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

3. The Authors Of Pain

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WWE Network

Few WWE Superstars improved as sharply as Akam and Rezar in 2017. Once a pair of sloppy, uncoordinated stiffs, The Authors Of Pain have transcended their green early days to become genuine standouts in NXT's celebrated tag division. They still have a few rough edges, but have looked nothing short of excellent in matches with DIY, Sanity, and The Revival, and must now be considered candidates for an immediate call-up.

The Authors would be an excellent addition to Raw, as the red brand's tag division will eventually be thinned by The Shield's inevitable dissolution, but they'd have great matches with The Usos and New Day on SmackDown too.

Such pairings are key to their ongoing development. One of the main reasons behind AoP's surge is that they've been allowed to work with such talented wrestlers as Scott Dawson and Johnny Gargano, but aside from Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly, they have few obvious mentors left in NXT. Working with the likes of The Bar and New Day should help bring them to the next level, placing them among the world's finest duos.

Sure, they've only been teaming together for 18 months, but keeping the Authors grounded in NXT feels pointless.

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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.