Earlier this week, we learned that NXT Superstar Matt Riddle is being moved from NXT to SmackDown. Following his "Cage Fight" against Timothy Thatcher, it definitely appears as if he's done with the brand, and Dave Meltzer has dropped some interesting additional details in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Talking about the decision to move Riddle to the main roster, he said: "That’s also interesting because for a time there was a doctrine that nobody being pushed on NXT television could be brought to Raw or Smackdown for fear it made the show seem like a feeder system."
In January, we heard that Vince McMahon wanted talent on NXT to finish their storylines there before being moved to the main roster, but when the show moved to the USA Network, we learned that "call ups" could become a thing of the past in order to get rid of the idea that the Wednesday night show is just development/a feeding station for RAW and SmackDown.
Explaining that Shayna Baszler and The Street Profits were the exception to the rule "since their call-ups were planned long before NXT started on television," Meltzer added that it, "now it appears they’ve relaxed the rule."
There are also rumblings that additional call ups are planned as WWE looks to counter falling ratings.