10 Wrestlers You Should Be Most Thankful For This Year

5. Finn Balor

Anytime an established wrestler signs with WWE, there's some concern over how he or she is going to be used. Vince McMahon has a history of holding grudges against wrestlers he didn't "make," often to the detriment of his own product's success. For that reason, there were concerns when New Japan's Prince Devitt signed with WWE in 2014. Additionally, his smaller stature didn't help matters at all. He debuted for NXT in September of that year, and while things initially seemed to be working out in the newly-rechristened Finn Balor's favor, only time would tell if his push would match his performance. More than a year has passed since Balor's debut, and it's safe to say that he's a star. The Irish grappler defeated Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship in July, and since then, he's excelled as the face of the brand. His skills are every bit as pronounced as they were in New Japan, his unique entrance ensures that he stands out from the crowd, and he's developed a real relationship with the fans. He's the closest thing NXT has to a guaranteed future WWE star, but until he makes it there, fans will keep enjoying him just where he is.