25 Most Important Wrestlers In NXT History
13. Samoa Joe
When Samoa Joe appeared at the end of NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, the landscape of NXT changed forever.
Joe was one of the biggest stars of American wrestling to never wrestle for WWE. His appearances for Impact and Ring of Honor and his incredible combination of power, speed, and agility singled him out as a once-in-a-lifetime performer.
The Samoan Submission Machine arrived in NXT to confront NXT Champion, Kevin Owens, immediately placing him in the main event scene.
Joe didn't go for the title straight away, instead building momentum with victories over the likes of Baron Corbin. He and then-NXT Champion, Finn Bálor, became the first winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, before Joe turned heel on his friend, beginning a months-long rivalry that ended with Joe capturing the NXT Championship at a house show of all places.
Joe would go on to feud with Shinsuke Nakamura over the title, trading the belt back and forth and becoming the first two-time NXT Champion in history.
Another example of a top indie name being drawn to NXT, Joe showed off his amazing skill-set to an entirely new audience and they welcomed him with open arms. He brought so much to NXT during his time there and has given NXT fans plenty of amazing memories.