8 NXT Wrestlers Too Good To Fail On WWE's Main Roster

4. EC3

Triple H Adam Cole
WWE.com

The former Derrick Bateman is very much in the lower percentile when it comes to pure NXT ring work. He's a dated Sports Entertainment guy in a hyper-athletic world, combining only rudimentary holds and moves with slow, lumbering movements. Though far from awful, he doesn't really belong alongside the likes of Ricochet, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa.

Regardless, the case for him making it on the main roster is simple: he's big, he can talk, he plays his character well, he gets over, and he looks great in a suit.

Workrate is important on every level of the WWE pyramid, but less so on the main roster. EC3 can get away with farting out two-and-a-half star specials against the likes of Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger, because the other aspects of his performance tick every one of Vince McMahon's boxes, making him a solid candidate for an upper-midcard push from the moment he arrives.

It's hard to imagine EC3 improving much beyond his current level at 35 years old. Out of everyone mentioned on our list, he might be the next to join Raw or SmackDown.

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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.