10 Best WWE Main Roster Debuts Of Former NXT Wrestlers
3. Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn may have been the first NXT talent to debut during John Cena’s United States Title open challenge series, but he certainly wasn’t the last. In May 2015, Kevin Owens found yet another way to one-up his long-term rival, and his Monday Night Raw debut outdid Sami’s offering in almost every way.
Owens couldn’t match Zayn’s crowd reaction, but it didn’t matter. KO was one of the best heels in the business at the time, his debut was all about making a statement, not shaking hands and earning Cena’s admiration.
The Prizefighter cut a stellar promo on the United States Champion, but he had no intentions of wrestling Cena that night. Instead, the reigning NXT Champion blindsided Cena with a kick to the gut, downed him with a Popup Powerbomb, and left the audience stunned. The symbolism went through the roof as Owens dropped the US Title to the floor, stamped down on it, then raised his NXT belt defiantly, signifying his dominance over WWE’s biggest star.
What better way to make an immediate impact than by feuding with WWE’s Franchise Player? KO was immediately put on the map as a serious contender in WWE, and he has barely slowed down since.