‘Daniel Bryan’ Thinks ‘Finn Balor’ Should Have Made his RAW Debut “a year and a half ago”

In a sit-down interview with Michael Cole, Former WWE World Champion and current SmackDown!Live GM Daniel Bryan, layeth some home truths with regards to oft-forgotten but beloved brand, NXT.

In response to the former NXT, and mega-over, superstar Finn Balor’s recent sidelining injury. Bryan, no stranger to harsh bumps himself, had some interesting commentary on indie-darlings honing their craft down in NXT:

“Finn Balor should have been up here a year and a half ago. Right? And I understand that NXT is a very important part of our programming. A Very important part of the Network. But he was a superstar when we signed him and some people have to adjust to the WWE style [-] but that takes no more than six months.”

Although the respected Wrestler makes it clear that NXT is important to the WWE Business model and building new up-and-coming stars. Bryan goes on to comment that “Samoa Joe should already be here, Shinsuke Nakamura should already be here; those are guys in their primes and they’re down in NXT right now and they should be here on SmackDown Live or RAW.”

It’s hard to argue with Daniel’s points when it comes to known indie wrestlers biding their time in NXT while still facing the possibility of career ending injuries every-time they step into a WWE ring. Before Balor even made it onto Monday Night RAW, the first Universal Champion had already recovered from a serious Knee injury that kept him out of action for just under two months. It does however seem as if the GM underestimates how integral the small brand is when it comes to introducing smaller Pro-wrestling stars to the larger WWE universe .

Stars like Balor, Joe and Nakamura may have already made their name in other corners of Pro-Wrestling. But for better-or-for-worst WWE is the pinnacle of Sports Entertainment, which means sometimes for fans it is the first port of call for their wrestling fix. Not everyone is scouring the internet to watch AJ Styles Vs Shinsuke Nakamura’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 match or even still watching TNA. So how over would an off-camera name changed Prince Devitt be with a largely ignorant crowd or little kids that are only at live events because their parents took them.

It’s not to say that someone as talented as Finn wouldn’t have made a splash debuting on RAW straight away, he probably would have. But his stint in NXT shouldn’t be overlooked or seen as a waste of time when Triple H’s baby is without question honing stars to take the reigns from the current faces of the WWE.

At the moment former TNA star Bobby Roode is honing his ‘Glorious‘ Gimmick in front of the Full Sail audience. Whose to say if Roode will use it when he makes it onto the Main Stage but where is the harm in testing it out with an NXT crowd first?

The interview (which you can watch above), concludes with Cole drumming up heat for E!’s Total Bellas which stars Daniel Bryan alongside his wife Brie Bella, Nikki Bella and SmackDown! star John Cena. A prospect that causes Bryan to visible cringe, highlighting perhaps how the wrestler really feels about the Total Divas‘ spin-off show:

“It was a really tough part of my life and for people who are entertained by that, you can see it. I don’t necessarily want to relive it but yeah, it’ll go there.”

For all your SmackDown! Live News & Reviews, Follow @mitchrated and all of the #SkatronixxxWrestling team only on Skatronixxx.com

The NXT Review – May 25th 2016 – Boybands, Bombshells & Brand Extension

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! With another exciting (and storyline progressive) show ahead, I just want to take the time to mention this little Wrestling news called the New Era Brand Extension. Oh you heard of it!?

Well of course you did my friend, but what does this mean for NXT? Meh – I dunno. But what I can impart is my two cents on the matter and well … I’m in two minds on this. On the one hand with SmackDown! moving to Tuesday nights with a live show, the Big-Wigs could harness the chance to showcase new talent from our little-brand. Rather than planting wide-eyed and fresh-faced NXT stars on the main roster for the big guys to feast on. They could be given a chance to show their skills and establish themselves on the Blue-brand while (perhaps) playing double duty for NXT. I mean let’s be honest, for every Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Baron Corbin, there is a Adam Rose, Tyler Breeze and (poor guys) The Ascension. Who without any clear direction have floundered and fallen into obscurity on the frantic RAW Roster.

Put simply. With Championships and Talent spread across two shows, there is going be more opportunities for NXT stars to get a shot on the main stage and grasp for that damn Brass Ring that Mr. McMahon moans about constantly.

But lets put the hater hat on for a second. The WWE may be wrestling-entertainment but it is foremost a business. My snarky attitude to how the Biz handles fresh-talent is already blighted at best. Save for a handful of the talent mention, WWE will sooner drop you into a Gimmick-effused stable before it even gives the audience a chance to buy your merch. So what stops the ratings dictating who should be the “Face” and planting established Superstars at the head of Tuesday Night SmackDown!, effectively taking away New Era Stars opportunity to shine?

Hater-Aide enthused sure, but its not like WWE isn’t in it for the money. Why do you think John Cena has stuck around so long.

For the most part I’m cautiously excited for a brand split, but with very little information at this stage, I reserve the right to hold my comment until that SmackDown! roster and Championship line-up is revealed.

With that ahead of us let’s get back to the action with Johnny Gargano. With my team of Blake & Murphy seemingly parting ways last week, Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are fast filling their spot. My love for American Alpha aside that is.

The two favourites of NXT were a perfect match for a debuting Shane Thorne & Nick Miller, with a fast pace chain wrestling and an abundance of charisma in-between the ropes, it made for a successful introduction for the Australian duo.

But seriously TM-61 … sounds like a lame Boyband.

Austin Aires, never the one to be overlooked, called out the NXT Title scene prompting the King of Strong Style to saunter to the ring and cut a promo all over Ol’ Sparkle Pants himself. Its got to be worth mentioning that for a guy who English is not his first language, Shinsuke Nakamura put “the Guy” of WWE, Roman Reigns, to shame. #ShotsFired!

It wasn’t long until William Regal interfered announcing that the two would face-off on June 8th at TakeOver. Much to the delight of Nakamura whose toothy grin spoke volumes.

With Bayley sidelined with an injury, it was left to Carmella to step-up for her bestie in the nights Main Event to find the #1 Contender to Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship. But the favourite going into the Triple Threat Nia Jax and my favourite Alexa Bliss standing in her way. The two top Heels on NXT weren’t exactly going to move aside for the Princess of Stanton Island.

As my past hyperbolic statements regarding Carmella have shown, I am more than high on this woman. And yes her association to the perpetual underdogs Enzo & Cass doesn’t hurt her stock. But since the two guys have moved on-up, she has more than shown that she is not just a mere cheerleader but a serious competitor also.

That being said, it is Jax’s time to go onto the Title scene, I mean just look at that Double-Suplex she gave to her opponents, a thing of beauty. And a TakeOver match against Asuka is going to be epic.

This also means that Carmella and Alexa Bliss have the opportunity to enter feud which will no-doubt elevate the pair if the higher powers pull the trigger on it that is.

Go on WWE, excite me.

That sounded dirty didn’t it?

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx