5 NXT Superstars to look forward to in 2019

Over the past few years, WWE has invested in the likes of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Jinder Mahal and Becky Lynch to name a few. What all of the aforementioned have in common is that all of them have been world champions at one stage and the fact that all of them were credible NXT superstars as well. With NXT's growing popularity among the fans, it has become easier for WWE Creatives to push the upcoming and promising NXT superstars and help them transition better.

With almost the whole women's division consisting of female wrestlers who started off in the development show, NXT has adhered to the fans alike. Every Universal Champion to date, except Goldberg and Brock Lesnar has come from NXT (Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and Roman Reigns) citing the fact that there a number of future world champions present in NXT at any point of time with the likes of Ricochet and Aleister Black capable of putting great matches on a regular basis.

With WWE is expected to draft in few bonafide NXT superstars to WWE after Wrestlemania, it gives an opportunity to other talented superstars to adhere to the fans and show their mettle. Here's a list down of the five superstars and stables who could see glory days in 2019.

#5 Bianca Belair

Over the past year in NXT, there haven't been many female superstars who have been as dominant as Bianca Belair. She is a very gifted athlete and is evident in her numerous matches in NXT. The self-proclaimed EST of NXT, Belair is undefeated as of now and is one of four competitors eyeing for Shayna Baszler's NXT Women's Championship.

While Lacey Evans and probably both Kairi Sane and Baszler making the jump up to WWE in the coming days, Belair should be the face of the women's division with her evergrowing popularity amongst the WWE Universe. What makes her so popular is her oozing confidence and attitude to which the WWE fans have taken to with aplomb. With all the skills and attitude, Beliar just might be the next big thing in NXT and possible WWE in 2019.

#4 The Velveteen Dream

A former Tough Enough contestant, Patrick Clark Jr, better known as the Velveteen Dream has been utterly sensational over the past year. His feuds with Ricochet, EC3 and mainly Aleister Black have propelled Velveteen Dream to the top of NXT. His irresistible charisma and athletic ability just at the age of 23 makes for a great career ahead of him with Triple H already tipping Dream to be a great success in the business.

Dream's matches have been subject to critical acclaim and that is mainly due to the intense storytelling within the course of the match. The words "Say My Name" caused a rupture during Dream's epic match against Aleister Black and was a classic example of good storytelling.

In spite of all his achievements over the year, Velveteen Dream has yet to win gold during his career in NXT. Come 2019, all of this should change with the fans craving for Dream to be the next NXT Champion. If he could do so, it would be another step towards realizing a lifelong dream for the Velveteen Dream which makes him one of the must-see superstars currently in NXT.

#3 Io Shirai

Io Shirai has been widely regarded as one ofÂ the best female wrestlers in the world — Io Shirai has been widely regarded as one of the best female wrestlers in the world

While most WWE fans wouldn't be aware of her, Io Shirai has been widely regarded as one of the best female wrestlers in the world. While her acquisition was a major coup for the WWE, Shirai's initial days in NXT and the Mae Young Classic have been nothing short of brilliant. While her compatriots Kairi Sane and Asuka lack on-the-mic skills, Io Shirai is fairly fluent in English and has enviable on-the-mic skills which boosts her stocks even more.

Her in-ring ability is arguably the best in NXT and is only a matter of time until she wins the NXT Women's Championship which ultimately leads to the WWE main roster. Her performances in the Mae Young Classic were of the highest order and with the Japanese wrestler already in the feud with Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane against the trio of Baszler, Duke and Shafyr, Shirai's stocks in WWE are sure to grow higher and higher.

While it is to be seen as to how WWE creative is going to build Io Shirai's character going into 2019, she is surely going to be one of the most prominent stars in 2019.

#2 Keith Lee

Keith Lee is not your perfect envisionment of a WWE superstar but he makes it up with his amazing athletic ability and strong charisma. A recent addition to NXT, he has already feuded with Lars Sullivan successful indicating WWE's faith in him in a long-term perspective. He isn't great on the mic but his presence commands attention which why he is one of NXT hottest properties right now.

In possession of a devasting finisher (Ground Zero), Keith Lee is the instant replacement for Lars Sullivan as NXT's numero uno giant. With a strong style of wrestling, Lee has already endeared to the NXT fans making it all the easy for WWE Creative to put him over and propel him to the main event scene which of course could happen in 2019.

With a lack of giants or big men in Smackdown, Keith Lee could be a wonderful addition to the Land of Opportunity and he is able as well with multiple championships around the world. Only time will tell us what WWE has in store for Keith Lee but the one thing that's certain is his success in 2019 in NXT.

#1 Matt Riddle

"The King of Bros" is arguably the best acquisition of WWE in 2018. A former UFC fighter, Riddle is a premier athlete with experience in the indy scenes as well. Though Riddle wrestles barefoot, his striking ability is maybe second best only to Aleister Black in NXT. As is the case with UFC/MMA imports, Riddle also has a number of submission moves in his arsenal which makes him even dangerous.

What makes WWE invested in Brock Lesnar is his reputation which he garnered from his time at the UFC which is exactly the case with Riddle. Matt Riddle has been able to enthral the NXT faithful with a slick entrance and simple yet catchy catch-phrase of "BRO!".

In addition to this, he has a seven-second victory over Ohno after knocking him out cold at the onset of the match. He is built for the main event scene and it's only a matter of time till "The King of Bros" wins the NXT Championship and ultimately make merry in the main roster.