very dangerous precedent by giving the Nexus their contracts.

Now, when I say “dangerous”, I mean it to be the broadest that is possibly can be. We all saw what happened to Daniel Bryan as the over-excitement of thw whole thing got to him and has possibly cost him his WWE career. We all saw the ring announcers and time-keepers being attacked and brutally beaten by the Nexus on a couple of different occasions. We also saw how doing whatever you want all the time gets you what you want. Now, I have a couple of question about hiring the Nexus and the ramifications for everyone else that is sucked into this match.

Firstly, is it a good precedent to set that attacking non-wrestling staff will get you places in the WWE? Is that the message that the WWE want to be sending out at this point?

Secondly, by giving the Nexus their contracts. What kind of trend have the WWE set up? By that, I mean, what is stopping the second season NXT rookies from doing the exact same thing?

Lastly, if the new NXT rookies, do indeed follow suit and start to tear apart everyone at the end of their season, what is the point of NXT in the first place?

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So to answer the questions myself…

In the PG era, I don’t think that the WWE should be promoting gang mentality. I know that I am going to come off as someone who supports the PG-era but that could not be further from the truth. I am just shocked that with all the guidelines and regulations the WWE have set up to protect tomorrow’s generation, why would they promote bullying and gang warfare? Bullying is a plague in schools and to me, this just looked as though the WWE didn’t really think this through. Now, I loved the angle and hope it continues long into the future but I see holes in this angle if the PG-era is to be taken seriously.

Secondly, I literally do not have a clue why they would give them all contracts. To my mind, the Raw roster is a little bit full and although some Nexus members could fill up some vacant mid-card spots, I don’t understand why they would reward everyone. I thought they would make them face off for contracts and get rid of some of the fluff like Tarver and Young. It’s not to be though and if the WWE think for a second that I am so stupid to think that a beating at the start of NXT season 2 is enough to stop these guys from revolting, they are seriously mistaken. In fact, I fully expect the NXT season 2 rookies to do the exact same.

If they do, then I really don’t see the point in NXT anymore. All that is going to happen at the end of each season is that they are going to attack the pros and another 8 guys will be taken onto an expanding WWE roster. To me, they have started something and created a precedent that isn’t likely to stop any time soon.

But what do you think?

 

[Ferbian]

Firstly, is it a good precedent to set that attacking non-wrestling staff will get you places in the WWE? Is that the message that the WWE want to be sending out at this point?

I don't think that the fact that they established themselves by ripping apart everything, including taking out the non wrestling staff is the thing they're trying to point out, they didn't exactly go that far to mention anyway, they went to the point of focusing on going after the important people, Bret Hart while he's a non wrestling character, he does have a wrestling background, and John Cena is, well was the champion.

And even if they did mention about it, I would not believe that that's the message they're getting out there, if we're to try and get something "teachable" out of it, I would say there's two ways to take this.

1: The ends justify the means.

2: You should do anything in your power to achieve your goals.

Secondly, by giving the Nexus their contracts. What kind of trend have the WWE set up? By that, I mean, what is stopping the second season NXT rookies from doing the exact same thing?

I do not know that exactly, and nobody can truly say whether it sets up for another ravishing of the WWE crew and stage, but I do not believe that from a non-kayfabe view that WWE will be doing that.

From a kayfabe view I could assume that the beat down they got from the start would automatically assume they got some respect beaten into them, and would know of the affects of messing with the roster, and that someone will suffer the consequences of their actions, which would add to a good thing to teach the kids watching the show, and eliminate a bit of the bad messages there has been send.

Lastly, if the new NXT rookies, do indeed follow suit and start to tear apart everyone at the end of their season, what is the point of NXT in the first place?

Again, I'm not assuming that will actually happen again, kayfabe wise respect for the superstars could have been reached, we have yet to see any tension between the superstars and rookies, something we saw from day one in the original NXT.

And I would assume with all of the NXT rookies being present currently, they would come off as the "go to" guys when it would come to eliminating the threat that is NXT season 2 if that point indeed is reached.

But I do agree, giving the contracts to everybody eliminates the NXT concept, but all in all they would have debuted again sooner or later I would assume, and then the concept would be dead again.

This way we get an awesome storyline out of it, and everybody of the rookies benefit from it in some manner.

 

[Money Inc.]

Secondly, by giving the Nexus their contracts. What kind of trend have the WWE set up? By that, I mean, what is stopping the second season NXT rookies from doing the exact same thing?

Absolutely nothing. This is the only thing hurting this storyline... The fact they started NXT season 2 the same week NXT season 1 goes bananas.

Lastly, if the new NXT rookies, do indeed follow suit and start to tear apart everyone at the end of their season, what is the point of NXT in the first place?

Once again, no argument here. It's the same thing with the UFC's Ultimate Fighter. All the fighters on the show get a contract in the end so it kind of defeats the purpose of the show. Although you could argue the title shot and the biggest push, but still it doesn't make that much sense

Secondly, I literally do not have a clue why they would give them all contracts. To my mind, the Raw roster is a little bit full and although some Nexus members could fill up some vacant mid-card spots, I don’t understand why they would reward everyone. I thought they would make them face off for contracts and get rid of some of the fluff like Tarver and Young. It’s not to be though and if the WWE think for a second that I am so stupid to think that a beating at the start of NXT season 2 is enough to stop these guys from revolting, they are seriously mistaken. In fact, I fully expect the NXT season 2 rookies to do the exact same.

I've actually been kind of impressed with Tarver over the past few weeks. On the show NXT he was my least favorite for obvious reasons, but since the Nexus, I've enjoyed him so far.

But what do you think?

One thing about the WWE is they always have their story lines in place a couple months before its even time to pilot the story. Although creative changes a lot of time a long the way due to crowd reaction/injuries/etc I wouldn't be surprised if WWE already has a plan waiting for NXT season 2 winner/7 losers.

I don't think it'll be similar to the Nexus... but I could almost bet the plans have already been drawn.

 

[steveom07]

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Secondly, by giving the Nexus their contracts. What kind of trend have the WWE set up? By that, I mean, what is stopping the second season NXT rookies from doing the exact same thing?

Lastly, if the new NXT rookies, do indeed follow suit and start to tear apart everyone at the end of their season, what is the point of NXT in the first place?

Maybe the writers? or is that to simple an answer

 

[Mike67]

I don't know.. I can't really sit and watch the Nexus. I don't know what it is.. They just have the thing that urges me to change the channel.. Maybe it's the NWO mentality..
Of course, what I want to see for the title opportunity, I'd like to see it turned around that Barrett has to go through the rest of Nexus to get the shot.

 

[Cookie14]

Where to start with this one?

Lets start with the 'bullying' that you mentioned. To me, this isn't really bullying. It's a typical gang mentality. An example of WWE bullying would be LayCool against Mickie James or Beth Phoenix, with childish name calling, immature pranks etc.

Secondly, I think Vince gave Nexus contracts hoping they would side with him, doing whatever he wanted them to do, but, by attacking him, they created th situation of them being against ALL of WWE. This would have worked better if they had not been assigned to Raw, si they could turn up on Raw, SD or NXT to wreak havoc.

Thirdly, I think we are currently watching the last series of NXT, with SD taking their place on SyFy at the end of the current series of NXT. I can see NXTWO doing the same as Nexus, but on SD, and I think this curretn angle will lead to NXT vs WWE at Survivor Series, with 5 from Nexus vs 5 from Raw, 5 from NXTWO vs 5 from SD, Wade Barrett vs WWE Champion, NXTWO winner vs SD Champion

 

[Sunshine™]

Am I really the only one thinking into the future here?

I can see this angle going into a Survivor Series feud with The Nexus and the season 2 competitors.

The Nexus continues beating down veterans, the season 2 guys come out saying how they respect the company and think they're cowards for using fear to get what they want, etc, etc.

 

[Vash21]

This isn't the first time non combatents have been involved in a storyline. Maybe the first since they went PG.

Vince thought he was in charge of the NXTers. Thought he was in charge. Maybe they talked him into guaranteed contracts, allowing them to bust him up without fear of immediate retribution.

They won't make the same mistake with the 2nd NXT group.

 

[ABMorales787]

They aren't necessarily being rewarded. They were given their contracts by the new "Big Brother" GM. Who is presumably their leader. That, for me, is not the "dangerous precedent" I see here. Its the fact that all of the season 1 NXT competitors ended up the main roster in no time. These guys were all supposed to scratch and claw their way to a WWE contract and title match. Yet when one came out victorious, they all banded together and ALL got contracts. That, even though it created a great story, completely killed the purpose of NXT. Which immediately began season 2. What are we to expect when season 2 ends?

I really doubt that beating innocent people to get contract sets a bad example. They are heels. They do bad things and still get rewarded. Just look at Drew McIntyre. It works.

 

[LigerBomb]

Firstly, is it a good precedent to set that attacking non-wrestling staff will get you places in the WWE? Is that the message that the WWE want to be sending out at this point?

You make a valid point about it being bad precedent and very suspect. Storyline wise it makes little sense. You then have to look outside the box for a moment and realize that apparently WWE was shooting from the hip with the E-GM gimmick and from what I can understand likewise the hiring of the Nexus gang. Clearly had Bret shown up at the PPV and the following Raw the last thing that was going to happen was the faction that beat his ass being rewarded with contracts. But yes you are spot on that it sets a terrible precedent. Similar to America's "we don't give in to terrorists" gimmick, capitulation after intimidation only begs for their faction (or others) to create more violence; giving in now is a bad move and sends the wrong message.

Secondly, by giving the Nexus their contracts. What kind of trend have the WWE set up? By that, I mean, what is stopping the second season NXT rookies from doing the exact same thing?

At this stage of the game probably not much if anything at all. Sure, one could point to the beat down they all received and the end of the season opener but if anything that just may act as the catalyst for a second revolution. However as they have a bit of time to deal with the whole Nexus angel as a whole I'm sure they'll eventually write something in that dissuades similar uprising from taking place; at least I hope they do, or the WWE logic train derails yet again.

Lastly, if the new NXT rookies, do indeed follow suit and start to tear apart everyone at the end of their season, what is the point of NXT in the first place?

Unless it ties into Nexus, and that perhaps they were pulling the strings of NXT S2, it would be a disaster that waters down the original group (see nWo fiasco for proof). Again, this is why it's vital to address this whole fiasco sooner than later. Also, this just returns to the point that it was simply hot shot booking gone wrong that probably did more damage than good; that is unless of course they actually have answers to all these questions and are planning on pacing this story-line out a bit slower to create anticipation and confusion. But then that would be giving WWE much more credit than they rightfully deserve.