Please Don’t Add Too Many NXT Superstars to the Main Roster
Tye Dillinger walking around the ring at a Live Show. Courtesy of the WWE
By Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt)
April 7, 2018
I know, I know! I’m in the minority here. It is always very exciting to see guys get the “call-up” and surprise us the day after WrestleMania. It’s a huge thrill for the Superstar who gets that opportunity too. They obviously get a pay increase and they get to join the main crew on the road. Nothing could be more mutually beneficial for the fans and the talent.
Consider this! I think this is the first year in a while that we should pump the brakes. I mean…there are just too many other opportunities out there for guys who can put on a great show. And while the call-up could mean greater opportunity for some guys, it usually means a Tye Dillinger type of result or a guy who has been on the roster for a while has to take a back seat.
When the Brothers of Discussion recorded their NXT Take Over Preview show, we couldn’t help but think that certain wrestlers were going to win because their chance to throw around with the main roster was soon to come. Ember Moon, Andrade, Adam Cole, and even surprises to make new storylines fit into place.
With all of these thoughts popping in my head, I started to wonder about a guy like Tye Dillinger. A guy like Apollo. Returning fellows like Big Cass. The group jumping around on 205 Live. The absolutely loaded women’s roster. Then I started to think about guys who are so close to main event status, but haven’t gotten their chance yet. Then of course, we have all of the new feuds to start and dream matches to cross off the bucket list, for Daniel Bryan.
Once you really sit down and think about the future of Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, Braun Strowman, Elias, Becky Lynch, Bayley, Sasha, Rusev, Orton, Rollins, the Revival, Gallows and Anderson, Broken Matt Hardy, Wyatt’s return, The Bludgeon Brothers, Breezango, GAH! The list goes on and on and on!
You really start to realize that there might not be room for all of these talented folks to get a fair shake. There might not be room for the next call-up to get a real chance to shine. Given an opportunity like Kevin Owens was. They might start to disappear below the mid-card only to be forced to hit the indie circuit again.
Take for example Andrade “Cien” Almas. Without a title, the guy isn’t super interesting. And that isn’t his fault. His character is basically a really good wrestler, who knows it. He uses that knowledge to bully guys. That type of character (especially with the language barrier) is hard to make interesting on a weekly basis. Look at Alberto Del Rio. Both of those guys are amazing wrestlers! And I love watching all of their matches. But If I’m really honest with myself, I am a guy who loves Sports Entertainment and that is only half of the work. I fear for “Cien” Almas and other call-ups who will be just another pinch of seasoning that is the giant vat of sauce called the WWE.
Now, I’m obviously forgetting that this is not a charity and this is entertainment. We need the surprises and the fresh faces to stay interested. I recognize that and I know that’s why half of the discussion during WrestleMania will be about the next day at Monday Night Raw, instead of just living in the moment. I mean, I will be doing it too and I’m guilty of doing it right now (so I don’t blame anyone that does think ahead). But, even with that being the truth, I think we still have an opportunity to continue to build the roster that we currently watch on a weekly basis and just shuffle the deck.
Even after Monday Night Raw, there will be more opportunities to add guys to the main roster. The draft is coming, guys could get injured, and there’s always next January at the Royal Rumble. With all of these opportunities, the roster is bound to look different from what we see this year.
Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt on Twitter)
@BODPodcast for Twitter and Facebook
