WWE is a constantly changing environment. From Pay Per View name changes to brand splits, there is always something new and exciting for fans to look forward to. As an individual who stopped watching WWE for many years, it is interesting to see how the layout of the company has changed. NXT, once a show where developmental wrestlers vowed for the opportunity to make it to the main WWE roster, is now WWE's developmental brand. When I begin getting back into WWE the last couple of months, I was intrigued. I had watched all of the NXT seasons before this big change and felt that it was nothing but a joke. Most of the competitors, talented or not, ended up on the main roster for less than a year and were then released. WWE's renovation to NXT took the place of their developmental school that was once Florida Championship Wrestling. This change has attracted top talent from around the world, causing many people to pay attention to NXT.
On July 19th, 2016, WWE made a huge change by airing their 2nd tier show, Smackdown, live. Also on this night, the WWE draft occurred. There was talk that World Wrestling Entertainment planned to bring back former Superstars in hopes to help out young and upcoming wrestlers, but this turned out to be false. Six lucky NXT talents were chosen to join Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live, respectively. In Round One, Finn Balor, an international star who appeared in UK promotions, was drafted to Monday Night Raw. On July 25th, he became the Number One Contender to the newly announced Universal Championship. He will be competing at WWE's second biggest PPV, SummerSlam, against former WWE Champion Seth Rollins. In Round Five, Nia Jax, who proclaims to be unlike any other woman, was drafted to the Raw brand. She is a member of the Anoa'i family, which includes current WWE Superstars Jimmy and Jay Uso and former WWE Champion Roman Reigns. Her matches at NXT have proven that she is not one to be messed with in the ring. Also in Round Five, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable, also known as American Alpha, were drafted to the Smackdown Live brand. Both men have backgrounds in amateur wrestling and are former NXT Tag Team Champions, making them a huge addition to Smackdown's tag team division. Three other picks were announced during the WWE Draft Center live on the WWE Network. These picks included Alexa Bliss to the Smackdown Live brand in Round Nine. Bliss has proven herself in multiple matches in NXT over the last few months, even disassociating herself from her former tag team partners Blake and Murphy because they weren't on the winning path like herself. In Round Eleven, Mojo Rawley was drafted to the Smackdown Live brand. Rawley made his debut on July 24's PPV Battleground when he saved his tag team partner Zack Ryder. It should be interesting to see if WWE will decide to keep this tag team together or separate them as singles superstars. Also in Round Eleven, Carmella was drafted to the Smackdown Live brand. A former number one contender to the NXT Women's Championship and the former valet to Enzo and Big Cass, Carmella is one to watch. Not only are her in ring skills sharp, but her introduction is basically the female version of her former partners.
Many loyal NXT fans are disappointed that former NXT Women's Championship and fan favorite Bayley, was not among those drafted. She made an appearance during the Battleground PPV where she partnered with Sasha Banks against Charlotte and Dana Banks. Both commentator JBL and Bayley herself stated that this was just a "one-time" appearance and that her sights were still set on regaining the NXT Women's Championship for a second time.
Personally, I am excited to see what the future holds for this New Era of WWE. With so many young and exciting new talents intertwining with experienced wrestlers, it should make for many exhilarating matches for new and old fans alike.
