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WWE NXT continues to create, develop and build future WWE Superstars for Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night RAW.
Current big name stars on WWE's main roster such as Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Apollo Crews, Riddle, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair and more have all received their humble beginnings on the black and gold brand.
With WWE's return to touring on the horizon in July and NXT TakeOver: In Your House coming later this month, the discussion amongst the WWE Universe has moved to which NXT Superstars could be headed to the WWE main roster in the next few months.
Since live fans are set to return to WWE programming, it has to be assumed that WWE is looking to "refresh" the rosters of RAW and SmackDown. This could mean several major names will be called up to Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown, while others will stay with NXT to take their place as the premiere stars on Tuesday nights.
But which names will stay on NXT and which names will go to RAW and SmackDown? Let's take a closer look at three NXT Superstars who may move to the WWE main roster by the end of the year and two who may not.
#5 Io Shirai (May move to the WWE main roster)
Former NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai has been the gold standard of the NXT Women's division for the past twelve months.
The Genius of The Sky captured the NXT Women's Championship at last year's NXT TakeOver: In Your House event, defeating former champion Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match.
After months of holding onto the NXT Women's Championship, defending it against the likes of Dakota Kai, Candice LeRae, Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez, Io Shirai lost the championship at NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver Night One in April.
In the main event of the first night, Shirai was defeated by Raquel Gonzalez. This has fueled rumors that Io Shirai was set to leave the black and gold brand, heading to Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown in the process.
While the former NXT Women's Champion hasn't been seen on an episode of NXT since, aside from backstage segments, she also has yet to appear on the main roster. Many have assumed that Io Shirai is simply taking some time off before returning to NXT, while others believe she is biding her time to make an impactful debut on RAW or SmackDown.
Nevertheless, with little left to accomplish on the black and gold brand, it feels inevitable that Shirai will debut on the WWE main roster before the year is over.
#4 Bronson Reed (May not move to the WWE main roster)
WWE NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed is currently experiencing the greatest amount of success so far in his fledgling WWE career.
The Collossol WWE Superstar recently became the North American Champion for the first time after defeating former North American Champion Johnny Gargano in a Steel Cage match in the main event of a recent episode of NXT.
While only a few weeks into his championship reign, it would appear that the Australian superstar will be holding onto the championship for the foreseeable future.
However, given the size, strength and stature of Bronson Reed, one could argue that this is only the tip of the iceberg for him on the black and gold brand. Seen as a "mid-card" championship, Bronson Reed will also harbor desires to capture the top prize available in NXT, the WWE NXT Championship.
With these desires in mind, it could be argued that Bronson Reed needs extra time in NXT to not only develop his character and persona, but also to commit to a lengthy North American Championship reign, as well as an NXT Championship persuit.
#3 Finn Balor (May move to the WWE main roster)
Former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor's move back to NXT can be considered a resounding success.
When Balor returned to the black and gold brand in 2019 his career on the main roster had begun to stall. After becoming the inaugural WWE Universal Champion in 2016, an immediate shoulder injury forced Balor to vacate the championship 24 hours later on Monday Night RAW.
Despite two Intercontinental Championship reigns upon his return to injury, Finn Balor was seemingly stuck in the upper mid-card of the WWE roster with a severe lack of character progression and career development.
After being destroyed by "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam 2019, Balor returned to NXT in the fall of 2019. To shock fans even more, Finn Balor subsequently turned heel and feuded with the likes of Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano and Matt Riddle.
This new, grittier version of Finn Balor certainly had an edge to him and felt fresh to fans watching around the world. The Prince eventually turned babyface once more, but kept the same darker and aggressive traits. This led to Balor capturing the NXT Championship for the second time in his WWE career.
Finn Balor subsequently dropped the NXT Champiosnhip to Karrion Kross at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night Two, losing the rematch between the two stars last week on NXT.
In recent weeks, Finn Balor has openly spoken about his desire to move back to the WWE main roster. Given the lack of top-tier babyfaces on RAW and SmackDown, it feels inevitable that Balor will return to the WWE main roster before the end of the year.
#2 Adam Cole (May not move to the WWE main roster)
Former WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole has done it all in NXT.
Since debuting on the black and gold brand at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III in 2017, the former leader of The Undisputed Era has become synonymous as the face of NXT.
During the past four years Adam Cole has become the longest reigning NXT Champion in WWE history, the inaugural NXT North American Champion, a former NXT Tag Team Champion and the second ever NXT Triple Crown Champion.
During this period of time there have been numerous reports and rumors about Adam Cole possibly leaving NXT and debuting on either Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown. Yet, this is yet to happen.
It is clear that Adam Cole has a great desire to stay on NXT and vice-versa, as NXT's seen it's best years with the Panama City Playboy on the roster.
While Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown would certainly benefit to have a superstar the caliber of Adam Cole on the show, one must question if the former NXT Champion could follow in the footsteps of other past NXT Champions who have not been able to successfully transition to the WWE main roster.
Perhaps Adam Cole is just too important to the black and gold brand to let go. Therefore, it certainly is possible that now as a solo act, Adam Cole continues to stay on NXT for the foreseeable future.
#1 Karrion Kross (May move to the WWE main roster)
Current WWE NXT Champion Karrion Kross appears to be destined for success in WWE.
Kross' signing with WWE in 2020 was heralded as a major acquisition for the company. It was also reported at the time that Kross' time on the black and gold brand would be brief, with the former IMPACT Wrestling star set to compete on the brand for twelve months before moving to either Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown.
After making his debut in April, Kross quickly rose up the ranks and captured the NXT Championship by defeating Keith Lee at NXT TakeOver: XXX. This was only Kross' seventh match inside of an NXT ring.
Unfortunately for the new champion, Kross suffered a separated shoulder during his victory over Keith Lee. This required Kross to vacate the NXT Championship only four days after winning it.
After an extended period of time on the sidelines recovering from the injury, Karrion Kross returned in January 2021, picking right up where he left off and dominating the NXT roster.
This domination resulted in Kross capturing the NXT Championship for the second time by defeating Finn Balor at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night Two. While Kross still holds the championship, one must think of the original reports stating his tenure was to be brief in NXT.
With WWE returning to touring in front of live crowds, both RAW and SmackDown need major names to sell tickets and keep their respective rosters "fresh." Could Karrion Kross be a major acquisition for one of WWE's main roster brands? It certainly feels like it could soon be doomsday for the WWE Superstars of either RAW or SmackDown.
