WWE Draft 2023: 5 Things That Will Happen (And 5 That WON'T!)
3. WON’T: Anyone Major Going To NXT
Heads were turned when Charlotte Flair waltzed onto NXT programming in early-2020 and targeted then-NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley. Foreheads were then palmed when Flair toppled Ripley at the mega-weird WrestleMania 36 to become the top female star on WWE's third brand.
It didn't last long, and neither did Dolph Ziggler touring down to NXT and holding the top prize for a month last year. Both were bids from WWE management to up interest in the show, but they didn't have any long-term impact on NXT business. Things have changed all over again since Charlotte was trading Royal Rumble success for NXT Titles anyway.
NXT is no longer a viable third brand on par with Raw or SmackDown. It's very-much a developmental wing for the company, and everyone knows it. WWE doesn't pretend otherwise, and that's why there's no chance any top stars go from main roster > NXT in the upcoming Draft.
Ain't gonna happen this year.