5 Former WWE NXT stars who are now signed with AEW

AEW has gradually become noted for its excellent in-ring action, something that was the part and parcel of WWE NXT for several years. Despite its position as a brand of the largest professional wrestling promotion in the world, the black-and-gold show maintained a separate identity.

The NXT faithful were fond of the intense in-ring action heightened by long-term bookings. However, the stars of the black-and-gold brand struggled after their eventual call-up to the main roster, and the recent budget cuts have seen several former WWE NXT stars released from the company.

AEW has built a terrific roster in the two years of its existence. With living legends such as Chris Jericho and Sting still active in the ring, the rising promotion has brought in several former WWE NXT performers to boost their shows with incredible matches.

Here's a list of five pro-wrestlers formerly associated with WWE NXT but currently signed with AEW. Wrestlers involved in the original game show version of NXT, such as Bryan Danielson, haven't been considered.

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#5 Current AEW star Luchasaurus

The leader and protector of The Jurassic Express, Luchasaurus is a loved performer in AEW. With his brutish strength and deceptive agility, he's always presented as a strong in-ring performer. However, Luchasaurus was not perpetually loved by fans.

Even before his stint as Vibora on the Lucha Underground, he wrestled in WWE NXT under the ring name Judas Devlin. Playing a shady character, he was close to enlisting in The Wyatt Family and even shot promos in the presence of Dusty Rhodes. Regardless, fate has now carried him to AEW following a failed NXT journey.

#4 Current AEW star Malakai Black

Malakai Black has elicited an immediate impact after his AEW debut. Quickly becoming Cody Rhodes' numero uno foe, he has succeeded in mentally demolishing Rhodes. Due to Black's noticeable superiority over the AEW VP, Arn Anderson and Lee Johnson have severed their connection with Rhodes.

Black was a similarly dominant performer in WWE NXT. Wrestling as Aleister Black, he produced classics in his journey to WWE NXT Championship, holding the title for 108 days. He then moved on to the main roster, where he didn't find comparable success.

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#3 Current AEW star Andrade El Idolo

At first, Andrade appeared to be a major failure in WWE NXT. His ordinary babyface character struggled to take off, and his negligible mastery of the English language didn't enrich his case.

WWE shifted his gimmick, and Andrade Cien Almas came to be a success story, earning the NXT Championship before dropping it to Aleister Black.

Not unlike Black, Andrade faltered in the main roster before attaining release from WWE. Since his debut in AEW, he has been exemplified as a dominant star, although he hasn't yet reached excellence, with often change in managers and the nonappearance of adversaries.

#2 Current AEW star Pac

AEW Star Pac's transformation from cruiserweight babyface in much of his WWE career to a prominent allrounder in his 205 live was incredible. Playing a babyface, Neville won multiple championships in the NXT, including its top singles title. Later, Mark Henry assisted him in creating a villainous identity, which he plays in AEW today.

AEW has always presented Pac as a dominant star, with him acting as an allrounder capable of excellence in all styles of professional wrestling. Part of the Death Triangle, Pac's ascension to championship glory in AEW is merely a matter of time.

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#1 Current AEW star Adam Cole

At All Out, AEW played one of the most notable flexes in history by introducing Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole, two of the hottest free agents in professional wrestling, in a single segment. Adam Cole immediately joined his former The Elite friends as a villain, and his since continued a winning run in the company.

Adam Cole's acquisition is major for AEW, as throughout his WWE NXT career he was treated as a main eventer. A part of The Undisputed Era, the greatest stable in the history of the brand, Cole will now try to likewise reach the top in his new home.