What Is NXT Really Developing For WWE?
At it’s core, NXT is an extension of the WWE Performance Center. But is it really developing anyone?

What began as a place for up and coming WWE talent to hone their skills has become an independent showcase.
There were certainly several reasons that TNA fell apart. There were certainly a lot of backstage issues that ultimately led to their demise. Politics and differences of opinions are always a huge factor when trying to successfully run a business. If you take a look at the roster they had at the peak of their run, they certainly had all the talent to become legitimate competition for WWE. However, even though the talent was excellent, the talent itself was a big reason things fell apart. TNA lost focus on the superstars that got them where they were. Guys like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and everyone in the X Division were the cornerstone of TNA. Then they brought in Steiner, Flair, Nash, Hogan, Bischoff, Sting…aged superstars that at this point are only around for name recognition. They brought in other wrestlers from other promotions in an attempt to boost ratings. They lost sight of their homemade superstars that the fans I think really wanted to see. And it ultimately led to the downfall of TNA.
We talk a lot in this business about home grown talent; superstars that are built directly from the companies system. Some of the best wrestlers in the past few generations of this business grew up principally within one system, and were not born from the independent scene. The Rock, HBK, John Cena, Edge, Randy Orton, Kane, The Undertaker, Sting…these wrestlers were icons for their brands. I know there are many, many, exceptions (see Chris Jericho), but there is something to be said about with a wrestler when he is born from your company and works his way through the ranks. There is a special connection with these guys, and many achieve great success. Think about the class that WWE loves to bring up with Cena, Orton, Lesnar, Batista, and Benjamin. And incredible list of superstars all brought up through the WWE system.

Let’s not even talk about the current roster; my focus is on NXT and the upcoming talent. Take a look at the roster. How many of these superstars are born from the WWE developmental system? I can’t find many. And the ones in the main event picture are all independent superstars from other companies. Bobby Roode, Drew McIntyre, Roderick Strong, Hideo Itami, Kassius Ohno, Eric Young, Aleister Black.

Where’s the next Brock Lesnar? Ok, maybe too big of a request? Where’s the next Christian? Anybody that is home grown? Roman Reigns was a recent talent that has reached great success. I think Baron Corbin can be a solid superstar on the main roster. We have still not discovered the ceiling for Braun Strowman. Once we get past those guys, there is nobody on the main roster or NXT that you can see any kind of potential.
Granted I’m excited with the wrestling talent that is invading the WWE and NXT. My worry is that all we are getting in NXT is recycled superstars. There is nobody that was built from the system, and nobody to carry on what the WWE stands for. NXT was supposed to be a place for upcoming talent that was built through the WWE system. The more outside talent you bring in, the less of a chance this gives to your developmental talent. You saw what this did to TNA. I don’t want to see NXT become the next victim.

