[OFFICIAL] NXT Aftermath, Review, and Ratings Thread

[Ambiguous Turd]

​

From PWInsider, here is some news on what WWE plans to do with the ECW timeslot:

WWE NXT debuts on February 23rd and the company is promoting the new show as innovative and even revolutionary. There has been talk that WWE NXT will feature young superstars from WWE's developmental system such as Bryan Danielson and Kaval (formerlyLow Ki) in a show that's a hybrid of pro wrestling and reality TV.

Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) sent out a press release today discussing its involvement in NXT show, writing:

"With speculation rife regarding the imminent debut of WWE’s new television show ‘WWE-NXT,’ all FCW Superstars are sure to be at their best as they attempt to impress top brass in WWE and secure spots on the new show’s roster. And with Edge watching over the evening’s proceedings, the stakes have never been higher."

- WWE had trademarked "NXT" to use for the new Tuesday night show on the SyFy network. Sources have confirmed that ECW will now be called WWE NXT, with the NXT standing for Next Generation.

Apparently the show will be built around an entirely new cast of characters with the idea that WWE fans can see these characters develop and debut only on SyFy. Expect a lot of talents from WWE developmental to be called up. More details on the new WWE show should be made clear tonight.

Though Vince McMahon's announcement Tuesday was vague, one key detail became clear--in three weeks, ECW will cease its run and be replaced in the timeslot by the "next evolution" of the WWE product.

PWInsider.com reported that the new show, which will focus on younger wrestlers, will be called WWE NXT. That was not confirmed explicitly in the announcement, but it does fit the overall motif of McMahon's cryptic words.

Plans to drop the ECW moniker, especially since the current product in no way resembles the "extreme" nature of the brand, had been in development for several months. The show's poor ratings had become an area of concern for both WWE and SyFy, and the hope is that a rebranding can breathe some life into the product.

Sources had said recently that SyFy returned to its original idea of asking WWE to incorporate science-fiction and alternative elements into the Tuesday wrestling broadcast. It is unclear if WWE's new vision honors said request.

Okay, not to shake my head in disbelief, but I have to get a few things straight.

First, both WWE and SyFy are apparently unhappy with ECW's falling ratings, as they now have averaged less than a 1.0 for the past several weeks. Keep in mind that when WWECW originally debuted back in 2006, they were producing higher ratings than Smackdown.

Vince McMahon referred to ECW tonight as a "success" when he addressed the crowd, however if it was a success, a rebranding would not be taking place. Vince had intended this to be a stand-alone brand like Raw and Smackdown. That did not happen either.

In essence, this is another failure on the part of Vince McMahon for the history books, and his mistake was always calling the brand "ECW" while first trying to make it a watered-down version of the original ECW, and then when that failed, turning it into a Developmental show while still keeping the name.

But let's examine what we have today. We have newer wrestlers out of Developmental, mixed with some veterans like Christian, William Regal, and Goldust to help show the new guys the ropes. This is not producing the ratings that SyFy and WWE want.

So what is the solution?

If I am reading this right, it's to do more of the same, and continue the show and actually market it as a Developmental Show called WWE NXT for "Next Generation".

So Vince apparently is not giving up on this Training and Developmental show concept of his. The man is a stubborn SOB, no doubt about it. My guess is that there will be even less veterans on the show and they are going to try to exclusively drive home the concept that you can see new stars on this brand before they debut on any other brand. Maybe every new WWE talent will debut here, first.

Who knows.

This thread is to discuss a couple things.

First, what do you think of the reported concept of WWE NXT as has been reported on the newsboards? Do you see it being any more advantageous to what WWE is currently doing with ECW?

Secondly, do you have a better suggestion for what WWE should do with the show? It's obvious they do NOT want another third major brand at this point in time, however should they just replace the show with another show like Superstars instead, or should they even just cancel the show, based on the news of the intentions for it?

WWE NXT.

Hmmm. Doesn't sound too different then what I saw out of ECW. And no, I don't see WWE adding the Sci Fi elements back into the show either.

The floor is all yours.

 

[Shadowmancer]

Wow people in WWE Creative Aren't.

NXT is a fucking stupid name and should never have been green lighted. This just continues with the stupidity of the renaming of the PPVs of which bragging rights is the only one that sounds like a proper PPV name as it isn't the name of a match type.

Cool the show is about the next generation of superstars, we knew that already, but calling it NXT is absolutely stupid, txt language is a blight on the English language and frankly is a thing that ruins a great language to communicate and elucidate with. This is just another proof that they are absolutely stuck for real ideas in Stamford. RAW and SmackDown! both have a lasting name value, NXT is transient and ephemeral. As for the concentration on Sci fi/conspiracy theory type angles thats fine, as long as all the story lines don't turn into a fucking Dick Tracey comic type affair, which knowing how uncreative work it will.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Wow, the ECW championship is even more worthless. I wonder what is going to happen to Christian. I think they should scrap the whole show and just call it Superstars. Having the young developmental talent on the show for one hour with no championships and just matches. God forbid they bring out some Sci Fi characters again like The Zombie and Kevin Thorne.

ECW was a horrible idea from the get go. I was excited like all other ECW fans back in the day, but after seeing what transpired over the next few weeks I hung my head in shame. They could call the show bullshit and it still wouldn't draw flies or viewers. Especially with the painfully worthless Abraham Washington. What happen to that guy? did he try to eat Tony Atlas? He is freakin HUGE now. I thought he was Mark Henry for a second.

WWE needs to scrap the show altogether and just go with Superstars. They can have the young talent debut on there. Still, no one will watch the show either way. So it really doesn't matter.

 

[Zolewi]

I think the show will have higher ratings at the beginning because of people's curiosity. We apparently will have a chance to see more of the developmental workers down at FCW. However, they are down there for a reason, because they need seasoning. I don't think a show full of rookies will maintain high ratings. One reason ECW ratings tanked was because the product was changed and the E brought in people the average fan didn't know. However, at least guys like Christian can finally return to the "prime" shows Raw and Smackdown.

 

[Toroc102]

Ahh finally, the last straw. It just needed to be done.

As for how this might affect Tuesday Night WWE(TNW), I'm going to guess probably badly. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm all for changing the name because its an insult, and I'm not down on the product(its not really interesting to me but its not bad). Its just that, no matter what they do, it will still be a show full of no names(in other words the up and comers that no one cares about yet), hasbeens, and Christian. It will never ever draw based on that alone. Its the C-Brand and WWE treats it as such, if they keep taking everything thats good about TNW and shifting it over to Raw/SD like it never existed in TNW to begin with(for instance, Sheamus' ECW career basically never existed, Mark Henry might as well have been champ in FCW because he's getting no cred now).

Basically ECW has no star power, I doubt any changes McMahon makes to w/e they decide to call this new show will be more than superficial. Probably a new color scheme(I'ma go with green), new title(maybe titles), probably some crazy storyline that has to do with aliens, maybe a conspiracy theory angle that will never live up to its potential because afterall Vince has other things to worry about(like Raw/SD), if Vince really wants this to be a successful show he's going to let it actually compete with Raw/SD, if he want to run a Development Show(so to speak)he's never going to get those dreamy ratings but it can't be both. Can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

[Chicago1989]

Instead of calling it WWE NXT, they should call the show WWE GRN. That's exactly what it is: Green.

Nobody cares about these "young up-and-comers". They come to the WWE thinking that they'll get pushed...right..

They'll stay on that show because they don't have what it takes to be on Raw or Smackdown. Look at Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger; They were somewhat over on ECW but moving to Raw was a big mistake. They were automatically given the "You're still green so let's feed you to someone like Triple H" push.

Let's face it, You go to ECW or "NXT" so you can look good getting squashed on Raw and Smackdown. Those are the facts.

 

[RKOChamp]

If Im right in understanding that the show will contain up and comers and no already established stars, I think the show is going to flop even more. As said earlier, the reason they havent been brought up is because they're still in training, so most people wont want to watch a show with a bunch of guys not worthy to be brought up yet. They need to scrap this idea. If they arent going to build a show like Raw and SD with established stars as well as new guys (with storylines and titles, two things WWE Superstars lacks), then in my opinion, they wasting their time.

 

[Maikeru_1979]

can't wont and never will. that is my thoughts on watching ECW/NXT. and if the report i just read is right it won't even be called that. haha. Vince just needs to drop the tuesday show all together. have better things to watch on tuesdays namely NCIS and scrubs. come to think of it. i don't think my satellite is tuned to SyFy for a total of one hour in a month. let alone one day

 

[lghikas]

Eh I could really careless for the re-naming aspect of it, to me it seems like it is going to be the same show as it is now. Personally for me I glad and happy, ECW has been my favorite wrestling by far, and it is really the only wrestling show that I really make sure I DON'T miss when it is on. I love the idea of seeing the younger guys showing what they can do, and I just love the whole overall concept of what ECW is now and what NXT will be. It's a wrestling first show and generally most of the time has more wrestling that TNA and it's 2 hours, the matches are pretty solid to good and entertain me, except the more recent Archer squash matches.

I always saw and felt that the ECW roster was always set aside from the rosters of SD and RAW, just look at some of the talent that has been on ECW...The Miz....John Morrison...CM Punk...even Zach Ryder has impressed me with matches with Christan...Yoshi is a pretty fun guy for me to watch...and of course Shelton Benjamin...enjoyed Swagger when he was there same with Borne. Hell I really enjoyed Sheamus once he debut on ECW. Along with guys like Christian, Goldust, Burchill it just made for my favorite show.

Now I have a my eye on a couple of guys in FCW, that I will be waiting and very well looking forward to them debuting on NXT and I think I will be continued to be impressed if or when WWE choses to bring guys up like Henig...Slater...Kaval..Danielson...Justin Angel, if they do go to the ECW/NXT brand.

SO anyway I am pretty happy about this I have enjoyed ECW since alot of the newer and younger guys have showed up there and I think it is heading into a nice direction, as long as they keep the SyFy gimmicks OUT.

 

[The Australian Rage]

Source: wrestlingattitude.com

"Note on The NXT name"

Here's a Did you know fact for the WWE: There is already a NXT wrestling company, which also stands for NXT Generation.
Their website can be viewed via http://www.nxtwrestling.com/ .

According to their site they have been around since 2008. The indy fed is based in Rutherglen, Scotland. They have their own wrestling school, produce DVD's and run shows on a fairly regular basis. The next show is scheduled to be this Saturday February 6th.

Apparently someone at the WWE didnt do their homework, or (more likely) they don't care.

__________________________


Can someone tell me if Vince can go through with this name change?


And as it regards to a show featuring developmental superstars, im all for it. Vince was always saying he needs new stars or there isn't enough stars or something like that. This could be the first step in realising that goal.

 

[Total Impact]

I like the idea in that I never wanted ECW to come back when on the first show ECW was terrrible. If it wasn't going to be Extreme, then it would have been better if it was called WCW.

As Vince said ECW was a sucess as no one thought he could pull off a third brand of any kind & he did, so that is a sucess. the problem was that he thought he could take a name that only reached a small section of wrestling & turn it big with his vision & that didn't work as hardcore ECW fans wanted "Extreme" & WWE fans wanted WWE Attitude version of Extreme.

The real problem to look at is the ECW curse. Look at how the brand started & see a pattern.

RVD: Drugs, arrest, dropped both titles to Bigh Show, ruined the "Extreme" edge of the show & made it WWE.

Kurt Angle: Was to be ratings warrior for ECW but was moved to Smackdown & later release.

Bobby Lashley: WWE needed a "Black star" so they used the ECW title as prop that was passed to Vince & we saw ECW for what it was as Vince wanting to piss on it like he did with WCW during the invasion angle.

Chris Benoit: Was to win the ECW title with the show focus on him as Veteran champion fighting off young talent & to give the belt real crediblity.

Johnny Nitro: No experience as a Main Eventer won the title & that was the single moment when ratings fell as each week after that ECW was in a struggle to hold on so Vince made the show about the new superstars.

CM Punk:Was to me really ECW. ECW made him known & he was over & was hybrid. As he was totally WWE style but had original ECW edge. He lost the belt to Chavo & once again WWE pissed on ECW

Royal Rumble: ECW champion was in the Royal Rumble?Why?

WrestleMania 24:Kane beats Chavo, 23 seconds enough said.

Jack Swagger:See John Morrison

Wrestlmania 25: ECW title nor champion is used on the actually show.

Syfy: Why is wrestling on Syfy? That to me made ECW look stupid in the first place.

But ECW never had a chance to big a major brand once the show went on air It lasting near four years on TV is a success.

 

[Kayoh]

I honestly kind of expected the big announcement to be (especially after he said that ECW would be cancelled) that Raw would be extended to a three hour show and that the ECW superstars would be moved to Raw. With the whole "TNA moving to Mondays" thing, and a rumor that Vince AND USA Network were kind of tossing around the idea of having a 3 hour long Raw, it would've been the perfect fit, and would've been a great way to provide the extra hour of material as well as having huge ratings because of the sturdy Raw main eventers mixing it up with the young talent on ECW.

I was wrong, obviously, and I don't think this is the right move. Frankly, I'm tired of watching an hour long of ECW and seeing two matches the entire time. I know they're trying to set up a story line, but come ON.

 

[wazaveli]

Its just a shame they dragged the whole ECW thing on for so long.

I wasn't watching the WWF during the WBF or XFL times, never saw the Brawl for All but how Vince is so rich after screwing up so much is beyond me.

If it isn't WWE specific then it sucks ass and im happy the ECW brand won't have the luxury of being called that anymore. They should of either created an ECW or created their OWN third brand back when this first started.

Goodluck though to this NXT thing, hope it works out.

 

[Hero]

Ergh, I really don't understand all of the hate WWE got for calling the show ECW originally, and I certainly don't understand the hate they're getting for the rebranding of it, nor the premise they've been using for the show over the past few years.

As much as people want to believe Vince McMahon made the name of the Tuesday night ECW exactly that just to bury the old ECW, I just don't see it as true. Sure, Vince may have taken a few chances to take a shot at his old rival, such as the shots at Heyman that we heard from Tazz and whoever else was commentating after Heyman left (Styles?). No one can ever deny that (you could even argue that Vince earned the right do so, although I'm not going too far down that track because I only see it resulting in pointless bickering). But, I believe, and I myself think that this is common sense, that Vince used the ECW name because he knew that it would bring instant credibility to the brand, thus bringing instant ratings. It was even said in the op - the ratings for ECW were an instant success. Had the show been called something else, and not a throwback to the past in order to get both new and old viewers alike to tune in and see this new ECW, I doubt the ratings would have been as good. By buying ECW out Vince earned the right to use the name, and he did it in an effective way. End of.

As far as this rebranding goes, it seems WWE can do no right. ECW is apparently off limits because they didn't create it and are using the name in a non-extreme sense, although apparently rebranding the show and using a name that describes exactly what the show is about is stupid. I couldn't disagree more. I also like that they've tried to keep the name familiar by using a three letter name again, making it an easier transition, at least making the names similar. Personally I find that pretty clever.

As far as the next generation show premise goes, I think that, in theory, it's a great idea. The show is a great place for people to get over and does that really well. Names like Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne, John Morrison, The Miz, Kofi Kingston and the like instantly come to mind when you think of success stories on ECW. Many members of the IWC are 'marks' for these men, and ECW has been vital in their development. Had they began on RAW or SmackDown! (or not been transferred there in the case of Miz and Morrison), there is not a chance that they'd have such large followings, nor would they be as skilled as they currently are. I understand the gripe that people have with people on ECW being green, but the best way to learn is to do. While discretion is needed for those of who are ready to develop themselves on TV and not just in FCW, I think the method has been highly successful, and changing it would be detrimental to WWE as a whole, as well as to us who continue to watch.

Hopefully this NXT continues to be as successful as I believe ECW has been.

 

[Viola Moonlight]

The easier option would have been to switch from SyFy to some other television network, but given the ratings it produces, you'd need miracles to achieve such a feat. Without this in the works and WWE wanting to keep their third brand on the air, they want to get a way around this.

So, they do this by renaming their show with something more horrid. They go from using initials, to text message language? Presumably, with the focus being on the young stars and guys who could be the future of the business, acting as an on-air developmental ground, they'd be making a roster built on developmental guys. Didn't we have this already without being so obvious? Well, at least it's not being named ECW anymore, which is a start.

But as an above post stated, Vince and USA Network were having discussion of making RAW three hours to combat impact when they make the permanent transition. They could have waited to the draft after WrestleMania to shake things up and cancel ECW then, saying that everyone on the roster would be transferred to SD or RAW, whilst still doing RAW/SD trades. This can fill up the RAW roster and have a bit more playing room for the creative members, as well as having the chance to rid of some of their current talents so they can pursue other areas. It would be logical, but I'm not sure many people would be able to go through a three hour episode of RAW each and every week. Many people find the things that happen on RAW to be very stupid whilst SD is the "better" option of viewing.


To gain ratings, this WWE NXT idea is probably not the way to go because it sounds a lot like the current ECW product. It's best to wait after its been implemented and compare/contrast with the ECW's final year to make any judgment. Who knows? This could actually go something. I stress the word could further than anyone has ever stressed before.

 

[arun_is_wrestling]

Well i for one am interested in this new concept. I think people are judging it by its name, and thats wrong. Really wrong. Talk about not giving a chance. Especially you sidious, why are you always against the wwe? All for tna but against the wwe. Even when the wwe gives quality stuff more or less. Just a few annoying things but the rest is gold. Back to the new show, im looking forward to it. So what if it has rookies that no 1 really knows. Tna had the same thing when they started, roh had the same thing when they started. All wwe needs to do, is make the action a lil fast paced, like ecw is usually. Yoshi tatsu, barretta, croft, others. Got some new talent debuting. Hey! why not put evan bourne on their for a while. He'l have something to do, the fans sorta know him, his star press is over. I wanna know what the scifi storylines wil be, hopefully this new show will have some benefit

 

[spiketbear]

You know Arun, that's a good idea. Evan Bourne should be there on the first episode of NXT and defeat Zack Ryder, Shelton Benjamin or Yoshi Tatsu to become the inaugural "NXT" champion. I suspect Christian will appear on Raw or Smackdown to have a title unification match with the heavyweight champion. He will lose but get right into the title hunt.

 

[MrPerfect316]

I personally just wish the brand splits would end, and everyone is just in WWE. Have 1 or 2 shows a week, mix match people, make it like it used to be back when you had everyone in one big company. I never seen or really got the whole brand split, and adding ECW into the mix just made no sense.

ECWs name is so tainted, long gone and over...its kind of sad hearing it even spoken this day and age.

 

[Shadowmancer]

Time for me to get back to posting in a major way and this is a decent thread to do it in. Arun_is_wrestling here is a bit of fun for you.

Well i for one am interested in this new concept. I think people are judging it by its name, and thats wrong.Really wrong.

As far as I can tell, this is just expanding upon and making official what has been going on for a long time in ECW anyway. The concept is not new, it has been that way for at least 3 years. This is just confirming it.

People criticising the name happens due to it being an absolutely craptacular name that proves once again that WWE Creative isn't.

Talk about not giving a chance. Especially you sidious, why are you always against the wwe? All for tna but against the wwe.

Sid is against WWE apologists that say everything is great or that it is an attempt at making money, that accept an inferior product than they should be producing.

Even when the wwe gives quality stuff more or less. Just a few annoying things but the rest is gold.

Opinion in spite of the WWE being very much shown to have a lack of creativity. The name of this replacement of ECW is a good case.

Back to the new show, im looking forward to it. So what if it has rookies that no 1 really knows. Tna had the same thing when they started, roh had the same thing when they started. All wwe needs to do, is make the action a lil fast paced, like ecw is usually. Yoshi tatsu, barretta, croft, others. Got some new talent debuting. Hey! why not put evan bourne on their for a while. He'l have something to do, the fans sorta know him, his star press is over. I wanna know what the scifi storylines wil be, hopefully this new show will have some benefit

TNA's starting out was a good number of WCW and former WWF names that started there. Ron Killings, Ken Shamrock, Jeff Jarrett, as well as numerous others. It was not strapped for names when it started out.

I think everyone is fine with the new guys being showcased on the show as it allows for new guys to be debuted and blooded on TV as a main part of the roster. The complaints that I can see are all about the fact that the name is absolute shite, the complaints about the direction that they will go with the storylines comes from the lack of creativity in the WWE creative team, it will be stupidly corny because they can't come up with anything that is smart and able to actually be there and stand as a good storyline if put anywhere, most will be absolutely shite and will insult peoples intelligence.

 

[JohnnyBlaze1986]

All good points, but mine is simple.

They should just call the new show what it really is: SHT

I don't know about you guys but when Vince started off by calling ECW a success, I spit out my drink laughing.

I know the TV business like the back of my hand. If a TV show is a "success", usually it remains on the air.

I hear the funeral march already. I'd love and I'd bet that on the last ECW, Vince throws a funeral. He could also start the show with "ECW" printed on his bare ass and hum the Star Spangled Banner, like Bart on the Simpsons.

I used to call it DCW: Developmental Championshit Wrestling.

Wait...

That's an even BETTER name for ECW!

 

[Shadowmancer]

being facetious yay.

you may know the TV business like the back of your hand but WWE isn't the TV business it is Vince McMahon's personal play pen. ECW is staying on the Air it is getting rebranded, WWE probably feels that they have milked the name ECW enough to the point where they don't see the return in still calling it that. Changing the name was a request that the WWE took and accepted, they are getting 1.0s so that is what a million or so views a show. TNA is getting something similar still and people are saying that it is going strong.

Hell I would say that ECW is still a decent name in its own way, but it is not a vince McMahon creation and it is somewhat surprising that it is still around as a name since Vince has a habit of renaming things that he didn't create.

Fuck, you are acting like you are the worlds biggest douchebag, ECW has been the final development stage for a number of years and it should be there, it works, CM Punk wouldn't have gotten a shot without ECW, Kofi wouldn't of gotten where he is without ECW. It is there for what it is, not to personally satisfy your sad attempts at making humourous jokes.

 

[aman7525]

in my opinion a show full of unknowns could be amazing. people lovr to talk about the indies and how amazing the athleticism is there. well this is the wwe's chance to have that this doesn't have to be the "wwe" style of wrestling because these guys aren't ready for that. i say let them get in there and show what got them into the developmental program.

 

[Shadowmancer]

That would be stupid, as time in development is supposed to get rid of the bad habits that they would have picked up in the Indies and would have taught them more on the pacing and psychology of a match rather than the spot fests that can be fairly common on the Indies, a refined indies could work, but a final development step is what ECW is and it works, that concept doesn't need to change. Though changes to how storylines are played out could lead to people being Shatnerised.

 

[Nerf4]

i actually like having WWE taking off the ECW name. i felt heart broken when ECW went from being a hardcore show, with blood and weapons, to this new sissy new guys show. Now with them making it for only new guys, and putting new guys only on that show, they cant mess up Raw or Smackdown before getting pushed to rank of star that, i personally, need to see on the bigger brands. If they did this with other guys, we wouldn't have as many epic failures in the wwe history books. itll be sad to see ECW go away, but thank god they arent tarnishing the memory with this pg, no blood policy crap.

 

[salopstick]

this may be far fetched but it would not surprise me to see tommy dreamer come back in a general manager role for this

he left wwe under very good terms and had a better send off than most and does not seem to be on his way to tna

dreamer would be great at mentoring the newer guys

and a storyline along the lines to you ruined ecw im gonna make nxt just as big would be the way to go