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Being an NXT call-up to the WWE main roster can be very tricky. A few years ago, there was a lot of excitement about NXT superstars joining the main roster and what they would bring to the table.
However, fans learned the hard way that not everyone can find the level of success that they hope. Many NXT stars who thrived on the yellow brand struggle to find TV time, while some who didn't thrive as well on NXT are doing wonders on the main roster.
Ultimately, NXT superstars, when coming to the main roster are performing in front of a larger audience, and it should be understood that the Full Sail University crowd they perform in front of, belong to what's called the "hardcore" fanbase.
The "educated" fanbase who are aware of superstars' pasts in the independents and their credentials. However, the truth is that they are a very small percentage of the overall fanbase. Essentially, the superstar is starting from scratch on the main roster and may not always get pushed the way they do in NXT.
Similarly, the current crop of NXT arguably has the best roster in the brand's history. Some will succeed, some definitely won't and some may not even make it to the main roster, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Here are some superstars who'll get pushed, and some who won't.
#3. Won't get pushed: Heavy Machinery
Heavy Machinery are entertaining, make no mistake about it. They get good crowd reactions and will likely continue to get them as time goes on. However, when you look at their presentation and characters, they don't spell out tag team champions the way The Revival or a team like The Usos do.
They will likely be stuck in a lower mid-card comedy act, but that's ok because not everyone can become champions.
#3. Will get pushed: Aleister Black
Although we're not fans of the fact that Michael Cole referred to Aleister Black as "moody" on RAW, The Dutch Destroyer has a very high ceiling in WWE. He has a great look, and a character that's hardly been explored.
We've seen a couple of layers of his character in NXT, but the nature of his persona is such that there's simply so much into it and so much depth that it will take years to unfold. Aleister Black has constantly been a babyface, but even as a heel, there's no doubt that he could bring out a darker persona.
Aleister Black not only possesses a great look, but he's highly skilled in the ring and is one of the best strikers in WWE. He has an aura about him and he doesn't need to talk much. WWE has a chance at something very special with him, and they will likely push him to the top.
#2. Won't get pushed: Ricochet
This may come as a surprise to some. We just want to start out by saying that if Ricochet does go to 205 Live, he will be the face of the brand. He'll be champion for a long time and there won't be anyone on his level.
However, given his level of talent, it seems as though WWE has made the decision to have him featured on either RAW or SmackDown Live. We agree with the decision, but as good as Ricochet is, it's unlikely that Vince McMahon will make him a World champion.
One of the biggest things holding Ricochet back is his mic skills. While he has improved in his time at the Performance Center, that may be a major detriment to him. The fact of the matter is that the main roster requires a superstar to do a lot more talking, whether they're fluent in English or not.
If Ricochet has a one-dimensional character, then he won't get as far fans hope.
#2. Will get pushed: Velveteen Dream
This too may come as a surprise to many, because fans feel that Velveteen Dream's "androgynous" persona will be a detriment to him on the main roster. But we disagree. There are a few reasons why.
For one, there's far more upside to Velveteen Dream, aka Patrick Clark. Clark turns 24 years old in 2019, and this means that he has over a decade to thrive and become a major player. Secondly, though he can't be described as a prodigy, he has a certain "it" factor about him, that's seen him improve tremendously since his time at Tough Enough.
He has the passion and drive to improve, and even John Cena has praised Velveteen Dream, calling him "The One". Cena clearly sees a major star in him, and McMahon might see an improved version of Goldust that he can push to the moon. The fact that he's a homegrown talent definitely helps.
#1. Won't get pushed: Johnny Gargano
This may upset some people, but it's a sad reality. Johnny Gargano is by far one of the best in-ring performers in the world today, and there's a reason he's called Johnny Wrestling. However, his rise in NXT was thanks to the environment and great creative that the yellow brand has.
As we know, creative and booking are miles apart on the main roster, and Gargano is more likely than not to suffer from bad booking. His character arc in NXT happened over the course of 2 and a half years, something which WWE's main roster doesn't consistently have.
He's been compared to Daniel Bryan before, but he may have a similar fate to Sami Zayn. Hopefully, we're wrong, but it's more likely that Gargano gets toned down a lot on the main roster. This includes the length and quality of his matches decreasing two-fold.
#1. Will get pushed: Tommaso Ciampa
Where Gargano may suffer, Tommaso Ciampa may benefit. He may be "smaller" than a lot of superstars on the main roster, but he's one of the very best they have. In NXT, he's shown a whole new side of his character, going from being one-half of a loved tag team to the most hated superstar there is.
If you've seen NXT in 2018 you know exactly what reactions we're talking about. Ciampa has all the makings of a top heel, something that WWE desperately needs. He has a great look as well, and he's an easily detestable superstar.
Ciampa can go all the way to the top, especially given how much WWE loves heat. There seems to have been a void for the spot anyway, and hopefully, Ciampa can take the ball and run with it. The fact that he's a world-class in-ring performer definitely goes a long way too.
