Breaking Down Pros and Cons of WWE's Infusion of NXT Talent on Main Roster

There's a natural thrill factor to how WWE shoots NXT wrestlers onto the big stage, but when all the smoke dissipates, the process often leaves one unsatisfied.

The transition of talent from NXT to the main roster is one filled with surprise and excitement. The audience saw that at work as Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady, Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews all charged onto Raw on the night after WrestleMania. Suddenly, the product felt energized.

But WWE has hardly perfected its approach to introducing call-ups. The crowd is left with too many questions afterward. And the timing of it all can be an issue, too.

But it's easy to forget those flaws temporarily when a new arrival shows up, leaving fans buzzing.

Pro: Element of Surprise

One of pro wrestling's best elements is that anyone can show up at any time.

In sports, rookies arrive via the draft, and new signings are announced well before they begin playing. You will never just see Tony Romo run onto the field in a Philadelphia Eagles uniform while the announcer cries, "What is this? Romo's an Eagle? I don't believe it!"

But WWE boasts a sense of chaos and surprise in part thanks to NXT wrestlers' sudden emergence on a new stage.

Corbin was an unannounced entrant in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Crews made a surprise debut on the post-WrestleMania Raw. Sami Zayn first competed on Raw when he answered John Cena's open challenge last year.

There is a suddenness to these moments that make them electric. Even the most cynical fans have to appreciate getting a curveball thrown their way.

The surprise factor often helps the incoming wrestlers open their careers with memorable moments.

Those moments, though, are largely dependent on a fan's level of interest in WWE. Diehards are fully aware of these incoming acts. Casual fans are left to catch up.

Con: Poor Introductions

WWE often makes the assumption that its entire fanbase watches NXT. That clearly isn't the case. 

Ryan Satin, founder of Pro Wrestling Sheet, noted that when Corbin debuted at WrestleMania, some fans near him were clearly not familiar with his NXT accomplishments:

The company is pulling characters from its own alternative world with call-ups to the main roster, but the the whole audience isn't attuned to that secondary world. There needs to be more of an explanation of just who these new characters are.

Those who haven't been watching NXT only know that Crews is athletic and muscular.

They don't know his motivations or his backstory. And WWE hasn't yet informed its audience of either aspect. He came out to the ring, earned a quick win and celebrated with a smile.

As ProWrestling.net's Will Pruett pointed out, Crews sorely need a vignette to help introduce him:

WWE has been inconsistent with that process. It featured Corbin in a video package, but not Crews. It featured Zayn in a video but only aired it on Main Event. Neville was featured in a highlight clip, but not Tyler Breeze.

Why not show more images of these new wrestlers taking down their foes at NXT? Why not sum up their runs with the developmental brand? Even just mentioning some of the stars' past victories would be helpful.

Pro: Injection of Energy

Wrestling rosters need to shift. Otherwise, one ends up seeing the same names on the marquee, the same bouts over and over. 

Using the post-WrestleMania period to welcome a number of new talents from NXT helps energize the product. Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald tweeted about how that has helped Raw of late:

There is a sense of rebirth after every WrestleMania. The part-timers often step away at this point. And whether it's Rusev, Neville or the latest crop of NXT stars, someone new usually shows up after the buzz of WrestleMania wanes.

That's an easy way to get fans excited about what's ahead. Suddenly, new rivalries are possible. Title chases get fresh contenders.

There's also a feeling of hope among the audience that one of these newcomers may turn out to be the next big thing.

Con: A Crowded Stage

In the recent past, WWE spaced out its NXT transfers. Neville debuted in March last year, Kevin Owens arrived in May and Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks both showed up in July.

WWE sped things up in 2016. In just one night, four NXT talents made the jump to the main roster. The Vaudevillains debuted just days later.

That makes the road ahead a bit tougher for these wrestlers. Crews, for example, is not only competing with Corbin and The Realest Guys in the Room but also with all the established names and the 2015 rookie class.

His arrival doesn't feel as special as it would had it come separate of all the other call-ups. Instead, he finds himself lumped together with a collection of new Superstars. 

It makes trying to fit them all into the booking puzzle each week tough.

The early part of a newcomer's run is vital for connecting with the crowd. Amore, Corbin and Crews all need plenty of airtime in the coming weeks. And they will have to do so with a roster that will be expanded once injured wrestlers like Randy Orton make their way back.

That only makes it more important for WWE to help the audience learn who these new faces are. It's clear that WWE is good at energizing its programming by way of surprises, but the real work starts after that.