10 NXT Stars Vince McMahon Will DESTROY On WWE's Main Roster

6. KUSHIDA

Kushida NXT
WWE

It's difficult to gauge KUSHIDA's developmental prospects at the moment. The former NJPW Junior Heavyweight ace has registered just three televised WWE matches so far, besting Kassius Ohno, Drew Gulak, and Kona Reeves as his NXT career takes flight. Though short, these bouts have allowed him to showcase the slick, MMA-influenced technical offence that made him a New Japan standout while showing glimpses of his palpable babyface affability, though we won't know how far NXT's writers plan on taking him until he's slotted into bigger feuds.

Regardless, KUSHIDA probably isn't going to be a main roster star. He's exactly the kind of wrestler who'd get thrown onto 205 Live and then forgotten about, as he's small (5'9", 187lbs), Japanese, and lacking in physical charisma, even though his bell-to-bell makes it incredibly easy to root for him. A shame, but performers of his ilk can't succeed until Vince McMahon overcomes his long-held hatred of managers not named Paul Heyman.

KUSHIDA left a good thing in NJPW to try his hand in North America, having come dangerously close to growing stale in his homeland. Let's hope he confounds your writer's prediction.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.