Right now, WWE NXT has a problem. It’s an issue that has been present since they changed their format over a year ago, upon their move to the USA Network, and expanding to two hours. This was a needed move, especially with AEW Dynamite moving into the same time-slot, but it took a piece away from the show. What was taken away was the little moments of promo time given to undercard and developing talents.
WWE NXT Has Too Much Talent To Showcase, And Keep Adding More
While this issue doesn’t impact the major stars on a show, names like Finn Balor, Karrion Kross or Adam Cole, it’s definitely felt when someone new shows up on the roster. Every few months, WWE signs another four or five names, sometimes before they even introduce the last names. In the past, this was still common, but experienced wrestlers like Joe Gacy, Alex Zayne & Blake Christian would already start to be built up.
Names like Tyler Rust, LA Knight, MSK and more have been able to jump right to TV, but so many are left in the dust. Part of this stems from the new format that NXT took on. Where the promo time for up and coming talent used to be found, we now get the mandatory commercial breaks that come with being on TV. It’s something that really isn’t noticeable at first, but the effects are starting to be felt on the roster.
NXT UK Uses The Classic Format To Build Up Characters
This doesn’t seem that major, but then you watch a program like NXT UK, which uses the classic taped format that NXT used to use. We get three to four matches, and in between is a scattered array of promos across the roster. In recent weeks even undercard names like Isla Dawn got a chance to flesh out their characters, a vital part of becoming a professional wrestler.
Names like Ben Carter, The Hunt, and more are other examples of why this format works. It gives them ways to help establish themselves outside of the ring. Anyone who gets in a WWE ring for a match is already fine between the ropes, but depending on their background, character is where they lack.
This approach is what helped build someone like Rhea Ripley into a star for WWE. She proved she could wrestle in both Mae Young Classics, but her time on NXT UK let her flesh out her character that turned her into the total package we saw in NXT.
A Solution Is Coming With NXT: Evolve
Thankfully, NXT has a chance to fix this issue, but not have to change their format much. Rumors of NXT: Evolve are still floating around, a show which will serve as NXT for NXT, and a chance to help flesh out the character of new signings. This show will be a network exclusive, and content has been filmed.
It’s likely that the shift to Peacock for WWE Network delayed it’s debut, but once it launches, these new classes of signees can finally get a chance to shine instead of waiting six months for a spot to open on NXT. This will allow WWE to not have to take chances on characters that might not work on TV, and could overall be a huge help.
Do you think NXT has an issue fleshing out characters and getting more unknown talent on screen often enough for fans to care about them? Is AEW doing better in this regard? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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