On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, NXT 2.0 launched on the USA Network, officially ending the black and gold era. After NXT was gut-punched by AEW Dynamite in the “Wednesday Night Wars”, Vince McMahon felt it was time to shake up NXT. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, McMahon wanted “younger and bigger guys…people who can be box office attractions and main characters”. NXT’s entire set went from dingy and dark to bright and vibrant. The logo itself got a splash of color to deviate from the old standard of black and gold. On paper, these changes seemed refreshing, but things have gotten worse for NXT. WWE officials are currently not happy with NXT 2.0. The problems with the brand are not simple; they are complex and need solutions. So, it’s time to give an in-depth look at the failure of NXT 2.0.
The Television Program
NXT 2.0 currently airs on the USA Network on Tuesdays at 7 P.M. CT. The show’s run time is two hours which is the first problem. NXT 2.0’s roster is not deep enough to provide enough valued entertainment for two hours. The brand’s roster is also about 90% of developmental talent. These wrestlers are still in training at the Performance Center. They are not ready to produce at the level that entails a two-hour show. The best thing to do is bump NXT 2.0 down to one hour to protect the training talent while giving more experienced wrestlers a chance to carry the brand. NXT 2.0 wouldn’t drag trying to supply two hours of content anymore, and it could showcase its stars more this way.
The Women’s Division
The Women’s division in NXT 2.0 is a weakness for the brand. For starters, it’s not deep with legitimate top stars. Sure there are performers like Io Shirai and Kacy Catanzaro, but it’s hard to believe they could get the right backing behind the scenes and utilized correctly. Raquel Gonzalez, Lash Legend, Kayden Carter and Indi Hartwell all have star potential, but their booking must be protected and well crafted (considering WWE’s track record with booking, it’s hard to say that will happen). But a bright spot in the division has been Toxic Attraction. Mandy Rose’s invention into a heel and forming a stable with Gigi Dolin and Jayne Jacy has been great. I like the pairing of this stable: Dolin and Jacy are extremely young and will benefit from working with Rose. Will this stable replace the Undisputed Era? No, but they don’t need to be the Undisputed Era; they need to be Toxic Attraction. Draw heat, beat up the babyfaces and be cocky jerks. They work well together, so the solution for fixing the women’s divisions: focus on Toxic Attraction and protect your young performers.
The Lack of Stars
The days of NXT being a super-indie are over. Names like Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, Kyle O’Reilly, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe are no longer on the brand or in the WWE entirely. NXT does still have competitors like Pete Dunne and Tommaso Ciampa, but it feels they don’t fit the new model of NXT. Cameron Grimes and Carmelo Hayes are great, but they are still rising talent. There is LA Knight, but once again doesn’t fit the model of the new NXT, especially at 39. WALTER is still on the brand, but they changed his name to Gunther and screwed up his character and momentum. The one true star, Bron Breakker, will likely be on the main roster soon. Fixing this will not be easy, but there is a solution: use your current stars to build more stars. Use Bron Breakker, Tommaso Ciampa, Pete Dunne and LA Knight to elevate the younger talent. Put them in good programs, have tremendous matches, and let the young ones show out. Do not job out your stars, especially Bron Breakker, a talent can be elevated in defeat. A prime example was Bron Breakker and Tommaso Ciampa’s program for the NXT championship. Elevating Cameron Grimes, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller and more Performance Center talent will do the trick.
Overall, NXT 2.0 is still in a transition phase, and it needs more time before it’s truly judged. However, those in charge of the brand have to make some changes and hit on those changes. A good change has happened: Shawn Michaels has had more involvement in the brand, and Bruce Prichard isn’t as involved as previously thought. Michaels’ involvement will be key going forward; he knows the business and could be vocal for some of those who would be an afterthought.