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One of the most interesting aspects of today's WWE is how quickly the fortunes of a performer can change. While there have been numerous instances of a superstar falling from grace in a dime, there have also been moments where a superstar has been able to endear himself to the fans in no time.
Ever since moving to the USA Network in late September, NXT has been one of the best weekly wrestling shows. Despite the initial scaremongering and skepticism the Black and Gold Brand has stayed true to its roots. NXT's weekly TV show has allowed a plethora of superstars to make a name for themselves in front of a nationwide audience.
The addition of NXT to Survivor Series has been a boon for the brand and its Superstars. NXT Superstars being featured regularly on RAW and SmackDown has helped the brand get more exposure. The Superstars have gotten the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a wider audience, and during the build-up to Survivor Series, a number of superstars were part of the so-called developmental brand's invasion of RAW and SmackDown. But, there have been a select few who have stood out from the rest of the pack. Here are three NXT Superstars who have risen to the occasion over the few weeks:
#3 Keith Lee
Touted as a blue-chip prospect for the company, Keith Lee's career in WWE has been a story of two halves. The initial part of Lee's run in NXT saw him rack up a couple of impressive victories on NXT TV but sadly the Texas-native wasn't able to reach the heights one had hoped for when he first signed with the company in 2017. Following an undisclosed injury in March, Lee had to step away from the squared circle for a few months.
The former PWG stand-out was quite the rage on the independent circuit before arriving in WWE. Lee was renowned for pulling off moves which men of his size aren't capable of. But, for a while, it seemed like the Limitless One will become just a footnote in the already stacked NXT roster.
But, this is where things took a turn for the good for the Texas native. Following NXT's move to the USA Network, Lee feuded with Dominick Dijakovic and the duo had a series of matches that not only mesmerized the Full Sail faithful but also became a hot topic of discussion in the wrestling world. The duo's athletic ability and their panache to pull off intricate acrobatic moves were able to capture the imagination of wrestling fans all across the globe.
Lee was an integral part of NXT'S invasion of Raw and SmackDown over the past few weeks. As part of Team Ciampa, Lee was victorious in his debut Takeover appearance at NXT Takeover: Wargames on Saturday. But, what truly marked the arrival of Lee as a potential future megastar was his performance in the Traditional 5-on-5-on-5 Men's Elimination Match at Survivor Series last night.
Not only was the Limitless One the last survivor for Team NXT, he more than held his own against two of the best that the company has to offer in Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Lee was able to score a major upset as he pinned Rollins before finally falling to a spear from Reigns. Lee had a star-making performance in the match and we can't wait to see what the future holds for him.
#2 Rhea Ripley
The inaugural NXT UK Women's Champion has been the star of the Black and Gold Brand's stacked women's division ever since she arrived at Full Sail a few months ago. Rhea Ripley wasted no time as she confronted the NXT Women's Champion, Shayna Baszler. The duo had an NXT Women's Championship match on an episode of NXT TV prior to the brand's move to the USA Network which ended in disqualification.
Following NXT'S move to the USA Network, Ripley has scored victories against the likes of Bianca Belair and Aliyah. Ripley was at the forefront of NXT's invasion of RAW and SmackDown. This week on SmackDown, she scored a major upset when she defeated Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks in a Triple Threat Match.
Ripley would continue her winning ways as her team emerged victorious in the first-ever Women's WarGames match at NXT Takeover: WarGames on Saturday.
Despite being at a 4-on-2 disadvantage, Ripley overcame the odds and pinned the NXT Women's Champion, Shayna Baszler to win the match for her team. Ripley also led Team NXT to victory and was the sole survivor in the Traditional 5-on-5-on-5 Women's Elimination Match at Survivor Series last night.
Given the momentum Ripley has had over the past few weeks, we wouldn't be surprised if she is next line for a shot at Shayna Baszler's NXT Championship. Ripley has been one of the most strongly-booked characters on WWE TV and it seems very likely that she will the one to end Baszler's reign as the NXT Women's Champion.
#1 Adam Cole
Adam Cole has had an incredible run over the past month and a half. It all started with his successful defense of the NXT Championship against Matt Riddle on the October 2 episode of NXT. The leader of the Undisputed Era led NXT's invasion of Raw and SmackDown. He successfully defended his NXT Championship on both RAW and SmackDown against Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins.
The Panama City Playboy has been at the top of his game and has become a major player in the company in a short period of time. His performances on the main roster shows (RAW and SmackDown) and the reaction he got from the crowd proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Cole is, in all likelihood, going to be a major player for the company in the future.
He successfully defended his NXT Championship against Pete Dunne at Survivor Series. Not only has Cole been one of the most prominently featured Superstars on WWE TV over the past few weeks, but he has also been able to make the most of every opportunity. Whether it is delivering high-quality matches or cutting great promos, Cole is someone who can do it all. It is safe to say that the future is bright for the NXT Champion who has been the MVP for the company over the past month and a half.
