NXT

WWE is one of the most unlikely entertainment empires in US history, but CEO Vince McMahon’s ambitions and management style have left many wondering if the company can continue to grow.

CM Punk has burned his bridges with not just WWE but much of pro wrestling, and was embarrassed in his UFC debut. Now a great champ faces an uncertain future.

In Battleground, WWE nailed the introduction of NXT hero Bayley and delivered a solid triple threat between The Shield's stars. But they're still not quite there yet.

Pro wrestling loves to tell its own story and always has. That's what WWE's current "new era" talk is about. More importantly: the new era is pretty great so far.

Daniel Bryan was an indie wrestling grinder who became a beloved WWE champion because of how uniquely talented he was. His career is over, but his legend is secure.

New Japan Pro Wrestling is the second-biggest wrestling promotion in the world, and utterly unique. Naturally, its Wrestle Kingdom event was a hell of a show.

NXT, WWE's flourishing developmental league, looks and feels like an indie wrestling fed, and has bought up a ton of indie stars. It hasn't made WWE less dull.

Sara Del Rey spent ten years kicking ass in indie wrestling before heading to the big league, where she's reinvigorating a tired network, building bold characters, and turning popular notions of women's wrestling on their head.