"Pros" Have As Much On The Line As "Rookies" on NXT

The Miz IS Awesome and it will be to what level WWE wants to let his awesomeness show that will make or break NXT. Don’t kid yourself, NXT is just as much about developing the “pros” as it is the “rookies.”

Look at the names that are playing the role of mentor on the show. With the recent switch of MVP to William Regal and Chris Jericho as exceptions, the rest of the mentors have as much to prove on the show as any newcomer fresh to TV from FCW. On the short-list of potential “former WWE wrestlers” are NXT mentors Carlito and Matt Hardy. If Carlito continues to show no motivation, he could be on the chopping block come the annual roster spring cleaning. There has been speculation that Hardy may or may not be in the cross-hairs of WWE administration since his brother spurned an unwritten handshake agreement to return to the company. WWE has never really cared about Hardy, Jeff was always the rock star of the team. His ECW title reign was the equivalent of a pat on the back before a kick out the door. It’s very possible that WWE will use the affection the crowd has for Hardy to rub Justin Gabriel before sending him packing … surely to a “dream match” Hardy reunion vs. the Nasty Boys.

The rest of the pros: Christian, Punk, R-Truth and his awesomeness The Miz. I’ll get to the Miz last so we can tie a nice bow on this column by tying it back to the opening.

First, Christian has a lot to prove. His ring-general mastery of the ECW Roster has demonstrated he has what it takes to get over and put on great performances on PPV. Before Christian jumped ship to TNA, he was in line for a main event push feuding with John Cena. Vince is surely still bitter about this and Christian needs to work his way back up. There is little doubt in my mind that he will be one of the stars of NXT, working with the talented Heath Slater. Whether Creative gives us the dream Edge and Christian reunion, tag title reign and subsequent feud (Wrestlemania 27 main event, please?) is left to be seen. Second is C.M. Punk, who many may presume to be entrenched in the WWE upper card, don’t get too far ahead of yourself. I’m willing to bet that WWE puts the success and drawing power of the Punk-Hardy feud firmly on the shoulder of the enigmatic one, not the Straight Edge Soldier. Punk has to prove that he can draw, and while his prominent role in the Royal Rumble match, the Smackdown Elimination Chamber and the steady booking of the Straight Edge Society stable, not to mention the apparent budding rivalry with Rey Mysterio, he hasn’t proven anything yet. His pairing with Darren Young, who’s character is described as a South Beach party boy that likes to have a good time, seem ideal for some great Punk arrogance and preaching. Third, R-Truth has a chance to showcase his skills as an entertainer on NXT. His character was introduced with a series of videos about how he spent time in prison and is reformed and here to show his skills. This depth of character has deteriorated into stereotypical rapper with his gimmicky offense and entrance. It will be interesting to see if they get back to the root of Truth’s character (even though much of it has been given to MVP who does have a legit checkered past). I’m not a big fan of Truth getting a main event push. I don’t think he’s much on the mic and surely can’t bring it in the ring at a main event level. Hopefully on here he can prove me wrong.

And now we come back to The Miz. Flame on if you wish, but The Miz could very easily be the future of the WWE. Bold Prediction: within the next 5 years, Miz will be in a Wrestlemania main event bout. His in-ring skills are solid to good, his mic skills are as good if not better than just about anybody in the company. His character is not gimmicky, rather it’s flexible enough to go in many directions pending storyline. His prickish frat boy persona will be put to the ultimate test on NXT when he’s paired with Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson), everybody’s favorite indy darling. These two will clearly be one of the most prominent focal points of the show. The IWC, most notably the ROH fan boys) can whine all they want about how this is an insult to Bryan, but they clearly can’t see the true genius of Vince McMahon. Pairing The American Dragon with Miz is the best use of his skills. He is being allowed to use his same gimmick, claiming he’s the best alive, the best wrestler on the show. He’s being billed as having years of experience and knowledge of many styles. A recent interview with John Morrison was clearly a work when Morrison (a dedicated company guy) said that he mocked Miz for not knowing as much as Bryan. Would Morrison be allowed to say such a thing if WWE didn’t plan on using this as an angle? Miz recently said in and interview that he is doesn’t care about all of the experience Bryan has collected in the last few years and that it means nothing. 

This is how you work the Internet. This is how you write a storyline! The Miz being a condescending jackass with Bryan pushing back with his own style will further develop The Miz character while giving Bryan the rub of working with the US and Tag Team champion while also being the focal point of the show. This is the Creative Staff seeing the unique skills of Bryan Danielson and trying to show them most vividly, by contrasting them with a loudmouth, all-talk character.

By the end of the scheduled 16-week first season, NXT should be able to stand on the shoulders of a few developed rookies (my prediction: Bryan, Young, Gabriel and Barrett), but for the first month or two, the show will be carried by Jericho, Punk, Miz and Christian.

And for those of you that are furious Lo-Ki/Kaval was left off this first season, you need you get off your high horse and recognize that this indy darling will likely be the focal point of Season 2, along with Alberto Banderas (formerly Dos Caras, Jr.,), Brett DiBiase and the Rotundo brothers.