NXT Takeover XXXV: In Your House XXIX - 6/13/2021

[NoFistsJustFlips]

I watched the show but not close enough to have a strong opinion on much of anything. Just wanted to point out that The Million Dollar Title is the 7th active title for the NXT US brand and the 20th active title in all of WWE. Who the fuck thinks having 20 titles is a good idea? You know how nothing seems important anymore? Maybe it's because 26 people have belts right now on WWE programming. Maybe this is just old man yelling at clouds. But I'm all for reducing titles and making the ones that exist have some actual aura.

4 Brand World Titles (WWE, Universal, NXT, NXT UK)
4 Brand Women's Titles (Raw, Smackdown, NXT, NXT UK)
4 Men's Tag Titles (Raw, Smackdown, NXT, NXT UK)
2 Women's Tag Titles (WWE, NXT)
3 Brand Mid-Card Titles (US, Intercontinental, North American)
3 Specialty Titles (Cruiserweight, 24/7, Million Dollar)

[Matt D]

1 minute ago, NoFistsJustFlips said:

I watched the show but not close enough to have a strong opinion on much of anything. Just wanted to point out that The Million Dollar Title is the 7th active title for the NXT US brand and the 20th active title in all of WWE. Who the fuck thinks having 20 titles is a good idea? You know how nothing seems important anymore? Maybe it's because 26 people have belts right now on WWE programming. Maybe this is just old man yelling at clouds. But I'm all for reducing titles and making the ones that exist have some actual aura.

4 Brand World Titles (WWE, Universal, NXT, NXT UK)
4 Brand Women's Titles (Raw, Smackdown, NXT, NXT UK)
4 Men's Tag Titles (Raw, Smackdown, NXT, NXT UK)
2 Women's Tag Titles (WWE, NXT)
3 Brand Mid-Card Titles (US, Intercontinental, North American)
3 Specialty Titles (Cruiserweight, 24/7, Million Dollar)

On paper, you're absolutely correct.

In reality though, they could have four titles across all of the brands combined and nothing would seem important anyway. The belts are a symptom, maybe even a side-effect of a symptom. In a world where nothing matters anyway, let them having their belts as storytelling crutches. 

[Go2Sleep]

I think it's a stretch to consider the million dollar belt a title like everything else. At most it will stick around long enough for Grimes to win it back and then it will disappear for another 10-15 years. It's equally, if not more possible, that it's simply a prop for Knight to be more obnoxious and Grimes will take up the mantle of people's champion and then the belt will disappear for another 10-15 years.

[Eoae]

I wouldn't count the Million Dollar title unless we're counting King of the Ring and the like.  Then again, it's Vince, so who knows?  Maybe we're one step closer to everyone having their own title championship.

[HumanChessgame]

The Million Dollar title is the equivalent of one of those sacks of money on a ladder matches they had back in the day.

Is the 24/7 title even a thing anymore? Granted I don't pay that close attention to Raw but I can't remember the last time I saw a skit about it.

[Greggulator]

It is jarring just how much bigger Karrion Kross Was than everyone else in that match. He actually screams “pro wrestler” when you see him in the ring. 

But man what exactly is he supposed to be as an act? A mean tough-guy old-school dude? Then why is he wearing Roman Gladiator trunks and have a valet who is a metaphysics enthusiast? Or is he some apocalyptic warrior with a siren girlfriend? Then why is he wearing a suit at the press conference?

The best characters are those you can describe in less than 10 words or less. They need to write that down and have a look that matches.

Everyone else in that match had a defined character you could see from their wrestling. Adam Cole: Slimbeag opportunist. Johnny Gargano: Goofball technical specialist. Pete Dunne: Tactician/borderline sadist. KOR: Emerging all-around Star.

But Kross? His act is just... ugh.

[RIPPA]

Sarray/Zoey Stark vs. The Robert Stone Brand

So I guess they filmed this yesterday as the kickoff match but didn't air it. I'm so confused

[CastleVania Rey]

16 hours ago, Greggulator said:

It is jarring just how much bigger Karrion Kross Was than everyone else in that match. He actually screams “pro wrestler” when you see him in the ring. 

But man what exactly is he supposed to be as an act? A mean tough-guy old-school dude? Then why is he wearing Roman Gladiator trunks and have a valet who is a metaphysics enthusiast? Or is he some apocalyptic warrior with a siren girlfriend? Then why is he wearing a suit at the press conference?

The best characters are those you can describe in less than 10 words or less. They need to write that down and have a look that matches.

Everyone else in that match had a defined character you could see from their wrestling. Adam Cole: Slimbeag opportunist. Johnny Gargano: Goofball technical specialist. Pete Dunne: Tactician/borderline sadist. KOR: Emerging all-around Star.

But Kross? His act is just... ugh.

"Sadistic prizefighting juggernaut". I like Kross, I admit. But I don't think he's supposed to be that complicated. He comes in for a fight, he hurts people, and he's huge. The Roman stuff is because he's like a gladiator. He wants to fight and hurt people and be recognized as the best. For better or worse, that's his act. And the suits are probably just because WWE sees no problem with giant menaces wearing them. See Mark Henry.