NXT Secondary Single's Title - What Do You Call it?

[Trill Co$by]

It's become apparent to everyone that NXT is gaining more and more popularity as the days go by. More people are taking advantage of the 1st Month Free deal with the Network at the right times, and because of this, they're getting a lot of good exposure to the perfect blend of old school territory, new school indies, and WWE production that NXT has to offer. And as time continues to go by, NXT keeps cycling through top champion after top champion to figure out who is ready for the single's call up.

But what about guys who have popularity but aren't exactly the ones you want flying the main banner? What about guys you want to take a closer look at but not feature as THE guy? Or one that you're not quite sure is the next guy, so you give him something as sort of a test subject?

Well, that's where a secondary title comes into play. Imagine if NXT had a mid-card/secondary title during the Tyler Breeze era, or when Tyson Kidd was running his #FACT promos. It would've perfectly been acceptable for them to give them those titles and feature them more and give fans a champion they can see more frequently than a Finn Balor while also not degrading the title Balor has. Imagine what a guy like Apollo Crews or Baron Corbin can do when given a mid-card title. I'm sure that one will come in time, and I'm waiting for it... but I feel as if right now would be a great time to start investing in guys to fill that NXT Mid-Card role.

Also, when the title does come in... what do you call it? Do you keep that sort-of old school feel going and name it the Television title? Do you name it after someone like Dusty Rhodes? Do you make an Internet title a legit thing? Could the decision on a name be a reason why there currently isn't an NXT Mid-Card title? What do you think?

 

[Azane]

I call it the NXT World Championship, with the #1 title beng the Woman's championship.

NXT is an hour program, there's not room for a midcard title, and honestly, it just devalues the other 3 titles without having any meaning. The Guys vying for the "Midcard" title, are basically #1 contenders with the roster's current depth which is perfect.

If they absolutely HAVE to throw in another title, I'd do something with the Cruiserweight division.

 

[CanadaTed]

I definitely understand your thought process of having a secondary title in NXT as it would help spotlight some names that may not ever elevate to NXT champion. I do however think things are great the way they are. Having only one title makes it all the more prestigious. Also the title they have now is called the NXT title which makes it difficult to name a new title as you suggested. The NXT title would have to be renamed in addition to there being a new title in the mix. Another thing to think about is that NXT is still only a one hour show. There's the NXT title, Women's title, and tag titles already.. that seems to be enough for the time being.

 

[King Patrick Star]

If NXT becomes a two hour show, and the roster size grows to the point where one main Championship Title Belt and one set of Tag Team Championship Title Belts isn't enough, then yes, I wouldn't mind a secondary Championship Title Belt in NXT.

I wouldn't go for a Championship Title strictly just for guys that are 225 lbs. or lighter. You don't want to back yourself into a corner like what happened to TNA a few years back. You would end up with the same issue, only in this case, there wouldn't be a Championship for the bigger mid-card guys to fight for. I also wouldn't name it the Television, Internet, or Network Championship Title, though it's not an entirely bad idea.

I was thinking of a combination of these 2 designs.

In honor of the man behind NXT, the King of Kings, the Authority, the Game, hell, I'd start calling him the Business, if I could, Triple H, I'd call this new Championship, the X-Generation Championship Title Belt (I just though Nex Division sounded kind of "light"). I think by doing this, the WWE would show the World that nobody does "Independent" Wrestling like the WWE, and it's a great subtle shot at the "competition".

Oh who am I kidding, I just want to buy new Championship Title Belt already!! Somebody make new ones!!

 

[stingray11214]

You name it the NXT Southern Heavyweight Championship. Trips is an "Old-School" NWA fan. NXT already does stuff to honor the old Florida territory, why not a championship? Either that, or you can relegate the US Championship to NXT. It would not be a bad move. You can do more with that title in NXT than they are doing on the Main Roster.

 

[Vanilla Midget]

I'd call it unnecessary, but the question isn't "should they add a secondary title," it's, "what do you call it."

I like the idea of TV much better than a weight restriction title. Actual combat sports have weight division to keep fights fair. A heavyweight in MMA or boxing would decimate a smaller competitor. In professional wrestling you're selling entertainment only, so Rey Mysterio can pin Big Show if it entertains the fans and draws money.

Weight class restrictions in today's pro wrestling are not necessary. You want the guys who are drawing to hold titles. The guys who were once considered too small now headline the show, why pigeonhole yourself creatively?

A TV can be held by the tall and the small. It goes pigeonhole creative differently though, in that one person must be featured weekly in order to defend the title. That's not the worst as generally speaking you want to continue the storyline of someone you're pushing.

What about reviving the European title in NXT? It would have a nostalgia effect at least. Otherwise I would consider some other outside the box ideas like a triple threat title (yeah TNA did it with the X title), something like the ROH pure title where you run out of rope breaks, or perhaps a title with a match time limit.

 

[Hem]

NXT is fine the way it is. Not everyone has to be after a title. They have to find some ways to make people feud without having a simple I want to be the champion story. It helps them grow as a personality and a character.

Also, NXT is an hour long show. Featuring a primary mens championship, womens championship and a tag team championship is just enough. Anything more would be overkill.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

They barely have enough legit upper level guys to keep the big title scene rolling.... A secondary title would be useless. They have the unprecedented advantage of the Women's title being not just a legit secondary title, but every bit the main event level belt the NXT title is.


For now. Perhaps after they grow a little more, but even then itll be unnecessary most likely.

Popularity =/= more titles.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

They barely have enough legit upper level guys to keep the big title scene rolling.....

I have to disagree with this comment as I think there are plenty of guys to keep the NXT Championship picture rolling along nicely, especially with the way NXT is booked as a whole. I mean, for instance, we don't see the NXT Champion on TV every week, or any of the other champions in NXT for that matter; as a result, much of the time of NXT is spent building up potential challengers and setting up title programs that usually culminate at the NXT TakeOver specials. Balor, Joe, Corbin, Crews, Zayn & Aries are more than adequate to keep the NXT Championship picture fresh.

That being said, a secondary male championship at this point isn't really needed because, as has been pointed out, NXT only has a 1 hour show each week. If they were to add a 2nd hour or developed another 1 hour program, then I could see the potential need of a mid-card championship.

As for what to call it, I kinda like King Patrick's "X Generation Championship" suggestion, but I most definitely wouldn't go for some combination of TNA's current X Division & GFW's NEX GEN Championships. I mean, as a whole, I'm not overly wild about NXT's title designs but the X Division looks like the bastard child of the NXT and 2000s Intercontinental Championships while the NEX GEN title just seems too blah; one's too ugly and the other's like the plain girl in homeroom that nobody notices. I'd prefer something a bit more old school, maybe something along the lines of the old NWA Television Championship design, but that's highly unlikely to happen since NXT is going for these "one of a kind" sort of designs.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

I have to disagree with this comment as I think there are plenty of guys to keep the NXT Championship picture rolling along nicely, especially with the way NXT is booked as a whole. I mean, for instance, we don't see the NXT Champion on TV every week, or any of the other champions in NXT for that matter; as a result, much of the time of NXT is spent building up potential challengers and setting up title programs that usually culminate at the NXT TakeOver specials. Balor, Joe, Corbin, Crews, Zayn & Aries are more than adequate to keep the NXT Championship picture fresh.

As you say, good sir, the champ isn't on tv every week. Your post actually illustrates my point.

Hence them not having (or needing) very many guys to bolster the title picture. Six (five contenders) is not a large number when that is basically the entirety of your main male competitors, and you only have one belt.


Like, think of that. Their main roster is basically six dudes


No room for a secondary title.

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

I am completely opposed to any additional belts in NXT. You have a singles division, a singles belt and a tag division, tag belts. And of course a women's belt for the division. So if I was forced to add another belt it would be a women's tag belts, but I don't think there are enough women to have a stacked tag division like the males.

More belts=less prestige for the belts. If I had my way the IC and US titles would be unified!

 

[Mighty NorCal]

As ive said, a huge advantage for NXT is the World, Womens, or Tags can main event any show anywere. They have four headline level title belts for a roster of about 20 for the men, and 10 - 12 for the women.


No room or need for more titles.

 

[King Patrick Star]

What do you guys think about bring back the FCW 15 Championship Title Medal and renaming it the NXT 15 Championship Title Medal??

Because they use the current / horizontal logo for the NXT Championship Title Belt, they could use the original / vertical NXT logo on the NXT 15 Championship Title Medal.

 

[Deoxyribonucleic A.C.I.D.]

NXT doesn't need or should get an additional championship, because even now, the NXT Championship is not a World Championship. It's a developmental title, that's even below the US and IC titles. So why create another belt that ranks so below in the rankings. It would be 1) World Title, 2) IC 3) US 4) NXT and the new championship would be ranked fifth in that order. What's the meaning of holding this championship and what value would that championship hold? Zero.

Although, I wouldn't mind, the new cruiserweight programm that's coming, to get their championship and then also showcase the crusierweights in NXT. This title is of course off the rankings I mentioned, because that's a whole other division.

 

[HBK-RVDFan92]

I've been thinking about this very topic for some time now. Back when NXT was still FCW I was always intrigued by their FCW 15 Championship idea, so I have to disagree with quite a few of the comments on here saying that NXT doesn't need a mid card title.

I've always thought they should keep it traditional and just create an NXT Intercontinental Title. If they would have had that title during the Tyson Kidd/Tyler Breeze era it would have helped skyrocket them both and not saying he's not doing well, but even Neville could have benefited from it. Though I feel during that era that the NXT roster was a bit smaller so they needed both Kidd and Breeze to help beef up the heavyweight title picture.

But I think now with the Austin Aries/Corbin/Hideo Itami/Gargano/Ciampa/Sami Zayn/Apollo Crews and soon Nakamura type of era now in effect, it's a perfect time to introduce this kind of championship whereas most of these new talents (that have either already debuted or have just signed) are all either high flying workhorses or smaller in size yet still athletic and entertaining as hell.

I agree with an earlier comment saying that it's only an hour show and that they need to just use the talent they have to again beef up the NXT Title competition, but at some point they need to be realistic in that alot of these guys are talented but will never get entirely over or the fact that a lot of the FCW/NXT mainstays are good in the ring but have been consistently floundering in their own growth/progression because there arent many opportunities offered nor given to them to help elevate them or create more value in them.

Perfect examples being Alex Riley, Rhyno, Angelo Dawkins, Elias Sampson, Tye Dillinger, Sawyer Fullton, Rich Swann, Mojo Rawley, Zack Ryder, CJ Parker when he was still there and even Bull Dempsey before he left. Even when Curtis Axel was back in NXT briefly I feel like an NXT IC title run could have helped him.

I could even argue that Corbin has been battling obscurity once the crowd stopped caring about his 30 second matches which exposed him and forced him to get good real quick, but my point being that he's been featured in so many title match opportunities that no one really believes he will win the world title as long as Zayn, Samoa Joe, Crews, Finn and more are all still in the fold.

I just feel like the line of NXT world title contenders is too long, they literally have had a battle royal to decide the new contender way too many times, which further supports my point. Make NXT two hours long and they can focus on all four titles efficiently while spreading the talent over evenly.

Besides the mid card title is used to put stock into wrestlers who have a majority of the proverbial 'total package' and are right on the cusp of grabbing the brass ring, but have yet to break through the glass ceiling. So let's create more in house stars as opposed to just relying on the hype over newly signed talents, who have already made a name for themselves elsewhere. I mean isn't that the sole purpose of developmental? Creating superstars?

 

[MINISTRYrising]

With NXT only being one hour long I really don't think it needs it, but if they do decide to have one, then I would go with either the NXT network championship or possibly the NXT Internet Championship.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I wouldn't call it anything. NXT does not need a secondary championship. The show does just fine having a top singles title for men, another for women, and one for tag teams. The roster sees enough fluctuation that everything always seems fresh. Plus, the show is only an hour long. It would be different it they had as much content to fill up each week as the main roster does. The male singles wrestlers who are not competing for the NXT Championship are fine being in non-title and #1 contendership feuds. There is literally nothing wrong with NXT's Championship structure right now, so why bother trying to fix something that isn't broken? If they HAD to make a secondary title then maybe use a regional name, since the main roster has the Intercontinental and US Championships. North American Championship or something? Heck, bring back the European Championship if they must. I still don't see the need for adding a secondary title in NXT at all though.

 

[ShinChan]

First of all, There is no need for a secondary title and Secondly, There is no more space for another title. NxT has two main eventing titles unlike main roster and tag belts for tag teams. NxT is a developmental territory and so you need only one title which is the main aim for every person out there. Thats the ultimate goal and is sufficient enough so a strong no to secondary title.

​

 

[Trill Co$by]

For the morons using the "NXT is developmental and doesn't need mid-card titles" allow me to remind you that ALL of the WWE Developmental companies pre-NXT have had more than 3 titles, except for the terrible DSW. OVW had 6 at its highest, FCW had 4, USWA during its time as a Developmental brand had 8 titles... so obviously, you people need to do more research before making yourself look stupid.

Also, let's not forget that having a secondary title legitimizes the NXT title way more than not having one does. Could you really see a single's run by Enzo allowing him to be NXT champion? Can you see Tye Dillinger or Alex Riley being NXT Champion? No. But you could see them being a secondary singles champion, and that's what mid-card titles are for. And no, that doesn't devalue their stock as a future WWE star. It just helps WWE to see how well they'd fit on the main roster. Strategically, a secondary title in NXT is smart and more likely than not it's going to happen. It needs to happen. The same way the IC title needed to happen, so does a secondary NXT title.

And finally, as Triple H has said in the past, the WWE is trying to get NXT out of the "developmental" feel and that's why they made the performance center. Because NXT is supposed to be its own brand, offering something unique. Hell, there's talk already about NXT being a third brand in the potential Brand Split 2.0.

 

[Farese12]

For the morons using the "NXT is developmental and doesn't need mid-card titles" allow me to remind you that ALL of the WWE Developmental companies pre-NXT have had more than 3 titles, except for the terrible DSW. OVW had 6 at its highest, FCW had 4, USWA during its time as a Developmental brand had 8 titles... so obviously, you people need to do more research before making yourself look stupid.

Also, let's not forget that having a secondary title legitimizes the NXT title way more than not having one does. Could you really see a single's run by Enzo allowing him to be NXT champion? Can you see Tye Dillinger or Alex Riley being NXT Champion? No. But you could see them being a secondary singles champion, and that's what mid-card titles are for. And no, that doesn't devalue their stock as a future WWE star. It just helps WWE to see how well they'd fit on the main roster. Strategically, a secondary title in NXT is smart and more likely than not it's going to happen. It needs to happen. The same way the IC title needed to happen, so does a secondary NXT title.

And finally, as Triple H has said in the past, the WWE is trying to get NXT out of the "developmental" feel and that's why they made the performance center. Because NXT is supposed to be its own brand, offering something unique. Hell, there's talk already about NXT being a third brand in the potential Brand Split 2.0.

I don't think it is necessary for you to call people stupid and moron for their opinions. You just sound like an ass.

Anyways, i don't think they need another belt. With the show being only 1 hour, i just don't think there is enough time. We hardly even see the main belt on TV.

 

[FromTheSouth]

The NXT title is a secondary title. I'm not with the school that thinks that people are morons if they think that NXT is developmental. As a matter of fact I agree with them. Look at when Kevin Ownes debuted. They put him against the US champ. IN the scheme of things, the NXT title is used exactly as the IC title used to be. It's given to a guy to see how he performs when the spotlight shines on him a bit.

Finn Balor is the equivalent of a midcard champ on the main roster. When he gets pulled up, he will be in a feud near the top of the card. The same will go for Joe and Generico.

There is no reason to put a second belt on a show that had literally 30 seconds for their champ in a throwaway segment.

 

[Trill Co$by]

The NXT title is a secondary title. I'm not with the school that thinks that people are morons if they think that NXT is developmental. As a matter of fact I agree with them. Look at when Kevin Ownes debuted. They put him against the US champ.

This would hold merit if said United States champion wasn't someone that WWE has just built the last 10 years around in John Cena. If someone like Sheamus or Chris Jericho had been US Champion then, then sure I could see your point. But it wasn't, it was John Cena that Owens came in and defeated cleanly on his debut match thus putting him forever in the future world champions bracket. Seth Rollins, also a former NXT Champion, debuted in the Shield and we all know how that went. In fact, the only non-world champion out of the three is facing Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania... not too shabby right? Big-E is a former NXT Champion, and was set to be a world champion but then plans changed, who knows why... even still, he's doing absolutely fabulous in New Day and could receive a decent push when he breaks away from the New Day.

Also, let's not forget that being the lead of NXT also makes you the flag bearer for that brand. So unless you're a Finn Balor or Samoa Joe, chances are you're not going to be given the title at all.. and because of that, you're probably not going to be looked at. Tyler Breeze is one of few exceptions. So why not give those guys a chance to shine as well by making a title that they actually could hold and actually be able to showcase. Not to mention, it would give NXT their own sort of TV champion that could be there weekly and be the true workhorse champion of NXT.

 

[FromTheSouth]

This would hold merit if said United States champion wasn't someone that WWE has just built the last 10 years around in John Cena. If someone like Sheamus or Chris Jericho had been US Champion then, then sure I could see your point. But it wasn't, it was John Cena that Owens came in and defeated cleanly on his debut match thus putting him forever in the future world champions bracket. Seth Rollins, also a former NXT Champion, debuted in the Shield and we all know how that went. In fact, the only non-world champion out of the three is facing Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania... not too shabby right? Big-E is a former NXT Champion, and was set to be a world champion but then plans changed, who knows why... even still, he's doing absolutely fabulous in New Day and could receive a decent push when he breaks away from the New Day.

They were using Cena to try and make the belt feel legit, but it was still a midcard feud.

Also, let's not forget that being the lead of NXT also makes you the flag bearer for that brand. So unless you're a Finn Balor or Samoa Joe, chances are you're not going to be given the title at all.. and because of that, you're probably not going to be looked at. Tyler Breeze is one of few exceptions. So why not give those guys a chance to shine as well by making a title that they actually could hold and actually be able to showcase. Not to mention, it would give NXT their own sort of TV champion that could be there weekly and be the true workhorse champion of NXT.

Is Neville even on the WM card? He is the longest reigning NXT Champ.

And again, the NXT champ was only involved in a 30 decond throw away segment this last show. How is someone going to be given a belt to shine with if they don't have time to put them on? There is another thread about going to 2 hours. If NXT is going to add a belt, they would have to do so. The storylines get no build as it is now. It's three weeks before anything advances on that show as it is.

 

[enviousdominous]

From what I can tell, NXT is presenting a show very similar to the golden era of WCW. You give occasional promos, but most of those are kept in the ring before or after matches. Backstage antics can happen, but they're a thankful rarity. You pay to watch wrestling, you get a few minutes of promos with your wrestling and not the other way around.

For a mid-card title, I would hold off on that. I mentioned WCW earlier because I would prefer if NXT adopted a Television Championship, which of course would require them to be on tv and have regular PPVs to justify its existence.

Why not have NXT on tv? The only logical reason to not broadcast NXT that I can figure out would be that it could undermine the legitimacy of being called up to Raw or Smackdown, in doing so you would probably have a lot of people saying "no thanks" to being called up. I just think that NXT is getting too big to just be a program that streams online, and eventually the WWE will have to allow it to be a rival program under the Titansports umbrella.

If NXT makes it to tv, they can expand it to a couple hours and absorb an even larger pool of indy talent. Only after all this happens can I see them justifying a mid-card belt, and I would love to see a classic belt like the Television Championship get a revival.

 

[NegativeFeedback]

NXT BREAKTHROUGH CHAMPIONSHIP

Only people within their first year of NXT are eligible to win the title. After a year, you can no longer contend for it. If you're the champion at the time when your year is up, the title will be exchanged for an NXT Championship match. Since NXT has so much turnover, there will always be an influx of talent that can contend for the belt.

Shinsuke, Apollo, Austin, Chad, and Elias could all contend for it right now. Plus, Joe could try to win it before June 10 in order to get another shot at the NXT title. The possibilities are endless.

I would crown Apollo as the first ever champion and have him thwart off Joe and Elias, before dropping it to Shinsuke right before at the SummerSlam weekend Takeover right before his year is up. Shinsuke can retain over Chad, Rich Swann, Chris Girard and La Sombra, and then lose it to Austin Aries. Since both these guys will have their in-ring debuts at Takeover Dallas, they both want to be champion by WrestleMania weekend to cash in that title shot at WrestleMania 33. Shinsuke beats Austin at the Takeover event and goes on to face NXT Champion Hideo Itami two days later at WrestleMania.