10 Things You Miss About NXT Wrestlers On WWE's Main Roster

5. Bayley's Underdog Credibility

sasha banks nxt
WWE.com

Bayley's rise through NXT is one of the greatest stories WWE have told this decade. Though an integral member of the brand's Four Horsewomen, she was often forced to play second, third, or fourth fiddle to Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Sasha Banks. She had skill and heart, but she was too naive - too nice - to ever make it to the top, and this cost her time and time and again.

Months passed, and Bayley learned from her mistakes. Her character's growth played out over several years, and culminated at TakeOver: Brooklyn, when she finally overcame Banks to claim the NXT Women's Championship. The perfect moment to end the perfect storyline, and one that made Bayley not only one of the brand's most popular wrestlers, but one of its most credible.

The story is a perfect blueprint for how to book a traditional 'white meat' babyface, but WWE have flubbed it on the main roster. In having Bayley be continually humiliated by the likes of Alexa Bliss, they've made her look like a total loser, and her popularity has nosedived because of it. It's not uncommon for Bayley to be booed on Raw these days, such is her complete lack of credibility, and it's hard to see how she'll recover.

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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.