What we learned from the WWE this week: May 05, 2017

#6 NXT are embracing the bigger superstar

Where the big boys play?

One of NXT’s many influences on the WWE main roster has been the increased role of the smaller, more athletic competitor in an industry that still prefers to feature larger than life personas. Guys like Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Finn Balor and Neville would never have gotten anywhere close to the WWE main event scene back in the 80’s and would have struggled in the 90’s and even the 00’s. Because there is such a deep crossover between NXT, WWE’s developmental territory, and the independent scene, fans have been mostly getting behind the kinds of stars you tend to see in ROH or NJPW.

That being said, the NXT men’s division this week showed us that big men still matter in the WWE, and we will probably be seeing some similar characters on the main roster over the next few years. The show started off with Killian Dane, a rotund, powerful individual who was introduced to the main roster audience at WrestleMania 33, as part of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.

We then witnessed a systematic beatdown at the hands of Heavy Machinery, a pair of bruising heavyweights that are all about the ‘steaks and weights’ lifestyle. They made their intentions knows for the NXT Tag-Team titles, currently held by another set of large men in The Authors of Pain. Even though WWE are now much more accepting of smaller wrestlers, don’t be surprised to see quite a few pounds of bRawn in the future.