WWE

I love NXT, you love NXT, we all love NXT – WWE’s developmental branch is a super fun little pocket promotion that regularly produces some of WWE’s most exciting and satisfying programming, but unfortunately when it comes to fulfilling its own mission statement, NXT is largely a failure. NXT is supposed to prepare the next generation of WWE Superstars for success on the main roster, but its track record in that regard is pretty spotty. For every Roman Reigns or Dean Ambrose brushing their fingertips against that brass ring, there’s a Bray Wyatt who hasn’t lived up to his true potential and many more talented names like Big E, Bo Dallas and Emma who quickly and dramatically flamed out under the WWE bright lights.

Maybe this is just the way it is. A lot of unfortunate souls need to be fed through the grinder to get that one, juicy WWE main eventer sausage (I picked my metaphor and I’m sticking to it) or maybe, just maybe, NXT could be doing better. So, here’s six things NXT could be doing to better prepare their stars for main roster success, but first, a couple of caveats…

Caveat #1: These changes won’t necessarily make NXT a more entertaining TV show, in fact I’m pretty certain they won’t. This is about making NXT more successful in its stated objective, not more entertaining.

Caveat #2: This list operates on the assumption that Vince isn’t going anywhere, and that main roster booking won’t change any time soon. In other words “just make the main roster booking less closed-minded and terrible” isn’t an option.

Okay, got all that? Then let’s get our list on…

WWE

Charming, clever, main roster poison. 

Fewer Gimmicks, More Personality

NXT has been home to some of the smartest, most creative gimmicks to hit WWE in ages, but more often than not, those gimmicks haven’t done their performers any favors once they hit the main roster. Bray Wyatt has had a certain degree of success since being called up, but names like Adam Rose, Bo Dallas and Emma have been promptly and thoroughly chewed up and spat out. These super specific characters debut on Raw without proper context, and the mainstream audience that hasn’t seem them grow and develop don’t understand what’s going on, or simply don’t care.

As entertaining as they can be, it’s time for NXT to drop the quirky, complex characters. NXT should be about working on basic skills, and leaning how to act like an old-timey strongman or how to work “Bo” into all your sentences aren’t basic skills. New NXT stars should be given the most dirt basic of gimmicks – face, egotistical heel, monster heel — and from there they need to be encouraged to express their personalities and find their inner superstar without a wacky character in the way. As we’ve heard a thousand times before, the most successful wrestlers in history were guys and gals who took their real personality and turned it up to 11, and that’s exactly what NXT stars should be focusing on. Finding that thing inside to crank the dial on. That’s what the talent with the greatest chances of succeeding on the main roster are doing – that’s what Sami Zayn is doing, that’s what Sasha Banks is doing, it’s what most of the Shield guys did. It’s what most of the names we’re most worried about aren’t doing.

WWE

Preparing for the main roster like a boss. 

Basically, if somebody’s gimmick takes more than four words to explain, it needs to be dumped…

Sami Zayn – Ska lovin’ nice man.

Sasha Banks – Tiny boss lady.

Charlotte – Female Ric Flair.

The Vaudevillains – Two modern guys who play – nope.

Emma – Woman who is awkward but – nope.

Bull Dempsey – Just plain nope.