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NXT has been used as a breeding ground for future World Champions in WWE since its inception back in 2012, and at no time have they had more potential on their roster than right now. The current roster is stacked full of talent, all with varying strengths and weaknesses, but even with all that talent, it's clear to see which performers have futures as top stars, and which have limited potential.
That's not to say that those guys aren't great, but with Vince McMahon running the show, there's a certain type of performer he wants on top, and some guys just won't be able to rise above that. But with that being said, today we are looking at the other side of the coin. Here are 5 current NXT stars who are bound to be either WWE or Universal Champion sometime after they make their way to RAW or Smackdown Live.
#5 Matt Riddle
Matt Riddle has only recently joined the WWE, but through a great video series on the WWE PC's YouTube channel and a rivalry with Kassius Ohno, he's already showing his tremendous potential. The Original Bro is a former UFC star, and he brings that legitimate background into his wrestling, making him a star of the hybrid wrestling technique that is so popular these days, but he does it with such a likeable personality, that the sky is the limit.
Once he continues to develop his character, he'll be given more and more opportunities, and when the time is right, if the WWE use their patience, he'll be a star the moment he steps foot on the main roster. Riddle has been talking about retiring Brock Lesnar for years, and while that may not happen, if he continues to aim high like that and stay motivated, it will be only a matter of when, not if, he reaches the top of the mountain.
#4 Aleister Black
Aleister Black came to the WWE after a long and successful career all over Europe, and although people feared his style wouldn't translate to the WWE, he's been an incredible success. Black has a fantastic aura about his character, and his matches have been amazing since debuting in NXT, and after a 2 year run that saw him claim the NXT Championship, his time down in developmental is coming to an end.
With all the promotions that occur after WrestleMania, Black is an obvious candidate to be sent to RAW or Smackdown Live, and if the WWE can treat his character with respect, he'll steadily climb the ladder.
He doesn't look like a traditional WWE star or a World Champion, but Black is one of the best workers in the business today, and when he continues to gain a bigger and bigger following for his incredible matches, the WWE will have no choice but to put him on top.
#3 Ricochet
Ricochet built incredible hype around his name after a decade on the independent scene, and after a year in NXT, he's built on that and made himself into an even bigger star. On the indies, he was known for non-stop flips and exciting matches, but in NXT, he's channeled that into great character work, and figured out that sometimes in wrestling, 'less is more'.
He doesn't flip as much anymore, so when he does it, the crowd is even more stunned, and it's worked brilliantly, as he's become one of the yellow brand's top stars.
When Ricochet arrived in WWE, The Rock dubbed him a 'future World Champion', and with his chiseled abs and good looks, it's easy to see why.
He may be on the smaller side, but once Vince McMahon sees the crowd reactions to The One and Only and sees how marketable he is, the World Championship will be only a matter of time.
#2 Adam Cole
For years now, people have been dubbing Adam Cole a future World Champion, and given the way that he carries himself in and outside of the ring, that's absolutely no surprise at all. Inside the ring, Cole has a presence that is matched by few in the entire WWE, and with Strong, O'Reilly, and Fish by his side, there's nothing that The Undisputed Era's frontman can't achieve.
He's been wrestling for well over a decade now, and although Cole doesn't posses the flashy in-ring moves that guys like Ricochet, Matt Riddle and others do, he counters that with amazing character work and captivating charisma.
Because of his smaller stature, it's going to take time to win the boss over, but as a group of 4 incredibly talented individuals, The Undisputed Era have a very high ceiling, and Cole should be reaping the rewards of that into the future.
#1 Tommaso Ciampa
As #DIY, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano had plenty of potential, but after transforming his look following his big heel turn, The Psycho Killer has turned himself into absolute money. Blackheart is one of the best heels in the wrestling business today, but that doesn't impact his in-ring work, as his 2018 was one of the best years anyone has ever had down in NXT.
Matches with Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, Velveteen Dream and others have all been absolutely breathtaking to watch, and with his unique look and great character work, he's a future World Champion for sure. His time left down in NXT depends on the story he's currently telling alongside his former best-friend Gargano and when they want to wrap that up, but with few guys being able to draw heat on the main roster, Tomasso is the perfect guy to bring up and push to the moon.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
