What’s the story?
In an interview with NBC Sports, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque hinted that a few main roster Superstars may be moving down to NXT.
Additionally, Triple H also asserted that a few NXT Superstars are set to move up to the main roster. One ought to note that the Game didn’t give out any specific names on either side.
In case you didn’t know…
The WWE uses NXT as a developmental territory for talent signed to the company; often issuing a main roster call-up to Superstars who’re ready for a run on RAW or SmackDown.
On the flip side, WWE also sends back a few Superstars to NXT, so as to either revamp their character or afford them adequate time in order to improve their mic and/or wrestling skills. For example, the WWE sent back Husky Harris from the main roster to NXT, following which the latter honed his craft down in developmental, and debuted with renewed vigor on the main roster as Bray Wyatt.
The heart of the matter
The Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque stated the following pertaining to Superstars being promoted from and sent down to NXT—
“In some sense, it will continue to be developmental, but it’ll be different from where it is today because I think you’re going to see talent move up and move down. I don’t think it should be seen as a demotion when they go to NXT. I think it should be seen as they’re competing in a different environment.”
Furthermore, Triple H reiterated that main roster Superstars being sent down to NXT shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a ‘demotion’; despite the general fan-perception of the happening being that said Superstar has been lowered to a lesser brand. Besides, Triple H did not specify any names who could potentially be shuffled to and from NXT.
What’s next?
The WWE Superstars who’re likely to be promoted to the main roster or sent down to NXT will likely be revealed over the next few days.
Author’s take
Triple H has a great point here, in the sense that being sent to NXT isn’t a demotion or exile by any means.
In fact, it could considerably benefit the main roster performer to take a break from the RAW/SmackDown road schedule, and solely focus on the evolution of their skills in NXT. It’ll be intriguing to see which Superstars the WWE will shuffle to and fro—NXT to the main roster, and vice versa.