Should NXT be "saving" matches?

[rocketking]

With Nakamura/Roode coming up next week, I've been thinking about whether or not NXT should be saving some of its major feuds/matchups for the main roster. Obviously, NXT is just as important (if not more so) to WWE as a touring brand as it is a "developmental territory", so the TV and live shows need main events that will draw a crowd. But if the point is for these guys to be the future of WWE, should they be keeping some of the marquee guys apart while they're in NXT?

For example, there might come a time when Nakamura and Joe or Joe and Balor or Balor and Owens are two of the top guys on Raw or Smackdown. Do those matchups lack some juice because we've seen them at least 2-3 times on NXT?

[Zekey]

1 of my favourite NXT matches was Sami Zayn vs Adrian Neville at Takeover R-Evolution. If that match was "saved" it would have been for nothing since both guys are not main eventers in RAW. Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura could be screwed up when they get too Raw/Smackdown so lets see it while it means something.

[rocketking]

Jan 22, 2017 9:04:01 GMT -5 Zekey said:

1 of my favourite NXT matches was Sami Zayn vs Adrian Neville at Takeover R-Evolution. If that match was "saved" it would have been for nothing since both guys are not main eventers in RAW. Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura could be screwed up when they get too Raw/Smackdown so lets see it while it means something.

As a fan, I absolutely agree. Based on recent booking trends, I'd much rather see these guys in the main event of NXT than the undercard of Backlash (and then again on Raw, and then again in a six-man tag on Raw...).

But from WWE's perspective, they're headed toward a future where finding a main event that can be sold as "for the first time ever" (which we all know they love to do) will be tougher and tougher to accomplish with their homegrown guys. And that's not even including meetings that have already happened in TNA, Japan and on the indies that - even if WWE continues to (rightfully) downplay them - they can't deny that many of their fans have seen.

Like all "problems," this can all be saved by the fact that I don't think many people will complain about getting another Balor/Joe match, just trying to stir up some discussion on a Sunday morning (well, morning for me anyway).

[Christian Small]

Surely the idea is that the main roster is full enough that when they are called up they have enough matches to do before having to go back to a NXT feud. Plus sometimes doing it in NXT fuels the matches in WWE, look at Owens/Zayn where that was all about the history between the 2. I fully understand what you're getting at but NXT needs to do these matches to draw crowds and get people watching them, I doubt those Takeovers would sell out if it was just another NXT TV style show. Part of the appeal of those Takeovers is those "dream" matches that the hardcores would love.

[kalgoroth]

It's wrestling. They'll promote whatever angle is best for business, whether that means highlighting that it has never happened before or that it is the next chapter of a feud that has crossed promotions/brands/continents. In any case you think they would let a pesky thing like the fact it has happened before get in the way of a good story/tagline?!

Besides, either way in the hands of WWE it wouldn't stay much of a special attraction, after they decide to put it on for the 5th time in a month as throw away filler for Raw...!

[deezy]

Not everyone who watches Raw or Smackdown watch NXT.

[Hacksaw Jim Powers]

Jan 22, 2017 15:07:29 GMT -5 deezy said:

Not everyone who watches Raw or Smackdown watch NXT.

Bingo!

[siredger]

Personally, I feel like right now, given the difference between the previous crop of NXT talents that have moved on to the main roster and the current one, I don't think that NXT has really another alternative than go ahead and go through those dream matches simply because they need to draw eyeballs to their shows and the Takeover specials. I think that the NXT Women's division is a good example of that with the difference between when it looked like when Asuka first came to NXT and where it is now one year later with her dominating the division. You need to constantly make sure with a brand like NXT to have the best cards possible for those Takeovers so I think it's more by necessity that they're proceeding that way.

[Gee Hall]

Jan 22, 2017 15:07:29 GMT -5 deezy said:

Not everyone who watches Raw or Smackdown watch NXT.

I can relate to not being as interested in seeing the same matchups once they get to the main roster. But at the end of the day, that's my problem. The WWE should totally capitalize on what was successful in NXT on either RAW or SD.