Latest on WWE’s NXT Brand Expansion

The most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided the latest on WWE’s NXT brand expansion plans. As previously reported, NXT is already beginning to tour and put on house shows, and Triple H wants to make the brand more of a rival promotion to WWE than just a developmental territory.

According to the report, Triple H is loving all the online “thank you’s” and praise that he receives due to his name being attached to NXT.  Social Media seems to erupt with adoration towards Triple H once an “NXT Takeover” special airs, where the Squared Circle subreddit group even sent the man an “Edible Arrangement” food package following the special that aired in December, 2014.

Much like their previous stints in Deep South Wresting, Ohio Valley Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling, and other territories used for developmental purposes, WWE was originally only going to use the NXT promotion and “NXT” program to train talent from nothing, to WWE main roster superstar. However, with Triple H wanting NXT to now be it’s own brand aside from WWE, the company appears to be recruiting top talent from around the independent circuit to merely be on the NXT roster, not WWE’s.

According to Dave Meltzer, the though backstage now is to replace the few people they want to bring up to the main roster with other well known independent stars like Uhaa Nation and Samoa Joe. Nation has been signed to a deal, and Samoa Joe is reportedly in negotiations. WWE officials are also looking at adding several wrestlers from Ring Of Honor.

Apparently, NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks, former NXT Champion Adrian Neville, and former NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte are three superstars that WWE main roster officials want to bring up as soon as possible. Given the company’s track record with debuts from NXT on WWE TV, post-WrestleMania season, possibly even the night after WrestleMania 31, may be when one, or all superstars debut on the main roster. No timeline has been revealed, but the word is that the company wants them on television soon.

Editor’s Note:
NXT is gonna become a well-funded indy promotion? That could REALLY damage other promotions like PWG, ROH, TNA (basically an indy at this point).