The Wrestling Prospectus

Caleb Carnes
Aug 6, 2017
3 min read

Now that the we have finished going over NXT's "Top 20" superstar prospects in detail (start here), the Prospectus is going to focus more on the ongoing progress of these superstars on a week to week basis. Who is trending up? Who is trending down? And who is making moves on the NXT prospect rankings? Join YLW contributor Caleb Carnes as he takes us through all of this, and feel free to join the debate by commenting and expressing your thoughts in the Disqus comment board at the end of each week's Prospectus!

TRENDING UP

Welcome to NXT Kyle O'Reilly. With both members of Red Dragon losing their debuts to Alister Black, it is interesting to see what happens going forward for the duo. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Kyle has a fantastic mix of submissions and strikes that gives him the aura of legitimacy needed to work in the heavyweight division and succeed. Kyle is talented enough to be a possible main eventer on his own but the quickest way to the main roster might be in a tag team. For the time being, Kyle gets a top 10 spot and is someone to keep an eye on as a possible challenger for the NXT title.

The one negative I saw for Kyle during his debut was his physique wasn’t as good as I’ve seen in the past. He could be looking to bulk up and is adding mass before he looks for definition. I understand what he’s going for, but the first impression might not pop if he’s in the middle of adding a diet change. This wont hold him back by any means. Kyle is too talented to let something so trivial hold him back.

TRENDING DOWN

Percy Watson has a tough job and I don’t envy his position. Trying to be a face commentator is not easy to pull off. I can’t hate on Byron Saxton because he’s the closest thing I’ve seen to a successful face announcer. Percy lacks the charm of Byron. and the Mauro Ranello and Nigel McGuinness are going to overshadow him because of talent and experience alone. But basic things like annunciating are a constant problem. This could be nerves because he is downfall but he must work past that soon. If not, I’d love to see a Nigel McGuinness, Mauro Ranello, Steve Corino announce team on NXT. Nigel is talented enough to turn face and if you know anything about Corino, he can communicate and be a heel.

NOTES FROM NXT (8/2/17)

1. Welcome back Johnny Wrestling. It’s a great sign that he has his own entrance and is getting a push. All I know is, I can’t wait for the Gargano/Ciampa blow off.

2. Gargano’s move set is perfect for the underdog face. Especially his comeback.

3. I enjoy the setting for tonight’s Authors of Pain promo. The boiler room setting and “Monsters are Real” tag line was fitting and catchy.

4. Soooo Asuka is gorgeous. I said it. But NXT needs to understand that having her do in ring promo’s will not work right now. Her English is improving, but her emphasis on the wrong syllables (insert Jim Carey jokes) and needless yelling, hold her back. Moon needs to get a little more natural on the mic. She’s currently memorizing lines and isn’t showing emotion.

5. But Damn that slap was AWESOME! The receipt was fine but damn that slap was great.

6. I will always enjoy wrestlers with MMA backgrounds. Sonya is showing some real talent, but is green. Her footwork is what impresses me. You don’t see her crossing up her feet like many wrestlers do when they are just starting out. She has a future.

7. Yes! Yes! Yes! Give me Alister Black vs. Hideo Itami any day. This match has to happen in Brooklyn, right? Great sell by Itami on the black mass.

8. Kyle and Alister worked a very good solid shoot style match. For me, this shoot style of wrestling looked so different and I loved it. Homage’s to Bas Rutten, Frank Shamrock and Kazushi Sakuraba was beautifully executed. For me, the match gets an A grade. Great match gents.

9. Mauro deserves major credit for his ability to draw you in with his energy and excitement. JBL might have bullied Mauro off of Smackdown, but damn is NXT better off with him.

RANKINGS