Smark Out Moment

Thanks to some generous investors, Superstar Stock Market is back! This is the series where Smark Out Moment's resident financial advisor guides you on the future of the WWE's upcoming talent. Examining details from booking to backstage, ring skills to crowd reaction, we analyze if a superstar is worth investing in, or if they'll leave you in emotional debt.

This edition concentrates on a wrestling veteran and one half of the Raw Tag Team Champions at the time of writing, the Glorious Bobby Roode. A mainstay of TNA for a long portion, and recently has been a part of NXT, then SmackDown Live and now Raw. Roode has won quite a lot of gold in his still short tenure in the WWE, and has been a important feature of the midcard.

But does being a tag team champion ensure a bright successful future for Roode? Possibilities can be achieving immense success like The New Day and The Shield, or whatever place we have for The B-Tteam and The Colons. Which path will this former United States and NXT Champion follow? And with such a bloated current day roster will he rise to the top again, or are his days of single's glory in the past?

So read on too find out if the Glorious one's potential stocks in the market have a future as shiny as his robe.

Background

Trained in his home country of Canada, Bobby Roode began his work with small Canadian independent promotions and a Puerto Rican one (WWC) in 1998 at the age of 21. He spent few years working with Reality Action Wrestling, NWA affiliated promotions and even dark matches for the then WWF. But it was in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) where he gained his fame and expertise.


He spent a very lucrative 12 years in the promotion, as he was switching names from Robert Roode to Bobby Roode and TNA slowly grew to be super popular and became the #2 American promotion after WWE. Roode spent these years in tag team competition as part of Beer money as well as in the mid card and main event scene, being a important fixture wherever he was on the cards and winning gold in each division too.

After this is when he decided to join NXT which slowly is becoming the go to place for top superstars of other promotions. Becoming NXT champion there and having a great reign, he was then called up to the main roster on SmackDown live, but as a face instead of a heel now and there he continued his career.

The Last 12 Months...

Starting of 2018, by winning the US Championship on the 16th of January after winning a tournament, the year seemed to be assuredly a great one for him. However it was soon realized that it might not always be the case. Roode went on to defend his title at the Rumble, in a open challenge pre-show match against Mojo Rawley, a defense that was certainly seen as a low point for him. But then after a good defense against Rusev, lost the title to Randy Orton at Fastlane. This was transformed into a 3-way feud with Mahal and then finally a Fatal 4-Way at WrestleMania with Rusev too, which Mahal won. Also during this time was Roode participating in and going really far in the Mixed Match Challenge with partner Charlotte Flair. So the first part of 2018 was unstable in terms of highs and lows for him.

After Mania was a fresh start for Roode as he was moved over to Raw as part of the Superstar Shakeup and was revealed as a shock entry to a main event tag match, presenting him as an immediate top tier addition. But again things cooled off as he played an ordinary role in the Greatest Royal Rumble and then a time filling rivalry with Elias. Though he did participate in the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match, that loss really put him to the back of the line on Raw. May to September was filled with worthless losses and really presented Roode as filler to Raw while appearing on main event too, until September 3rd where a new chapter began.

Bobby Roode was paired up with Chad Gable as a sort of completely random alliance. It started off very slowly and with no fanfare just weekly matches but after two months of this was when they were pushed, captaining the Raw tag team side on the Survivor Series pre-show and then contending directly for the belts. Finally, on December 10th, they beat the AOP and Drake Maverick in a handicap match, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship. Though this reign would be smeared by the creative team not giving much attention and having feuds based on pee, it still has been presenting us with good matches when given the chance. Also during this period was season 2 of the MMC where he and Natalya participated, but unlike last season, did not perform that well.

"

Impact

No pun intended here, but his impact on TNA was major, with tag team, main event or other title divisions largely putting him on center stage and his top runs there really defining Impact wrestling at the time, putting him as an original and sort of a legend over there. Even in NXT he will be remembered as one of the greatest heels, till date at least, presenting great rivalries and a main even run.


On the main roster, though, it is not nearly as powerful. He certainly has built his place, and up to date has played a big role in the midcard and tag team division. But his impact has been of a veteran mid player in the shows of Raw and SmackDown, but not of a top star role like in previous positions.

Win-Loss Record (NXT, Raw, SmackDown TV tapings and PPVs since debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II)

NXT TakeOver/ WWE Pay-Per-View Results Breakdown

NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II - Defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas (2.75*)
NXT TakeOver:Toronto - Defeated Tye Dillinger (3.75*)
NXT TakeOver:San Antonio - Defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT Championship, 4.25*)
NXT TakeOver:Orlando - Defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT Championship,4.5*)
NXT TakeOver: Chicago - Defeated Hideo Itami (NXT Championship,4.25*)
NXT TakeOver:Brooklyn III - Lost to Drew McIntyre (NXT Championship,4.25*)
Hell in a Cell 2017 - Defeated Dolph Ziggler (2.75*)
Survivor Series 2017 - Lost as part of Team SmackDown to Team Raw in 5 on 5 match(1.75*)
Clash of Champions 2017 - Lost to Dolph Ziggler, triple threat match also including Baron Corbin (US Championship, 3.5*)
Royal Rumble 2018 - Defeated Mojo Rawley in open challenge pre-show match (US Championship,1.75*)
Fastlane 2018 - Lost to Randy Orton (US Championship,3.5*)
Wrestlemania 34 - Lost to Jinder Mahal in fatal 4 way also including Rusev and Randy Orton (US Championship,2.75*)
Greatest Royal Rumble - Lost 50 Man Greatest Royal Rumble Match (3.25*)
Money in the Bank 2018 - Lost 8 man money in the bank ladder match to Braun Strowman (4.25*)
Survivor Series 2018 - Lost as part of team Raw to SmackDown in pre-show 10 on 10 tag team survivor series match (3.5*)

Gimmick Potential & Look

On NXT and majority of his Impact run, Roode had a look and character that although does sound common and basic, was taken by him and used in a way that had his distinct elements, which helped make it interesting. He was a cowardly and self absorbed heel, wanting his greatness to be recognized and for him to automatically be given opportunities. The obnoxious look and portrayal really worked well and fit in perfectly to the shows.

But it has been diluted way too much since he was called up, converting to a bland babyface left with the theme song, catchphrase and robe - tangible parts of the gimmick that made him so great earlier. While the look is glorious of course due to the sparkly robe and royal air around him, his current gimmick seems to have no base except a veteran wanting to be good. This has been hampering his growth and connection with the fans recently.

Signature Moves & Ring Work

The in-ring work of Bobby Roode gives off a very old school vibe, it is one with lots of grappling and holds and slow wearing down of opponents. Roode is a superstar who cannot be faulted in his fundamentals and basics, showing a great side for storytelling and technique. But while a great technical wrestler, there seem to be a lot of different opinions on how entertaining he is in the ring, ranging from top class to decent and for some, boring. It appears that this style some times and to some fans may appear as slow and dull which takes away from the match for them, but for the other opinionated fans as masterpieces.

Effective classic moves like the Impaler DDT (glorious DDT), spinebusters, chops and suplexes round of his typical offense along with a few blockbusters and neckbreakers here and there. So the fans tastes and Roode's adaptation are the two instrumental factors that decide whether his ring work shall help his rise or lead in a decline in the future.

Mic Skills & Charisma

The wrestling world was instantly intrigued and got talking when Bobby Roode made his debut in NXT with a promo and the declaration of his glorious shtick. His charisma and mic skills along with how he portrayed himself got him noticed as a important character even by those unfamiliar with his previous work in TNA. Even there, as part of Beer Money or the condescending main-eventer, his promos are known to be great and he has lots of charisma.

The only problem is that he has to be cast in the right role, because as we have seen on the main roster, his character has seemed bland, a lot of his feuds have seemed to have no substance and hence the output quite often has not been good. So if casting is right, Roode can easily win over the show with his gift of gab.

Championship Credentials

Roode has held all kinds of gold during his time in Impact, and the main one of NXT so that of course makes him a top level guy with lot of championship experience and credentials. Even on the main roster he has held the US championship before and at the time of writing is one half of the Raw tag team champions.


These reigns show that on the main roster he is already established as a important part of the midcard. Unfortunately, they have not been special yet, and treatment in this department has not been very kind to him.

Highest Peak

NXT TakeOver: San Antonio (1.28.17) Crowning of a new champion

Apart from maybe his time and moments spent as TNA World Champion coming close, this seems to be undoubtedly Bobby Roode's greatest moment till date. After a hot debut with the catchiest theme song on NXT TV and then a great showing at Takeover, Roode seemed earmarked for NXT success, And despite his veteran status being on a "developmental" show presenting a different picture earlier, Roode's popularity grew, entering him into the main event scene of NXT.

On this night, appearing as a great arrogant heel against Nakamura, Roode wore down his knees in a great technical match-up with a dominant ending of Shinsuke not being able to continue and creating a great moment- crowning Roode as the NXT champion and being the beginning of a great reign.

Lowest Valley

WWE Raw October 1st 2018: Losing to the Ascension?

This is the moment I would label as the low of Roode's career in the WWE, though it does pick up slightly a month and a half after this, slightly.... Among the pre-show royal rumble open challenge answered by Mojo Rawley out of all people, being squashed by Braun in a singles match and tag team battle royal, and a few times wrestling on Main event, this is the weak one.

No offense to them, but it is no secret how less cares in the world there are for the Ascension, by the fans or by WWE management. Not only was Roode put in a mini feud with Konnor and Viktor besides his randomly booked tag team partner Chad Gable, but this sub 5 minute singles match saw Konnor beat and pin the former TNA and NXT Champion. Yes, Konnor pinned Bobby Roode and another part of this whole mess is how nobody in the crowd cared about the partnership between Roode and Gable, or about the match, which lead to complete crickets in the audience.

A career filled with main event championships and high level glory to attain the status of a highly respected vet, leading to such booking? What a low.

Advantages

• Highly experienced veteran and reliable in ring worker
• Captivating in ring story teller
• THE BEST Theme music
• Has already established gimmicks to fall back to, either face or heel
• Really good at promos specially as a heel
• Capable of putting on great old school technical matches
• NXT booking was great so chances to redeem

Disadvantages

• Age is high, past his prime
• Not that over as a face
• Bloated roster already
• Weak booking on the main roster
• Fans might get tired of the theme and catchphrase shtick.
• In ring style may become dull and boring sometimes

Conclusion

You may have noticed the constant highlighting of unstable booking patterns and age of Bobby Roode which will of course directly effect his future as part of the main roster. Hence despite his talented promo skills, veteran status and technical wrestling skills, the disadvantages seem to have a higher bearing on the fact that I do not consider Roode a very promising investment.


As part of the midcard though, despite his previous booking patterns there still is a place for the Glorious one to fit in. His use in previous places like Impact and NXT (part of WWE of course) has been monumental to the promotions and that can be brought back in the way of a heel turn. Perhaps the veteran status, championship history and all the experience in his prior gimmicks show that in the long run, he will do good as a stock security. After all the theme song and robes are still cool! And all of this exists not to mention his superior storytelling in the ring when given a chance.

However the roster is the most bloated it has potentially ever been, and the recent McMahon regime takeover seems to suggest pushing of younger faster superstars like Mustafa Ali and Andrade, or those with a certain aura like Strowman and Reigns rather than those with old school vibes. Additionally I assume due to above mentioned factors, that his time in the main event scene is up and not enough time will be spent in his character growth. I feel occasional IC, US or tag team titles, guiding younger talent and putting them over when necessary will define Roode's future in the company, which while is a great role many wish to be in, does not promise much when searching for superstars offering the brightest of returns on investment.

This is all speculation of course, and in the end the talented general may just end up having a future much more Glorious than anticipated by me in this article.

Thanks to some generous investors, Superstar Stock Market is back! This is the series where Smark Out Moment's resident financial advisor guides you on the future of the WWE's upcoming talent. Examining details from booking to backstage, ring skills to crowd reaction, we analyze if a superstar is worth investing in, or if they'll leave you in emotional debt.

This edition concentrates on one of the newest additions to the Raw roster—Ember Moon. The former NXT Women's Champion has made a noticeable impression since joining the red brand, as she is yet to be defeated and was the first person to qualify for the upcoming Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

However, with Raw bursting with valuable commodities including Ronda Rousey, Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks and the current Women's Champion Nia Jax, could Ember's fire be extinguished while others receive the star treatment? Or, will she rise like a phoenix to become a true trailblazer in the women's division?

If you're worried about getting burned out on fire-related puns, I'd turn away now. If not, then let's delve into the potential stock market value of Ember Moon.

Background

While she is a new face to most fans of Raw, Ember Moon has a storied history in professional wrestling, making her debut way back in November 2007 for Professional Championship Wrestling.

Wrestling under the name Athena, Moon is probably best remembered for her stint in Shimmer, where she competed on numerous shows against people fans of WWE and NXT would soon become very familiar with, including Mia Yim, Mercedes Martinez and Candice LeRae.

Moon wrestled for several other promotions, including Women Superstars Uncensored, Pro Wrestling Alliance and Absolute Intense Wrestling, picking up a few championships along the way, before she reported to WWE's Performance Center in September 2015.

The Last 12 Months...

The majority of 2017 and the start of 2018 has been a rollercoaster for Ember Moon, who experienced soaring heights and the lowest of lows during her run in NXT. She suffered her first defeat at NXT TakeOver: Orlando, where she failed to capture the NXT Women's Championship from the also undefeated Asuka. Shortly after, she would suffer a shoulder injury that would rule her out of a further championship match.

Not to be deterred, Moon challenged Asuka again at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 3, and despite an excellent showing in a great match, the Empress of Tomorrow proved too resilient for the Shenom. It would take an unfortunate twist of fate for her to ascend to the top of the division, as Asuka's injury hastened her call-up to the main roster, and left the title vacant. Moon overcame Peyton Royce, Nikki Cross, and Kairi Sane to win the match and finally capture the NXT Women's Championship.

The remainder of Ember Moon's NXT run was spent embroiled in a heated feud over the title with Shayna Baszler. These fiery confrontations with the Queen of Spades produced some strong, physical matches, but sadly also exposed a lot of Moon's shortcomings, both on promos and as a character. Moon was defeated by Baszler at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, and she would debut on Raw the following night, teaming with Nia Jax to defeat Alexa Bliss and Mickie James.

Impact

It is difficult to effectively gauge the impact Ember Moon has left on both NXT and WWE. Her wrestling ability, unique entrance and insane finisher, The Eclipse, certainly caught the attention of fans quickly, and Moon has been heralded often for her wrestling ability. Nevertheless, as a character and personality Moon has fallen a little short, not having a powerful, pronounced character that lives up to her face-value presentation.

And, unfair as this may sound, her impact on NXT is muted by developing in the shadow of arguably the promotions biggest star male or female, Asuka. Moon's rise fell somewhat under the radar against the prestige of Asuka's celebrated reign and unmatched unbeaten streak. Whenever they met one-on-one, Moon always came up that little bit short, and even when she captured the NXT Women's Championship, she still felt firmly entrenched below Asuka, and her feud with Shayna Baszler went down a very similar road.

If NXT is any indication of her future in WWE, Ember Moon will be a reliable and spectacular hand in the ring, but not someone you can build a women's division around. Hopefully, the new scenery on Raw will change that opinion.

Win-Loss Record (NXT/Raw TV tapings and PPVs since TakeOver: Brooklyn 2)

NXT TakeOver/WWE PPV Results

TakeOver: Brooklyn 2 - Defeated Billie Kay (1.5*)
TakeOver: Orlando - Lost to Asuka (NXT Women's Championship, 4.25*)
TakeOver: Brooklyn 3 - Lost to Asuka (NXT Women's Championship, 4.5*)
TakeOver: WarGames - Defeated Kairi Sane, Peyton Royce and Nikki Cross (NXT Women's Championship, 3.25*)
TakeOver: Philadelphia - Defeated Shayna Baszler (NXT Women's Championship, 2.75*)
Royal Rumble - Lost Royal Rumble match, eliminated by Asuka (3.25*)
TakeOver: New Orleans - Lost to Shayna Baszler (NXT Women’s Championship, 3.25*)

Gimmick Potential & Look

As soon as Ember Moon arrived in NXT, she had a unique look and presence that set her apart from everybody else on the roster. Her character demonstrated a supernatural quality to it, and inspirations from anime heroines. The entrance is exceptionally good - the music is terrific, her motions to the ring all have purpose, the color in her contact lenses is striking. Moon's outfit and overall appearance is far different than most superstars in WWE at present.

However, the character is tinged by the fact that backstage or during promos, she is completely normal. It's a similar issue that I have with the likes of Finn Balor and Aleister Black - they have a look and style which makes them enigmatic compared to the rest of the roster, but once the entrance or match is over and they're talking to an interviewer or in the locker room, they just revert to being just a person.

Ember Moon for me is an example of a wrestler with an utterly unique look who has been crippled by generic booking and minimal character development.

Signature Moves & Ringwork

There's no two ways about it - Ember Moon is a fantastic wrestler. Encompassing both WWE and NXT's women's rosters, I would place her in my top five pure in-ring performers. She's explosive, agile and athletic, while having ability to tell strong stories and sell effectively. Moon incorporates a number of springboard moves that few other female performers utilize at present, meaning her matches always promise something different and can almost always hype up the audience.

Then, there is the Eclipse, unquestionably one of the most jaw-dropping finishers in WWE right now. Few people would be able to pull off a diving stunner with the same level of precision and theatricality as Ember Moon. That move alone could maintain her popularity for the remainder of her career - look at what the RKO did for Randy Orton...

Mic Skills & Charisma

This is where Ember Moon's rising stock faces a potential crash, and it is not entirely her fault. Her in-ring charisma is excellent, and she always feels like she belongs in a WWE ring. But, as comfortable as she looks in the ring, she looks equally uncomfortable on the microphone. She's very likable, positive and is a solid babyface, but she's quite bland. For someone with her presence, entrance and attire, having a bland personality stands out even more.

However, I feel the biggest issue is how WWE's writers will treat her. Following her qualification for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, she said this in a post-match interview:

"You know what? I'm over the moon. An underdog? You can say whatever you want. People have tried to put limits on me my entire life and you know what? I prove them wrong and rise to the challenge every time."

Really? Two moon puns in a few sentences. Now, me and Tony love a pun, but it just makes Moon feel like a joke character rather than a serious championship contender. With the name Ember Moon, I am convinced she'll have to endure scripts with fire and moon based puns for the remainder of her WWE run.

Championship Credentials

Ember Moon has already held the NXT Women's Championship, a title with one of the strongest lineages in the whole of WWE. I do not believe a single undeserving person has ever held that title, so to have held it at all lends instant credibility to a superstar. Yet, having followed Asuka, arguably the greatest ever champion, and not actually defeating her for it, hurt her credentials as champion, as did only having one meaningful feud after winning the title with Shayna Baszler.

Unfortunately, at the time of writing I feel Moon is unquestionably the weakest NXT Women's Champion in the title's five-year history, not only due to having the shortest reign, but not making her mark on the championship in the way that Paige, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley and Asuka accomplished before her.

Highest Peak

NXT Takeover: WarGames (11/18/2017) – Fantastic Fourway

On this night, Ember Moon finally rose to the occasion. After being unable to break Asuka's once-fabled streak, a twist of fate gave her the opportunity she was waiting for, as the Empress of Tomorrow was forced to relinquish her title due to injury.

In her home state of Texas, Moon ascended to the summit of the NXT's women's division by defeating Nikki Cross, Peyton Royce and Kairi Sane on the same night to capture the coveted title for the first and only time.

Lowest Valley

NXT (5/3/2017) – Disarmed by Asuka

Fresh off of her tightly-fought defeat at the hands of Asuka at NXT TakeOver: Orlando, Ember Moon was placed in a Battle Royal to crown a new number one contender. Down to her, Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross, Asuka interfered to decimate all three performers, resulting in a no contest. This was designed to lead to a Fatal Fourway in Chicago.

Unfortunately, when Asuka threw Moon out of the ring, she suffered a shoulder injury, ruling her out of the match, and significantly cooling a lot of the momentum she had built up in the previous year. It didn't curtail her evolution entirely, but I think it cooled her reaction from the crowd for a period of time, and it required a classic performance with Asuka in Brooklyn to restore that standing.

Advantages

• Extremely athletic
• High-flying, captivating performer
• Unique look and gimmick
• Great selling
• Spectacular finisher
• Championship credibility
  

Disadvantages

• Bland promo ability
• Poor character development
• Weak NXT Women's Championship reign
• Could be victim of bad writing
• Crowded Raw women's division
  

Conclusion

So, is Ember Moon a risky investment, or a sure-fire success? As much as it pains me to say, because I am in awe of her in-ring ability, my gut instinct is that Moon is too much of a risk to place a ton of stock in going forward.

Between the ropes, Moon undoubtedly has all the tools to succeed and rise to the top of WWE. Yet, as Alexa Bliss, Carmella and Nia Jax have demonstrated recently, that doesn't have a great bearing on your prospects of future championships.

She unfortunately is part of an extremely crowded Raw women's division, and could easily be lost in the shuffle before long. Think about the competition - Ronda Rousey is a juggernaut of popularity and mainstream appeal, and through association this also elevates Mickie James and Natalya. Nia Jax is the current champion, the Riott Squad has a noticeable presence, Alexa Bliss will still be featured, while Bayley and Sasha Banks will continue their endless, horrible storyline.

Is there any room for Ember Moon in that clustered environment? Personally, I feel that beyond Money in the Bank she will regress to being fodder for the heels that will be challenging for championships going forward, and her opportunities at the Raw Women's Championship will be limited to multi-person matches and matches like Money in the Bank and the Royal Rumble.

However, if she does manage do grab the briefcase at Money in the Bank, Moon will be going a long way to proving me wrong.

Thanks to some generous investors, Superstar Stock Market is back! This is the series where Smark Out Moment's resident financial advisor guides you on the future of the WWE's upcoming talent. Examining details from booking to backstage, ring skills to crowd reaction, we analyze if a superstar is worth investing in, or if they'll leave you in emotional debt.

The subject of this article is indie sensation and mysterious NXT superstar, Aleister Black. The Dutch Destroyer is still new to the scene in NXT, but has proven he should not be underestimated. He is already on quite the undefeated streak since his arrival, but he has a decade and a half of experience to prove it. He is a dark and dangerous competitor, but is he dangerous enough to continue his rampage on NXT towards a main roster debut?

Background:

Black isn't quite a household name like Hideo Itami and Eric Young, but the name Tommy End has some history to it. He has competed all over the world with promotions such as Insane Championship Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, Evolve, Big Japan Pro, and Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Real name Tom Budgen and born May 19, 1985 in the Netherlands, he has an extensive background in martial art and trains in kickboxing, which influences his in-ring style. He was dominant in xWx, winning the Unified World Wrestling Championship, World Lightweight Championship, and World Tag Team Championship. With Michael Dante, the two of them were a force in the tag team division in several promotions, winning the tag team titles in six different promotions. WWE saw him as an opportunity to steal one of the best indie tag team competitors to bright their own company.

The Last 12 Months...

Black has been with the company for just over a year now, although he has accomplished the most with WWE more recently.

In June 2016, he signed with WWE and reported to the WWE Performance Center in October. In November, he made his in-ring debut and was victorious. To start the new year in 2017, Budgen showcased his new persona Aleister Black to the world. One week later, he made a surprise appearance in the WWE UK Championship Tournament and lost to Neville in a non-tournament match.

Vignettes began to air on NXT in March 2017 for Black to debut at NXT Takeover: Orlando. At the NXT event, Aleister won his first NXT match and pay-per-view match against Andrade "Cien" Almas.


In May 2017, Black made a main roster appearance sooner than any other recent NXT superstar. On WWE Main Event on the European Tour, he defeated Curt Hawkins. Most recently, he has been locked in a rivalry with Hideo Itami, who he defeated at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III.

Impact:

He is still a fresh face to the WWE Universe, but he has already made an impact bigger than most NXT stars. He has been the fastest wrestler to make their main roster debut, having just appeared in one Takeover event and only being on the NXT roster for two months. He seems to be fast-tracked to be a NXT Championship winner and/or a permanent place on either Raw or Smackdown.

Win-Loss Record (NXT TV tapings and TakeOver events since April 1, 2017 debut)

NXT TakeOver Results:

Gimmick Potential & Look:

In the ring, Black's style is heavily influenced by his passion for kickboxing and martial arts in real life. His striking is among the best in NXT and seems to be a fan-favorite with the crowd. He has a hardcore gimmick, which is a mix of rock n' roll, heavy metal, and The Undertaker. His entrance is dark and smoky like the legend and he also has a quiet and dark personality. He is undefeated on NXT tapings and Takeover events and he doesn't look like he is going to lose anytime soon.

Signature Moves & Ring Work:

No undefeated streak is without a moveset and skills to back it up. He could be a Cruiserweight Champion in WWE, having the size and skills to compete with the likes of Neville and Akira Tozawa. He has the speed and agility, but also the power and strength. His kicks and knees are his signature, again having the history of kickboxing. He uses the ropes to his advantage, flying off the top rope and middle rope for high-flying action. Black Mass seems like a simple move, but his kicks deliver such power that his finisher is a very dangerous move in NXT. His wrestling IQ is amazing and he tends to recenter himself throughout his matches to keep a clear head.

Mic Skills & Charisma:

We haven't seen much from Aleister on the mic since his debut, but this isn't a disadvantage for him. He is quiet during his promos and even during his entrance, he is nothing but focused. His charisma is off the charts and his confidence is one of his strengths. Whenever Black sits in the middle of the ring, his opponent better watch out, as this is his sign for gathering his thoughts and planning the victory to his match. In the midst of a match with Kassius Ohno, Black sat in the middle of the ring as Ohno moved in to attack. Without being touched and in one swift motion, Black was to his feet and getting the upper hand. What is even more impressive is that Black isn't a heel or a face right now and being neutral is working for him.

Championship Credentials:

He has only wrestled in nine live matches in NXT and two Takeover events, but a championship reign is in his near future. He has held many titles during his career, including several world championships and tag team championships. There isn't someone on Black's level to pair with him well enough for a tag team title run, but a singles title is in his sights. With Roode now on the main roster, Black could be the next contender for Drew McIntyre's NXT Championship. However, he won't need a NXT Championship reign to boost him to the main roster. He could bypass the usual path for NXT stars and just go to Raw or SmackDown and win the US title or Intercontinental title.


Highest Peak:

TakeOver: Brooklyn III- (8/19/2017)- Defeats Hideo Itami

This was Black's first feud in NXT and it was against a very popular Hideo Itami, fresh on his run as a heel. In a hard-fought match, Black was victorious and pinned one of the best performers in NXT. Even after being busted open and beaten down, he hit a Black Mass out of nowhere for the win. This will likely be his launch pad for a NXT Championship feud.

Lowest Valley:

Yet To Be Seen

Black has only had nine live matches, all of which he won, and all that were impressive. He has yet to have a dull moment in WWE and he most likely won't for the foreseeable future.

Advantages:

• Over well with WWE Universe, as neither a heel or babyface
• International presence
• Master of the dark and quiet demeanor
• Excellent in-ring skills
• Championship History

Disadvantages:

• Minimal work with promos
• Needs matches against more top tier talents

Conclusion:

The conclusion is that Aleister Black is just starting his path to the main event in WWE. The WWE Universe is clearly behind him and he has not had a negative moment. He will likely have a title around his waist by the end of the year, but he needs to have more promos to help give him that final edge. Whenever his streak does end and he suffers his first loss, it will only make Black work harder and make him more dangerous. Buy into Black, as he is going to be a future world champion.

Stock Advisement: Future world champion. He will be a champion and could headline a pay-per-view by the end of the year. Black can bring a new presence to WWE and can be more of a mystery than Bray Wyatt.

Thanks to some generous investors, Superstar Stock Market is back! This is the series where Smark Out Moment's resident financial advisor guides you on the future of the WWE's upcoming talent. Examining details from booking to backstage, ring skills to crowd reaction, we analyze if a superstar is worth investing in, or if they'll leave you in emotional debt.

The subject of this article is the international sensation and current NXT women's champion Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow has been the top female in NXT since coming to WWE at the end of 2015. She has since won the NXT Women's Championship and has even beaten Goldberg's undefeated streak. Although NXT's female roster is quite impressive and Asuka has run through them all up to this point, can she keep her streak going once she makes the leap to either Raw or SmackDown?

Background:

Asuka may still be fresh in WWE, but she is no rookie in wrestling. Real name Kanako Urai and born September 26, 1981 in Osaka, Japan, she started out as most superstars: a fan. Originally a graphic designer, she was inspired by fellow international talent such as Akira Maeda, Minoru Suzuki, and Keiji Mutoh. Her original ring name was Kana and debuted in 2004 for an all-female promotion AtoZ. She retired in 2006 due to chronic nephritis and came back in 2007 as a freelancer. She bounced around international promotions such as Smash, Pro Wrestling Wave, JWP Joshi Puroresu, and Wrestling New Classic. In 2015, WWE saw Urai as an international star that could bring new culture and talent to the roster.

The Last 12 Months...

Asuka has dominated the scene in NXT for the last year. She has been the reigning NXT Women's Champion for over 419 days. While she is bound to get the bump up to the main roster soon, Asuka's run in NXT will not be soon forgotten.


It was just over a year ago today actually that Asuka defeated Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship (Bayley was getting bumped up to the main roster soon). Her feud was Bayley was the perfect fairwell for Bayley and the perfect introduction of Asuka to NXT. Once Bayley moved on, Asuka was turned as a heel, which she has thrived as since then.

In February of 2017, Asuka became the longest reigning single champion in NXT. She has defended her title nearly ten times successfully and has been victorious in everything thrown at her. Most recently, she has been in a feud with five of NXT's newest additions: Peyton Royce, Nikki Cross, Ruby Riot, Ember Moon, and Billie Kay. Her last two defenses were in Triple Threat Matches with Cross and Riot. So far, Asuka has proven that no one on the roster can compete at her level.

Impact:

If Asuka would decide today that she no longer wants to wrestle for WWE, her legacy would remain long after she is gone. There hasn't been an international superstar in WWE that has been as successful as Asuka in quite some time; male or female. Being the longest reigning holder of the NXT Women's Championship and breaking Goldberg's undefeated record is already an impressive resume.


Asuka's current stance in NXT is that she feels no one on the roster is ready to face her for her title. She hasn't lost via pin or submission since debuting and is becoming the one person every other female in NXT is focusing on. She has helped put over new talents while putting herself over as well and that is what WWE looks for in the next big star.

Win-Loss Record (NXT TV tapings and TakeOver events since October 7, 2015 debut)

NXT TakeOver Results:

NXT TakeOver: Respect - defeated Dana Brooke (Submission, 3,25*)

NXT TakeOver: London - defeated Emma (Pin, 4*)

NXT TakeOver: Dallas - defeated Bayley (NXT Women's Championship, Submission, 3.75*)

NXT TakeOver: The End - defeated Nia Jax (NXT Women's Championship, Pin, 2.75*)

NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II - defeated Bayley (NXT Women's Championship, Pin, 4*)

NXT TakeOver: Toronto - defeated Mickie James (NXT Women's Championship, Submission, 3.5*)

NXT TakeOver: San Antonio - defeated Billie Kay, Nikki Cross, and Peyton Royce (NXT Women's Championship, Pin, 2.25*)

NXT TakeOver: Orlando - defeated Ember Moon (NXT Women's Championship, Pin, 4.25*)

NXT TakeOver: Chicago - defeated Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot (NXT Women's Championship, Pin, 3.5*)

Gimmick Potential & Look:

In the ring, Asuka is representing her Japanese heritage as a proud international wrestler. Upon her initial arrival to NXT, she was immediately greeted with open arms by the WWE Universe (as most

popular indie stars are when they arrive to WWE). She played the babyface newcomer against heels such as Nia Jax and Nikki Cross. Her English is much better than most international superstars, but her promos and speaking roles are usual short. However, she still delivers with what little mic time she gives. As her undefeated streak continues, Asuka has seemingly started to evolve. The fans are still behind her, but her attitude and cockiness has her starting to become a heel. It will be interesting as to how Asuka is portrayed once she moves to the main roster.

Signature Moves & Ring Work:

You do not become NXT's top female competitor, the longest reigning NXT Women's Championship holder, and the third highest ranked female wrestler in the world by being mediocre in the ring. Asuka is a veteran, having wrestled for over 12 years now. She is most likely the best female submission specialist in WWE right now. The Asuka Lock has won her many matches, including her NXT Women's Championship. She has also mastered the ankle lock and flying crossarm bar. She is no slouch as a brawler either, having brawled with Nia Jax in the past and having a killer spin kick as well. She may not be the biggest, but she sure does have the speed and power to keep up with the likes of Jax. Hands down, Asuka has some of the best ringwork in WWE right now, male or female.

Mic Skills & Charisma:

Asuka has been able to hold her own on a mic thus far, even though she is a woman of few words. She is a master compared to the likes of The Great Khali. However, she isn't on the same level as Hideo Itami either. Nonetheless, Asuka has proven with her promos that the few words that she does say packs quite a punch. She is over quite well with the WWE Universe, whether she speaks at all or not. While her ringwork is quite impressive, her mic skills still lack behind.


She is 35 and most wrestlers who are in NXT at the age of 35 probably won't be looked at as a long-term prospect for the main roster. Her mic skills will end up hurting her credibility if she was to be bumped up to the main roster, but she doesn't have to be. She is thriving in NXT and while a run on Raw or SmackDown would be awesome, she can stay in NXT and do just fine.

Championship Credentials:

As said before, Asuka does not need a good run on the main roster to become successful. Holding the NXT Women's Championship is doing that for her. She is the longest reigning titleholder since the belt first debuted and she doesn't show signs of giving it up anytime soon. Ever since winning the belt from Bayley upon her call-up to the big leagues, Asuka has not looked back, getting better and better as the champ each week. While this is her only title run in WWE, it is quite a memorable one thus far.

The NXT Women's Championship is probably the most prestigious belt in all of NXT. From Charlotte to Paige to Sasha Banks and Bayley, even women to win the belt has gone on to dominate NXT and become one of the best female talents in WWE today.

Highest Peak:

TakeOver: Dallas (4/1/2016)- Asuka's reign as champ begins

The build up to this match was beneficial to both women. Bayley was rumored to be getting the push up to the main roster and was due to pass the torch. Asuka was quickly running her way up the ladder and becoming quite the prospect. Both women were babyfaces who were skyrocketing to the top, yet this match worked out in the end. Bayley lost her title by passing out from the Asuka Lock, but she never tapped so it helped keep her looking strong. Asuka ended up being the new champion, which has been very successful for her. She has since become the longest reigning champion.

Lowest Valley:

TakeOver: The End (6/8/2016) - Bringing down the giant

Before moving on here, it needs to be said that Asuka hasn't necessarily hit a low point yet in her WWE career. Ever since debuting, her stock just keeps rising after every match. If there was to be a low point at this point in her career, it would be her title defense against Nia Jax at TakeOver: The End. Asuka did win the match, but it was the most vulnerable she has looked. Jax dominated her, literally throwing her around the ring. It was the closest she came to losing in a long time.

Advantages:

• Over well with WWE Universe, as a heel or a face
• International presence
• Inspirational character
• Excellent in-ring skills
• WWE backs her up and believes in her

Disadvantages:

• Minimal mic work/skills
• 35 years old already
• May have already reached her ceiling in WWE

Conclusion:

The conclusion is that Asuka is one of the most passionate and talented wrestlers on the roster right now. WWE obviously has trust in her, as do the fans. The issue is that her mic skills do not match the level of her in-ring abilities and the fact that she is already 35. She may reached her ceiling in NXT, but that does not mean that she is done for. Whenever her streak does end, she will either be called-up for a shorter run on the main roster spot and can have some compelling storylines. There is also the possibility that she stays in NXT to draw the crowd in.

Stock Advisement: Future NXT Hall of Famer (if there was one). She will at least be a major showcase in NXT for a long run, if not called up to the main roster. Asuka can help take NXT to the next step. She is showing her age, but can help put over new talent when the time comes.

Thanks to some generous investors, Superstar Stock Market is back! This is the series where Smark Out Moment's resident financial advisor guides you on the future of the WWE's upcoming talent. Examining details from booking to backstage, ring skills to crowd reaction, we analyze if a superstar is worth investing in, or if they'll leave you in emotional debt.

The subject of this article is the beloved Bayley, the world's most huggable wrestler. From inauspicious beginnings as an excitable fangirl, Bayley has arguably become the most over performer male or female on WWE television today. Adored by fans regardless of age or gender, an anthology of incredible matches and an infectious personality have endeared her to wrestling fans the world over. But, will her stock plummet like so many before her when she trades the limelight and logic of NXT to the bewildering realm known as WWE RAW?

Background

First, a background on Bayley. Strangely, she was not born by Immaculate Conception and carried from the heavens on the back of a rainbow unicorn. Pamela Rose Martinez was born June 15, 1989 in Newark, California. Attending Big Time Wrestling events since she was 11, she became enamored with the business from a young age. She began her training at 18, debuting in Big Time Wrestling in 2008 under the name Davina Rose.

Originally trained by Jason Styles, Martinez found a mentor in former WWE performer Serena Deeb, best known for her time in the Straight Edge Society. She became embroiled with Serena's rivalry with the Canadian Ninjas in Shimmer, before earning singles victories over Cherry Bomb and Rhia O'Reilly. However, her stint on the independent circuit would not last long, as NXT beckoned only four years into her career.

The Last 12 Months...

I don't think it is much of an exaggeration that 2015 was the year of Bayley in NXT. While amazing competitors like Finn Balor, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe stood out on the male roster, nobody captured the imagination like the Master of the Hugplex. Long removed from the days as a doe-eyed fangirl, Bayley burst into the spotlight and developed an amazing connection with the audience. Although primarily geared to children, nobody was immune to her charm and tenacity.

A year ago, Bayley was feuding with Emma, who was in the infancy of her ego-driven heel persona that has resurrected the Aussie from the Future Endeavored list. After coming out on top, Bayley officially set her sights on the NXT Women's Title (at the time the only prestigious women's title in WWE). Defeating fellow Horsewomen Charlotte and Becky Lynch, she earned her way to a showdown with Sasha Banks at Takeover: Brooklyn. What followed was nothing short of a classic, producing what is undoubtedly the greatest women's match in WWE history, with Bayley standing tall as the new champion when the dust settled.

Bayley would once again overcome Banks in an astonishing 30-minute Ironman match in the main event of Takeover: Respect. After besting her toughest rival, Bayley would not shy away from challenges, defending her title against the likes of Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie, Nia Jax and Carmella. However, her 223 day reign was finally brought to a shuddering halt at Takeover: Dallas, as she passed out to the imperious Asuka.

Impact

If Bayley retired today, she would have already left an unforgettable mark on women's wrestling. After years of being conditioned that women in WWE were either eye candy, novelty acts or bathroom break filler, the athletes in NXT lit up the world with performances that ranged from good to outstanding, and Bayley stood at the top. Only Sasha Banks rivals her in storytelling ability, but in terms of garnering emotion from the crowd, Bayley is peerless, and that counts for both the male and female roster.

She has led the true 'Revolution' in women's wrestling, and the manner in which she has done it deserves to be commended. Bayley has stayed true to who she is, which has endeared her to the wrestling community at large. She has a fantastic attitude, is always striving to improve and generates genuine empathy from the audience. Frankly, she is everything WWE probably wants Roman Reigns to be, and John Cena before him.

Win-Loss Record (NXT TV tapings and Takeovers since WrestleMania 31)

16 Wins
4 Losses
0 Draws

NXT Takeover Results

Takeover - Defeated Sasha Banks (dark match, no rating)
Fatal 4-Way - Lost to Charlotte (NXT Women's Championship, 2.75*)
Rival - Lost Sasha Banks, also featuring Charlotte and Becky Lynch (NXT Women's Championship, 4*)
Unstoppable - Defeated Emma and Dana Brooke (w/ Charlotte, 2*)
Brooklyn - Defeated Sasha Banks (NXT Women's Championship, 4.5*)
Respect - Defeated Sasha Banks (Ironman Match for NXT Women's Championship, 4.25*)
London - Defeated Nia Jax (NXT Women's Championship, 3.25*)
Dallas - Lost to Asuka (NXT Women's Championship, 3.75*)

Gimmick Potential & Look

Bayley's gimmick is difficult to pin down, as it is essentially herself. She portrays a hard-working, enthusiastic and devoted wrestler doing what she loves, and that is apparent every time she steps in the ring. She is a child at heart, apparent by her colorful attire, hugging the crowd and wacky inflatable tube men. However, there is no questioning her heart in the ring, as she will become incredibly aggressive and dogged in order to secure a victory. Effectively, Bayley will keep swinging until someone rips her arms off.

Yet, this has a pretty obvious limitation - Bayley will likely never be a convincing heel. Maybe she has something up her sleeve where she can pull off a fierce, threatening heel, but she's built up so much goodwill with the fans it would seem very unnatural. She's too adorable, too nice, and too easy to root for. But, if you've stumbled across the perfect babyface, why would you bother to turn them heel?

Signature Moves & Ringwork

It's kind of hard to place Bayley here, as she doesn't have a particularly remarkable moveset to her name. In terms of breadth of offense, both Charlotte and Sasha Banks have Bayley topped. But, you don't win a PWI Match of the Year award for being a slouch. She has an impressive Bayleycanrana from the top rope, a wide array of suplexes and clotheslines, and the aptly named Bayley-to-Belly. Where she excels though is selling, playing the sympathetic babyface being devastated by a dominant heel.

Bayley takes a hell of a beating during most of her matches, which makes her opponents look great no matter their limitations. Her match with Nia Jax exceeded expectations and helped establish the newcomer as a monster heel despite her loss, and allowed Bayley to adopt more submission moves into her repertoire. Overall, Bayley does a spectacular job getting decimated by rivals before bouncing back with a plucky, intense assault.

Mic Skills & Charisma

This section is a little bit of an odd one for Bayley. On the surface, she couldn't be any further away the term 'charismatic'. She is a hugging, fun-loving, white meat babyface with an inflatable entrance, and above all else is a diehard wrestling fan. She is the type of person The Rock would get a pop for running down on the microphone for being a jabroni back in the Attitude Era. But, what makes Bayley cool is she doesn't care what people think about her, and embrace her completely uncool character.

The effectiveness of her character was brought to the forefront in her feud with Sasha Banks, as her respectful, hard-working attitude was a perfect juxtaposition to the arrogant, brash Boss. It was a match made in heaven, and when Bayley is speaking from the heart, it is hard not to enjoy her promo work. Like a Daniel Bryan or Sami Zayn, she is not objectively strong on the microphone. Yet, she has endeared herself so wholeheartedly to the WWE Universe that they are left hanging on every word.

Championship Credentials

Bayley can take heart in being the standard bearer of one of the most over divisions in WWE today - the NXT Women's Division. She finally ascended to the top of the mountain at Takeover: Brooklyn, capturing the NXT Women's Championship from Sasha Banks, although it was already clear she was the most popular performer. Although that is her only title to date, it should be regarded as a springboard towards greatness.

If there's one word I associate with the NXT Women's Championship, it is credibility. Every holder has had at least half a year on top, defending it regularly in competitive bouts. Furthermore, Paige and Charlotte have taken the prestige of their NXT runs into winning the Divas/Women's Title on the main roster, with Banks likely to follow suit by SummerSlam. Among that rich company, Bayley can feel confident her immense popularity and superb ring work will drag her towards the Women's Championship by 2017.

Highest Peak

Takeover: Brooklyn (8/22/2015) – The Greatest Women's Match in History

What can I say about this match that has never been said before? Bayley vs Sasha Banks was perfectly built, perfectly executed, and produced the perfect result. While the Women's Revolution in NXT had already been established, this was the match that made people stand up and recognize that the women could match their male counterparts on any given night if they have the right story and time.

The crowd were invested in this encounter from beginning to end, and it was unquestionably the best match of arguably the best show of 2015. But its legacy was not limited to just Brooklyn, as many people regard it as the best women's match ever witnessed, and the match of the year overall. From the sublime submission wrestling, the fierce suplexes and the heart-stopping conclusion, Bayley and Banks made history and changed the perception of women's wrestling in one night.

Lowest Valley

NXT (11/25/2015) – All Dread Everything

Part of me was undecided about making this a positive or negative for Bayley, who on the whole has had an extremely uplifting career besides an unfortunate injury layoff. But, who can really look back proudly after tangling with Eva Marie for a championship title. Granted, Bayley hoisted all her strength to carry her red-headed opponent to a serviceable match, which is currently the best we can hope for out of Marie.

I don't want to sound like I despise Marie, but she needs a lot more fine-tuning in the ring to be considered worthy of the NXT Championship, in spite of the immense heel heat it would garner. She's not at the level that the title's prestige carries, and Bayley was the obvious choice to retain. It was nothing offensive, but it certainly won't end up in a compilation DVD of her greatest moments.

Advantages

• Outstanding babyface
• Extremely marketable to all age groups, especially children
• Inspirational female character
• An unmistakable passion for wrestling
• Excellent ring skills and storytelling
• Infectious personality
• Popular backstage, potential locker room leader

Disadvantages

• Unspectacular mic skills
• Difficult to imagine her as a heel
• Potential to be reduced to a 'comedy' character
• Past examples of NXT megastars flopping on the main roster

Conclusion

This conclusion might surprise a couple of people who have read the entirety of this article (and thanks for taking the time to do so!). I have been especially exuberant about Bayley's ability and natural charm, and that comes from my own personal interaction with her character. There is not a single person in WWE or NXT that makes me smile as much as Bayley - she makes me and thousands of other fans happy because she represents a good person who is living her dream - what could be a more feelgood story than that?

However, the cruel, logical side of me has some hesitation over her future prospects. Bayley won't be on NXT much longer, and moving up to the main roster can often seem like a demotion in many aspects. Why should I believe Bayley will be a main feature when she's appearing on RAW? She could reach the heights of Charlotte and Sasha Banks battling for the Women's Championship, or she could easily be lost in the shuffle like Paige and Emma. There seems to be two trajectories for superstars promoted from NXT: you are either shot to the stratosphere or sent directly to rock bottom.

Yet, looking at her merchandise sales, how beloved she is both in front of the camera and behind the curtain, and the magic moments she can craft in the ring, Bayley could be great. Scratch that, she could monumentally alter women's wrestling as we know it. In my opinion, and bear with me with a second, her popularity and reaction could lead to the women one day headlining a WWE PPV. Maybe that's a crazy assumption, and I wouldn't be surprised if it never happened.

But the fact I'm even considering that possibility shows how much of an impact Bayley has had. She has already had a record-smashing career, and I think by the time she hangs up her headbands, Bayley will be spoken in the same breath as Trish Stratus and The Fabulous Moolah.


Stock Advisement: Future WWE Women's Champion, will lead outstanding stories for years onward, the division's best hope of headlining a PPV.

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After an extended absence, welcome to the return of Superstar Stock Market, bigger and better than ever before. This is the series where Smark Out Moment’s expertise predicts the future success or failure of WWE’s roster members. Examining details from their opinion backstage to their reaction from the crowd, we analyze if a superstar or diva is worth investing in, or is on a one-way trip to the garbage heap.

The subject of this edition is the Man That Gravity Forgot, Neville. The high-flier has been making waves since his debut on the main roster on the night after WrestleMania, following his exceptional exploits in NXT. A former NXT Champion and NXT Tag Team Champion, many predict big things in the future of the British grappler. But, the main roster is a dangerous game as numerous other promoted NXT combatants have learned. So, will Neville soar to the summit of WWE, or should he be bracing for a fatal crash landing?

Background

Born Benjamin Satterley in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Neville would adopt the name Pac for the majority of his time in the independent scene. Pac began in the Independent Wrestling Federation and 3 Count Wrestling, learning his craft in the physical British and European promotions. His ability was quickly recognized, as he won tournaments and championships throughout the continent before moving to new competition in America and Japan.

Pac would make his name in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Dragon Gate, and began to receive a lot of his attention for his amazing acrobatics. He would develop his skills alongside many he would later encounter in NXT (El Generico, Kevin Steen, Matt Sydal) alongside many TNA and ROH stars. Pac was clearly a special entity for his capability to perform phenomenal moves that few could hope to match, leading to championship success in Dragon Gate in particular. However, Pac often became employed in factions and tag teams, rather than shining individually.


2014 Value

2014 was an extraordinary year in the career of Neville. After initially being a tag team competitor and mid-card talent in NXT, the Brit shot into the main event scene on the strength of his performances. As early as February, Neville would become the top guy on the developmental roster, capturing the NXT Championship from Bo Dallas at NXT Arrival. For the majority of the year, he held that title with aplomb, eventually relinquishing it to Sami Zayn in December’s Takeover: R Evolution.

His run with the championship was very successful, as despite his mediocre mic skills, his in-ring skills shone against the very best NXT had to offer. Neville would battle the likes of Brodus Clay, Tyson Kidd and Tyler Breeze over the belt, and very rarely were these contests met with criticism. The feud with Kidd especially was significant due to their technical mastery, and played a crucial role in Kidd’s reinvigoration on the main roster. The Brit’s 287-day reign is the longest in the title’s history, and demonstrated that the company had a great deal of faith in him going forward.


Impact of Debut

Neville, having accomplished everything he could in developmental, made his main roster debut the night after WrestleMania 31, an ideal time to get the attention of the audience. He arrived with a few tweaks to his character in NXT, with a cape and a fabulous entrance video. But what remained the same was his performance, which was evident from the immediate springboard moonsault on opponent Curtis Axel.

The post-WrestleMania crowd were on fire the entire night, and welcoming of the new addition to the roster thanks to the success of Neville’s NXT run. Those familiar with his previous work were loudly supportive, whilst those who were unaware became fans quickly due to the sight of his acrobatic signature moves. His contest with Axel certainly wasn’t his greatest performance, but it provided a taste of what he would bring to RAW and SmackDown.


Win-Loss Record (RAW, SmackDown, Main Event, NXT from 1/1/2015)

24 Wins
11 Losses
0 Draws

NXT Takeover/PPV Results

NXT Arrival – Defeated Bo Dallas for the NXT Championship (Ladder Match) 3.25*
NXT Takeover – Defeated Tyson Kidd to retain NXT Championship 3.5*
NXT Fatal 4-Way – Defeated Tyson Kidd, Sami Zayn & Tyler Breeze to retain NXT Championship 4.5*
NXT R Evolution – Lost to Sami Zayn for the NXT Championship 4.75*
NXT Rival – Lost to Finn Balor 4.25*
Extreme Rules – Defeated Bad News Barrett (Kickoff Show) 3.25*
Payback – Defeated King Barrett via Count Out 1.5*
Elimination Chamber – Defeated Bo Dallas 2.75*
Money In The Bank – Lost to Sheamus (Money in the Bank Ladder Match) 3.5*

Gimmick Potential & Look

Neville has been given the monikers ‘The Man That Gravity Forgot’ and ‘The New Sensation’, which is significant billing for someone early in their main roster stint. But, he lives up to the gimmick of being a superstar that can perform aerial maneuvers that could never be achieved by any other. There is very little else that needs to happen that his ringwork cannot back up. His entrance is great and his costume, even with a cape, suits him well.

There was a risk that Neville would be handed a ‘Mighty Mouse’ or superhero gimmick for his strength despite his diminutive size. It has to be said that the Brit’s look is phenomenal – his abs are so pronounced you could grate cheese on them. He might not be the most classically attractive male in the face, but that gives his rivals ammunition to use for insults in mic battles. The biggest issue Neville has to contend with is his size. Whilst it is obviously not the hindrance of the past in wrestling, it might be an obstacle to overcome in pushing him from the mid-card and into the main event.


Signature Moves & Ringwork

This is the area where Neville excels, as his masterful blend of high-flying acrobatics and technical chain wrestling is a spectacular combination. His compendium of fabulous matches with Sami Zayn, Tyson Kidd and Finn Balor are a testament to the fact that when it comes to work between the ropes (and occasionally soaring out of it), Neville is supreme. His incredible core strength means that he can add nuances to traditional moves, such as his flips out of the corner and basic grapples that make his matches unique.

As for soaring through the air with incredible ease, Neville is in a class of his own. His ability to twist in the air with the speed that he attains is startling, and means that he can produce insane flying moves that nobody else consider. Who else on the WWE roster can hit a 450 Splash from the second rope, or perform the tricky Spaceman Plancha? It is this that makes the Geordie a unique entity in the company, and ensures that he will be called upon to perform in excellent bouts with the top stars in the company. It gives him the power to make a star for himself and his opponents.


Mic Skills & Charisma

This is the area of the overall spectacle of professional wrestling where Neville falls down on. He has a strong Geordie accent from his upbringing in Newcastle, which makes him difficult to understand at times. It is different, but especially within a US audience it could be detrimental. Neville strikes me as similar to Bret Hart, in that he has taken part in some entertaining verbal exchanges in feuds with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Yet overall he often seems uncomfortable on the microphone, and this nervousness gives him a generic tone.

Neville can improve on this, but has not been given ample opportunity to practice his promos since joining the main roster. He has largely been kept away from the microphone, leaving him as something of an enigma for the casual fan, as he is yet to partake in a breakout rivalry with any superstar. Realistically, should he hope to make any headway into the upper echelons of the main roster, this is the biggest area he needs to work on. Without it, there is only so high he can reach, even if gravity doesn’t hold him down.


Championship Credentials

Neville currently is yet to taste gold in WWE, but his golden stint in NXT does seem to indicate that this will be remedied in time. As a former NXT Champion, he will be buoyed by the success of some of the others in that select group. Seth Rollins reaching the heights of WWE World Heavyweight Champion is the ultimate goal, whilst Big E is a former Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion, whilst Kevin Owens could be adding the United States title to his list of accomplishments at Battleground. And there are few reasons to believe Neville wouldn’t add some gold to his waist one day soon.

The question is not will Neville be a champion, but how high he can set the bar. Undoubtedly a mid-card belt is not beyond the realms of possibility. He is an ideal Intercontinental Champion, as that role requires greater focus on in-ring talent than the world titles. One could also easily envisage him wearing tag team gold at some point, as an alliance with Sami Zayn would suit both athletes very well. Nevertheless, if I were to be asked at this point whether he has the potential to be WWE Champion, I would say no, but my mind is more than willing to be changed on that matter.


Highest Peak

NXT: R Evolution (12/11/2014) – Neville vs Zayn Steals The Show

Neville has had many prevalent high points since signing with WWE, from his developmental dominance to his exciting entrance to the main roster. But, his greatest showings were reserved for his feud with Sami Zayn. It was a story that hinged on respect and winning ‘the right way’, as Neville’s willingness to take any advantage to retain his coveted NXT Championship irked both his friendship with Zayn and the fans. They were ready to see the underdog ascend to the top of the mountain, and the Brit stood directly in the path of that.

This was the first time since joining WWE that Neville took the role of heel, more out of necessity than design. The crowd was ready for a change, but instead of making it easy, the intense and close battles the pair would engage in leading to this final encounter invested viewers. It produced Neville’s best work, both in the ring and on the microphone. Even though this moment was designed for Sami Zayn to reach the pinnacle, it was a brilliant display by Neville attempting to defend the gold. It displayed forthrightly how deserving he was of being the standard bearer of the roster for so long.


Lowest Valley

Elimination Chamber (5/31/2015) – You Boys Miss NXT?

Sometimes, the grass is not always greener on the other side, and that was potentially the thought running through the minds of Neville and Bo Dallas as they clashed at Elimination Chamber. At NXT Arrival the previous year, the pair had competed in an excellent Ladder Match over the NXT Championship, cementing them as the top two stars on the roster at the time. However, this contest at NXT was rushed, ill-thought out and bland, and unsurprisingly led to an extremely forgettable showing from both performers.

Neville’s WWE career hasn’t been littered with many negatives, but these last couple of months, which include this match with Dallas, have ominous implications attached to them. Neville has been unfortunately underutilized, and is yet to be placed in a rivalry of significance. Of course, two-thirds of the roster likely feel like their enduring similar treatment, but this lack of creative influence has the potential to deflate the impact he has made within the WWE Universe.


Advantages

• Fantastic look and body
• Unbelievable aerial acrobatics
• Incredible speed and athleticism
• Ideal gimmick
• Able to market to the British audience
• Impeccable body of matches

Disadvantages

• Average mic skills
• Lacking charisma/confidence when speaking
• Short in stature
• Missing creative direction and backing
• Danger of becoming a ‘spot monkey’

Conclusion

Neville has a long career to look forward to in WWE, as his talent between the ropes means he will always be called upon to participate in big matches to make his rivals look good. It is a role that Dolph Ziggler and Kofi Kingston have filled in the past, and is a cushy spot to inhabit, with the potential for numerous championship accolades. His ability in the ring ensures that Neville will remain popular among the WWE Universe, and fans are always looking to cheer for the underdog.

However, whilst a role like this is important in the grand structure of WWE, it does have an upper limit that isn’t apparent for more charismatic, bigger superstars. Neville will likely never become WWE Champion simply because he doesn’t have the character to match his immense ring skills. His one saving grace in that regard is that he is British, and as they have never produced a world champion before, it is a feat they could accomplish with Neville should they seek to explore that avenue.

But this doesn’t mean that Neville should be discouraged or devalued, as he has both age and the crowd on his side, and with those assets anything can happen. Clearly Triple H and the NXT creative team saw enough in him to place their most prized title around his waist for 10 months. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but even if it never happens, the Man That Gravity Forgot shows little sign of descending out of WWE anytime soon.



Stock Advisement: Future Intercontinental Champion and Mid-Card Stalwart; Projected Lifespan of Over a Decade; Outside Chance of Becoming WWE Champion in Future