What would the Monday Night Wars have been if there was accessible social media? My go to website was Bill Apter's 1wrestling.com, which was maintained by the same crew who handled Extreme Championship Wrestling's web presence. The reason I found that was because of ECW, so as far as I could tell, straight from the promoters' mouth was the only way to obtain any news. This kept the war limited to TV, so unless a wrestler came on to a Canadian sports program, it was relatively drama free. Neither of the three sides seemed to make it personal.
Social media has definitely changed that perception. On one front, these are allegedly independent contractors. Thus, everyone has got to make a name for themselves. The only way to sell yourself is to display that you are the best regardless if you believe it. So it started with Seth Rollins claiming that bank account trumps the admiration of experts, the industry, and compassionate wrestling fans.
This was a poor decision since no one was out to take food from his table. The IWC was only inspired to see people stealing bread from decadents. They were not going hungry thanks to The Elite, but they felt like the rich kid was out for their lunch money. I realized the Black Days were over.
The trolls wanted to be fed and CM Punk has better things to do...
Like paying Colt Cabana's legal fees. The courts may not agree with me, but it is what a well off person should do for someone who can see everything go to shit in an instance. Sorry if I am under estimating Cabana's worth. My experience is you can keep pressing on and only be a credit score. The only problem I am having with that is a lack of resources to get a Matt Classic tattoo to offset my Punk montage. But more importantly, the courts allow for the rape culture in this country, so just settle out of court.
All Elite Wrestling are more than happy to fulfill the demand. For the most parts, these guys know how to cut promos, unlike a babyface Rollins. Dominik Dijakovic needs to develop that. Hence why he is NXT, WWE's developmental brand. In a way, his Twitter response to Kenny Omega's interview saying that NXT talent would be doing dark matches or opening the Dynamite is a fairly valid opinion.
I have seen Donovan Dijak live and know that he is uber talented. The issue is that an indie promotion like AAW, there is no time for promos. Your actions are your words. And this is the same when it comes to a Ring of Honor TV taping. If you have a great match, you will be talked about. Since it is difficult to know when and where to watch ROH (before Fite TV), that was enough to make sure the world knew who you were. But...
The televised product does not tell the world who you are. NJPW answered that with the press conference-style post match interviews. With Fox wanting a sports-based product, maybe they should have moved NXT to Friday to go and give hot indie talent under that roster the developmental answers. Once Dynamite debuts, to probably a big number than NXT, Triple H will do the wise thing and mimic the AEW format to hide the underdeveloped weaknesses.
It is too early for anyone to start calling something AEW lite, and there are definitely marks who will buy the WWE narrative. I doubt "WWE 2K20 "sales will decrease due to a protest of them highlighting their "Women's Revolution." Since I am a wrestling fan who feels another narrative needs to be out there, here are the NXT performers who should be satisfied with being in Tony Khan's "handshake and a hot dog" matches.
NXT's Developmental Talent
Aliyah
Arturo Ruas
Boa
Bronson Reed
Cezar Bonomi
Damian Priest
Dexter Lumis
Dominik Dijakovic
Forgotten Sons
Humberto Carillo
Joaquin Wilde
Kona Reeves
Mansoor
Raul Mendoza
Riddick Moss
Street Profits
Taynara Conti
Tino Sabbatelli
Vanessa Borne
Xia Li
When I look at this list, a lot of the talent need gimmicks or angles to make them ready for WWE TV. Much of the talents had never been established themselves as winners on the WWE Network, so an a good angle could make them ready, especially in the women's division. Kona Reeves will not be AEW ready since they have MJF and the Street Profits are not as talented as Private Party. As for the Forgotten Sons and Moss and Sabbatelli, they just look live Vince McMahon hires, so there is no place for them outside WWE.
After doing the math, NXT's roster is still comprised of more ready for TV talent than not. Neither side in the war will be booking NJPW style, so NXT has enough depth. The advantage AEW has though is they are not relying on soon-to-be ready for TV talent. If you are on Dynamite, you are a star. WWE has a lot of guys and girls who need pushed to eventually fill in, but with only so much time, 15 of those listed may only be sitting out contracts that will leave them without a name.
This leads me to think that the age of developmental territories has passed. Sorry Kenny Omega had to remind us of the not ready for prime time players to make me realize that.
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