12 Things NXT Gets Right About Wrestling

8. Character development

Patrick Clark went from failed Tough Enough contestant to major NXT star due to his Prince-like persona

NXT boasts a diverse roster where everyone is presented as having a meaningful role and purpose rather than just the top stars. No one is presented as a one-dimensional caricature. No one is simplified to a silly catchphrase. Fully-fleshed out personas with motivations, desires, strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities are presented in a balanced light, not unlike a primetime drama.

NXT characters have range and vary from the dark and brooding (Aleister Black) to the honest and heartfelt (Johnny Gargano) to the dramatic (Velveteen Dream) to the sadistic (Tomasso Ciampa, Lars Sullivan) to the arrogant (Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans, Kona Reeves) to the comedic (Heavy Machinery) to the downright crazy (Nikki Cross).

The in-ring and promo psychology is amazing, video packages and vignettes are top-notch and as of late, long-term storyline and character arcs (again, possibly influenced by NJPW) are becoming more commonplace, with Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa's friends turned enemies storyline and the recent Who Attacked Aleister Black? mystery adding to the level of possibilities on how far characters can be developed.