Sure, ROH can build new talent. Until it can’t. New talent can’t be built indefinitely, especially in relatively short order with stars constantly leaving. That’s what happened in the original ECW. ECW just kept creating new stars until Paul Heyman ran out of Play-Doh. Not enough raw material.
What sucks most about WWE’s plan: WWE isn’t signing ROH/indie guys to develop them. WWE is signing them to hoard them. Some guys may progress past NXT. But what happens now that NXT is going to be a touring promotion? Do performers know what they’re signing on for?
We keep hearing about the progress of Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, etc. They haven’t progressed that much. They’re still in NXT. How long is too long? Zayn has been there since February, 2013. Over two years.
The Briscoes are next to ditch ROH. They’re going to be WWE’s new Bushwhackers. NXT’s, anyway. Practice that walk, chicken farmers.
The wild card is money. Top indie guys are making a lot more than NXT performers, and a lot more than a big percentage of WWE performers. Matt Hardy would have to take a big pay cut to go back to WWE. The Young Bucks would have to take a big pay cut to go to NXT.
This is where we find out who the marks are. Because the sole purpose of the wrestling business is to MAKE MONEY. That’s it. There’s no other significant standard to live up to. But some guys just want to be on TV.
Sure, some people make lots of money in WWE. But which people? Sure, it’s about the long run. When does Zayn’s long run start?
The purpose behind NXT isn’t anything good for wrestling, and certainly not what it used to be. Triple H wants to be de facto king of the indies, the internet marks’ “cool” wrestling mind. WWE looks at the periphery of WrestleMania weekend and see dollars going elsewhere. WWE wants those dollars.
Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkMaddenX
