With the WWE’s worrying tendency to ruin promising talent well documented, this article looks at ten of NXT’s top stars, and evaluates their potential in the harsher, more entertainment-focused WWE product.
Sami Zayn
Pros: Exciting style. Experience. Infectious persona.
Cons: Injury risk.
Initially successful on the independent circuit as the masked El Generico, Zayn has flourished in NXT with his new character. Retaining his famous high-flying style while improving in almost every other area, the Canadian is already being primed for a run on the main roster where he will almost certainly experience the same level of fanfare. Unfortunately he does have a tendency to pick up injuries frequently, an undesired side-effect of his enthusiasm and risk taking moveset. An intense indy darling whose career might shorten due to injury, sound familiar?
Verdict: Hit...if he dials down a little on the intensity.
Hideo Itami
Pros: Innovative. Experience. Opens potentially lucrative Japanese market.
Cons: Below-par promo skills. Age.
Kenta, as Itami is better known, is one of the most popular Japanese superstars of the past decade. A hit with fans and peers alike, Itami’s moveset has been extensively used by other superstars over the years. CM Punk’s GTS? That’s his. Randy Orton’s rope-hung DDT? Also his. Daniel Bryan’s kick combo and running knee? His again. The signing of such a respected talent represented a massive coup for the WWE. Performing under the NXT banner initially to allow him to adapt to the American style, Itami will definitely be a hit on the main roster, but at 34 years old his time to make a lasting impression could be limited.
Verdict: Hit
Charlotte
Verdict: Hit
Charlotte
Pros: Well rounded. Unusual shape.
Cons: Daughter of WWE legend Ric Flair
The pressures of being the son or daughter of a decorated professional wrestler is well known. Many second, or in some cases third generation talent have tried to emulate the success of their parents...with most failing. The Flair family is a perfect example of this with David fizzling out after a bland run in WCW, and Reid allowing vices to tragically rob him of his life. As his daughter, Charlotte brings a completely different aspect, and has wisely avoided imitating much of her father’s in-ring style. A tall and athletic performer, very similar in style to Michelle McCool, Charlotte will hopefully be able to break onto the main roster...but current rumours of a pairing with Bad New Barrett doesn't inspire much in the way of confidence.
Verdict: Hit...if she is allowed to make it on her own.
Solomon Crowe
Pros: Different look. Unorthodox moveset.
Cons: Size. Unpolished.
A performer who initially made his name on the indy circuit with the notorious CZW promotion, Solomon Crowe is a young prospect who can probably be summed up as a blend of Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley and Tazz. Crowe has demonstrated an ability to perform under a number of different gimmicks and match types, and his unusual wrestling style should make him a popular attraction with fans. Unfortunately Crowe might experience struggles with the WWE’s senior officials due to his size and general body type. The organisation has tried to improve it’s main roster diversity, but it blatantly still favours larger talent. Crowe will probably struggle to make an impact if this outdated mentality remains a factor.
Verdict: Miss
Tyler Breeze
Pros: Unique gimmick. Commitment to character. Athleticism. Young.
Cons: Similar to already established superstars.
Getting a gimmick right appears to be a very tricky thing. Very rarely do performers completely embrace a persona that contrasts with their own. Yes, Tyler Breeze might look a little too similar to Dolph Ziggler and Fandango to successfully break onto the main stage right now, but in time he should be able to make the leap thanks to his willingness to devote himself to character. Whether he’s arrogantly strutting to the ring, furry selfie stick in hand, or delivering a self-filmed promo, Breeze has already nailed his character, he now just needs to prove that he belongs in the WWE with his current, very familiar gimmick.
Verdict: Hit...just not quite yet.
Baron Corbin
Pros: Organisation-favoured look. Good look. Strongly built.
Cons: Untested. Generic.
7-foot tall. Former American football prospect. Baron Corbin seemingly fits the mold that gets WWE officials very excited, and it shows with the way he has been packaged and booked so far in NXT. Protected in almost the same way as Goldberg was back in WCW, Corbin has defeated almost all of his opponents extremely quickly, and only with a couple of moves. Because of this, and the fact that he’s been nowhere near a microphone, it’s extremely hard to judge fairly whether he’ll be a success in the WWE...but it’s very likely that he isn't the type that we can rely on to deliver solid wrestling action. We don’t need another Goldberg as we already have one in the form of Roman Reigns...but this probably won’t stop Vince and his horde of executives from pushing him to the moon.
Verdict: Me: Miss WWE: Hit...and he’ll probably win the WWE Championship 20 times too.
Bayley
Pros: Organic style and persona. Diverse moveset.
Cons: Potentially one-note.
Adding a different wrinkle to the largely serious NXT landscape, Bayley has enjoyed considerable success so far in her young career thanks to the freedom she has been afforded to develop her own identity. Female performers...or ‘Divas’ as WWE calls them are usually restricted to only a few, generic characters. Not only is Bayley talented, she would also offer something completely different on the main roster...just as long as she can avoid becoming a gimmick character in the same vein of Adam Rose, Fandango...or worryingly Emma, a fellow prospect who was touted in the same way before her disastrous run in the big leagues.
Verdict: Hit...as long as she doesn't steal any iPad accessories.
Kevin Owens
Pros: Extensively skilled. Believable. Experience. Storyteller. Size.
Cons: Unathletic appearance.
If the WWE can move past the obvious fact that Kevin Owens looks like a Burger King aficionado, they have potential gold in their hands. Similar to Bray Wyatt, Owens moves like a man eighty pounds lighter, and possess an incredibly diverse moveset for a man of his size. Working with backstage producers in NXT has allowed him to tighten other areas in the same way as his friend and compatriot Sami Zayn, resulting in a relatable and believable monster heel. The WWE has had similar talent before, most notably Brodus Clay and Tensai, but hopefully they have learned from their previous mistakes. Don’t expect to see Owens dancing on Raw any time soon. *Crosses fingers*
Verdict: Hit
Sasha Banks
Pros: Unique look. Well rounded. Storyteller. Superstar aura. Young.
Cons: None
Some performers just have an intangible quality that makes people sit up and take notice. Sasha Banks, NXT’s newly minted women’s champion has this quality, and then some. Her look is perfect. Her character is spot-on. Her in-ring talent is considerable. Her ability to tell, and perhaps more importantly, sell a story has been ably demonstrated. Of all the talent in NXT at the moment, Banks is probably the one who could appear on Raw next week and make an immediate impact. Banks will easily appeal to the masses of young female fans, and considering her young age she’ll probably figure as one of the WWE’s top ‘Divas’ for a long, long time. The future of the women’s division is in very safe hands. Bank on it.
Verdict: Hit
Finn Bálor
Pros: Excellent character. Nuanced gimmick. Well rounded. Diverse and unique moveset.
Cons: Age.
Fergal Devitt’s long road to the WWE finally came to an end last year, but for fans eagerly anticipating the debut of this ultra popular performer, the wait was definitely worth it. Honing his craft for years in Japan, Bálor has developed a reputation for constantly delivering inside the squared circle. Like fellow indy veteran Daniel Bryan, Bálor has built a career around not having an overt gimmick, opting to instead adorn himself with intricate body painting for key matches. This aspect, combined with his unusual entrances and seemingly bottomless bag of jaw-dropping moves has resulted in a Superstar level performer who wouldn't look out of place on the main roster. At 33 years old age might not be on his side, just like Itami, but like his Japanese counterpart Bálor shouldn't have a problem firmly establishing himself as one of the company’s major players. The future's looking bright.
Verdict: Hit
What do you think of these assessments? Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments below!
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