Baron Corbin has made his way back to WWE NXT, and he has a lot to say about the current state of the brand. In an opening segment on this week’s episode, Corbin made it clear that he believes the current crop of NXT talent is soft and weak, and that the NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes is to blame. Corbin, who started his WWE career in FCW and helped take NXT to a packed house in Brooklyn, is clearly not happy with the direction that the brand has taken in recent years. He says that he and the other OG’s will have a say in the next WWE Draft, and that he will make sure that the new signees regret their decision to join the company.
Ilja Dragunov, who has been making waves in NXT with his intense style and impressive win-loss record, was not impressed with Corbin’s words. He interrupted the former king of the ring and challenged him to a match later in the evening. Corbin tried to dissuade Dragunov, reminding him of the beating he took at NXT Battleground, but Dragunov was undeterred. He showed off a nasty bruise on his side and made it clear that he was next in line for the NXT Championship, and that he would go through Corbin if he had to.
It remains to be seen whether or not Dragunov will get his shot at the title, but it’s clear that he has his sights set on Hayes. The current champion has been on something of a hot streak lately, but he’s also been the target of several attacks from other wrestlers, including Corbin himself. It’s clear that the NXT Championship is a coveted prize, and that the competition for it is fierce.
Despite Corbin’s criticisms, it’s worth noting that NXT has produced some of the biggest stars in WWE over the past few years. The likes of Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, and Samoa Joe all made their names in NXT before moving up to the main roster, and it’s likely that we’ll see more stars follow in their footsteps in the years to come. For now, though, the focus is on the current crop of talent, and the battle for the NXT Championship.
As for Corbin, it will be interesting to see how he fares in his return to NXT. He’s certainly made it clear that he’s not happy with the current state of the brand, and that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that things change. Whether or not he’s successful in his mission remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: he’s not going to let anyone stand in his way.
In the end, it’s clear that NXT is still a hotbed of talent and competition, and that the battle for the NXT Championship is as intense as ever. Whether it’s Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, or someone else who ultimately emerges as the champion, one thing’s for sure: they’ll have earned it. As for Baron Corbin, we’ll just have to wait and see what he has in store for the brand that he helped build.