Cewsh Scouts NXT 2013: The Next Wave

Good afternoon and welcome back to the laboratory here at the Cewsh Institute for Careful Observation and Contextual Knowledge. This week, we are putting all of our research personnel on the task of analyzing and grading the future stars of WWE‘s developmental program, NXT. We’ve already covered the champions of the the mini promotion, and now it’s time to really dig into the meat of the roster with our secnd breakdown. This time we’re going to be focusing on the people who we view as being the most likely to be called up some time soon, so that you can get some background on them before they’re flying through your television sets while your friends ask you, “Hey, who is that guy who really hates pants?”

Once again, we will be judging these men and women on skills as well as their apparent readiness to fit in on the main roster and make a name for themselves. Grades will be assigned to represent their potential at this point, and all of the them are so carefully, scientifically calculated that even thinking about disagreeing with them makes Stephen Hawking cry. Joining me on this journey are my fellow pioneers in the art of appraisal, Artie, Dennis and Psycho. And together, we will tell you everything you need to know about the world of tomorrow. Or at least that part of it that will wind up running in on John Cena matches.

Sami Zayn

Pros:

- Immediate rapport with any crowd
- Incredibly exciting in the ring
- No obvious flaws

Cons:

- May need some additional work on promos
- Lucha inspired styles have not always clicked with the WWE audience
- May be pushed too hard at first due to his matches with Cesaro

Last Year’s Analysis:

Cewsh: N/A

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: N/A

Ready For Main Roster: N/A

Cewsh: Sami Zayn is the former El Generico, and he has made more noise since debuting on May 22nd than perhaps any other individual in NXT. His matches with Antonio Cesaro have been nothing short of breathtaking, and he’s shown an easy charm that has made him a clear audience favorite from the word go. Oddly enough, I never rated him highly during his time on the independent scene, though I saw the potential there, but he truly has blossomed in a big way since coming to WWE.

A mixture of a luchadore and a classic style babyface, Zayn has every tool at his disposal to be WWE’s new underdog sensation if he plays his card right. A great look, decent size, a terrific repertoire of moves and the wherewithal to make them count.

Honestly, the question isn’t whether or not Sami Zayn is ready for the main roster, it’s whether or not the main roster is ready for Sami Zayn.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: A

Ready For Main Roster: Yes

Artie: OLE~! Sorry, had to get that out of the way.

Another big name indy guy now working for WWE, Sami Zayn may be one of the most oddly complete packages to ever walk into WWE developmental. You see, for years, under his El Generico promo, we never saw his face or heard him give a real promo. Now in NXT, he’s unmasked to reveal that he’s fucking handsome AND he cuts a wonderful little promo. His in-ring style is actually perfect for the WWE and he’s one of the most easily likable guys ever. With just a few more months down in NXT to further develop character and work on a finisher, Sami Zayn will be absolutely ready for the main roster.

Artie’s Prospect Grade: A

Dennis: The former El Generico… I’ll be honest, I had my doubts. Wasn’t the biggest fan of El Generico in the first place. When the first pictures of him mask-less leaked, I thought “he’s…. Generic”. He had a very plain look to him and he’s not very big and I just thought he wouldn’t be able to go far at all. Then I saw him live. Man, he was exciting. But that’s not enough in WWE so I still had my doubts.

Then he puts on a little bit of muscle, that helps in WWE land, then he starts cutting promos… and they’re good. Then he KILLS it in a promo/match with Antonio Cesaro. He’s now firmly in the NXT Title race and deservedly so. He’s mega over with the NXT crowd and I honestly see a bright future for him. He’s not a bad promo and he’s great in the ring. Sami Zayn came in ready.

Dennis’ Prospect Grade: A

Ready For Main Roster: Yes

Psycho: We all know him as El Generico, a man of very little words who would never be caught dead without a mask. Highly entertaining, electric, and loved by many fans, Generico had all the tools to be a star…if it weren’t for the gimmick being a joke. Many speculated whether he could cut it without the mask, but upon removing it, Sami Zayn emerged as a man who knows how to pull you in.

In a matter of weeks, he’s displayed a strong command of the microphone. Somehow, he enters a room filled with fans, and they immediately connect with the guy and get on his side. It turns out his success was not just the charm of his gimmick: El Generico, or rather, Sami Zayn is star material. He knows this business, and knows how to please a crowd. It’s too soon to be a fair judge, but we might be witness to one of the most meteoric rises in the WWE from one of the most unexpected men to ever grace a ring…but did we ever really doubt Generico’s ability?

Psycho’s Prospect Grade: B+

Ready For Main Roster: No… but only because he just arrived.