NXT

[PEN15v2]

Speaking of NWA, this felt like pre-COVID NWA POWERR. I also think someone said "let's give NXT a fresh coat of paint", and someone took it literally.

Decent. I liked the feel of the show. Shorter matches, with a couple of feature that stand out. Hard to tell if this is how every week will be, but this didn't offend me, and had more good than bad.

[Oliver]

Agree with that, Pen. Love that they started off with those four talking head promos from the main eventers, too - short, simple, effective scene setters.

I actually really like the new look for the arena/CWC. Markedly lighter and brighter, and I think that's a good thing.

[Powder]

See the brighter is what I did not like. It seemed like a room with all of the fluorescent lights turned all the way up. I have no issue with the formatting, the matches, the promos, etc, but to me the PC was way to bright and made the show seem very independent, where it was in a HS gym where the lights are on or off.


Also, Bron Breakker? Terrible name. What is wring with calling him Bronson Steiner or Bron Steiner? The kid's name is Bronson, and why not play up that he is Rick Steiner's son?

[Oliver]

Because they don't want to identify him as second generation? Same goes for Von Wagner in the main event, they could have gone with something like Joe Beverly to flag that he's second generation of one of the Beverly Brothers but didn't.

They couldn't have picked two new wrestlers to put in high profile spots that suggested 'Vince is in charge' more than a pair of second generation ex-American football players. The comment section marks will have loved that.

[Cannon]

Seems like the gap between WWE and NxT is smaller now, so if you generally like WWE you'll be more likely to watch than before. But if this was the one WWE show you liked then there's probably nothing for you now.

[Oliver]

Seems like the gap between WWE and NxT is smaller now, so if you generally like WWE you'll be more likely to watch than before. But if this was the one WWE show you liked then there's probably nothing for you now.

I don't know - I think it's got some very good potential. The look and feel might have changed a bit, but the core is still pretty similar. I'm going to give it at least a couple of months to see what the core direction of the show becomes before I really draw any conclusions.

[Powder]

Bron Breaker looks like his dad and sounds like his Uncle.

The Dogfaced Poppa Pump

[Oliver]

Bron Breaker looks like his dad and sounds like his Uncle.

The Dogfaced Poppa Pump

It's brilliant. That promo where he was goading Dunne and Holland made me really notice it. He wrestles like the two put together, as well - good main event last night I thought. Breaker is only 23, and you can see why they want to give him a high profile spot just based on his short promos and performances in the past couple of weeks.

I could watch Kushida and Strong grapple for ages.

My one point against this NXT reboot is that things are happening very quickly to get new people introduced and you don't necessarily get time to really sit with one introduction before you get another one. It's very fast paced, especially with the short(er) matches which fill the middle of the show, and whilst that can work I think essentially having 45 minutes of short promos and short matches kind of tired me out while watching. I don't think this is a bad thing, necessarily - they're refreshing the roster with people, and I think NXT has needed that for a bit of time if I look at it critically - but it all goes at a mile a minute in the middle of the show. I don't think anything in that period lasted more than 180 seconds.

I think they maybe need do something in the way of a longer match at the top of the hour, just to slow the pace down and give a bit of time to catch up mentally. Ultimately I like what they're doing introducing the new talents and making a couple of them a key focus for now, but I couldn't tell you much of what happened in that mid-section of the show because it moved so quickly, and equally I don't know what in that bit was important - do I need to remember that someone beat up someone else for not letting ladies go first? Is it Chen's win that's important or Kay Lee Ray's? Do I need to think about Chase University next week?

[Powder]

I know....the kid has potential, but his name....Bron Breakker....that needs a tweak.

And again, my main problem with NXT, is that it's too bright. They need to dim the lights.

It also seems that with all of the recent releases, and non-contract signings, that NXT 2.0 has reverted back to what it originally was, a training ground with some vets but mostly newer people. I'm ok with that, but do not kill it's vibe.

[Oliver]

I don't really think the cosmetics of the show can ever be considered a main problem with a show that lives or dies by the in ring action and backstage promos. They could light that thing with 100 watt bulbs every two feet and it wouldn't make it a better or worse show.

[Powder]

It just makes it look like a high school gym rather than a wrestling show. Optics makes a difference.

[Oliver]

See, I'm alright with that. I actually think it looks like the televised wrestling from the 70s/80s, just updated with the Tron and bright lights.

I actually kind of think it looks cool.

[Oliver]

So, Boudreaux/Harland debuted, only as a face in the crowd but seemingly set for some kind of role/feud with the recently high profile Joe Gacy. And next week Gacy takes on Ciampa to get added to the Halloween Havoc main event (Breakker vs Ciampa, currently) - which I wouldn't be surprised to see Harland have some role in determining one way or another.

[PEN15v2]

NXT isn't as engaging in this format. It's taking a lot of the elements I liked about 2019 NWA Powerr (short matches and better character evolution), but for a variety of reasons it just doesn't connect the same way. This doesn't mean it's bad, and I understand they are still adjusting... but it's got a way to go still.

First off, I'm not sold on Bron Breakker yet. It's possible I still need to get used to the change, but a rookie getting a title shot without really earning it makes it seem jarring. I'm ok with Bron getting the Halloween Havoc main event, but he just walked out to accept an open challenge and no amount of promotion seems to let that gel with my preconceptions. Joe Gacy is 1-2 over the last month, with a loss in the Breakout Tournament, so I don't get his involvement either. I'm not understanding how quickly Tony D'Angelo got over either. I dunno, too many things just wan't connecting with me as fast as NXT seems to be expecting them to.

What I am enjoying is seeing the characters overall. I think the Havoc main event would have been better with someone already established in some way, like Ridge Holland losing for example since he's moving to SD. Or Pete Dunne with some angle leading to Ridge moving on to Fridays. But with an undercard of the newer guys looking to establish themselves. Whoever is ready for an extended match on a "PPV", let them have a contest vs another dependable talent. If Gargano is leaving in December, have him put over Bron.

I'm also liking the way Toxic Attraction is being established. Mandy has always been dependable and could have been given a push at any time but never did. But she's a good talent to lead new women in the division.

Trick Williams has a natural charisma. Too early to tell if he's another Montez Ford of just natural personality, or if he's a one trick pony. But there's something to his persona that has potential.

Diamond Mine is another stable using a vet to establish others. The Creed bros seem for stardom, and Ivy Nile scares me. Bivens has been great as the mouthpiece.

And NXT has never struggled to get characters over. Indy and Dexter are great examples of people who got over without wrestling. I know they have wrestled, but ti's not been what got them established, and now they could each challenge for the title in their division and it would work because their characters have been well evolved with storytelling over the last few months.

But, this rushing people onto TV without much of a plan... Andre Chase, Von Wagner, Cora Jade/Trey Baxter, Ikemen Jiro, Jensen/Briggs.... either these talents aren't interesting, the gimmick aren't interesting, or the push needs to be slowed down a bit.

[The Cook]

For me it's that there are suddenly 15+ people who I'd pretty much never heard of three months ago all on TV at once trying to get over and it's just too much at once.