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Is coming to Raw or Smackdown really an elevation for NXT stars? Obviously, it puts an individual on a bigger platform and allows them access to a wider fanbase. However, those who may have stood out on NXT don’t always make it on the big stage.
There are some Superstars that excelled in NXT only to come up to the main roster to not have done anything of note.
Here’s a look at 10 WWE call-ups in the past year from NXT, whether or not their run has been successful or not, and if their future prospects look good.
#1 Bobby Roode
Bobby Roode made his debut on the Smackdown roster in August facing Aiden English. Since then he has feuded with a rebranded Dolph Ziggler, and picked up a win at Hell In a Cell. He would take his first loss against Ziggler but went on to win a 2 out of 3 falls match.
He participated on team Smackdown at Survivor Series and was featured in a Triple Threat match against Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler. He has been booked as an important mid-card act on Smackdown and it seems that WWE is interested in developing him and pushing him into that role.
It's important that WWE didn't try and put him in any big main event matches too early so that if he didn't manage to get over he would only have one direction to go and that is further down the card. Now United States champion, the WWE seems invested in his future in the company.
Thumbs up for Roode so far.
#2 Asuka
Asuka has only been around for a few months and has received much hype. Having the Goldberg-esque push from NXT makes it hard to book her because if she loses a regular match she can only go down the card.
They need to ensure she looks strong. WWE network had her matches from NXT up for WWE fans not familiar with her NXT work to check out. She has come in with a lot of hype. Many have said her first match with Emma didn’t live up to the hype, but the WWE is invested in her.
She was the sole survivor in the RAW women's elimination match. She is arguably the best women's wrestler on the WWE roster right now. Asuka made history by winning the first ever Women's Royal Rumble.
Thumbs up for Asuka.
#3 Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura was immediately propelled to the main event scene on Smackdown upon his debut. His feud with Jinder Mahal was not interesting at all and featured some nasty racism on the part of Mahal.
Despite this uneventful feud, he is regularly featured in big matches on Smackdown.
With wins over John Cena and Kevin Owens, the WWE is making him known as a top star. He is at the moment the biggest Japanese star in WWE history and isn’t bogged down with a gimmick that appeals to some racial or ethnic stereotype.
His win at the Royal Rumble has solidified that the WWE sees value in the Japanese Superstar.
Thumbs Up for Nakamura
#4 Jason Jordan
After leaving Smackdown, Jason Jordan has been pushed rather significantly. The problem is that his athleticism is not enough to get him over. He has wrestled in top matches with John Cena, is being booked as Kurt Angle’s son, and has faced off with the Intercontinental champion, The Miz.
The downside of Jordan is that he is a milquetoast babyface, something that is difficult to get over in the post Attitude Era of wrestling. If fans feel like he is being pushed down their throats too much, they will turn on him. He was originally booked to be on the Raw team at Survivor Series but was replaced with Triple H.
His in-ring work is good and he continues to face worthy opponents, but his crowd reaction doesn't match the push he has received. Jordan's push is lacking an element that would ensure his spot and get him over with the crowd.
The continued bad crowd reactions may allow for the WWE to push him down the roster despite his actual in-ring talent.
Thumbs in the middle for Jordan.
#5 & #6 The Revival
Unfortunately, because of an injury, The Revival were off of television for a long time and only returned recently. Watching them in NXT reminded me of old school the NWA tag team style of wrestling that I love. Unfortunately for them, the competition is strong and deep on Raw.
With the tag team division being dominated by Sheamus/Cesaro and Rollins/Ambrose it is hard to imagine where they’d fit in right now.
N/A for The Revival as more needs to be seen from them. It isn't clear what plans the WWE has for them.
#7 Tye Dillinger
Tye Dillinger was a popular mid-card act on NXT that received great reactions at NXT events. Since his debut on Smackdown, he has really been lost in the sauce.
He did face Corbin/Styles in the three-way match but his main role was to take the job so AJ wouldn’t have to. He hasn’t really had any major feuds so far on the roster and seems like he is one of the many mid-card acts on Smackdown without direction.
His Perfect 10 gimmick was over in NXT and the WWE should try and give him more time to showcase his skills so the WWE Universe can invest in him as a character.
His number 10 entrance at Rumble popped the crowd but he never made it to the match thanks to Sami Zayn.
So far, I give his WWE career a thumbs down.
#8 Elias
Elias has made himself a name on the Raw brand with his “Walk With Elias” performances. It's clear that he is over with the crowd and can draw positive and negative crowd reactions. He has both the look and charisma that WWE wants in a wrestler.
He has been put in a position where he gets airtime for his performances and matches without jumping the shark too early or getting lost in the shuffle.
He is rumored to be going into a program with John Cena or The Rock for Wrestlemania. There's only one direction for Elias and that's up.
Thumbs up for his run so far.
#9 Chad Gable
Chad Gable came with Jason Jordan as one half of the duo “American Alpha”. They were able to become tag team champions for a brief period.
After Jason went to RAW, it seemed like his fortunes were gone. With his recent tag team formation with Benjamin, he gets to have a place to show his talents and be under the wing of a veteran. Being 5’8" and a little over 200 pounds, he doesn’t have the look Vince McMahon loves.
That combined with having no special gimmick or character to make him stand out, he easily could have gone by the wayside.
Thumbs up for Chad.
#10 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe made his debut on WWE Raw by taking out Seth Rollins for Triple H. Inserting himself in a high profile feud introduced him to the WWE Universe in a big way. He has been kept strong and was in several high profile main event matches.
Despite his age, the WWE appears to be invested in his career by not making him look weak even when he doesn't win. Back from a knee injury, he continues to get pushed in big main event matches.
He was on the Raw team at Survivor Series and has had great matches with Roman Reigns. Unfortunately, he has been injury prone since leaving NXT for Raw.
Thumbs up for Joe
Not all NXT stars have fared well on Raw or Smackdown. 205 Live superstar Austin Aries asked for his release a few months ago, The Ascension rarely appears on a big show, and Apollo Crews has been booked as an undercard talent.
What may have gotten someone over in NXT might not get them over on the big stage or appeal to the WWE creative team.
Kevin Owens is still a top star in WWE and has continuously been featured in an important feud throughout his career in WWE. Rusev has had a rockier path as he went from feuding with John Cena to being squashed by Randy Orton. NXT continues to thrive as a brand and gives a place for future talent to develop their skills.
The system isn't perfect and WWE doesn't always give opportunity when it's needed but they have given plenty of wrestlers the opportunity to make it and they have succeeded.
