Something I think that needs to happen in WWE is slowing the amount of call-ups from NXT going to Raw or Smackdown. There are too many at the same time and often WWE doesn't have plans or ideas for the people that get called up. After WrestleMania this year, WWE brought the Authors of Pain to Raw, while Smackdown got the Iconics and the group Sanity. The Authors of Pain have done nothing of note on Raw and there was a time when they weren't even on TV for weeks on end. They came to Raw with manager Paul Ellering and after they decimated their opponents, they dumped Ellering. No reason why was given and that was the end of it. Now, they're in a never-ending feud with Titus Worldwide. On Smackdown, they didn't even debut Sanity for months. As for the Iconics, it started out promising as their attack on Charlotte Flair led to Carmella cashing in "Money In the Bank." They teased an association with Carmella but nothing came from that either.
There were other times in the past where so many NXT names were called up that it almost drained NXT of talent to keep their show going. I think it needs to slow down tremendously. In my opinion, Apollo Crews is someone who could have benefited from staying in NXT longer. Then there's guys like Hideo Itami who got called up but ended up on 205 Live, stuck in the Cruiserweight division, which is something I worry about for certain NXT wrestlers that are somewhat on the small side. Meanwhile, some wrestlers flourish on the main roster when they failed in NXT, such as Elias. Right now, I think EC3 is someone who doesn't quite fit in NXT, whereas I think the main roster would be more suitable for him.
When it comes to the next set of wrestlers getting called up, it would be wise to keep it to a minimum. As far as the women go, the only one from NXT I see getting called up soon is Shayna Baszler, who lost the NXT Women's Championship at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn IV to Kairi Sane. Other than Shayna, I'd stop calling up the women from NXT for quite some time. As I said before, EC3 is someone who will connect better on the main roster and although many others have been in NXT for a long time, I'd stop completely for a while for the men as well. The Velveteen Dream made waves when he appeared and wore pants that read "Call me up Vince." Whether he was talking about Vince McMahon and whether or not he got permission to do so, Dream getting called up is the last thing he needs, as I feel he will be shortchanged on the main roster.
NXT really needs to continue to form its own identity. The main NXT roster will likely lose many talents to the NXT UK brand as well, which once it gets a WWE Network show, will also need to create its own identity. Even if people are sick of the feud between Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa, there's still more to accomplish with both men. I'm worried that their big feud will be all for nothing when one or both get lost to obscurity on 205 Live. One former NXT guy on 205 Live that can get back to things on the main roster is Kalisto, as he and Sin Cara could reform the Lucha Dragons, who had great matches on the main roster. Otherwise, most wrestlers on 205 Live are doomed to be type cast for the remainder of their WWE contracts.
The women's division in NXT, despite possibly losing Baszler, will flourish, likely picking up some of the women competing in the Mae Young Classic. In fact, I'm sure we'll see the tournament's eventual winner against the inaugural winner, current NXT Women's Champion Kairi Sane. NXT's women's division is growing. Some of the Mae Young Classic competitors already have WWE/NXT contracts, such as Deonna Perrozzo. However, it's possible Dakota Kai and even Nikki Cross could end up in NXT UK. Even so, there's the other two MMA Four Horsewomen in Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir, former American Ninja Warrior competitor Kacy Catenzaro, Bianca Belair, and Candice LaRea. The women's division in NXT looks promising.
I think there's still mileage in the Gargano/Ciampa story. Whether Johnny's knee injury is legitimate or kayfabe, I'd still keep him off the next few months, possibly not even appearing at Takeover: War Games in November. Ciampa can focus on new opponents for his NXT Championship, while Aleister Black gets to the bottom of who his attacker was. Then, Black can get his one on one rematch with Ciampa for the Title. When Gargano returns, I'd create some kind of smaller Royal Rumble for January 2019's Takeover, getting him to WrestleMania weekend, where he finally defeats Ciampa and wins the NXT Title. Then, one last match would take place at Takeover: Chicago III, two years after their breakup. From there, I have plans for where the NXT Title could go.
I'd keep the Undisputed Era in NXT for a while as well. By next August's Takeover, I'd have Adam Cole be in the running and soon win the NXT Title. Meanwhile, Bobby Fish could tag again with Kyle O'Reilly to get yet another reign with the NXT Tag Team Titles, while Roderick Strong goes after the North American Title. Then, going into 2020, I'd have dissension within the Undisputed Era when Strong receives a shot at Cole's Championship. It could be a similar situation to Sting, who got kicked out of the Four Horsemen for refusing to give up his Title shot to Ric Flair. Strong would then become a babyface once again and finally defeat Adam Cole at Takeover during that 2020's WrestleMania weekend. After that, I'd send the Undisputed Era to the main roster.
As I stated earlier, The Velveteen Dream would benefit from staying in NXT for a good amount of time. After all, he's still very young, having just turned 23 years old. There's no rush! Plus, with the way his character and wrestling ability is coming along, by the time he goes up to the main roster, he'll be ready. Hopefully, his character connects to that audience and he doesn't end up like Tyler Breeze. In the mean time, NXT just got some new blood in the form of Keith Lee and Matt Riddle, who are bound for great things. Ricochet just won the North American Title and there's many things he can still do in NXT. As I said, NXT needs to continue to create its identity, and that helps when the crowd gets used to the same people, rarely losing a talent to the main roster. In fact, having a mid-card Title in NXT might slow things down, as there is more to strive for and it will take longer to get to the top.
There's also the Tag Team division in NXT. I already discussed the Undisputed Era, who are about to battle the War Raiders. The War Raiders are incredible talents and very agile big men. They are bound to dominate the division for quite some time. I think they could eventually make a big splash on the main roster but what's the rush? Even though Mustache Mountain will surely end up in the UK brand, NXT still has TM61, the Street Profits, and Heavy Machinery. If Danny Burch stays, he and Oney Lorcan are also a team. At some point, I'm sure other teams will either emerge or be created.
In a past blog not too long ago, I mentioned that Raw and Smackdown are presented exactly the same and do not have their own individual identities, whereas NXT does, and I believe the UK brand will. The only way I'm okay with Raw and Smackdown being presented similarly is if the brand split ends, which I think it should. However, that's neither here nor there. What I'm getting at is that there's absolutely no rush to bring these superstars up, especially when there is no idea for them. Not to be misunderstood, I am in no way saying that they all should get pushed heavily or get Championships right away. I do, however, think there needs to be some kind of direction once on the main roster. In the mean time, with the exception of a few, no one should be leaving NXT for quite a while.
I think there's still mileage in the Gargano/Ciampa story. Whether Johnny's knee injury is legitimate or kayfabe, I'd still keep him off the next few months, possibly not even appearing at Takeover: War Games in November. Ciampa can focus on new opponents for his NXT Championship, while Aleister Black gets to the bottom of who his attacker was. Then, Black can get his one on one rematch with Ciampa for the Title. When Gargano returns, I'd create some kind of smaller Royal Rumble for January 2019's Takeover, getting him to WrestleMania weekend, where he finally defeats Ciampa and wins the NXT Title. Then, one last match would take place at Takeover: Chicago III, two years after their breakup. From there, I have plans for where the NXT Title could go.
I'd keep the Undisputed Era in NXT for a while as well. By next August's Takeover, I'd have Adam Cole be in the running and soon win the NXT Title. Meanwhile, Bobby Fish could tag again with Kyle O'Reilly to get yet another reign with the NXT Tag Team Titles, while Roderick Strong goes after the North American Title. Then, going into 2020, I'd have dissension within the Undisputed Era when Strong receives a shot at Cole's Championship. It could be a similar situation to Sting, who got kicked out of the Four Horsemen for refusing to give up his Title shot to Ric Flair. Strong would then become a babyface once again and finally defeat Adam Cole at Takeover during that 2020's WrestleMania weekend. After that, I'd send the Undisputed Era to the main roster.
As I stated earlier, The Velveteen Dream would benefit from staying in NXT for a good amount of time. After all, he's still very young, having just turned 23 years old. There's no rush! Plus, with the way his character and wrestling ability is coming along, by the time he goes up to the main roster, he'll be ready. Hopefully, his character connects to that audience and he doesn't end up like Tyler Breeze. In the mean time, NXT just got some new blood in the form of Keith Lee and Matt Riddle, who are bound for great things. Ricochet just won the North American Title and there's many things he can still do in NXT. As I said, NXT needs to continue to create its identity, and that helps when the crowd gets used to the same people, rarely losing a talent to the main roster. In fact, having a mid-card Title in NXT might slow things down, as there is more to strive for and it will take longer to get to the top.
There's also the Tag Team division in NXT. I already discussed the Undisputed Era, who are about to battle the War Raiders. The War Raiders are incredible talents and very agile big men. They are bound to dominate the division for quite some time. I think they could eventually make a big splash on the main roster but what's the rush? Even though Mustache Mountain will surely end up in the UK brand, NXT still has TM61, the Street Profits, and Heavy Machinery. If Danny Burch stays, he and Oney Lorcan are also a team. At some point, I'm sure other teams will either emerge or be created.
In a past blog not too long ago, I mentioned that Raw and Smackdown are presented exactly the same and do not have their own individual identities, whereas NXT does, and I believe the UK brand will. The only way I'm okay with Raw and Smackdown being presented similarly is if the brand split ends, which I think it should. However, that's neither here nor there. What I'm getting at is that there's absolutely no rush to bring these superstars up, especially when there is no idea for them. Not to be misunderstood, I am in no way saying that they all should get pushed heavily or get Championships right away. I do, however, think there needs to be some kind of direction once on the main roster. In the mean time, with the exception of a few, no one should be leaving NXT for quite a while.
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