Having begun life as a reality show designed to showcase a selection of developmental talents, WWE's NXT has for the last two years instead functioned as a separate 'promotion' of sorts, with its own championships, arena and roster. Said roster is made up of a number of individuals from the company's developmental system, who are given the opportunity to compete in front of a televised audience and enhance their skills before they are considered worthy of performing in front of thousands of fans and millions of television viewers each week. Such individuals have included Seth Rollins, Big E and the Wyatt Family. As recent cuts have resulted in several performers leaving the company and other acts have gotten stale from overexposure throughout the years, the main roster is currently crying out for new talent. NXT has plenty to provide, from distinguished independent performers to well-gelled tag teams. The following list seeks to predict the next seven individuals who will make the step up. It is not a list of favourites, far from it, but instead an examination of who is available to plug gaps in the main roster and make a name for themselves, for whatever reason, going forward.
Honourable Mentions:
Corey Graves - One of the most dependable stars of the revamped NXT during its first year or so on air, Graves has been used sporadically as of late because of injuries. His latest concussion may be career threatening, but if he can indeed compete again, his unique look and 'Fight Club' vibes will put him back in contention for a main roster spot. The Vaudevillains - Though Aiden English's 'artiste' act was popular and saw him earn plaudits for his portrayal of a snobby classically-trained actor/signer, its incorporation into a tag team with 'old school' wrestler Ryan Drago, complete with a black and white entrance theme, Hindu squats, a ragtime theme and frequent use of the word 'Excelsior', has been gold thus far, and could go far if viewers are willing to accept it en masse. Prince Devitt, KENTA and Kevin Steen - The WWE has recently signed three of the world's most well-known independent wrestlers in the form of Devitt, Steen and KENTA, who will all presumably begin competing on NXT in due course. Should they connect with audiences as well as they have done for several years on the independent circuit, then a quick step-up to the main roster isn't out of the question. Success elsewhere isn't a guarantee of success in the WWE, however, evidenced by the releases of Chris Hero and Shaun Ricker and the constantly delayed debut of Sami Callihan. Tyson Kidd And Justin Gabriel - Though both are technically main roster performers, Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel have been heavily involved in NXT as of late, and their 'failed star' personas could be just what they need to get back to the point in the company they reached when they last teamed together (as promising team International Airstrike prior to a Kidd injury), even if Gabriel is highly unconvincing as a heel given his natural babyface tendencies.
