The Wrestling Prospectus (NXT 10-6)

Caleb Carnes
Jul 14, 2017
5 min read

This week’s prospectus jumps into the top 10. I would like to add that tag teams will be included as one entry. This is important to note for this week’s entry as we are including two teams. Let’s dive into the rankings.

10. Heavy Machinery

What’s not to like about this lovable throw back? I’ll admit, I’m a bigger fan of Otis Dozovic, but the unit has projectability. Once they harness the energy they possess and can focus their character work a little more, these boys could stand out on the main roster. They have the size WWE looks for and are developing a fun move set.

Both guys are fine in the ring currently, but need some refinement. Their footwork is solid thanks to both men having amateur backgrounds. But they are being protected for the time being due to a lack of ring awareness and psychology. That’s not as much of a dig as it sounds. These guys are raw and are going to lack these skills for some time. Look at American Alpha when they started out and you’ll see some similarities.

Once they get some seasoning, I expect Otis and Tucker to be a solid tag team.

Projection: Heaters in a stable/Multiple time tag champs

9. Andrade "Cien" Almas

To some, this might be a surprise. Almas disappointed many when he first arrived as a happy go lucky face. In my opinion, he was miscast. Some of Almas ‘s best work was when he had a bit of a mean streak. He has that lucha flashiness, but he also possesses that mean streak that can translate better in the WWE to being a heel. If he keeps these traits, he’ll get over with the fans and be a believable face in the mold of a cocky anti-hero. The former La Sombra also made the right call to remove the mask for right now. He’s a good-looking man and that can help when pushes are being decided.

The negatives are similar to some others in the rankings. He’s not the best promo in part due to English being a second language. He’s better then Itami and Asuka, but could still use some time to become more fluent. I love the addition of Thea Trinidad as a possible mouthpiece/heater for him. I think this alliance will also help bring out more of the character of Andrade.

I believe the future is still very bright for Andrade Almas and he could be a very big player in the WWE. It’s also obvious that the WWE believes in him as well and want to find a way to hide his negatives and accentuate his positives.

Projection: Lower Mid Card/Occasional Main Event

8. Killian Dain

The "Beast of Belfast" would have made money working with Hogan in the 80’s. He’s a big bruiser that can work a solid match and is believable in everything he does. Lucky for Dain, all his traits transition to the modern game just fine. If you followed him in Rev Pro, you’ll know Dain is not the type of bruiser that lacks agility and athleticism. Quite the opposite. But when you’re a big man in the WWE, those skills aren’t used all that often. Whatever the case may be, it’s obvious the WWE sees something in the Northern Irishmen since he is in the faction SAnitY and was also a participant in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

The negatives with Dain are that he’s still an unproven commodity. He’s working tags with his SAnitY teammate Alexander Wolfe and doing just fine. But he’s capable of so much more. He’s going to be held back on the mic and in the ring for the time being. This is all fine, but I fear he could be used in a similar manner to Luke Harper. Another great talent who was held back by being in a great faction while being overshadowed at the same time. I hope Dain is given an opportunity to shine when the time is right to break up SAnitY… Which I hope is in 2 or 3 years.

Projection: Mid Card/Occasional Main Eventer

7. Authors of Pain (AOP)

The Authors of Pain are a testament to the dream HHH had for developmental. Are they raw? Absolutely! Are they being protected by working with in ring technicians like Gargano and Ciampa? Yes! Is Paul Ellering only there because neither have a clue on what to do for a promo?Definitely! Does that matter? Not at all. They are believable killers that can be like the modern-day Road Warriors. And remember, all of those deficiencies will only decrease as they grow as performers.

The only issue I have currently with Akam and Rezar is some of the concern over working safely. The powerbomb botches need to stop, or they should cut it out all together. They work a physical style, which is fine. But if you are injuring opponents then you must adjust the moves you use, or use them safely. Lucky for them, they seem to be growing out of being dangerous workers and are improving. This is still something I want to keep an eye on until they are protecting opponents.

Regardless of the one major issue, these guys are money.

Projection: Solid Tag Unit/Future Road Warriors

6. Ember Moon

The refined Moon could make the jump to the main roster right now if needed. She’s that good. Luckily, she is being groomed to be the woman to knock off Asuka for the women’s title. I think this is great for her since she can use this time to really define the Ember Moon character. She has stated in the past that she drew inspiration from the character Patchface, who is from the epic fantasy novel series by George R.R. Martin entitled, A Song of Ice and Fire. If she’s given the opportunity to cut more promos and establish the character, she could become a very special talent.

I would like to see a couple changes in Moon’s game. One will take time, the other can be made now. The former needs to get more comfortable on the mic. This will come with opportunities and time. Whenever Moon gets her chances on the mic I see her memorizing lines as opposed to projecting emotion. I hope she can learn how to express emotion and believe what she is saying. When that happens, she will find a new level of connection to the audience. The other note is that I’m not a fan of the Eclipse, due to the set up taking so much time and the lack of opportunities to actually reverse the move. You can either get out of the way, or strike for a cutoff. That's it. I’d love for her to switch back to her sit-out scoop piledriver… but we know that won’t happen since the WWE is so against the piledrivers.

Projection: Solid Mid Card/Main Events