10 WWE NXT Main Roster Call-Ups That Must Happen In 2018

1. Drew McIntyre

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WWE.com

Disaster struck for Drew McIntyre at TakeOver: WarGames.

The resurgent Scot tore his bicep during his NXT Championship bout, and now faces months on the sidelines, with WrestleMania 34 weekend his targeted return date. It's a devastating blow for a competitor who was reportedly within a hair of returning to the main roster anyway, but the injury need not still his progress beyond the spring.

As perhaps the most complete performer in NXT at the moment, McIntyre will gain little from returning to developmental. Size, look, skill, charisma: he has everything Vince McMahon looks for in a major star. His NXT run was beneficial, and allowed for an effective reintroduction to WWE audiences, but it's time to stop pussyfooting around his push. McIntyre must head straight for the main roster when he returns.

His previous run ended in disaster, but Drew is a stronger performer than he was three years ago, having successfully reinvented himself on the independent circuit. It's unlikely that WWE would push him as an immediate main eventer, but they could do a lot worse. Sure, he can't match the AJ Styles' of the world in the ring, but he's good enough to go toe-to-toe with anyone, and still only 32 years old.

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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.