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While NXT is known for being the proving ground before Superstars are called up to the main roster, it's also become something of an unofficial third brand for WWE. Many fans around the world tune in to watch every single week on the WWE Network, and in comparison to Raw and SmackDown Live, you could argue that it's most well-rounded show the company produces right now.
However, as we all know, the big four pay-per-views often serve as the quarterly call-up time, and with SummerSlam and Survivor Series still to come this year, it feels like we're going to see a few more big changes down in developmental. Some will make sense and others won't, but for these five individuals, in particular, we think it'll be better for everyone if they begin 2019 as members of the NXT roster.
With that being said, here are five NXT superstars who shouldn't be called up in 2018.
#5 Tommaso Ciampa
During his time with #DIY, you could argue that Tommaso Ciampa was part of one of the best teams in professional wrestling. Then, when he turned his back on Johnny Gargano, you could argue that he was one of the best bad guys in professional wrestling. As we approach the end of his feud with Johnny Wrestling, it's starting to feel like Ciampa is on the verge of becoming a true star in WWE.
However, while we'd like to see Gargano make the jump up to the main roster, that isn't what we want to see from Ciampa. It still feels like there's room for him to grow down in developmental, mainly because he more than deserves a shot at the NXT Championship. We'd like to see him capture the belt from Aleister Black, sending Black up to Monday Night Raw in the process.
#4 Candice LeRae
One of the most important pieces of the puzzle in the Ciampa/Gargano feud has been the addition of Candice LeRae, and if you still don't know who she is, then we feel sorry for you. LeRae is one of the most successful female superstars in the history of pro wrestling when it comes to intergender matches, and beyond that, she's just a phenomenal wrestler.
She's got a great look, a great personality, and she feels like a natural babyface. While her time will come to move up to the main roster, probably on the SD Live after WrestleMania 35, seeing her chase Shayna Baszler and the NXT Women's Championship is going to be even more enjoyable. She deserves to have a crowning moment in NXT, and we're willing to wait for it.
#3 Ricochet
Ricochet has always been a guy who can wow the crowd with his athletic prowess, but now, he feels like someone who could legitimately become one of the top stars in WWE. While he's never been known as someone who can cut a remarkable promo, his recent feud with Velveteen Dream has allowed him to come out of his shell more than ever before.
Because of that, it feels like sticking to NXT for a while would be best for his development. Allow him to build a reputation for himself down at Full Sail, then during the TakeOver weekends, he can explode into life to really hype up his eventual arrival on Raw or SmackDown Live. Forget 205 Live - this guy needs to be a featured star in the big time.
#2 Velveteen Dream
We alluded to him in the last entry, and now he gets one of his own - Velveteen Dream is one of the most exciting prospects to come out of the Performance Center in god knows how long, and we're willing to bet that he's going to get even better. We've only scratched the surface of what he can do from a character perspective, and given his age, there's a chance he could be around for at least another 15-20 years.
Naturally, we're a little bit worried about what would happen to him if he was called up to the main roster right now, and because of that, we want to see them stretch out his NXT tenure. There shouldn't be any kind of rush to bring him to the main roster, and it'd be nice to see someone have a 5-6 year run in between the yellow ropes.
#1 Roderick Strong
A few months back it seemed as if Roderick Strong was on a rocket ship to the top of NXT as one of their biggest babyfaces in years. The fans were starting to invest in his story and he was finally starting to gain some traction until, in the blink of an eye, he turned his back on all of that in favour of siding with The Undisputed Era.
It was a great swerve and something we'd like to see more of in the future, although while we'd like to see the original trio move up to the main roster soon, it'd be fun to see Strong leading a new trio of TUE recruits down in NXT. It'd be like they're infecting WWE from head to toe, in the same kind of manner as the nWo did with WCW back in the day.
Do you think these NXT Superstars will make it big on the main roster one day? Tell us in the comments below!
