WWE's Failure to Translate NXT's Success Is Destroying Product

WWE is wowing pro wrestling audiences every week with NXT.  The developmental territory has become much more than that now; every time it hits TV, fans all over the world are not only witnessing the future, they're also being entertained on every level.

But while NXT excels, WWE seems to slide, and the growing differences between the two are very apparent.  It's become obvious that WWE has failed to translate NXT's success, and the results are not good for the company.

Fans have been talking about this very topic for quite some time now, and the debate never seems to end; why are the two sides so different?  

How can NXT be so compelling and so intriguing while WWE's main programming can be so stale and so predictable?  WWE is the force behind it all yet for some reason, the developmental talent is being given more opportunities to shine while the main roster does the same thing week after week.

The biggest problem with this is Raw and SmackDown are at a standstill.  NXT continues to deliver hard-hitting, action-packed programming with plausible storylines and talented workers.  The main roster does not.  

NXT moves at a good pace, keeping the promos short and the matches at the perfect length for everyone to get their moves in.  Raw in particular usually begins with an opening segment consisting of talking that can last 20 minutes, while the matches at times last too long or not long enough.

The outcome to all this so far has not been a very desirable one.

Ratings and fan reception for WWE have not been good.  The company tends to repeat itself with rivalries such as Randy Orton versus Sheamus while elevating green talents like Braun Strowman.  

The Divas Revolution has all but fizzled out thanks to an ill-advised promo from Paige, while WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins continues to be bested by John Cena practically every time they touch.

Fans complain and have made their voices heard many times over these issues and much more.  Yet, none of this seems to have persuaded WWE to actually work on the problem, only to keep pressing ahead.  Meanwhile, NXT is pressing ahead as well, but in the right direction.

It feels like two different companies at this point, with NXT focusing on being an evolved pro wrestling promotion and WWE losing focus on the concept of sports entertainment. Perhaps the creative minds of each side don't see the disparity between the two, or perhaps there's no clear way to bridge the gap.

But either way, the growing divide surely cannot be denied.

WWE fans are likely very irritated by the differences between the two because the company has shown it can get it right.  NXT is living proof of that.  To watch the main two programs featuring established talents suffer while a program meant to develop new talent succeeds is a bit much to accept.

However, nothing seems to be changing.  Fans are left feeling unfulfilled after a WWE event but are praising an NXT event months after the fact.  WWE is leaving its own product behind, and there seems to be no good reason for it.

Prepping the future of WWE is a great idea. and NXT is a smash hit. But if the main programs are a mess when it's time to call the NXT stars up, what's the point?

Is this why NXT standouts like Charlotte and Becky Lynch are floundering?  At what point does the company take a step back to assess the situation and realize the illogical nature of it all?

NXT is working, and that's a good thing, but the main roster is really not working at the same time.  Unless this is addressed, WWE will continue to have problems now and into the future.

Tom's work can be regularly found on Bleacher Report, and his podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Windows Phone, Amazon Android and online here