10 WWE NXT Flops Who Should Have Been Huge

7. Sofia Cortez

Hideo Itami
WWE

Had Sofia Cortez stayed with NXT, she’d likely be a multi-time Women’s Champion by now, both in developmental and on the main roster. Signed through Tough Enough in 2011, she lasted just over a full year before leaving the company in August 2012, following an alleged bust-up with controversial head trainer Bill DeMott.

Cortez has since stated that she was one of the first wrestlers to report DeMott for alleged misconduct, and believes that reporting him to WWE’s higher-ups was the reason for her release. DeMott would later resign from his position following widescale accusations of mistreatment and abuse, adding weight to Cortez’ claims, and if it weren’t for him, she’d likely still be with the company today.

Again, “flop” could be perceived as a harsh term here, but Cortez’ post-WWE work demonstrates just how big an asset she should’ve been to the company. She has developed into a tremendous wrestler as Lucha Underground’s Ivelisse, standing out for her toughness, charisma, and willingness to go toe-to-toe with anybody, regardless of size or gender. Her performances speak for themselves, and had things gone differently, she’d be remembered as a major WWE Performance Center success story.

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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.