WWE Brand Split 2016: 10 Wrestlers Who Must Stay In NXT
Not every big name is Raw or Smackdown-bound.
NXT has become a brand unto itself. While still technically operating as WWE’s developmental territory, the Orlando-based promotion has become so much more than a mere farm system, and regularly produces some of the most exciting professional wrestling in North America.
This has not gone unnoticed by Vince McMahon, and with recent reports suggesting that up to a dozen NXT talents could be pilfered in the forthcoming WWE Draft, it looks increasingly likely that Raw and Smackdown will soon be padded-out by some of NXT’s biggest, best, and brightest.
That said, NXT has become a genuine draw on the road, and a bonafide touring brand. There’s a clear need for WWE to protect it by maintaining a strong core roster to keep fan interest and continue producing the exciting in-ring product that NXT is known for.
Besides, some members of the NXT roster just aren’t ready for the bigger stage yet. NXT might be one of the most entertaining shows in wrestling, but it’s still a developmental system first and foremost. Wrestlers sign-on at the Performance Centre to work on their skills and bolster their chances of making it in WWE, and there are a number of NXT roster members who’d be better-off down in Florida for the time being.
Here are 10 wrestlers who must stay in NXT come Brand Split time...
10. Andrade "Cien" Almas
The former “La Sombra” is one of the most talented wrestlers currently under WWE contract, NXT or otherwise. The high-flying luchador possesses a hugely impressive arsenal of ariel moves, and after 12 years in the business, everything he does looks clean, crisp, and effortless.
This’ll serve him very well in modern WWE, where the company continues to mould its riskier in-ring performers’ styles to better suit the PG mould. They don’t have to water Almas down at all: technically and athletically, the guy is a ready-made WWE success.
That said, he’s not the finished article. While there’s not necessarily been anything wrong with Andrade’s appearances thus far, they’ve been far from exceptional. Perhaps a casualty of going against the hugely-popular Tye Dillinger so early in his career, Almas’ NXT showings have been met with muted crowd responses, and the less said about that entrance attire the better.
Andrade Almas has bags of ability, he just needs to learn how to capture the NXT audience’s attention.