During a recent conversation with Good Karma Wrestling, NXT Champion Oba Femi expressed strong support for Shawn Michaels’ earlier assertion that WWE NXT is
“the best two-hour show on television.”
Femi highlighted the brand’s development, especially its expanding presence on The CW Network, and emphasized how it balances intense in-ring competition with engaging entertainment. This reflects Femi’s confidence in the current state of NXT excellence.
Comparing Today’s NXT with the Revered Black and Gold Period
Femi acknowledged the legacy of the Black and Gold era but argued that the current edition of NXT surpasses that period in quality and audience impact. He noted that while fans often celebrate the past, the present lineup and programming are outperforming what came before.
“I do understand that there is an era of NXT and Black and Gold which is like revered by the fans and that’s what they remember but, it’s very hard to understand that right now, we’re doing a lot better than back then,”
Femi explained. He pointed out the ongoing partnership with The CW Network, now entering its second year, as a significant factor in NXT’s growing success.
The Role of the Black and Gold Era in Shaping Today’s NXT
While praising the current product, Femi gave credit to the original Black and Gold brand for establishing the foundation on which today’s NXT thrives. He stressed the importance of that earlier generation’s contributions and acknowledged its role in the brand’s survival and evolution.
“I do appreciate all the effort that the Black and Gold brand put forth. Without them, there is no NXT today, but, we have to understand that this, right now, is the best two hours of wrestling on television,”
he stated.
Blending Styles: How NXT Merges Action with Entertainment
Femi detailed how the current NXT combines the fast-paced athleticism of the Black and Gold era with the storytelling and moment-driven approach of the main roster. He described the Black and Gold period as driven by experienced independent wrestlers delivering rapid-fire matches, whereas the main roster emphasizes a slower, entertainment-focused format. According to Femi, today’s NXT successfully integrates both philosophies to cater to diverse fan expectations.
Current Stars Showcasing a Mix of Speed and Star Power
Highlighting himself and fellow wrestler Trick Williams, Femi illustrated how the present roster balances quick action with charismatic performances that create memorable moments. Addressing critics who either find the pace too slow or too fast, he stated that the brand has found an optimal equilibrium.
“There’s people who are like, ‘It’s too slow. I want more action,’ and there’s people who are like, ‘Oh, this is too fast. We need more stars and moments.’ So NXT right now is the perfect combination of both styles, where you do have stars, big stars like Oba Femi and Trick Williams and you still have that fast-paced action by Oba Femi and Trick Williams. So this is the best version. The best possible version of NXT that we can have,”
Femi remarked.
What the Future Holds for NXT’s Continued Growth
With the partnership on The CW entering its second year, Femi’s comments reflect optimism about the brand’s trajectory and its capacity to redefine wrestling entertainment. The emphasis on blending athletic competition with star-driven storytelling aims to draw a broader audience and secure NXT’s status as a premier wrestling program. As NXT moves forward, its ability to maintain this balance will likely prove crucial to sustaining its momentum and increasing its influence within the wrestling world.
