Every WWE NXT Call-Up In 2017: Ranked From Worst To Best

5. Bobby Roode

Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

Less than four months have passed since Bobby Roode transitioned to the main roster, but 'The Glorious One' has already fallen out of the limelight.

Dolph Ziggler was his first notable rival. Having previously derailed Shinsuke Nakamura's momentum with a needless 50/50 snoozer at Backlash, 'The Show-Off' claimed his second scalp in Roode, who triumphed in the end, but gained nothing from being made to work so competitively against such lowly opposition.

Roode was a non-entity at Survivor Series, eating a pinfall to Braun Strowman after just 13 minutes, and he has since fallen into a lifeless United States Title storyline with Ziggler and Baron Corbin. He has gone from 'The Guy' in NXT to 'a guy' on SmackDown. He could still reach the main event, but Bobby's current form will keep him rooted in the midcard, with upward mobility a pipe dream.

Part of the problem is WWE's insistence on pushing him as a babyface. Yes, that entrance theme is always going to draw pops, but Roode is outstanding as a smug, arrogant villain. Playing the good guy doesn't suit him, and it's hard to imagine his fortunes improving until he turns.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.