WWE: What Show Is a Better Launching Point, NXT or Tough Enough?

WWE currently has two shows devoted to the development of new superstars.  WWE NXT is a show once broadcast on the Syfy network, but is now streamed at WWE.com.  This show has taken superstars from FCW and put them in a competition-like show which allows them to get exposure to WWE fans as well as gain experience in front of large live crowds.

WWE also has Tough Enough, which is currently in it's first season since being resurrected by the USA network.  Tough Enough is closer to a reality show than NXT.  It has people audition by sending in tapes and resumes giving their qualifications and reasons why they should be on the show.

On Tough Enough, sixteen Indy and inexperienced wrestlers are put into a house where they live together throughout the show, similar to most reality shows.  Tough Enough does differ from most reality shows because most of the show is actually about the competition and training, and not drama in the house, although there is a fair share of that too.

NXT has launched a few superstars into the WWE that are currently enjoying good runs.  Wade Barrett is a good example of someone who won the show and has elevated himself to being a great heel.  He dominated Raw when he ran Nexus.  Lately he has stalled a bit but I think we will see him in the main event again soon.

Daniel Bryan also got his WWE start on NXT, although many would argue that because of his vast experience he would have succeeded no matter what the circumstances of his debut were.  He is currently on Smackdown where he had an amazing match with Sin Cara last Friday.

Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, David Otunga and Michael Mcgilicutty also all started on NXT, but some may argue they still have yet to find a niche.  Slater and Gabriel have been three time tag champs, but they have yet to really break away from the Nexus group.

Subsequent seasons of NXT beyond the first were lackluster at best.  Season two gave us Mcgillicutty and Husky Harris, but Harris is MIA down in Florida and Michael has been relegated to that of a non speaking role as of late.

Kaval left WWE not long after his NXT win due to not being used properly.  So one has to wonder how good of a jumping point into the WWE fray is NXT?

Tough Enough has certainly had its fair share of success stories as well.  The first season was won by Maven and Nidia, who both had memorable runs in WWE.

Currently the WWE employs a few of its previous Tough Enough contestants.  John Morrison actually won season three, and The Miz who came runner up the following year has been one of the breakout stars of the past couple years.

Other notable names like Matt Morgan, Jackie Gayda, Matt Capotelli, Chris Nowinski and even WWE announcer Josh Matthews. 

While every winner of Tough Enough has not gone on to achieve great acclaim, there are certainly more success stories than what NXT has to offer thus far. In fact, the last winner of NXT has not even gotten his title shot yet.

The two shows are vastly different in format, but the goal is the same, to find an interesting way to introduce new talent to the WWE Universe. On a sidenote, I just wretched when writing WWE Universe.

In conclusion, my answer to the title question would have to be Tough Enough.  More people who have gotten their start on that show have gone on to win gold and have good runs, although with NXT still being relatively young there could be some World Champions form that show in the future.

What do you think, which show is a better launching point for future WWE superstars?