Why NXT is to going to save the WWE

For those who have hope for WWE’s future because of the greatness of NXT, let me throw some much needed reality in the mix. 

First, WWE is not NXT.  They still push their own homegrown guys more.  Even though it is clear that independent starts are better in the ring, better at engaging the crowd, and better on the mic (see Daniel Bryan and CM Punk) the main product still pushes Roman Reigns and Rusev. 

Second, WWE still does not tell stories like NXT.  While NXT develops characters and gives motives and has to the point mic time, WWE has scripted garbage.  And while NXT prolongs feuds and is unafraid to let people wrestle other wrestlers while still in a feud with someone else (see Owens vs. Riley while Zayn is the feud or Nevile vs. four other guys while Zayn was the feud), WWE feeds us the same thing over and over again.  This will be the FOURTH PPV in a row where we see Cena vs. Rusev.  FOUR.  That is insane.  Two of these matches will have had stipulations. 

Third, there is no real bridge between NXT and WWE.  I think I wrote about this earlier.  All the great story telling Zayn and Neville is gone.  All the great story and matches between Zayn and Ceasaro is gone.  It is non-existent.  This lack of connection has hurt the transition of characters like Bo Dallas.  And while good wrestlers still get over, it does make it harder. 

Fourth, and this is the most important, all of this should have been happening 3 to 5 years ago.  Zayn has been great on the independent circuit forever.  So has Owens (Steen).  Finn Balor and Itami were both great in Japan and should have been here sooner.  You can make the same argument for CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.  These guys were undeniably great and they had to do crazy things to get over and get known in an independent circuit.  They did it.  This takes a toll on their bodies.  We have seen it with CM Punk.  He is fine being done with wrestling because he wore himself out pre-WWE and in it.  We see it now with Daniel Bryan.  His body is broken probably at least in part due to the wear and tear.  The WWE made them go too long before admitting their potential.  So it is also true with Zayn and Owens.  Do not expect long run from these guys because they have many miles already logged.

If WWE was serious about this they would have already had Bryan and Punk on the top of the card fighting off Zayn and Owens who would be coming up quick and NXT would not be full of guys we already know, but younger guys like Chase Owens with other guys who could use development like Jamin Olevencia or Vordell Walker. 

It is good that WWE is finally hiring the obviously great talent.  But they missed their prime or at least they missed having them for long great runs.  The WWE is still failing to get good independent talent soon enough to use them for decades.