5 Main roster Superstars WWE should send to NXT for the move to the USA Network

NXT will be moving to the USA Network soon and with that transition, the show will expand to two hours. Triple H has publicly indicated that the product won’t change and it stands to reason, though, that the Black and Gold Brand could use more talent to fill the time, besides wanting more recognizable faces to draw in casual fans.

So whom should WWE move to NXT? It’s a complicated question given the more technical style NXT tends to promote over the main roster, not to mention the risk of going to NXT looking like a demotion.

Particularly in these early stages of NXT on the USA Network, it will be important to balance these factors and put the brand’s best foot forward.

This article considers five talents who could make this move fluidly. They are wrestlers who would fit in with the NXT aesthetic. Additionally, these Superstars who could genuinely bolster the brand, and not necessarily lose anything by moving away from RAW or SmackDown.

Disclaimer: The views of the author don't necessarily reflect those of Sportskeeda.

---

#5 Dolph Ziggler

A move to NXT could be mutually beneficial in the case of Dolph Ziggler.

Dolph Ziggler is one of the best pure in ring performers working for any wrestling company today. However, a combination of being in the national spotlight for a decade and rarely being treated like a legitimate top guy has positioned The Show Off in an awkward spot. On paper, he has the accomplishments of a legend. In practice? It’s hard not to view him as a mid-card guy, and one whose best days are probably behind him.

A move to NXT could freshen things up for Ziggler. Placing him in an environment where he really is the most famous and decorated star would immediately establish him as a main event level talent. Additionally, Ziggler could work either side of the face or heel line. Matches opposite the likes of Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Adam Cole, Velveteen Dream, or others would have all of the potential in the world to make for instant classics.

#4 Rusev

Rusev's size and main roster name recognition could make him an instant top-level star in NXT.

Rusev was a stand out from the early days of NXT. He was a big man, with a distinctive look and personality. He understandably advanced to the main roster with a lot of momentum behind him, booked as a dominant heel en route to a WrestleMania debut opposite John Cena.

Despite his talent and unique presentation, Rusev largely fizzled afterward. Besides a few pushes at the US Championship level and a feud with Roman Reigns, he has generally been planted in the middle of the pack. Though his Rusev Day gimmick demonstrated an uncanny ability to connect with the crowd, if anything, The Bulgarian Brute saw his stock sink in the months to follow.

A fresh start in NXT could be the best thing for Rusev. His size and star power could make him an instant upper card threat. More over, his understanding of how to connect with the hardcore fan base could be best served in appealing to the NXT audience.

#3 Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn could pick up where he left off as one of NXT's greatest heroes, or come back in his heel persona.

Before Johnny Gargano was the loveable, never say die underdog atop the face ranks of NXT, Sami Zayn filled the same role. From chasing Neville for the NXT Championship, to a bitter rivalry with Kevin Owens, Zayn captured the hearts of fans and put on simply outstanding wrestling matches along the way.

Zayn’s time on the main roster has been uneven. As both a face and, more recently, as a heel, he has broached main event status. However, WWE has never gone all the way with him, making him a persistent also-ran or guy just below top star status.

In NXT, Zayn could recapture some of his past magic. Particularly with his technical ability, he could fit right in with the studs of the brand and pick up where he left off putting on top tier matches. Additionally, there’s the wrinkle of him potentially carrying forward as a heel, which he had never done in NXT before, and which could set up a lot of new, interesting stories for him.

#2 Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura may have more potential to thrive in NXT than on Raw or SmackDown.

Shinsuke Nakamura’s NXT run was one of the greatest in the history of the developmental brand. Already an established top star in Japan, WWE shrewdly booked him on top from the beginning, going on a strong winning streak en route to the NXT Championship.

Nakamura’s main roster run has had its highlights—most notably winning the 2018 Royal Rumble and most recently reigning as Intercontinental Champion. However, he seems to have hit a glass ceiling and to be stuck, locked out of the main event picture.

The King of Strong Style had an instant connection with NXT fans, and his approach to in ring work is quite arguably a stronger fit for NXT than Raw or SmackDown. Putting him back on the Black and Gold Brand could serve to help both him and the brand.

Nakamura would have the opportunity to garner a top spot again while his return could help sell the idea that going to NXT is not a demotion, but rather a lateral move for an international star of his caliber.

#1 Chad Gable

Chad Gable could thrive as a singles wrestler in NXT.

Few stars on the main roster are as technically gifted as Chad Gable. With a distinguished amateur pedigree behind him, Gable boasts a superior combination of deceptive strength, marked athleticism, and polished grappling skills.

It’s a bit of an anomaly that he didn’t have a more vaunted run in NXT already, though that can probably be accounted for by the success of his American Alpha tag team with Jason Jordan, which propelled both men to the main roster.

Gable has largely struggled to find his footing on the main roster, moving between tag teams and rarely getting featured. His surprising advancement to the King of the Ring finals may signal WWE is prepared to take him more seriously. Still, it’s unclear if he could maintain his momentum on SmackDown.

Moving to NXT could give Gable a new chance to shine on a more wide open roster, without a glass ceiling overhead. A berth in the King of the Ring finals should be plenty of ammunition to garner an upper card spot in NXT. Alternatively, if WWE went all the way with him winning the tournament and then going to NXT, it could be a great way to not only legitimize Gable as a singles star, but NXT as a whole in the eyes of more casual fans.

Follow Sportskeeda Wrestling and Sportskeeda MMA on Twitter for all the latest news. Do not miss out!