10 Wrestlers Who Should Have Been NXT Champion

Apollo Crews, both as a character and a competitor, epitomises what the NXT Championship should be about.

Entering the developmental system with as much hype as any prospect, Crews struggled at first to get over with the NXT fanbase. His talent was undeniable, but his blind optimism and awkward name change hindered his climb up the NXT totem pole. What was almost certain however, was that Crews would eventually follow in the footsteps of Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor by completing his quest to become the brand's champion. Instead, he was brought to the main roster.

This move baffled the collective WWE fanbase. For one, it devalued the NXT system when a mid-carder was favoured for promotion over more obviously ready performers like Bálor and Samoa Joe. Secondly, WWE fans had become accustomed to high-impact main roster debuts from the likes of former champions Zayn and Owens. To then see a performer who had made no moves towards the NXT Championship debut on Raw was a bit of a bizarre start.

Crews has floundered disastrously on the main roster. When you compare it to Finn Bálor's debut a few months later, it is clear that Crews would have gained substantially from an NXT Title push.