Add as a preferred source on Google Blake Monroe says the biggest difference between NXT and the WWE main roster isn’t just what happens in the ring, but how much independence talent is expected to have once they’re away from the Performance Center.
Speaking with Denise Salcedo, The Glamour said NXT is far more hands-on when it comes to building characters, promos, and presentation, while the main roster expects you to already know exactly who you are.
“It is different because NXT is based in Orlando and we train four days a week at NXT. I mean, you can still go back and stuff, but it’s a different process. I think NXT too, so many people are new. So it’s really, really hands on in the capacity of, these people have never done TV before wrestling. So that was amazing because for me, even coming in with the experience I had, they were so good in helping me shape the character, Blake Monroe, and The Glamour, and how I talk and how I walk, whereas the main roster, you’ve got to have a little bit more independence. You’re going on the road by yourself, you’re flying by yourself, and when it comes to promos, you have a little bit more freedom of, ‘what would you say here?’ So you have to know yourself. Whereas I think NXT, they help you figure out who you are, and then the main roster, it’s like, we’re on the biggest stage now, you need to know who you are, and I think that’s a little bit of a change, but it was one I was ready for. I feel like I know myself back to front. If anyone knows themselves, it’s me so no I’ve been loving it, and both have been an amazing experience, and I feel like I’m just getting started on SmackDown.”
The comments come just over a month after Monroe’s first appearance in front of a crowd as part of the SmackDown roster, on the 6/26 show taped at the O2 Arena in London. She ran in and laid out Giulia after Giulia’s match with Kiana James.
The call-up came together fairly quickly. Back in February, Monroe said she was in no rush to leave NXT, pointing out that she still had much of the women’s division left to work with and hadn’t been in the mix for the NXT Women’s Title. WWE moved her to SmackDown not long after.
Since arriving on the blue brand, Monroe has gone after Giulia, Kiana James, and Candice LeRae, and she interrupted Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green on the 7/31 show.