Tag team wrestling was once an important part of the show for both AEW and WWE. Suddenly, and without explanation, which changed as both promotions failed to do long term, impactful run with their tag rosters. All the while, Nathan Frazer and Axiom were doing some of the best work in wrestling in NXT. Known as Fraxiom, that act finally moved to the main roster, and just like many other acts who thrived in NXT, they disappeared. It’s unfortunate, but “Where is Fraxiom” is a question that fans shouldn’t be asking this quickly.
If Sheamus is known for putting on “banger after banger,” what is it called when a tag team does the same thing? While that may not have a catchy name, Fraxiom was the epitome of entertaining tag team wrestling during their time in NXT. Their resume includes some epic matches in a brand and division that did not have much depth beyond them.
It was that run that made a main roster call-up so interesting. If Nathan Frazer and Axiom could excel with the talent they faced in NXT, what type of magic could they make on the main roster? Fraxiom versus the likes of The Motor City Machine Guns, DIY, Street Profits, LWO, and several other teams jumped off the page. Fans were excited, and they should have been. But, like many things with WWE, that excitement did not last long.
Now, before we dive into where WWE has failed with Fraxiom, one cannot ignore the greatness that was the six-team TLC match that stole the show SummerSlam weekend. There have been some good matches on weekly SmackDown television as well. Look back to their May matches against Street Profits and DIY as examples.
But where did that onus to present these two men as excellent performers go? Fraxiom went from a featured team in the division, to frequently showing up on Main Event. They were smashed by Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker back on September 19. Before that, their last match on SmackDown was on August 15. In fact, since that excellent TLC match, those have been the only two televised matches the team has had. Quite the drop off and not in a great way.
Nathan Frazer and Axiom are yet another example of SmackDown’s booking and weekly show quality not being great. Two talented performers like them should be on television each week. Fans have seen what they can do when given the chance under the bright lights. Why isn’t that same effort happening on the main roster? Is it because the roster is too big? Is it because the booking on Raw and SmackDown isn’t as good as the booking on NXT? There are probably more answers to all the questions, but the outcome is still the same, Fraxiom is off television at a time when WWE needs them and new stars the most.
The men’s division in WWE needs some help. Depth is certainly lacking, and that’s not a good look with so many talented performers sitting on the sidelines. Nathan Frazer and Axiom are two of those stars, yet sadly, they are tucked away from television. Forcing fans to ask where is one of the best tag teams in the business.