Shawn Michaels is the top booker in wrestling today
![WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2238,h_1258,x_0,y_40/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/87/01j338ncxpdptkjhbv9z.jpg)
As a developmental brand, WWE NXT's main purpose is to develop young wrestlers into superstars. It's not really like the minor leagues in Major League Baseball, but more like what the NBA G League is to the NBA. Any given day, a NXT superstar can make an appearance on Friday Night Smackdown or Monday Night Raw, and vice versa. At the end of the day, it is all about development.
Once you consider that, your approach to watching NXT should be slightly different than when you watch Raw or Smackdown -- you're watching for different reasons. What Shawn Michaels has done during his tenure as the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative and overseeing NXT, has completely turned the tides on what we now expect Tuesday nights. Since it is developmental, the goal is ultimately for superstars to join the main roster, and once they get there, they thrive and have successful careers.
Look at the landscape of the main roster right now. Not even two years, Solo Sikoa was the NXT North American Champion and was feuding with Carmelo Hayes. Fast forward to today, Hayes just participated in a Money In The Bank Ladder Match, and Sikoa is set to main event the party of the summer at Summerslam in an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match against Cody Rhodes. Earlier this year, Tiffany Stratton was wrapping up her final feud on NXT with Fallon Henley, and now she is Ms. Money In The Bank.
Look at this past Monday on Raw, the main event ends with former NXT Bron Breakker on the screen after demolishing two other superstars in Ilja Dragunov (also recent NXT call-up), and Sami Zayn. The three will likely be in a triple threat for the Intercontinental Championship match at Summerslam as well. The developmental brand as of late, has been doing its justice under Michaels' tutelage.
NXT's weekly program gets better and better
While we look at the past work, we also cannot overlook the weekly product on Tuesday nights. After losing out on all of these superstars mentioned above to the main roster, the weekly program continues to thrive and hasn't lost a step. One could argue, it's gotten even more unpredictable, and has gotten back to the old black and gold days -- pure professional wrestling. The current NXT Champion Ethan Page, was just signed by WWE not even two months ago.
The handling of Page in his short time in NXT is exactly why NXT continues to prosper. After being mishandled in AEW, Page comes to NXT and makes his debut and is instantly showcased as a top star -- and it has worked thus far. The same goes for the return of Shawn Spears. The NXT title picture right now is as hot as it has been. The WWE Universe was expected a longer title reign for Trick Williams, but was shocked when Page stole it from him at NXT Heatwave in a fatal four way.
In this match, two stars were born, Page and young up-and coming star Je'Von Evans. When the dust settles, Page will become one of the top heels on the brand (if he isn't already), and another star will arise. In addition to Page, Oba Femi has become a top star on the brand as well. So much in fact, that Femi could debut on the main roster next week and it would make total sense.
The women's division continues to be the best booked division in all of professional wrestling. NXT may not have the best women's roster, but Michaels brings the best out of all of them with his booking. His booking is why their division is so deep and was the first show to incorporate a women's midcard title. Often times, it almost even feels overcrowded, which is a great problem to have.
The way Roxanne Perez has been booked during her current NXT Women's Championship title reign has been incredible. Perez is putting together one of the best title reigns NXT has ever seen. Under Michaels' booking, Perez has thrived as both a babyface and a heel, but as a heel she seems a lot more comfortable and it has really worked for the growth of her character. Her latest promo was the best she has ever been on the mic.
From top to bottom, NXT has the most compelling characters and storytelling on a weekly basis. With all of the impressive moments NXT has to offer, the crossover with TNA has been the best addition to NXT. Beginning with Jordynne Grace challenging Perez for the NXT Women's title at NXT Stand & Deliver, we now have seen Joe Hendry two weeks in a row on NXT in both a main event match, and on commentary with Vic Joseph and Booker T.
Every week you tune in, you're in for a surprise, great matches, great storytelling, and quality character development. Which is more than you can ask for when it comes to NXT. It remains the most unpredictable, creative show WWE has to offer, and is exactly what makes Michaels the top booker in wrestling today.
feed