WWE NXT Minus 6: Good Things Happen When You Let Wrestlers Wrestle

Bradley Jay has a theory that is simple in design, execution, but also highly effective: Good things happen when you let wrestlers wrestle.

I have a theory…

6. For weeks, Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory have been crushing it in ring, on mic, backstage, photo shoots, everywhere. Now it’s paying off. NXT fans recognizes quality, and that’s why they were cheering for the Way against Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan. Gargano & Theory have earned the fans praise & respect. Said it before. Say it again. Good things happen when you let wrestlers wrestle. I hope we don’t get the breakup feud for a loooong time because they are on the Way to greatness. That’s the Way, uh huh, uh huh. I I like it. 

5. I was wrong. The Diamond Mine isn’t a deodorant, energy drink or the Funkasaurus. It’s better than all of those things combined. I never thought about sticking Roderick Strong with Tyler Rust, but now I can’t stop thinking about it. They can be a magical team. Pairing them with Malcolm Bivens is another masterstroke. I know it’s only been one beat down, but so far the Diamond Mine has shattered all expectations. 

4. Is anybody else disappointed that Io Shirai takes a break and comes back exactly the same as before? I don’t need a total makeover. Maybe a new walk to the ring. New tights. New haircut. Something, anything to show they are trying to keep her fresh and interesting.  

3. “You’re not even from North America.” 

“Bye Bye Dollar King.” 

This was a brief yet sterling exchange between Top Dolla and Bronson Reed. I want to believe it was born from the friendly ball busting you hear in any locker room or wherever else guys hang out. It felt natural, spontaneous, unscripted. Good things also happen when you let wrestlers be themselves.   

2. I want Pete Dunne to say even less. I don’t ever want him to talk. He says more with a scowl and a grimace than La Knight says in his entire rambling 5 minute promos. When Dunne stared down Samoa Joe, I saw an absolute star who will eventually reach the top of every mountain he chooses to climb…if the E is smart enough to let him wrestle.  

1. Every few months, an old timer ruffles all the feathers and tells us wrestling isn’t the same. No psychology. No storytelling. Too much flippy dippy. This time, it’s Nikita Koloff. With all due respect to the wrestlers I grew up watching, they are wrong. There is plenty of great storytelling in wrestling. Plenty of great storytellers. Plenty of psychology. You know who agrees with me? KUSHIDA and Kyle O’Reilly. They gave us a match as good as we’d expect from two masters, 4.4 stars. Sometimes it’s as simple as two friends testing themselves, testing each other, fighting to see who is better. You know why? Because Good Things Happen When You Let Wrestlers Wrestle.