Cewsh Scouts NXT 2013: The Champions - Part 1

Welcome to the Cewsh Institute for Careful Observation and Contextual Knowledge. Here we take our jobs very seriously as the foremost wrestling scouts on the internet. Previously, we have brought you detailed breakdowns of both the NXT roster and the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster, and today we’re here a year later to retrace our steps and evaluate the new recruits and blossoming prospects of WWE‘s developmental program, as well as revisiting our evaluations from last time.

We have 16 men and women here who will be judged by their pros and cons, and will be assigned a grade based on their potential as WWE prospects. We will also be rendering judgement on whether or not these individuals are ready for full time main roster competition. Today, we’ll be breaking down the first four of these, focusing on everyone holding gold in NXT at the moment. Joining me in the venture are my esteemed colleagues: Psycho, Artie and Dennis.

Psycho joined us last time, Artie is new to NXT but is very enthusiastic about it, and Dennis is so familiar with the product that eating the cupcakes he brings to shows has become a rite of passage for new talent. Together, we will put our lab coats on, carefully evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and try to find out just exactly who the stars of tomorrow will be. Are you ready for some hardcore fact mining and grueling tape watching? No? Well then lucky for you that we did it all for you.

Bo Dallas (NXT Champion)

Pros:

- Good babyface fire- Solid on promos- Lots of experience in a WWE atmosphere with a wide variety of opponents

Cons:

- Prone to dull matches- Small- Perhaps the most hated man in NXT

Last Year’s Analysis:

Cewsh: Bo Dallas is a second generation guy, and like most of those, he seems to be ahead of the curve in terms of comfort in the ring. His matches, especially during his FCW Heavyweight title reign, were real show stealers, and that’s no surprise with how great he is at firing up in a match. He’s one of a rare breed of guys who just seems to naturally click as a good guy early in his career, and that’s an insanely rare and valuable commodity, but I worry that he’s plateaued in his development since his title reign. There’s something missing from the whole package to take it to the next level.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: C+

Ready For Main Roster: No

Cewsh: Bo Dallas is kind of a weird story. The son of Mike Rotunda and the brother of Bray Wyatt, Bo has been a main event fixture in WWE’s developmental system for years now, back into the FCW days. He’s been in the system longer than almost anyone else in the company, and yet you’d never guess it. Because, even after all these years, he doesn’t seem anything like a finished product.

His character work is often awkward and spotty, his matches drag in the middle and depend upon hot finishes to carry them, and over the years, he has been the focus of tons and tons of hate from the majority of the fanbase for his blandness and excessive push.

Currently, they’re trying him out as a heel who acts like a traditional babyface and mugs for cheers, and he’s getting Cena-like reactions from the crowd on a much smaller scale. But I don’t think it’s the kind of thing that can translate easily to the main show, and he’s shown himself to have huge trouble getting over conventionally.

If the reports that WWE is planning to put a time limit on the amount of time people can spend developing is true, then I think Bo Dallas will be, and should be, a casualty long before he ever figures out what he is as a performer.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: D+

Ready For Main Roster: No

Artie: The less talented of the two Rotunda brothers, we’ve already seen Bo taste a bit of the WWE spotlight with a Royal Rumble performance and a few sightings on RAW & Smackdown. Bo seems to have a good sense of ring awareness and a fairly good look, but boy oh boy is he devoid of personality! He’s already been in developmental for five years and still speaks into the microphone with no conviction or sense of personality.

The WWE seems intent on bringing him up to the main roster, but I feel that he’ll flop horrendously without a manager and a mean streak. He’s recently started flirting with the prospect of turning heel due to the negative reactions from the NXT audience and I believe greatly that he could flourish in the role. Given his current status, I cannot see him on the main roster just yet, but with perhaps another year of work and character development, Bo Dallas could be something special.

Artie’s Prospect Grade: B-

Dennis: Ahh, Bo Dallas. The WWE seems determined to push this man, this man that everyone seems to hate. The man with the face of a female child, and the ultimate troll face grin. The crazy thing is, he’s not that bad. He’s very sound in the ring. He can have good matches. But a combination of being noticeably less gifted than his older brother, Bray Wyatt, and WWE’s relentless persistence in pushing him has led to fan backlash.

People boo poor Bo Dallas out of every building NXT runs. Here’s the plus side… they’ve finally noticed it and instead of going the obvious route and having him turn, thus having him go from boring face to boring heel… they have turned Bo Dallas into a “Babyface that doesn’t know he’s a Heel” that acts oblivious to the fans’ jeers. And you know what? It’s making the goofy lookin’ guy grow on me.

Dennis’ Prospect Grade: B

Ready For Main Roster: No

I don’t think so, not yet. In a normal situation, I’d say he needs to step it up to avoid the “been in developmental too long” round of releases. However WWE’s hardon for him may save his job for a couple more years. Maybe between then and now he’ll be ready, though.

Psycho: Last I spoke of Bo, I didn’t have much to say about him. Things haven’t really changed much. His mic skills have almost become more atrocious except one instant where he got serious on Big E. Langston. His wrestling is actually better than most give him credit for, but everything about the guy is just underwhelming. The personality is plastic, and the fans don’t want to connect with him. Perhaps as a heel, he could make some strides, but trying to pitch him as a baby face has failed tremendously. Though, things are looking like they are heading that way, so we’ll see how things progress.

Psycho’s Prospect Grade: C+

Ready For Main Roster: No

Paige (NXT Women’s Champion)

Pros:

- Fantastic connection with audiences- Extremely good character work and promos- Completely unlike any woman on mainstream wrestling television

Cons:

- N/A- N/A- N/A

Last Year’s Analysis:

Cewsh: Guys, seriously, this woman needs to be on television yesterday. No major wrestling company has ever gotten such a complete package in a female performer at such a young age. She could be the top heel in the Divas division for the next decade. At minimum.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: A

Ready For Main Roster: YES

Cewsh: Uh, that same thing again, except even more so, because she has another 8 months of experience with the WWE style. No joke, she is the finest female wrestler working for WWE right now, and she’s only 20. There’s so much potential here that its almost too much pressure to place on one person. She’s a once in a generation prospect, and I expect nothing less than greatness from her.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: A+

Ready For Main Roster: Yes

Artie: The absolute Queen of the NXT Women’s division, Paige is everything the WWE could possibly want in a diva. She has a great look that fits her character and years upon years of wrestling experience. She’s quite good at cutting character promos and could have some great matches with practically any woman on the main WWE roster.

Artie’s Prospect Grade: A+

Dennis: Paige is great. Paige has a great look, and she’s good in the ring. Her Anti-Diva persona is cool, and she’s mega over with the NXT crowd. She’s example #1 of Cewsh’s scouting ability. The former Britani Knight was praised by Cewsh and he said she should be signed…. and she was. To great success. I honestly think the only reason she’s not on the main roster already is just because of her age. She’s only 20 years old. I think they’re waiting for 21 before they put her on the road.

Dennis’ Prospect Grade: A

Ready For Main Roster: Yes

Psycho: Did you not hear me last time? THIS WOMAN WILL BE A SAINT TO THE DIVAS DIVISION! All three of the prospects on this list will! For the first time since Awesome Kong signed with the WWE, the future of the Diva Division is so damn bright that a pair of shades will only delay the permanent blindness of perfection.

Psycho’s Prospect Grade: A+

Ready For Main Roster: YES YES YES

Adrian Neville (NXT Tag Team Champion)

Pros:

- One of the best high flyers in the world- Great selling, always gets sympathy- Great muscular look

Cons:

- Shoooooooort- Below average promo skills and a hard to understand accent- Still untested in major singles matches in WWE

Last Year’s Analysis:

Cewsh: N/A

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: N/A

Ready For Main Roster: N/A

Cewsh: Adrian Neville is an extraordinary performer. Every time I had seen him before he was signed by WWE, he immediately drew my attention and stole the show, whether it was Dragon Gate, NWE or anywhere else. Coming in, many thought that he wouldn’t be able to gracefully transition to the WWE style, but he’s shut all those people right the hell up by fountaining awesomeness all over the matches he’s been a part of. In terms of in ring skills and wow factor, he was ready yesterday, and is at least as good as Evan Bourne was when he debuted.

BUT, this isn’t just about in ring skills. When it comes to promos and acting, Neville is very much still in progress. And I think it says something about how is seen by the people in charge that he has been at the top of the tag division with multiple partners since coming in the door, but has not been pushed seriously as a singles wrestler. His matches might lead you to think he’s ready, but another year would do him wonders.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: B-

Ready For Main Roster: No

Artie: Neville, an almost ten year veteran of the business, came to NXT from England. WWE seems to be scouting a lot of talent from England in recent years, most of whom are quite excellent, and Neville is no exception. He’s a wonderful high flyer with the nickname “the man that gravity forgot”. In terms of ring work, he seems to have adapted quite well to the WWE style and knows how to utilize his high flying style to the maximum in 10-15+ minute matches.

His biggest downfall seems to be his mic work. He often comes across as nervous, something that will always hinder someone under 6′ and especially high flyers. The best course of action, IMO, would be to bring Neville up in a tag team, partnering him up with someone who can handle the talking.

Hero’s Prospect Grade: B

Dennis: Not many flaws can be found in Neville’s game at the moment. One of the major criticisms against “Pac” in the past was his scrawniness. He fixed that in a hurry by becoming one of the most jacked Cruiserweights in history, and he’s all natural folks.

Another criticism placed against him in the past was his habit of being quite a spot monkey. Neville has inhuman abilities to the point that his “Man That Gravity Forgot” nickname isn’t just a nickname, but fact. In the past, he’s over-utilised his abilities at the expense of a cohesive story. But under the guidance of WWE’s 5 star training staff in NXT, he has evolved and can now still do the amazing things he used to, but he knows WHERE and WHEN to pull them out to make the match spectacular.

I think Adrian Neville is an amazing performer, whose youth should not be wasted. The things that make him spectacular… will not be able to be done by him for too many more years. It’s just called being human. If continued to be given the opportunity, Adrian Neville will continue to shine.

Dennis’ Prospect Grade: B+

Ready For Main Roster: If an appropriate spot can be found, Yes. But the problem is, I don’t see where he’d fit in right now.

Psycho: Wow…I don’t even know where to start with this guy! I saw only one match of his when he wrestled under the name PAC, and I was rather impressed with what I saw, but I wasn’t sure of his ability to be something more substantial than a spot-fest with wings. Whether he had always been this way or WWE’s reserved environment changed his game, Neville has erupted onto the NXT scene with a complete package of excellence.

He has a strong, noticeable look. His work in the ring is both exciting and well thought-out. He has been a part of NXT’s highest quality storylines, and most of all – he connects with the crowd like legos with children. Or each other, even… I didn’t think that one through.

If I could point out one flaw, it would be that his mic work still hangs on the rough side, but it never hinders his charm, and if he keeps up what he’s been doing… he’s only going to improve on all aspects and be one of the best performers the WWE audience has ever seen.

Psycho’s Prospect Grade: A-

Ready For Main Roster: Almost

Corey Graves (NXT Tag Team Champion)

Pros:

- Unique look- Very comfortable on the microphone- Ready made catchphrase

Cons:

- Not exciting to watch- Better in solo promos than face to face- Has a tendency to come off like CM Punk-lite

Last Year’s Analysis:

Cewsh: If he makes it in WWE, you can slap me with a fish. Seriously. It isn’t going to happen. His look is just outright off putting, his skills lend him towards being a tag team specialist in an age when those aren’t in hugely high demand, and he hasn’t even done any real character work that I could tell you about. If you were wondering who the bottom of the NXT barrel is, you’re looking at him.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: F

Ready For Main Roster: No

Cewsh: Please don’t slap me with a fish.

The single most common complaint that we got on our scouting report last year was about Corey Graves. The man has supporters all over these fair internets, and while I couldn’t figure out why for the life of me at the time, Graves has really blossomed since the change in format to NXT. He’s a comfortable talker, his look stands out, and he clearly has the support of the office because he is one of the 5 or so most pushed people in developmental.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the main roster sooner, rather than later. But even saying that, a lot of my reservations from last time remain, if not quite so severe as before. His matches are not involving, which is worrying in a performer with so much experience under his belt, and I find that he gets overshadowed very easily around other charismatic performers. I don’t think that’s something that he’ll be able to fix in NXT, but it makes him a risky call up for the main roster. So does he belong there? Let’s say that I think that he’s as ready as he will ever get.

I’m not quite certain what the future holds for Graves. But it certainly does seem like I’m being forced to eat my words. And my fish.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: C

Ready For Main Roster: Yes

Artie: Corey Graves has the face of douche, personality of an a**hole, and character of a d***. He’s one of those guys that you don’t want to like, but you’re almost always interested in watching. Character-wise, he seems to have it all there from the punk-rock haircut, tattoos, cut-off denim, right on down to the rights. His in-ring style is nothing special, but he does seem to be a fairly good seller.

One of the more interesting characters in NXT, I’d say he’s nowhere near ready for the main roster yet, but with another year or two to learn more about adapting his character into his ring psychology and picking up his promo game, he could be golden.

Artie’s Prospect Grade: C

Dennis: Corey Graves is one of my favorites in NXT. He has an incredible look, and some slick moves. However, with that said, he also needs promo work and still hasn’t reached his full potential in the ring, I think. I love the character, and I enjoy his matches. But he’s still got some work to do.

Dennis’ Prospect Grade: C

Ready For Main Roster: Not yet.

Psycho: I had some hurtful words for Mr. Graves last time around, and I don’t necessarily take all of them back. The good thing is they’ve found a character and look that diminishes the “High School Creeper” look, and his wrestling abilities have shined through as he’s evolved.

On the stick, he can be a tad formulaic, and the “STAY DOWN” catch-phrase is often a miss rather than a hit, but he holds his own better than those who can not even claim to have a personality. I still struggle to see a long-term WWE career for the man, but he pours his heart into this business, and it’s beginning to show.

Psycho’s Prospect Grade: C

Ready For Main Roster: No

Well that will do it for part one of our breakdown of the NXT roster. Tune in tomorrow to check out 4 more in depth scouting reports from our varied panel of wrestling scientists, and don’t forget to check out NXT on Hulu so you can see the future of WWE for yourself. Until next time, fellow C.O.C.K.s.