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WWE NXT aired a set of heritage vignettes from Full Sail University that set out to celebrate the brand’s most influential performers. The tone was proud and nostalgic, the kind of package designed to remind viewers why NXT earned a reputation for match quality and character work. The reaction was mixed. Fans appreciated the nod to foundational figures, yet many noticed that the celebration felt incomplete. Several pillars of the black and gold era were present, while others whose fingerprints are all over NXT’s rise did not appear at all. The choices created a conversation that extended beyond nostalgia and into the way WWE frames its own history.
The showcase opened with NXT’s executive face setting the tone for a respectful look back. Women who pushed the division forward were given focus, with Sasha Banks and Paige highlighted for moments that reshaped how women’s wrestling was seen in WWE. Both later moved on, with Banks becoming Mercedes Mone and Paige returning as Saraya, showing that WWE can still acknowledge past achievements even when careers take a different path.
For fans who follow not only the action inside the ring but also the betting markets surrounding it, wrestling’s growth has also coincided with the rise of top sports betting platforms with no verification required, making it a highly appealing option for fans and punters alike. These platforms have become increasingly popular as they allow users to skip lengthy registration procedures; these sites typically only ask for an email and a password. Once done, punters can enjoy competitive wrestling odds, fast payouts through flexible payment methods, and enticing bonuses such as welcome rewards, free bets, and odds boosts, adding another layer of engagement to the spectacle NXT helped build.
But no matter how the industry evolves around it, the heart of NXT’s legacy still lies in the performers and stories that turned a small brand into a movement fans continue to celebrate.
The omissions drew the biggest reaction. Adam Cole and The Undisputed Era, arguably among WWE’s greatest stars of that era, were nowhere in sight. For years, Cole led a faction that shaped NXT’s main stories and biggest matches. With Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, and Roderick Strong, the group built a reputation for dominance. From late 2019 into early 2020, they held every men’s championship, with Cole as top champion, Strong with the North American title, and Fish and O’Reilly ruling the tag division. It was a run that made NXT feel unified and unstoppable.
The group’s breakup in early 2021 marked a turning point. Cole eventually exited and landed in AEW, with O’Reilly, Fish, and Strong also taking opportunities away from WWE over time. Their move closed the book on a dominant chapter. It also appears to have influenced how their legacy is referenced. The vignettes nodded to some who left, yet left out a faction that fueled countless TakeOver main events and weekly cliffhangers. For long-time viewers, that silence felt loud. It created the sense that certain names can be celebrated openly, while others are treated as if their achievements belong to a different story.
Wrestling companies tell history the way studios cut trailers. The goal is to evoke feeling, reinforce brand identity, and support present-day positioning. Within that framework, what gets shown can matter as much as what gets skipped. Featuring Banks and Paige signals respect for foundational work while maintaining control of the narrative. Sidestepping Cole and his group avoids shining a light on talent now associated with a direct competitor. Both choices can be defended as editorial decisions. Together, they hint at a careful line between heritage and strategy, where acknowledgement is filtered through business reality.
Fans have long memories. Many recall Cole’s NXT title reign, the faction’s chaotic brawls, and matches that anchored an era of critical acclaim. By excluding The Undisputed Era, the vignettes risk feeling incomplete to those who watched week to week. WWE also works in a competitive landscape, where highlighting stars headlining elsewhere comes at a cost. The company seems more at ease celebrating alumni who are retired, semi-active, or less tied to rival programming, protecting the brand while still leaning on nostalgia.
NXT built its reputation on bold match-making, standout champions, and factions that gave the show life. The Undisputed Era was central to that mix, with rivalries and performances that anchored many TakeOver cards. Their absence from the tribute changes the story’s texture, asking fans to revisit NXT’s rise while setting aside some of its main architects.
The Full Sail vignettes were polished and heartfelt, but the choices were obvious. WWE celebrated names who fit the story they want to tell while sidestepping a faction that once ran the men’s division. The message was clear that history is remembered through the lens of business. Fans will always cherish the matches and moments that built the black and gold era, but they’ll also remember who was missing, because their impact on NXT can’t be erased.
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