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NXT had the humblest of origins. After WWE decided to re-brand Florida Championship Wrestling into NXT, the whole point was to create a proving ground for up and coming talent on their way to the main WWE roster.
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Somewhere along the way, it evolved into something much greater. WWE COO Triple H has used his influence and old-school respect to create something that straddles the fence between lightning-quick independent scene action and the deep, multi-layered storytelling the WWE is known for.
The result just might be the most exciting wrestling brand not just in the WWE, but anywhere in the world. Here are ten reasons you should be watching NXT.
#1 The Women's Evolution started on NXT.
After over a decade of bra and panties matches, swimsuit contests, holiday-themed battle royals--the main purpose of which was to get WWE women wrestlers into skimpy outfits--the WWE was not exactly forward thinking when it came to women's wrestling. With rare exceptions such as Beth Phoenix and Natalya, the main purpose of the WWE Divas was to tantalize with their sex appeal.
NXT changed all of that. By putting the focus on wrestling action instead of eye candy, NXT successfully launched the careers of women like Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Carmella, and Nia Jax. Asuka also went on her lengthy win streak in NXT.
If you're looking who to thank for the massive uptick in women's wrestling quality in WWE, look no further than NXT. And the women's division continues to grow and thrive there still as Shayna Bazler and Nikki Cross put on stellar matches.
#2 The matches are top quality
The athletes in NXT are out to impress, whether it's the bosses at WWE or each other, or--most importantly--the wrestling fans.
There's not a soul on the roster who doesn't believe in hard work and commitment to their craft. That kind of passion can't be taught, and the wrestlers in NXT always bring their A game whether they're wrestling at a sold-out arena or a smaller venue.
#3 Tag Team Wrestling is alive and well in NXT
While the main brands of Smackdown and Raw seem to struggle with a direction for their tag teams, NXT continues to delight fans with boiling hot feuds, blisteringly fast matches, and some of the best tag team talent in the world.
From Undisputed Era to TM61 to the recently returned Revival and the hilarious hijinks of Heavy Machinery, the Tag division in NXT isn't just stacked, it's one of the most interesting aspects of the show.
#4 The future is now in NXT
At NXT Takeover Chicago, Velveteen Dream and Ricochet put on a certified five-star match. Both men were unknown in the WWE just a year ago, and now they are setting the bar for match quality ridiculously high.
Ricochet and the Dream, along with men like Adam Cole, will unquestionably be in the main event of Wrestlemania... someday. But why wait for someday when you can enjoy the hottest rising stars live and in living colour on NXT each and every week? The future is now, and the future is on NXT.
#3 Adam Cole, Bay-Bay!
What if you took the panache of Ric Flair, the wrestling acumen of Ricky Steamboat, and the toughness of Harley Race and the good looks of John Cena, what would you get? You'd get Adam Cole, one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Currently, the only place to catch Adam Cole, the current NXT North American champion, is on NXT. Do you really need any other reasons to tune in?
#6 A varied and deep roster
While Raw and Smackdown may have their own stars, the depth and variety of the NXT roster is just a cut above.
You have ring technicians like Adam Cole, strikers like Aleister Black, powerhouses like Lars Sullivan, and cults of personality like the Velveteen Dream. There's something to appeal to all different kinds of wrestling fans on NXT.
#7 The best storytelling in WWE today
From Velveteen Dream demanding that Aleister Black acknowledge him to the blisteringly brutal feud between Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, NXT knows how to build up a fantastic wrestling angle.
While wrestling fans always appreciate hot in ring action, they like it even better when that action arises as a result of a clash of personalities. Most wrestling angles revolve around a title belt, but in NXT feuds can have deeper, more profound roots.
There you have it: Seven reasons you should be watching NXT.
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