NXT is the best in show in the WWE right now…
Yes, you read it right. If you’re a committed wrestling fan, you know NXT is the promotion to tune in to. It provides the most intense and competitive matches that the wrestling business has to offer. It would have been unheard of had somebody said that four years ago – as it was just a reality show and an afterthought for wrestling fans at the time.
What makes NXT the best?
The focus being on just wrestling helps a little bit – but the change in recruitment policy is what has played the biggest part. Introducing wrestlers from independent circuits and other wrestling franchises has had a massive impact, with wrestlers like Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Adam Cole notable additions. And yet, NXT is still presented as the nursery for wrestlers who have the potential to be promoted to the main shows (Raw and Smackdown). Many superstars have reached the pinnacle at NXT by winning the Championship, only to be drafted away shortly after. This reinforces an endless cycle of disappointment – but the show continues to baffle crowds with its growth.
The rise of NXT can be measured by the fact that prior to the clash between Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas vs. Johnny Gargano, WWE had not delivered a five-star match in almost seven years. One would have to go as far back as 2011 to spot the last one, with CM Punk vs. John Cena taking the plaudits in that year’s Money in the Bank.
Dave Meltzer officially gave Andrade "Cien" Almas vs Johnny Gargano 5 Stars pic.twitter.com/98PYaf8nTq
— PWUnlimited (@PWUnlimited) February 1, 2018
Reason for NXT’s renaissance:
Having gone from being a joke of a reality TV show to being the WWE’s most acclaimed franchise, credit must be given to its management. Triple H, who has looked after the show in recent times, works very differently to the likes of Mr. McMahon. Vince emphasises the promotion of talent being developed in the company’s own performance centre, while Triple H focuses on mustering up talent from all around the world for NXT. With a decorated wrestling career of his own, the most important thing for HHH is the in-ring performance of each individual – and that’s ultimately how it should be.
The night before Wrestlemania, an NXT TakeOver event was held in New Orleans. By all means, NXT made Wrestlemania look inferior by upstaging it in terms of pace and intensity. All of this success is largely down to Triple H’s mindset – with many dreaming of the day he takes control of the main shows as well. He undisputedly knows what’s best for the business; and the business needs him at the forefront.