10 Best WWE Main Roster Debuts Of Former NXT Wrestlers

8. Sami Zayn

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WWE.com

As disappointing as John Cena’s 2015 burial of Rusev was, his United States Title reign was a success. His weekly open challenge segments helped push the belt back to the forefront, and inject the scene with some much-needed credibility. Having faced wrestlers like Stardust and Bad News Barrett in the first few weeks, Cena met an unlikely opponent when he took the challenge to Montreal, and Sami Zayn emerged after Bret Hart’s introduction.

The hometown boy put forth a tremendous effort, but he just couldn’t pull it off. Sami pushed Cena closer than any of his previous challengers, but the crowd’s partisan support wasn’t enough to will him to success. He couldn’t win the belt, but Zayn had earned Cena’s respect, and his performance earned him a handshake from the United States Champion and a standing ovation from the crowd.

The aftermath was a disaster, unfortunately. Sami suffered a severe shoulder injury while firing the crowd up during his ring entrance, and found himself on the injury reserve for the next seven months. This prevented WWE from truly capitalising on his eclectic debut, but as far as making an immediate splash on the main roster goes, few NXT wrestlers have done it better than Sami Zayn.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.