NXT

[PEN15v2]

Knight's issue is his age. His charisma and comfort as a character is something that really has a lot of depth to it, but being almost 40, it feels too late to bring him to the main roster. I know others have flourished at that age, but for some reason this feels different.

Powder, I 100% guarantee that if he had promo time in front of a Raw or SD audience, you'd see the connection. I'm not saying he'd connect with you, but you'd see that he connects with people on a level 99% of the performers cannot.

[Oliver]

Age is the issue, for sure - it's interesting to think that WWE had him in NXT nearly a decade ago, as he could have been big for them longer term had they invested in him.

He might not be for everyone, for sure, but I agree that he'd connect with a far bigger crowd than the NXT one easily.

[PEN15v2]

They should treat him well because those skills can be put to use after retiring. Announcing, managing, coach... I think someone like Grayson Waller, who already shows skills on the mic, would benefit from coaching from Knight as to how to get to the next level with promos.

[Team Farrell]

He's also got comedic timing. I love LA Knight.

I think he's awesome and even at his age could still be a solid upper card IC/US Title guy. I feel like he could fill that Mr. Perfect role where he might get a run with Hogan here or there when you need a heel, and he is used to elevate someone like Bret or Shawn to superstardom. Always in the mix, never on top.

However, it's that comedic timing. They'd get him and wouldn't be able to help themselves.

[PEN15v2]

As this angle with Dolph was going on last night, I was wondering if it could lead to him being moved to Raw organically. But the way the match ended seemed to indicate the angle is over.

[PEN15v2]

I saw this mentioned elsewhere, so it's not my original thought. But this week's NXT showed a seamless way of connecting segments and stories.

After attacking Ciampa last week, D'Angelo took on Dexter Lumis. That match lead into the Dexter/Indi vs Duke/Persia angle, which created the Duke vs GUNTHER match. After that match, Gunther vs LA Knight was setup for Stand and Deliver.

One complaint I have about the main roster is how structured it is. This NXT storytelling style of weaving the angles into each other removes that stale break between segments. It's not CRASH TV, but it does have that energy.

I liked that IO and KLR threw a monkey wrench into the women's division. I don't like the idea that they can just claim this change, but I like the change nonetheless.

NXT really has the best flow of the WWE shows, and it's very engaging. It doesn't have the aura of Roman vs Brock, or the monster promos of Becky and Paul Heyman, but it's really found a great groove of being consistent like the black and gold era, with a lot more personality.

[Powder]

I like Nikkita Lyons. I really do. I also think her finishing move of the Spilt-Splash is very unique and I get why it makes the male audience love her even more. BUT, I cannot see that Split-Splash sustainable finishing move.

Yes it will get her over, yes it will get her noticed, but she needs to find another power move that will be able to be repeated daily for potentially the next 15 years. The move can become a signature move, and can be pulled out of the bag for big matches, but to me, she needs something else.

[PEN15v2]

It's more like her People's Elbow than a finisher. Her kick before the split is the finisher.

[PEN15v2]

Another main roster person lost in the mix is back in NXT with Apollo Crews. I really love the idea of rebuilding talents who are stale/lost on Raw or SD, while also creating new feuds and angles on NXT. I already see the same troll complaints about how Crews is misused/devalued by Vince, but I really don't think Crews would be in a better position on the card were he in AEW. Fans need to realize that pushes aren't purely based on how good a talent is, or how deserving they are. To judge based on that is to ignore everyone else on the roster who are just as talented or deserving. And Crews is a great midcard guy. Nothing wrong with that, and his time in NXT should re-energize him for a potential move back to the main roster down the line.

I'm not seeing anything too special with Rok-C/Roxanne Perez. She's a solid underdog babyface, but "prodigy" seems a little much.

I started a discussion about WWE struggling with babyfaces, but NXT has some exceptions that should be pointed out, starting with Solo Sikoa. It's really hard to tell how his potential on the main roster would be because there's the obvious Bloodline story where he might flounder or get lost in that mix. But on his own in NXT, he is great as the tough street fighter. A mix of Stone Cold (in terms of being a loner tough SOB) and Shield era Roman Reigns. He's decent on the mic also. I'm pretty impressed.