NXT vs the World

[TWJC: The Beginning]

I've been seeing a lot of "WWE Main Roster vs NXT Super show" suggestions around the internet.

I personally feel a huge reason why NXT succeeds is because you don't have the live TV pressure, you don't have the pressure of a huge, diverse audience. It's basically the few hundred people there (who sound like half Full Sail Students leading chants and the rest are die hards) and the hardcore fans on the Network.

Because of those reasons, while I'd love to see a one night on Raw type of challenge, I don't think it'd be as huge of a success.


What about this instead. You do "NXT vs The World". For one night, you put NXT against the best wrestlers from other promotions around the world. The Full Sail audience would be into it. Your hardcore fans would love it as well. There's also the outside chance that this is a decent hook to start growing the networks international business.

Card could be Neville vs Puma, KENTA/Omega, Bullet Club/Lucha Dragons, Steen/Samoa Joe, Zayn vs CM Punk (joking), etc. I have no idea how a one night only contract would work or if it's in their budget or how reasonable it is to even think of.

What would your reaction be to this and what would your suggestions be?

 

[OldSchoolWrestlingFan]

I can understand what you are thinking & where you are coming from but this will never ever ever work!

First I disagree with what you said about NXT flourishing because of the lack of pressure - they flourish because they don't have Vince & His puppets micromanaging everything & you have former wrestlers helping run the shows & PPVS that know exactly how make the atmosphere beneficial to help wrestlers flourish - it has nothing to do with the crowd size or live TV it's all about management!

Secondly if NXT is going to do a PPV like that it would have to be a WWE vs NXT event because Vince would never allow HIS talent to compete anywhere else for one night & he sure wouldn't allow anybody else's talent to compete without bringing them in, changing their names & trademarks so that he couldn't get all the money from the sell of the merchandise and videos. I think it could truly be an amazing thing but Vince is too selfish to allow it & the last reason he will never let it happen is because people that sees NXTs product now boast about how much better they are than the main roster & the last thing he would want to do is put them on a world wide stage & then have his own "minor leagues" challenge his Main Roster even mor than it already does.

 

[DCLXVI]

On paper it looks like an enjoyable show to watch but just wouldn't happen... maybe in ROH or TNA, but NXT is a part of WWE which is a global brand... not just a wrestling company. Anyone they put on is going to either be under contract, or for something like a one-off returning Royal Rumble spot like Bubba Ray did this year (using his WWE character, not Bully Ray mind you).

 

[THTRobtaylor]

You really need to look at what is working in NXT and why it's working.

Much is being made of the "more time, not live, less pressure" but the reality is there is MORE pressure in NXT than just what you see onscreen. The talents are being literally evaluated every moment they are on the job, and probably when they aren't. Every action they take is being monitored in some way.

Look back at Tough Enough and you get an idea, remember the episode where DeMott (I'll get to him in a moment) slapped Ryback cos he'd warned him "If you eat one more thing?"... yet they then make his gimmick "Feed Me More"?

One mistake in NXT can cost you your job. Guys on the roster might get taken off TV for a week or two or "de-pushed" but they still have their downsides. NXT Talent's don't get that luxury, they work or they don't get paid, they perform in training or they get cut. Having all those facilities means the pressure is literally on at all times.

What is working with NXT is that they have a strong core of older talent there teaching mixed with the best guys from the indies who can learn/do what WWE needs them to do to lead by example. Think guys like Balor, Itami, Owens and the like are there to get to the main roster? They're not... they're there to raise the bar in the training programme so all those learning have guys they can relate to, learn from and be inspired by.

Those who are able to grasp that do well there, they get the time they deserve on TV, they get the wins and maybe the live shows for the main roster to boost their income/experience. Those who don't get cut unceremoniously.

In terms of the trainers, much as Bill DeMott is basically a scumbag for his behavior... it works. NXT is the product everyone is talking about as being better and like it or not, he is the guy given that responsibility to get results. That he has a A-list group of talent who all did more than him in the business is interesting and I am sure this latest re-run of his "scandal" will see Billy Gunn take the role from him. DeMott is fine to work down in the PC but he's not going on the road with them if they're smart. That'll be down to Regal who long term will no doubt take Trips role overseeing NXT when Paul moves up to the big job.

Your idea doesn't work in this framework. If guys like Puma, Jo Mo or any of the Lucha or NJPW/AAA type guys were of interest, they would be in NXT or at least been approached. They don't want those kind of guys, they have their pick of them already. What they want are guys like Uhaa Nation, Sami Calihan/Solomon Crowe who can come in, debut strong and do it the way they're taught/told by DeMott and co... not Prince Puma coming in for one shot, not knowing any different or not caring cos it's a one night only engagement. That would kill NXT faster than Vince deciding he wants to take a more hands on role.

The most interesting thing that backs this up was that Shield dvd doc where they are explicitly saying that Seth Rollins had that attitude and was days from being fired for it. Obviously he got with the programme just in time and is currently doing it better than most, but that's evidence enough that WWE only wants what it wants... that they were literally ready to let this guy walk, despite knowing and seeing how good he was.