25 Most Important Wrestlers In NXT History

To this day, no wrestler has ever been as popular in NXT as Bayley.

The Hugger got over with the NXT audience in the most beautifully natural way possible: by being kind, sweet, and a genuinely beloved babyface. A rare feat in the modern era.

Bayley's story of nice girl bridesmaid to respected champion is one that still fills so many NXT fans with joy. After so many failed attempts at becoming Women's Champion, Bayley finally captured the big one in the now-legendary TakeOver: Brooklyn match with Sasha Banks. It was this match that helped establish Brooklyn as NXT's flagship event for the next three years.

Bayley was also part of the TakeOver: Respect main event; a gruelling Iron Woman match which saw Bayley defeat Banks at the last possible second to retain her title. She would embark on feuds with the likes of Nia Jax and Eva Marie (don't hold that against her), before losing the championship at TakeOver: Dallas to Asuka.

When Bayley lost in Dallas, the entire audience gasped. This was because Bayley was so beloved that everyone was genuinely upset to see her lose, even though they could all see it coming.

A true embodiment of the NXT spirit and one of the most popular female stars the company has ever had, Bayley changed the game in NXT and that is why she deserves top billing on this list.