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One thing that NXT has done brilliantly is incorporate former WWE/WCW pay-per-views into its operating schedule. Concepts like WarGames and In Your House have both been used at various points. WarGames has been an annual show for November, and the pandemic didn't stop that in 2020. Every version of WarGames in NXT has been a must-watch.
In Your House was brought back last year and it featured Io Shirai capturing the NXT Women's Championship. The set was made to appear like a classic version, while old WWF personality Todd Pettengill returned for nostalgia. WWE even brought back Starrcade a few years ago. Shows like Halloween Havoc and the Great American Bash were also recently featured.
There are many other pay-per-views from WWE's past that NXT could bring back. The Black and Gold brand could either follow the concept or tweak it for the new generation. Nevertheless, here are five retired pay-per-view concepts that NXT could bring back.
#5 Bragging Rights could settle NXT rivalries
As a pay-per-view concept, WWE only utilized Bragging Rights in 2009 and 2010 where it used the RAW vs. SmackDown angle that we now see in Survivor Series. For that reason, it wouldn't make sense to use it on the main roster.
NXT could bring back this pay-per-view in one of two ways. The first could be former Champions vying to become #1 Contenders. Since some performers have already won gold, it allows them the right to claim that they are better than others.
Proving that against each other would be an excellent way to blend multiple storylines into a few matches. It could be similar to when William Regal introduced the Gauntlet Eliminator after Karrion Kross was injured following his first title victory. That concept was again used at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
The other way NXT could bring Bragging Rights back is if they revamp the "Worlds Collide" moniker with Bragging Rights. While it would be hard to pit NXT vs. NXT UK due to the number of titles, the concept could still be used. Once travel restrictions return to normal as the pandemic subsides, the UK stars could travel to the US and vice versa.
NXT could also utilize the faction vs. faction aspect of feuds or a faction vs. a collection of stars for "bragging rights". There are a few different ways that this concept could be used, especially since the roster is incredibly deep with talented stars. Matches pitting tenured stars (Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, etc.) claiming to be the best ever in NXT could help make Bragging Rights a great potential pay-per-view.
#4 No Way Out could be NXT's Hell in a Cell
While WWE traditionally uses Hell in a Cell for its steel cage matches, NXT could utilize the former No Way Out pay-per-view to settle some scores. In the few years of its run on the main roster, No Way Out featured steel cage matches for titles.
No Way Out also utilized the Elimination Chamber structure before it became its own pay-per-view. The pay-per-view was last used in 2012. It featured a steel cage match where John Cena would be fired if he lost to the Big Show.
NXT could use the stipulation that the loser of a match at No Way Out would be forced to leave NXT.
Another route that could be used if NXT brought back No Way Out is a Lumberjack match. Damien Priest utilized that caveat for his WrestleMania Backlash bout with The Miz. The thinking behind steel cage matches and Lumberjack bouts is that one of the participants cannot escape after weeks of ducking a challenge.
Since WWE traditionally ends feuds at Hell in a Cell, NXT could do the same by recycling No Way Out. The idea seems like it would be perfect for the likes of Dexter Lumis or Karrion Kross since both men stalk their opponents.
When Lumis faced Cameron Grimes, that pre-taped match would have been perfect for a No Way Out card in NXT. Despite the confines of these types of matches, stars like The Fiend have come up through under the ring. In other instances, the cage was broken when a star was thrown through it.
If NXT wanted to pay homage to ECW, it could also utilize hardcore aspects in its version of the pay-per-view.
#3 Fatal 4-Way could give more NXT stars a chance
WWE and NXT have done a great job in spacing out special matches. Some, like Money in the Bank, feature ladder matches. Other normal pay-per-views may feature a triple threat or fatal four-way once or twice a year. This year's Universal Championship match at WrestleMania 37 was a triple threat.
It's best to space out the use of specialty matches so as not to burn out the concept. If WWE or NXT had a fatal four-way every week or every other week, it would lessen the impact that the contest would normally have. At WrestleMania Backlash, however, there were two more triple threats featuring the WWE and RAW Women's Championships.
By utilizing the Fatal 4-Way name in NXT, it could slot a lot of talented names into various matches. NXT could book two title matches as Fatal 4-Ways or one could determine a #1 Contender for an NXT title. With the way things have gone lately for NXT Champion Karrion Kross, his situation would be perfect if this pay-per-view concept was ever brought back.
The next episode of SmackDown will feature a Fatal 4-Way bout with Apollo Crews defending the Intercontinental Championship against three other men. Since he's battled one or both of his challengers over the last few months, they will each get a chance to once again become IC Champion. Crews will have to battle all odds when he faces Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Big E.
Pay-per-views centered around a particular style of match also make it feel more special. The Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank are highly anticipated each year because of the specialty of the matches named for the pay-per-view.
Getting a future title shot also helps make those particular shows much more exciting than a normal pay-per-view. Fatal 4-Way could also feature stars not usually in the NXT title picture getting a shot.
#2 Cyber Sunday could involve the NXT Universe
NXT could certainly use the Cyber Sunday or Taboo Tuesday concept that WWE used in the 2000s. WWE always touts its successes on various platforms of social media, so why not resuscitate a pay-per-view that truly takes the fans into account?
The NXT Universe could be heavily involved leading up to a potential card featuring tactics used by Cyber Sunday or Taboo Tuesday. A few matches would be announced and fans would then have the opportunity to vote on various aspects of the booked matches.
While the fans didn't have the opportunity to pick Bobby Lashley's opponent for his open challenge on RAW, the concept still kept fans guessing. A little mystery in wrestling is a good thing, especially if someone deserving or missing takes up the challenge. Many people were hoping for the return of Keith Lee on the latest RAW, but it ended up being Kofi Kingston challenging Lashley in a non-title match.
For example, the NXT Universe could pick between three different NXT stars regarding who would challenge for the title that night. It would lead to a good deal of unpredictability, especially if they used the "mystery superstar" as one of the choices.
There were also several other choices that fans could vote on concerning a potential match. They were able to choose the stipulation for a match, a wrestler's tag team partner in a given fight or who could be the special guest referee. If a heel was truly deserving of his/her comeuppance, then the fans were often given three options in favor of the face.
With comedic wrestlers like Cameron Grimes, the NXT fans could also vote for the stipulation for who loses a match. That could range from anything to leaving NXT to giving the winner a title shot or being dunked in a gross slime.
The possibilities would truly be endless for NXT. Since it has much more exciting and creative than the main roster lately, the stipulations could be even better than 15 years ago.
Things have expanded greatly with the explosion of social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and many other platforms. More platforms would allow fans to vote in different ways while also allowing WWE/NXT to get big numbers. It truly seems like a win-win for everyone, from the fans to Creative to the Superstars.
#1 Night of Champions could feature all NXT Champions
Considering NXT has six titles with the addition of the Women's Tag Team titles this year, the Night of Champions pay-per-view could be a great addition to the calendar. TakeOver events are traditionally five matches with a pre-show bout. If the show is two to three hours long, it wouldn't be a problem to fit each title into a match.
WWE used to use Night of Champions in the early fall but changed its name to Clash of Champions. Clash of Champions was originally a name used for shows by WCW in the 1980s and 1990s.
Despite the name change, the setup of the pay-per-view is the same - every title in WWE is defended on the show. With the current landscape of WWE's main roster, that translates into nine titles being defended.
If NXT wanted to shake things up somehow, they could have various match types or even a No. 1 Contender's match. With a five-card show, one title is usually left off the card. That likelihood increases if one of the top stars like Adam Cole or Tommaso Ciampa isn't challenging for or defending a title.
With a sixth title now available to NXT stars, it helps to highlight some wrestlers that are either moving up the card or those that may never win the top prizes. Night of Champions would immediately highlight every Championship of the Black and Gold brand.
Again, that usually happens with each TakeOver, but with the caveat of being called 'Night of Champions', all of the titles in NXT would get a showcase. It's a pretty basic concept for a pay-per-view, but what would make it interesting is how NXT Creative would vary match type and opponents.
Having one of the most talented rosters in wrestling history would also make for some compelling angles. Some fans may feel that having too many titles waters down the product, but in NXT, six Championships seems right. There are so many different types of performers that are great in their own ways. Night of Champions would help to truly spotlight every Champion in NXT.
