James Storm made his debut in NXT, and that is where he needs to remain.
I was there for the debut match, and his unadvertised surprise appearance drew a great crowd reaction. That reaction furthers my point to him being NXT only and not going to RAW or SmackDown.
There is a greater divide than most any other sport or entertainment in the fans who are casual pro wrestling fans and the ones who are hardcore, constantly searching for more information. The hardcore fans know who James Storm is, many more of the casual fans don't. That is not a knock on Storm, it is reality.
His NXT debut in Orlando films 20 minutes away from where TNA Wrestling spent a decade filming their television at Universal Studios, where Storm was a featured talent. The NXT audience and product is geared around a general premise of smarter fans more invested in the genre and a product that has a throwback kind of feel from the mainstream entertainment format found on RAW and SmackDown.
So of course, the NXT audience is going to react to Storm, it's a perfect fit. Storm walks out unadvertised on RAW, and there's not nearly the same energetic reaction or care. There is a difference between having heard of someone and knowing about someone enough to invest your time and money into seeing them.
Storm can then be packaged and a story can be told to educate these fans on who he is, but why? He is 38, and in wrestling time, is such a precious commodity. There are only so many spots to be had on television, especially on RAW and SmackDown. Every month, you use a spot on a 38-year-old Storm, that's a spot that can't go to somebody 10 years younger who has put their time in the WWE system.
Trust me, Storm not being on RAW or SmackDown is better for Storm's fans. If he were to be used in some role on Monday night's, it wouldn't be as glamorous as his fans feel he deserves, and their aggravated even more. Keep him in NXT, he can feed off the independent feel it has with intimate loud crowds for an hour straight every Wednesday night on WWE Network.
Storm's a veteran and can offer a lot to the talent coming through the Performance Center and NXT ranks. The same situation and purpose of the signing earlier this year of Samoa Joe.
In his debut match against Danny Burch, Storm looked and moved well. Fans chanted “you belong here” and I agree. It wasn't a total squash. He gave Burch some offense at the start, which reinforces my beliefs that he's there to elevate others. He elevates others courtesy of the credibility he has to that audience and teaches the best way for younger wrestlers to learn is being in the ring with someone more experienced.
To the best of my knowledge, Storm hasn't signed a longer-term contract with the company. Rumors suggest he is still fielding offers from others, namely TNA. If this is true, good for him. Get the best deal you can.
If he does sign to be a regularly featured guy on NXT, enjoy the run, given the momentum the brand has, and maybe a position to work as a coach in the Performance Center comes about.
Storm fans should be happy with this. If not, in the words of James Storm's official website — “sorry about your”...well, you know the rest.
Justin LaBar is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7949 or jlabar@tribweb.com.
