Best and Worst of WWE NXT - Diamond Mine destroys top champion, Callback to John Cena's debut

#1 Worst: An unnecessary John Cena callback on NXT

Same Energy.#RuthlessAggression #WWENXT @AdamColePro @Carmelo_WWE @JohnCena @RealKurtAngle pic.twitter.com/Su49jT1Xoy

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 23, 2021

NXT kicked off this week with Adam Cole cutting a promo on the events of last week, which saw him brawl with Kyle O'Reilly and get put to sleep by Samoa Joe. He was scheduled to face an opponent of his choosing. While his rival faced off with Kushida, the former NXT Champion initially refused to wrestle.

However, Cole was interrupted by a relative newcomer. Carmelo Hayes, formerly Christian Casanova, confronted Cole and challenged him to a match. He said the words, "Ruthless Aggression," which was meant to be a callback to John Cena's WWE debut opposite Kurt Angle in 2002.

The moment felt forced and the line was shoehorned in. There wasn't really a need for it, especially with this not being his first match on NXT. Hayes still had a great showing against Adam Cole, though.

Now, THIS is more like it. 🙌🏾 #WWENXT @Carmelo_WWE @AdamColePro pic.twitter.com/OK0JpXYnrV

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 23, 2021

The words did not fit at all and Carmelo Hayes should have used another line to finish his promo, instead of blatantly copy-pasting a legendary moment from the past. He does have a lot of potential, as shown opposite Cole on NXT.