10 WWE NXT Main Roster Call Ups That Must Happen In 2017
WWE have never been this spoiled for choice before.
2016 saw close to 20 WWE hopefuls make their way from NXT to the main roster. Some, like Finn Balor and Alexa Bliss, have made a seamless transition from developmental to mainstream, and have already established themselves at the top of their respective divisions. They have taken to main roster life like a duck to water, and there's no doubt that they were ready for the bigger stage.
Others? Not so much. A number of wrestlers have arrived on Raw and SmackDown ahead of time and too early in their development, and they've struggled. Workers like Apollo Crews, Mojo Rawley, and Nia Jax have looked lost at times, and while each one has gradually improved, they could certainly have benefited from a longer stint in developmental.
NXT is WWE's primary source for restocking their main roster, and only a handful of stars debut without passing through the Performance Center. The Brand Split has created more free roster spots with ever before, and with Raw & SmackDown's midcards both struggling for depth, we'll likely see another stream of call-ups in the new year.
Fortunately, NXT is stacked with talent at the moment. From WWE system products to indie vets and former TNA Champions, there are a number of excellent performers who are either ready for an immediate main roster call-up, or will be within a couple of months.
Here are 10 WWE NXT main roster call ups that must happen in 2017.
10. No Way Jose
No Way Jose has been one of NXT’s most surprising success stories this year. His debut had fans rolling their eyes at the prospect of another goofy WWE dancing gimmick, and he’s not exactly the flashiest wrestler in the world. Jose’s first few matches were clunky and awkward, and after his first month of activity, it looked NXT had a real dud on their hands.
Something changed, though. Jose started making great strides in all aspects of his performance, and has now proven his worth as a competitor with solid matches against the likes of Austin Aries and Bobby Roode. More importantly, Jose’s personality is incredibly infectious: his entrance music always has the Full Sail University crowd on their feet, and with every passing week, Jose becomes easier and easier to root for.
The obvious concern is that Jose would become another Fandango on the main roster, but Jose is already a lot more charismatic than the current SmackDown wrestler. He’s bags of fun to watch, and with some extra seasoning, No Way Jose should be ready for a main roster transition. His gimmick brings no guarantees of success on Raw or SmackDown, but stranger things have happened, and nobody can deny the progress he’s made over the past six months.