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Last weekend's NXT Takeover: War Games proved one thing that has been known for quite some time, the developmental brand is infinitely better than main roster programming. Even on a Wednesday night show replete with recaps of the event, it still managed to outshine the insipid RAW from Monday Night.
It echoes in that talent and the fact that management and creative on the main roster tries desperately to capture that same fizzle, with only a handful capturing lightning in the bottle. This makes it all the more disappointing that the shining beacons of NXT are more often than not relegated to half-baked, banal and inconsistent efforts to get over.
We can count the successes from NXT to the main roster on one hand and some of those only because fans decided to revolt against WWE's initial assessment of them. The very few that do make it from the transition, do so because they've managed in spite of the companies creative team, to grab at Vince McMahon's legendary brass rings and prove their mettle.
It, therefore, paints a worrisome sign for the fans, for a lot of the current NXT roster. However, there is hope for quite a few in what is possibly NXT's best and most Vince McMahon appeasable (which they sadly have to) roster.
Here are those top five bound to enthrall the flaky boss and keep him invested for a long time.
#5 Shayna Baszler
Since we don't want to jink too many NXT stars and Vince McMahon's such a ridiculously taskmaster, it's better to forego any honorable mentions. Instead, we begin outright with the Queen of Spades and current NXT women's champion.
It's clear in their current iteration that Vince likes his women's roster stars as tough and to show some grit in the ring. It's a hopeful sign that the pathetic Kevin Dunn is no longer in his ear, but who are we kidding. Such that Baszler especially if paired with or against friend Ronda Rousey, would make a perfect addition in the main roster.
She's the kind of killer heel that he would build the bad side of the division around, in contrast to a fast-talking Alexa Bliss. She provides as mentioned both a stern muscle for a heel Ronda or a fierce challenge for a face one. That friendship the key to mainstream viability that brings in the money.
If WWE's Crown Jewel fiasco has taught us anything, Vince loves the money and those that can mint it for him shoot straight to the top.
#4 Aleister Black
If there's one thing Vince McMahon absolutely respects, it is the old school mentality. For all his spewing of more entertainment and less of sports, heis your typical old tough guy and he honestly couldn't handle the rosters current relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Though he has to cause of all the backlash past practices may create in this day and age.
In that case, an Aleister Black is the perfect model of this. Not just in the tough kickboxer way, but because he also holds the old school values of respect and practices them. His heartfelt letter this year to Roman Reigns was a sign of that. It'd make him the much sought after locker room leader that Vince needs.
More importantly, with his character, Aleister Black brings a mystique and intensity unlike seen since the heyday of the Undertaker. If anything Vince might just have found the man to replace the biggest shoes occupied on part-time in his company. Surely the boss sees this as a man to groom for the upper echelon of his company.
#3 Bianca Belair
In many people's eyes, Bianca Belair is a light version of Sasha Banks. She pretty much exudes the same mannerisms and character with just a personal touch of her own. It's not an indictment of her ability, she makes it work in her own way and how! What sets her apart are two main things.
First of all is her wrestling ability, while nowhere near the level of Banks, Belair is getting good at her game and more importantly has a safer and yet flashier style than the Boss. Which is where the second part comes in, her look, especially the hair, is such a unique element rarely if ever utilized in pro-wrestling.
It gives her the funky edge to well edge out the competition especially Banks, currently marinating in mediocrity. These two equalled with her being a product of the very company puts her in a strong position to shine on the main roster. Don't be surprised to see her step up to the likes of Charlotte or Bliss in a years time, after some seasoning.
#2 Tommaso Ciampa
It's rare for heels in this day and age to generate genuine heat no matter what the conditions or their actions. It's even rarer for them to maintain that magnitude of hate through their work over time. After a point, fans just tend to gravitate towards the performer's unbelievably cool efforts. This is more so the case with regular fans of the product, watching it day in and day out especially the ones you see at NXT.
As such, Ciampa deserves some kind of medal and it all boils down to his awareness of his audience. Knowing that the fans in NXT are of the variety that is in the know of the business, that can't handle McMahon's idiosyncrasies regarding the business. It is why Ciampa crafted the character of the dastardly black heart coldly referred to as 'Tommy Entertainment'.
Calling himself an entertainer and not a wrestler will, of course, endear him to Vince McMahon. Yet it's also the larger subtext of the situation that'll put him over in the eyes of the boss. Ciampa is well aware of the viewers he plays with and knows how to hold them in the palm of his hand.
He may never be more than upper mid-card deal for Vinny Mac, but considering where he began, that's a lot more than fans could have predicted. Surely at the least, there's another 'Goldie' waiting for him on the main roster.
#1 Velveteen Dream
Sure Patrick Clark AKA Velveteen Dream has an eccentric character, one that fans might fear will turn into a comedy jobber at the hands of Vinny Mac. However, there's something so eccentric about the Dream that hits the right notes with the boss. He's got guts and he knows how to use it to grab your attention.
From parodying Hulk Hogan at a very sensitive juncture to calling out Vince McMahon himself to promote him, this guy knows how to rile it up. It's this flavorful explosion that Vince McMahon is fond off, it might not seem like it but Dream's got some ruthless aggression in him. McMahon despite the tensions, likes a player who can ruffle some feathers and Dream does it with just the right balance.
At the age of 23 and with a couple of years behind him on NXT, a bit more seasoning could just see Dream explode onto the main roster scene. The fact that he is a homegrown product works wonders for him as well. In fact on a personal note, one is willing to hedge a bet that Velveteen Dream is going to become the next huge megastar and face of WWE.
