Because of how big NXT has become over the past couple of years, it can be easy to forget that it is still primarily a developmental territory whose grander purpose is to turn the next generation of professional wrestlers into superstars. While the promotion is doing a terrific job of giving its young workers a chance to experience what life in the WWE may be like, it's important to keep in mind that NXT is not WWE. They may emulate their production values and even sometimes their road schedule, but there are things that work in the NXT style that simply don't translate over to the main roster. That puts its biggest stars in an interesting position. While many of the top talent in NXT will become a main roster star one way or another, that doesn't mean they'll be able to walk in the door and hit the ground running. There will be adjustments, there will be growth, and there will be more learning to do. And for these NXT stars, there will be struggles.
10. Baron Corbin - The Indie Killer Gimmick Won't Work
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"Go back to Ring of Honor!" said Baron Corbin to Apollo Crews at NXT TakeOver: London. Even though Apollo Crews never worked in Ring of Honor during his Uhaa Nation days, that spiteful statement by Baron Corbin still perfectly captures his brilliant gimmick as the indie killer of NXT. Baron Corbin's persona as a man who doesn't know or care what any indie star did before getting in the ring with him adds a level of heat and emotional investment to his matches that wouldn't exist otherwise. The problem is that there is no real way to carry over that character to the main roster. Trying to pretend that he doesn't know who guys like AJ Styles are when they've already been established on the main roster will make Corbin look stupid at best. Unless they were to convert this to a kind of modern day legend killer gimmick, Baron wouldn't be able to keep major elements of his persona on the main roster. Unfortunately, he's not at a point where his in-ring skills can make up for that loss.