Happy Holidays to Everyone! 2017 is essentially over and the excitement of NXT call ups loom once Wrestlemania has come and gone. WWE made a list of NXT wrestlers who THEY felt you'll see on the main roster in 2018. While there are several I disagree with, here's my list of NXT wrestlers who are certainly main roster ready at the moment. Let’s start with number five:
5) Roderick Strong
A former ROH World Champion, ROH Tag Team Champion, and World Television Champion in his 13 year tenure with the promotion. However during Strong’s early years with the company, he was never great at promos, lacked star presence, and had a generic look. He was always a great wrestler. Near the end of his run, Strong’s confidence in his promos started to get better. He initially came in with a lack of buzz back when he debuted with Austin Aries in the Dusty Rhodes classic tournament.
Then the Who Is Roderick Strong video packages happened. First, this was an amazing piece of character work by Strong and NXT. The audience got to know Strong on an emotional level, which is something that’s lacking on WWE’s current main roster of babyfaces. We saw Strong’s up and downs, his passions, and exactly who Roderick Strong is in this character piece. Strong was portrayed as a family man looking to fight for a dream; not just for him, but for his family. In less than 15 minutes (both videos were about 7 minutes a piece) the NXT audience were able to connect with him because his struggles and passion were relatable.
There is not a babyface on the main roster like Roderick Strong at the moment. Strong would easily be able to connect with the audience because he doesn’t feel like a character. You’ll want to see Strong achieve his goal because he’s fighting for a worthy cause, which is his family. Strong is also an excellent wrestler, so he’ll be able to catch on with the main roster audience, provided he’s booked properly. The main roster needs a sympathetic babyface and Strong perfectly fits that bill at the moment.
4) SAnity
I’ve followed Eric Young throughout most his of career (starting from Team Canada in TNA). The guy is a true talent both in and outside the ring. He knows how to work a crowd as a babyface or heel and puts on top notch matches when called upon.
However, everyone in Sanity is main roster ready. While the act hasn’t been truly defined down in NXT, SAnity could easily be a fun heel or babyface tag team (and a fresh one) on the main roster. In addition to Young, both Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe have great ring presence. Dain, for a big guy, has nice speed and athleticism that separates him from just being another big guy on the main roster. He can easily be a future singles star. Wolfe has a nice imitating look about him, along with his fun ground and pound game.
Let’s not forget Nikki Cross. Cross has stepped up big time this year, with her Last Woman Standing match with Asuka being a highlight of her NXT career thus far. Cross has shown nice fire in recent months as a babyface. She engages the crowd during her matches and puts on a great performance when called upon to do so. Cross can easily be a badass babyface or a crazed heel.
3) Andrade “Cien” Almas
When Andrade made his debut back in NXT Takeover: The End against Tye Dillinger, he was immediately overshadowed by Dillinger and the fact that he did nothing to stand out from the roster. Andrade’s babyface run was a bust and so was his 2016. However, the moment Almas turned heel was the turning point in his career. Almas showed strong charisma during his heel turn, something he lacked as a babyface.
Since being paired with the talented Zelina Vega back in August, the act has been on a hot streak. Vega does the manager role proud as she is a fantastic promo and her actions around ringside enhance Andrade’s matches. Almas has shown a nice confidence since being paired with Vega and has had show stealing matches with Johnny Gargano, Roderick Strong, and Drew McIntyre.
Andrade can be easily thrust into the main event scene with his current act with Vega. He’s not bad of a promo guy whatsoever, but Vega brings a nice fire and believability when citing her promos. The reason why the champ is at number three is due to the uncertainty of how he will fare as a babyface.
It’s well known that Vince and company are trying to target the Hispanic audience (they tried this will Del Rio and Sin Cara), so naturally they’ll want to turn Almas face. Problem is, Almas didn’t click as a babyface before. Granted, the booking of Almas during his babyface run wasn’t great, but Almas didn’t seem to have the fire and charisma he has now as a heel. Perhaps I’m overreacting as Almas has seemingly improved and hopefully the NXT champion gets to display his skills soon on the main roster with Zelina Vega by his side.
2) Pete Dunne
UK Champion Pete Dunne is a star. The guy is a strong heel, excellent at promos, and a fantastic wrestler to boot. Despite his size, Dunne can instantly be put up against a guy like AJ Styles or Randy Orton and not be out of place. Dunne knows who he is, clearly understands the heel game, and knows how to craft a fine story inside the wrestling ring.
Dunne’s matches with Tyler Bate are strong match of the year candidates. Dunne doesn’t rely on high spots or flashy moves to sell his matches, but knows how to get a crowd invested on what’s going on in the ring. Dunne is ready, and if/when he comes to the main roster, hopefully he gets a chance to show off his tremendous talent.
1) Drew McIntyre
When the WWE released Drew McIntyre back in the summer of 2014, this was actually a blessing in disguise. McIntyre continued to wrestle on the independent scene and eventually in Impact Wrestling. When McIntyre was the top babyface in Impact Wrestling, he showed a confidence and poise that he didn’t show in WWE during his tenure.
McIntyre dramatically improved all around as a wrestler, as his white meat babyface promos were believable, his wrestling and ring presence were energetic, and exciting. McIntyre didn’t need to be in NXT. He could’ve simply debuted on the main roster. However, given that his last stint in the company ended as a 3MB member, I understand why McIntyre was sent down to NXT first.
McIntyre being top babyface for the WWE is a sure thing if creative can book him correctly. WWE is currently missing a white meat babyface on their roster and McIntyre can easily fill that void. His matches with Bobby Roode, Roderick Strong, and Andrade “Cien” Almas shows the improvement the Scottish born native has made since being released from the company back in 2014. Strong at promos, an excellent wrestler with a great look, and a height Vince McMahon loves. This guy should no doubt be the future top star of the WWE.
So what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Do you have a list of wrestlers in NXT that you feel are ready? Feel free to comment below.