I was re-watching the WWE-produced “Rise & Fall of ECW” DVD – great clips, but way too much revisionist history – and a sad thought occurred: WWE will never allow something like ECW to happen again.
NXT is designed to exterminate ROH. No doubt. It’s one thing to poach ROH stars and give them a shot at the big time. It’s quite another to poach ROH stars by providing them a mere lateral move and the vague promise of a shot at the big time.
Kevin Owens has arrived. Samoa Joe might never.
Would it surprise anyone if Joe spins his wheels at NXT indefinitely, propping up that show with veteran experience but getting a very minimal Raw experience? That’s no knock on Joe. He should do what’s best for his career.
But ROH needed Joe. WWE does not.
Rumors are circulating that WWE is interested in Jay Lethal and Adam Cole. Why on earth would WWE want either of those two? WWE has plenty of talents of that ilk that are already being underutilized.
WWE wants them by way of stripping ROH bare. Just stick ‘em in NXT. NXT’s success has taught WWE that the means exist to stop any small company from becoming a cult. From starting a groundswell. From becoming the next ECW.
WWE doesn’t need to be good. It will go any length to preserve that advantage.
