WWE Raw a Glimpse into the Future with NXT, Indy Favorites on Full Display

Raw after WrestleMania is always full of surprises and debuts. On Monday night, WWE outdid itself.

A slew of NXT favorites and indy wrestling darlings made huge impacts on the main roster on the night after WrestleMania 32. From introducing casual fans to guys like Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin to giving the main event to journeymen like Kevin Owens, AJ Styles and Sami Zayn, WWE Raw was different, fresh, unexpected.

For months, new talent was seemingly buried by established stars. NXT Superstars like Bo Dallas, Adam Rose, The Ascension and Tyler Breeze would be promoted and quickly relegated to the bottom of the roster.

Even performers like Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose and Owens were given hot starts only to find themselves on the losing end of every feud against longtime talent.

With a WrestleMania crowd on Raw filled with hardcore fans who didn't accept the WWE status quo, the company decided to shake things up more than ever.

NXT Superstars Highlight the Night

The list of NXT Superstars featured on Monday night reads like a NXT TakeOver lineup. Crews, Corbin, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady all made their main-roster debuts. It wasn't just a strong booking. It was super-strong.

Crews dominated former NXT standout Breeze in little more than a squash match. Corbin showed off his strength against Dolph Ziggler, who helped make The Lone Wolf look fearsome.

Meanwhile, The Realest Guys in the Room showed up The Dudley Boyz following their WrestleMania rematch against The Usos.

Every new call-up was able to highlight their strengths.

Crews with his sheer athleticism and power. Corbin with his ruthlessness and aggression. Amore, the smack-talker and sky-walker, was a natural on the microphone, electrifying the crowd with each breath. All Big Cass had to do was act imposing and deliver his S-A-W-F-T catchphrase, which he did on cue.

WWE fans were also teased with the introduction of The Vaudevillains. It was announced they would debut on SmackDown this week.

NXT, already bursting with talent, can afford these losses to its ranks. Guys like Corbin, Amore and others have helped pave the way for the current crop of NXT Superstars and deserve their shot on the main roster.

What was most surprising was their strong booking.

The question is whether WWE continues to show the same faith in these call-ups in the weeks to come in front of crowds that aren't filled with marks.

Indy Darlings Hit the Big Time

Monday night's main event to determine the No. 1 contender to Roman Reigns' WWE title was a who's who of Internet Wrestling Community favorites.

AJ Styles, Owens and a returning Cesaro, along with the long-appreciated Chris Jericho, made the final match of Raw relevant for the first time in a long time.

It's quite a turn for the main event participants from the night before. Styles lost his WrestleMania debut to Jericho. Owens lost his Intercontinental title in a seven-man ladder match. Cesaro didn't participate due to injury.

These were also three men whom WWE fans never expected to be part of WWE's long-range plans just two years ago. Vince McMahon famously called out Cesaro on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's live podcast for not connecting with fans. Styles was overseas in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Owens was in Ring of Honor.

On Monday night, all three were cheered relentlessly as they battled for a chance to fight for the industry's biggest prize against a homegrown talent (Roman Reigns) fans have rallied against.

On top of all this, Zayn—injured backstage by Owens—was originally the fourth participant in last night's main event. Zayn, the heart and soul of NXT throughout his run in the developmental division, has exploded onto the main roster since debuting at the Royal Rumble earlier this year.

In front of a hot crowd in Dallas, Styles was victorious and will move on to face Reigns for the WWE title. No fan would have believed that even six months ago.

Continuing the Momentum Post-WrestleMania

Monday night showed that, if given the right components, WWE Creative can still put together compelling television. One of the major complaints—one that Shane McMahon has used since his return to WWE in February—was that change was needed to improve the product.

He was right. Fans can only see the same matchups with the same storylines for so long before revolting. The Authority, the Reigns push, #CenaWinsLOL—they're all part of the same problem.

Monday night's infusion of new blood breathed life into Raw. Even in lesser storylines, guys like Zack Ryder and The Miz were able to hold fans' attention because it was something they weren't used to seeing.

Now it's up to WWE to keep the momentum for the fresh faces.

In due time, guys like John Cena and Randy Orton will come back from injury, while Vince, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon won't stay off television for long.

If Monday night proved anything, it's that change is appreciated.