The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

[Ajstylesfan1978]

Just who is going to be RAW's top baby face? Roman? Yeah we know that's not happening no matter how much Vince shoves it at the fans. Finn could be if Vince lets him do his thing.

[K-Nection]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Ajstylesfan1978" data-cite="Ajstylesfan1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Just who is going to be RAW's top baby face? Roman? Yeah we know that's not happening no matter how much Vince shoves it at the fans. Finn could be if Vince lets him do his thing.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If you go off pure draft choices it looks like it's going to be Finn.</p>

[Dr_Avalanche]

<p>I can't help but think that Cesaro's "shoot" promo is the start of a babyface run towards the top. By picking him so low they suggest their expectations are low, turning him into an underdog, easily allowing him to become the new babyface Stephanie desperately want to see fail. Especially now that Dean Ambrose won't be on her show any more.</p><p> </p><p>

That this new storyline required some strange logic in that Shane and Bryan also wouldn't pick him when you kind of expected his turn would be up is the kind of writing I expect from WWE.</p>

[sabataged]

<p>So what does everyone think of the rosters?</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/yhlyRym.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

I have my own opinion but was curious how everyone else though the rosters ended up.</p><p> </p><p>

At first glance to me it feels like Smackdown got the better Main Event Caliber talent and then RAW got the better overall roster. Obviously RAW is deeper but I am excited to see what Smackdown can do. If the writing teams stay consistent the the lead writer of Smackdown is the former lone writer of NXT. I forget his name but I am sure it can be found somewhere on the internet. If you look at the Smackdown roster it has plenty of former NXT talent </p><p> </p><p>

Bray Wyatt, Becky, Corbin, American Alpha, Kalisto, Ascension, Mojo, Vaudevillians, Alexis, and Apollo to name just some of this list. Most everyone on this list with the exception of possible Bray had their biggest days in NXT. I am excited to see the man that helped create and mold their initial characters develop them even further. It should be a good time for new stars.</p><p> </p><p>

Over on RAW the most interesting Aspect to me will be how Finn Balor is portrayed. I cant see him thrust straight into the World title picture. I just cant picture Vince being high on the guy. Rollins and Reigns cannot feud forever. With Brock being Brock he won't be around much either. So who does this leave for World Title contenders? Rollins, Reigns, Owens?, Sami?, Jericho?, Sheamus?. THe later 4 haven't really been propper up as world title contenders but I could easily see them promoted. The strongest theory says Rollins somehow emerges as the World Champ on RAW. I don't see Reigns winning it right back after his suspension. But where do we go from there? I imagine its Reigns vs Rollins at Summerslam. If Rollins is still champ after that then the waters become muddy. Jericho, Owens, and Sheamus all seem to be more likely world title contenders than Sami but with Rollins currently being a heel it makes things difficult. With Sami getting a win over Owens at Battleground I guess i could see him promoted to take on Rollins?</p>

[Rone Rivendale]

The interesting thing about that is it seems to be a photo of how WWE thinks these guys will be pushed in the future.

 

You notice who is in front, the biggest names right now. Behind them, the other bigger stars. In the back, the jobbers.

 

Only I see Erick Rowan in the back. I see Ryder in the back. I see Strowman in the back. I don't like that.

[packerman120]

The interesting thing about that is it seems to be a photo of how WWE thinks these guys will be pushed in the future.

 

You notice who is in front, the biggest names right now. Behind them, the other bigger stars. In the back, the jobbers.

 

Only I see Erick Rowan in the back. I see Ryder in the back. I see Strowman in the back. I don't like that.

 

Perhaps, but it also may be the order of how they were taken

[Mootinie]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rone Rivendale" data-cite="Rone Rivendale" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The interesting thing about that is it seems to be a photo of how WWE thinks these guys will be pushed in the future.<p> </p><p> You notice who is in front, the biggest names right now. Behind them, the other bigger stars. In the back, the jobbers.</p><p> </p><p> Only I see Erick Rowan in the back. I see Ryder in the back. I see Strowman in the back. I don't like that.</p></div></blockquote><p> It would be interesting... but those pictures were made by a fan and retweeted by Joey Styles. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Big Roguey]

Laughing at the random Dragon Gate era Neville pic being used rather than a WWE pic. Like everyone else on that poster has a WWE style pic and then there is Neville sticking out like sore thumb.

[CQI13]

<p>SD got the better roster of the two. Fresh match ups at the top, and people that can be built in the midcard.</p><p> </p><p>

As for Sami - he does less than 0 for me as a character.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<p>I think in terms of star power, SD got the better hand. I mean, come on; Cena, Orton, Styles and Ambrose? That's an almost sure-fire sign of success. It also helps that Ambrose is the WWE Champion, so that gives SD an extra helping of prestige.</p><p> </p><p>

In terms of a more complete roster though, RAW seems to have it. But to be honest; I saw it coming. How else are you going to fit three hours of television? Plus, there are a bunch of potential future stars in the RAW brand; Zayn, Owens, Cesaro, Balor, etc. </p><p> </p><p>

Cruiserweight Division going to RAW is a surprising decision; seeing as it's always been a Smackdown thing; but I guess it could work.</p><p> </p><p>

But there's an interesting question that needs to be answered....</p><p> </p><p>

WHAT ABOUT HEATH SLATER?!</p>

[smurphy1014]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Russelrules44" data-cite="Russelrules44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> But there's an interesting question that needs to be answered....</p><p> </p><p> WHAT ABOUT HEATH SLATER?!</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Better question, why Eva Marie?</p>

[K-Nection]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="smurphy1014" data-cite="smurphy1014" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Better question, why Eva Marie?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Bailey should have been drafted to Smackdown....</p><p> </p><p> Roman should have been drafted to TNA....</p><p> </p><p> Eva should have been drafted to Brazzers.....</p>

[iruleall15]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Bailey should have been drafted to Smackdown....<p> </p><p> Roman should have been drafted to TNA....</p><p> </p><p> Eva should have been drafted to Brazzers.....</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Truth.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Meltzer on the NXT drafts:</p><p> </p><p>

<em>A key here is political. With the exception of Balor, who was in NXT for far too long, everyone called up was someone signed and trained by WWE and put in their system. People like Aries, Roode, Tye Dillinger and Eric Young, not to mention the champions of the brand are all far more advanced, but because of the millions of dollars spent, to justify it, you have to prove it worked by showing that you’ve trained real athletes like Jax (college basketball), Jordan & Gable (college wrestling), Rawley (college/pro football), Baron Corbin (college/pro football), Bliss (gymnastics), and Dana Brooke (fitness). They could have cherry picked the PWG All-Star team of three years ago or New Japan’s top American guys who have kids and want to be closer to home or Japanese guys who want to be on the international stage, or the fed up with TNA alumni crew, brought them in, without a program. This is not meant as a knock on the program, because it is that program that will keep them on top while New Japan will struggle going forward for not having something remotely similar even though New Japan’s actual training system is more successful with a higher percentage of recruits.</em></p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://botchedspot.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/07/2016-07-20-bayley-needs-hug.jpg</span></p>

[Hive]

Wait... so WWE are now doing two brands again yet see it fit to not pick up Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura and the likes? Wow.

[K-Nection]

Wait... so WWE are now doing two brands again yet see it fit to not pick up Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura and the likes? Wow.

 

I know it's almost criminal to think they are still in development and Mojo Rawley was called up before any of them. I'm a Mojo fan as much as the next guy but the guy is a one dimensional act.

[Rone Rivendale]

And Mojo has more time in NXT than all of those names combined. He needed the call up. Let him sink or swim.

[Jaysin]

Wait, Mojo has fans?

[Blackman]

Good to see everyone here is as hyped as I am for Mojo's callup. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[packerman120]

Y'all need to realize that NXT isn't purely developmental anymore. It's a weekly show that they need to sell taping tickets for, event tickets, stuff like that, and put on a quality show. So whilst it would make sense to call up people like Joe, Bayley, or Nakamura, they still need people they can put on a show with.

[CQI13]

<p>Agree completely with packerman.</p><p> </p><p>

Once people truly buy into it as more than "developmental" maybe we can see some people rotated out - treating it as a third brand pretty much.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="CQI13" data-cite="CQI13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Agree completely with packerman.<p> </p><p> Once people truly buy into it as more than "developmental" maybe we can see some people rotated out - treating it as a third brand pretty much.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You could make the argument at this point that NXT is like a third brand; like how ECW was the third brand for WWE for a short amount of time.</p>

[Questlove]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="packerman120" data-cite="packerman120" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Y'all need to realize that NXT isn't purely developmental anymore. It's a weekly show that they need to sell taping tickets for, event tickets, stuff like that, and put on a quality show. So whilst it would make sense to call up people like Joe, Bayley, or Nakamura, they still need people they can put on a show with.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree with this, but why do the brand split again in the first place if you still need some of your best guys to be stuck down on what is essentially a third brand?</p>

[CQI13]

<p>Because they won't always be there. I don't have any clue what the inner workings of the WWE contracts, but it would be nice to have a Raw midcarder go to NXT and have an extended feud with someone, while having maybe one of the NXT guys go to Raw.</p><p> </p><p>

Sort of in a "We don't have anything for them on Raw, but there's a fresh feud in NXT."</p><p> </p><p>

It'd be good because you can revitalize the character that way (Tyson Kidd was one of my favorites when he got hurt, thanks in large part to his time in NXT). And conversely, you can test a worker from NXT on the main shows to see what reaction they'll get. (I know they already do this to an extent with house shows). </p><p> </p><p>

That's the long way of saying - I think it's fine that they're keeping some big names down there. Eventually I do think they'll rotate some guys from there though.</p>

[crownsy]

Wait... so WWE are now doing two brands again yet see it fit to not pick up Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura and the likes? Wow.

 

I talked about this with my Friend.

 

If your WWE, do you really want to waste those guys "holy blank!" moment on a draft special?

 

Example: nakamura. Everyone is waiting for him to show up on Raw or Smackdown. If you have him drafted, even like 3rd like Finn, then you get the breif "ohhhhh!" pop and a video. Weeee.

 

If you wait till like say, a major PPV, and out of no where the lights go down and "the rising sun" hits, the place explodes.

 

I think this is also the Reason bayley didn't get drafted but I am still fairly confident she is showing up tonight as Sasha's "mystery partner"

 

if you have her get drafted, then she gets a minor draft day pop. You let her come out sunday to her full theme, and the roof goes off the building.

 

You saw this with Finn too. Finn's selection got a good cheer, but your not telling me it would have been x10 if he just came out to the demon entrance on a main TV show or PPV at some point.