I don’t think NXT Japan will be a success
I don’t think NXT Japan will be a success
Michael Cole: Do you not have a soul?
Corey Graves: Probably not
Okay, that got a laugh out of me
I doubt WWE can get a foothold in the Japanese scene. Japanese wrestling has it's own unique style, culture and history much like Mexico which will make Japan tough to crack. They already failed trying to buy Noah. They won't be able to steamroll the region like they did with UK.
It doesnt feel like NXT UK has been that big of an impact so I dont know about adding another somewhat derivative show with NXT Japan. There is already a lot of content every week wrestling wise.
So Kairi Sane got married, congrats to her.
I'd agree NXT UK hasn't had that big of an impact.
That said, I DO believe it helped give Pete Dunne and Rhea Ripley platforms to become bigger stars. And I also think you can make a pretty descent arguement that in terms of pure in-ring content, NXT UK is as good as anything else on the planet. You can compare it pretty favorably to anything from New Japan to ROH and everything in between. So for those who want good in-ring stuff, the WWE network becomes a very accessible way of getting that fix.
So while it's not a HUGE money maker (if anything NXT as a whole probably puts Vince in he red a lot of the time), I think it adds value to the network and creates an additional platform to give stars more exposure.
Last Read: Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong
Monthly Pull List: Alan Scott: The Green Lantern, Birds of Prey, Daredevil, Geiger, Green Arrow, Justice Ducks, Justice Society of America, Negaduck, Nightwing, Phantom Road, Shazam!, Suicide Squad: Dream Team, Thundercats, Titans
In the least we won't have to worry about that happening in Japan though. Compared to New Japan, NXT will probably just be a blip on the radar. So in that regard, I think an NXT there would get all of the benefits of a WWE developmental in the region without any of the drawbacks.
Last Read: Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong
Monthly Pull List: Alan Scott: The Green Lantern, Birds of Prey, Daredevil, Geiger, Green Arrow, Justice Ducks, Justice Society of America, Negaduck, Nightwing, Phantom Road, Shazam!, Suicide Squad: Dream Team, Thundercats, Titans
I don't see the point. WWE has shown little to no ability to properly push non English speaking talent. I understand having partnerships with other promotions. That makes sense. You get to pick what you need from them without having to much time and money. Getting a few gems like Walter, Dunne, Ripley, and Storm doesn't justify a whole performance center.
Again though, it's also content (which for a streaming business model is necessary). Each NXT is another weekly program along with their own PPV's.
And it's WWE creating it's own alternative to sports entertainment. If you're not interested in Vinces brand of wrestling, you can get some of the best pure in-wrestling content out there on the same WWE network. I'd argue NXT is a better WWE alternative than AEW is, for example.
I get providing content, but WWE doesn't lack for performers to create content with. Also having your own platform means you can any show you want. Cornette revealed that the NWA thought they were going to be on the Network.
Speaking of the Network, has anyone else heard the rumor that the WWE is going to sell their ppv to ESPN?
NXT japan just might end being distant no 2 in Japan. If they poach the right talent.
Anyway ESPN should get Wrestlemania and Summer Slam.