WWE: A “Civil War” Within The WWE?

Back in September. Triple H said he wanted NXT to become the next WCW.

If you go back to the Attitude Era when there was WCW, and the WWE, and ECW was kind of that third brand that was kind of the alternative and the feeder system, I think that’s where we’re at right now. But where does it go? My goal is to turn NXT into not just the ECW, not just the alternative, but I would like to make it the WCW. Maybe not the eventually going out of business part but I would like to turn it into just as big a brand and really make it something special, which we’re well on our way.”

after this past weekend, Triple H’s dream has become the reality. NXT is in competition with WWE.

All you have to do is look at the main roster reaction to the show. There reportedly was a meeting of the main roster talent to put on a show even better at TLC. As we know, it didn’t happen. Not necessarily because of the talent, but because of all the outside factors — factors NXT doesn’t deal with.

Main roster talent is reportedly upset about poor writing and booking holding them back. While I don’t think it’s the case with everyone, it’s the case with a number of guys (Cesaro, Bray Wyatt). Main roster wrestlers could lose their spot down the road if they’re not showcased in a way to let them excel to the highest degree, which feels like the case for darn near everyone. The main roster is extremely talented, but that talent is being wasted.

In WWE, sports-entertainers are put in their place and forced to work within limited parameters (for much more money). In NXT, wrestlers are allowed to shine.

Of course, WWE has much more to deal with. Three hours on Monday, three hours on Tuesday, the WWE App, Superstars, house shows and more. Filling all that time can bog down any organization or performer. It’s much easier to fill one pre-taped show per week of NXT.

But it’s the basic elements that make NXT better. The simple-yet-realistic storytelling that gives us a true reason to care, the work in the ring, letting us take nearly everyone seriously and, importantly, the crowd.

NXT is fun to watch. Raw and Smackdown haven’t been fun to watch for some time. WCW didn’t collapse because of talent. It happened because of backstage politics, an overconfidence and laziness from those in charge and an inability to gauge what fans wanted.

Triple H runs a better wrestling promotion than Vince McMahon.

The sign in the WWE Performance Center says, “You’re not here to fill a spot. You’re here to take a spot.”

While this has always been the purpose, this past weekend was when NXT truly made a statement to the rest of the company and the wrestling world. More and more casual fans are taking notice. Obviously, NXT can’t replace Raw or put Vince McMahon out of business, but it can change how the main company runs by giving us a promotion that works. In part because of its WWE ties (and money), NXT is the No. 2 wrestling promotion.

This isn’t The Nexus destroying the Raw set. This weekend was the true beginning of the WWE Wars.

What are your thoughts? Do you think this internal conflict will fuel the WWE locker room to step up? Share your thoughts and comment below.