NXT: The Reality
NXT: The Reality
The Katz Files
NXT: The Reality
The Kingfish Arnie Katz explores the implementation its ramifications of WWE’s new weekly show on SyFy.
The previous edition of “The Katz Files” talked about the concepts that underlie WWE’s newest TV series, NXT. This time, let’s go beyond theory and look at what WWE actually did in the timeslot formerly filled by ECW.
Two notes before the actual dissection:
1. ECW set the bar pretty low.
2. It wouldn’t be fair to give NXT a definitely rating after only one episode.
It shouldn’t have surprised any half-way knowledgeable fan that WWE produced a “reality” show that made even obvious sludge like The Bachelor look fresh and spontaneous.
That is, in fact, probably the right way to approach a series like this. NXT showed us the eight students and their mentors within the context of the pro wrestling show. In the long run, that’s much more interesting than watching raw neophytes stumble and bumble their way through the basics. They don’t make a movie audience sit through all the outtakes and technical glitches. (Granted some DVDs have such mistakes as “extras,” but they aren’t cut right into the film, because that would more or less destroy it.)
The drawback is that the mentors are all playing their characters – and those characters don’t mesh well with the students’ characters in most cases. They might be building to a round of student-versus-teacher matches, but that’s not such a good idea, either.
Some of the students flashed promise during the all-too-brief matches, but their mic skill did not match their ring ability. Several couldn’t seem to get untracked with the stick in their hand.
The biggest problem is that the students’ characters are bland on bland – and much too slanted toward the heel side. A lot of rookies can’t resist the allure of becoming a villain, but some should be forced to do so.
Daniel Bryan (formerly Bryan Danielson) needs a re-think and quickly, too, before they ruin his chances completely. He’s a little guy with tons of great moves, so he needs to be a babyface. As things stand, he is either an exceptionally weak heel or one of the most dislikable heroes ever seen in a wrestling ring.
Let’s get serious. About 95% of the WWE audience has never even heard of Bryan Danielson, much less “Daniel Bryan,” and his small stature makes him look like a boy among men.
Danielson is a fine talent, but he’s going to be a big flop if they can’t present him better than this.
There’s not much to be said about the other characters, which seem pretty generic. “The South Beach Party Boy,” in particular, is a dumb idea ineptly implemented.
Without that hope for improvement, NXT would be a pretty sad showing, though it certainly had its tolerable moments.
WWE needs to take stock right now and get some upgrades into NXT in short order or this series could become a very painful viewing experience by the fourth or fifth episode.
I’ll be back on Tuesday with another installment of the Internet’s fastest-rising pro wrestling column. I hope you’ll join me then and, please, bring your friends.
-- Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
crossfire@cox.net
(2/28/10)
DIXIE CARTER TO APPEAR AS GUEST AT “YOUSHOOT LIVE” AND CONVENTION
This Saturday night, February 27th, New England Championship Wrestling presents one of its biggest events of the year, 
Pro Wrestling RESPECT returns to the Burlington, New Jersey Armory on March 14th, 2010. RESPECT consists exclusively of Ring of Honor Academy graduates with the occasional Ring of Honor and established independent wrestling stars. RESPECT is a great way for young wrestlers to gain experience and it is an inexpensive event that is performed in a family friendly manner. See rising star Andy “Right Leg” Ridge in the biggest match of his young career as he battles ROH Academy Head Trainer Delirious!!! Also in action … Daizee Haze, MsChif, Bobby Dempsey, Ricky Reyes, Shane Hagadorn, Grizzly Redwood, Jamilia Craft, Alex Payne, Pelle Primeau, Sly Stetson, and many more. For more on RESPECT, check out www.?prowrestlingres?pect.?com
IVAN PUTSKI SHOOTS HARD ON SHIMMER FOR FALSELY ADVERTISING HIS “GRANDDAUGHTER,” HIS PERSONAL STEROID USE IN 80S WWF, LEGENDSMANIA, AND MORE By WorldWrestlingInsanity.com
