Opinion: No NXT Stars Should be Drafted on Next Week’s Live “Smackdown”

 Next Tuesday, July 19, will go down as one of the most historic days in WWE’s storied history. Not only will “Smackdown” go live for the very first time, but it will also feature the return of the brand extension. There will be exclusive stars for both “Raw” and “Smackdown,” and each show will feature unique storylines and matches.

With so much talent on the main roster right now, this is a wonderful move for all involved. It will give all of the major players in the company a chance to do what they do best, as well as give more of the mid card talent an opportunity to have lengthy, meaningful storylines on the big stage.

Going into draft week, one of the big questions on everyone’s mind is what will happen with NXT. There is plenty of amazing talent in WWE’s developmental system, and several of that brand’s superstars will make an immediate impact on the main roster once they are called up. There have been rumors that WWE is preparing to bring several NXT competitors to the main roster on next week’s live show.

However, I strongly feel that next Tuesday evening, at the live draft, no one from NXT should be called up to either “Raw” or “Smackdown.”

Let me start off by saying that I LOVE NXT. Bayley, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, American Alpha, and Asuka are among the many fantastic performers within that brand. When these superstars do make it up to the main roster, they will make their presence known right away, and the reaction from the crowd upon their debut, will be one of those special moments that we look forward to each time we tune in to WWE programming.

However, in watching several of the NXT call-ups over the recent years, I feel that the moment is always more special when the debut is a surprise, and no one sees it coming. The pure excitement that is exuded from the crowd during an unexpected NXT debut, is something that we tend to remember more as time goes by.

Compare the recent debuts of Apollo Crews and Enzo Amore/Big Cass. Crews was publicized before he began, while Enzo/Cass were a surprise. Crews’ debut reaction was somewhat apathetic, while the reaction that the crowd gave when Enzo/Cass came out for the first time gave me goosebumps. I’ve probably re-watched that segment 10-15 times, and I love it every time.

Granted, Enzo/Cass are bigger stars than Crews, but the point is that the reaction is always bigger and more organic when the debut is a surprise. Crews might have gotten a bigger reaction, and might be a bigger star if his debut would have been unannounced.

The two biggest names that come to mind for stars that should not be drafted is Bayley and Finn Bálor. Even without having taken one step on the main roster, they are two of the most over superstars in the company. Their debuts are going to be moments that will be talked about for many years to come, and should be surprises for the crowd.

The natural excitement and reaction from the live audience, as well as everyone watching around the world on social media, will be electric for the debut both of these stars. It would be even more special if it was announced and done either via a run-in, or in Bayley’s case, the surprise pick for Sasha Banks’ partner at “Battleground.”

It will be truly a wonderful thing when the next generation of NXT stars are called up to the main roster in the next few months. However, keeping their debuts a surprise will make them all the more special, and will create moments that will live in the memories of the WWE Universe forever.

Follow @Dericho06