James Storm Will Experience Career Renaissance After Joining WWE NXT

Atop a new horse at WWE NXT, James Storm is set to go from trotting to galloping.

Expect a career year for the TNA original. Despite closing in on 40, Storm will thrive at NXT as an in-ring mentor, ass-kicking aficionado and artist with a fresh brush in hand.

The move from TNA to NXT offers The Cowboy a roster full of new potential rivals and a change of scenery sure to ignite him. He trades a struggling company for a blossoming division of WWE and a promotion that hurt his potential with poor storytelling for one that has gained a reputation for well-constructed narratives.

During last week's NXT TV tapings, Storm followed Samoa Joe's lead and left TNA for WWE's hipper developmental offshoot. 

WWE knew that the Internet means there are no surprise anymore and revealed Storm's debut on Twitter, despite the fact that it won't air until later in the month. And while he seemingly has yet to sign full-time (his Twitter profile states that he is still open for bookings), Storm is already thinking ahead:

He has every reason to be excited. His case is the wrestling equivalent of an athlete leaving a franchise that is taking on water for a playoff contender.

Escaping Turbulence 

Getting out of TNA, where uncertainty and rumors swirl around like an unending sandstorm, has to invigorate Storm.

TNA doesn't know what network will play host to Impact Wrestling after this year ends. In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Extra Mustard, company president Dixie Carter revealed, "We're contracted to Destination America through the end of the year, and we are in discussions going on for 2016."

That leaves the company with its future as tenuous as it ever has been.

It has shrunk the scope of its touring, too. Most recently, it pulled out of a trip to the Gulf Coast. James Caldwell reported for Pro Wrestling Torch, "TNA has canceled its 'Hardcore Halloween' Tour at the end of the month."

The company has been unable and/or unwilling to keep some of its biggest names from AJ Styles to current NXT star Samoa Joe. 

Meanwhile, NXT is adding talent. Joe arrived earlier this year. Apollo Crews joined the fray. Rhyno has returned in a part-time role.

Folding those wrestlers into a roster boasting homegrown talent like Tyler Breeze adds to NXT's increasing buzz and offers Storm a number of avenues for late-career success.

New Blood, Veteran Presence

Stagnancy stalled Storm of late. After being in the same organization for 13 years, he found himself with far less electricity crackling around him than what would befit a man of his talents.

After climbing to the top and capturing the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Storm found himself sliding away from the main event scene. He returned to where he began with the company: as a cornerstone of the tag team division.

TNA had long worn out the novelty of his clashes with former tag partner Bobby Roode but kept returning to that rivalry anyway.

NXT presents a new stage with a mix of emerging stars and experienced hands for him to work with. He'll be performing for a new fanbase for whom he will be a fresh face armed with a lofty reputation.

Expect an unfamiliar arena to inspire Storm, to make him hungry to prove that WWE was smart to bring him in and that TNA was foolish not to value him more.

His presence could set up any number of intriguing matchups. Storm can be the heavy-handed brawler who helps lead Baron Corbin along in his development. He can be a daunting challenge for Finn Balor, forcing the showman to survive a slugfest. He can be the unnerving test Sami Zayn has to face once he returns from injury.

Storm is a versatile, accomplished wrestler who, as Jim Ross wrote on his blog, "can work on any roster against any opponent." 

That skill will allow him to flourish right away in a new environment. Having better stories to play out will certainly help as well.

A Fitting Stage

TNA's writers haven't showcased Storm nearly well enough.

He and Gunner were a strong pairing of newcomer and vet, two warriors of the smashmouth style. Drawing the Jersey Shore-like Bro-Mans as one of their chief rivals, though, was a missed opportunity. There had to be something better on the drawing board, right?

That's the same thought many had at moments during Storm's 2014 feud with Mr. Anderson. A drinking contest between the two enemies failed to compel. 

More recently, TNA added something to his resume that Storm may wish to forget. In an ill-advised angle with Mickie James, he pushed her onto train tracks, as shown to the audience via grainy footage.

This was much like Rusev and Summer Rae's current angle in that it felt more like something one would see on a soap opera. NXT has made a habit of avoiding tales like that.

Its strength comes from leaning on more traditional wrestling stories.

Corbin and Rhyno collided to prove who was the most unstoppable force. Zayn went on a winning streak to redeem all his losses and work his way to the NXT title. Crews is currently on an undefeated run, making each bout a chance for a rival to be the first to fell him.

Plug Storm into a straightforward story like that, and he will be at his best. He won't have to battle with bad writing. He can just focus on producing in the ring, something he has done for over a decade.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famer Konnan believes Storm can make a big impact for his new team, if things fall a certain way: 

Chances are, they will. NXT is avoiding the narrative pitfalls that WWE falls into too often. And it's a TNA alternative that will make better use of what Storm brings to the mat.

Count on The Bearded Outlaw having an impressive stretch, a career resurgence and a stint with NXT that has TNA cursing itself.