Baron Corbin, the self titled ‘Lone Wolf’ of NXT is a force to be reckoned with. Standing at an impressive 6 foot 8 and weighing near 275 pounds, Corbin is physical specimen. At 31 years of age the former NFL offensive lineman and NXT veteran is making waves in WWE. Finally he has stepped up the plate and grabbed the opportunity he’s worked so hard to achieve. Baron Corbin is on a journey.
Over the last year Corbin has improved greatly within the squared circle, he has worked with some of the best the wrestling industry has to offer. From Neville, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor. Corbin has taken what he can from those encounters and moulded himself in to the superstar we see today. Although if we rewind 2 years NXT wasn’t such a great place for Baron Corbin. Baron signed with NXT in 2012 and made his televised debut in May 2013, he faced the now forgotten Damien Sandow in a losing effort. His next showing in NXT was against former Nexus member Mason Ryan in a number one contenders Battle Royal. His appearances in the promotion were very sporadic as shortly after the Battle Royal Corbin disappeared from television. It was later revealed that he had been removed from NXT to be repackaged as the character we have all come to know.
The ‘Lone Wolf’ returned to NXT on September 11th 2014 at an NXT TakeOver special on the WWE Network. He had a successful return to the ring that night as he defeated CJ Parker in what was effectively a squash match. He once again defeated Parker to bring their feud to an end on the following episode of NXT. Baron received a huge push upon his return, using the well know saying of Paul Heyman, WWE pushed the positives and hid the negatives in a series of short enhancing matches for Corbin. Unfortunately for him, fans in attendance at the live NXT events didn’t appreciate the efforts WWE were going to get him over as the next big thing. The Corbin push resulted in fan backlash at taped events and on social media, however none of this seemed to both the ‘Lone Wolf’.
Another NXT original by the name of Bull Dempsey was also getting preferential treatment, this naturally led to both Baron & Bull banging heads. Their feud was booked very well as both tried to one up each other to see who could defeat their opponent in the quickest time week after week. Baron entered into a mini feud with the very underrated Tye Dillinger, they met at NXT TakeOver Evolution in December 2014. Corbin was successful at TakeOver but after the match he and Bull finally met in the ring. Their highly anticipated match took place a month later, Baron won a hard thought match and in the process gave Dempsey his first loss in NXT.
Although he wasn’t as gifted in the ring as Finn Balor or Sami Zayn, Baron had a rawness that made him unique. With each passing week he was growing with confidence as a performer, Baron also possesses a massive ego so he himself believed he was improving. In late January 2015 NXT set up a number one contenders tournament which Baron entered, in his first match he defeated Bull Dempsey once more and but crashed out to Adrian Neville in the Semi-Final. The defeat at the hands of Neville was Corbin’s first since his return in September. The bad feeling wouldn’t last forever as at the NXT TakeOver special Baron defeated Bull once more to draw a line under their feud.
As already stated the push of Baron, his squash matches and cocky persona didn’t go down well with fans. In May 2015 during a match with Solomon Crowe Baron fully gave in to the dark side and turned full heel on the NXT fans. The true Baron Corbin had finally been revealed, the cocky, egotistical character was right for him. His next big test was against former ECW alumni Rhyno, who has recently made his return to the company. At NXT TakeOver Unstoppable, Baron defeated Rhyno in a hard hitting contest to end their hostilities. The win was another feather in the cap for Baron, it seemed as if the company believed in him also. In the aftermath of TakeOver he reverted back to squash matches over enhancement talent.
As Baron resumed dominating the roster, he started stating on Television that no one in NXT could kick out his ‘End of Days’ finisher. Shortly after he made the statement WWE introduced their newest acquisition Samoa Joe, they ignited their feud by brawling at the end of an NXT broadcast. The two went back and forth in the weeks leading up to TakeOver Brooklyn, their match was made official for the NXT special at the Barclays Centre the night before Summerlam. The subsequent feud and match against Joe was another step up for Corbin, personally I felt he was becoming a standout for the company who deserved the spotlight. At the TakeOver special Joe defeated Corbin in a well received match after inflicting his Kokina Clutch and gaining a win by submission.
Emerging from the defeat in Brooklyn, Baron joined forces with former rival Rhyno, together they entered the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. As a team they achieved great success, they progressed through the tournament beating teams such as the Ascension and Johnny Gorgano/Tommaso Ciampa respectively. At TakeOver Respect they faced off with Gable & Jordan in the semi finals in a very entertaining match, Baron & Rhyno picked up another win and moved into he final. In the tag team tournament final they went head to head with Finn Balor and Samoa Joe, I personally feel this was Baron Corbin’s best performance to date in NXT. He showed great timing and selling in the match, every thing he did counted. Against two accomplished performers like Balor & Joe, Corbin proved he belonged in their company and proved that with a career performance.
Apollo Crews was crowned number one contender on the October 8th episode of NXT, which in turn led to an NXT title match with Finn Balor. The title match took place on October 22nd , in a well received match Apollo was on the verge of victory before Baron Corbin decided to crash the main event. The interference cost Apollo the match and also sparked a feud between the two. Corbin didn’t hold back against Crews, he felt his time was now. They were scheduled to face off with one another at TakeOver London on December 16th. Although the company seemed to be behind Apollo since his debut in August, it was the NXT original Corbin who won their grudge match at TakeOver. In a tough, back and forth match Corbin scored the decisive victory as he continues his rise up the ranks in NXT.
In what has been a brief but successful tenure in NXT Baron Corbin continues to be recognised as the next big thing in the promotion. Corbin after spending nearly 4 years in NXT is a veteran, he has wrestled most and nearly always come out on top, but is his next great test about to happen? After the win over Apollo, Baron made clear through social media about his desire to be NXT champion and Finn was now on notice. Baron it seems has always been within touching distance of the NXT title, every time he took a step closer Adrian Neville or Finn Balor would be there to stop him. It is strange seeing someone built like Baron to not yet receive the push many thought he would of by now. His size, look and wrestling style would of once propelled him to the main roster, however in NXT he has been made to earn his opportunities.
2015 has been a great year for Baron, with each match and feud he has improved a little more. His entrance, ring style and character, I feel warrant an opportunity not only at the NXT title, but a promotion to the main roster. Yes it would be nice for him to reach the pinnacle of being champion but does he need it? WWE right now needs fresh faces, with Wrestlemania right around the corner the company needs to start building. Baron Corbin is ready for that spot on Raw, he looks like a WWE superstar, he’s unique, versatile and hardworking. His matches with Joe, Apollo, Finn and Neville proved that he can work with the best in the business, when you see Baron you take notice.
Rumours are circulating about proposed matches at Wrestlemania 32, and more importantly who Brock Lesnar and the Undertaker will be facing. My question is why not introduce some NXT talent at the Rumble and build them for the 3 months heading into Mania? Introduce Corbin at the PPV itself, have him eliminate a few lower ranked superstars before getting eliminated by a more established talent. Make Corbin look strong, push him from the get go. WWE believed Bray was the next phenom of the industry, but why couldn’t it be the ‘Lone Wolf’ Baron Corbin?
@ciaran_1986
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