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Although NXT is the developmental territory of WWE, it has acquired a cult-like following and is at par with Raw and Smackdown in terms of popularity.
However, all NXT superstars dream of making it to the main roster, whereas some make the most of this opportunity while others fail. Here is a list of five superstars that should go back to the developmental in order to improve.
Apollo Crews
Apollo Crews, previously known as Uhaa nation on the independent circuit, made his debut on NXT in 2015.
He was one of the top prospects because of his tremendous in-ring abilities. However, he was called upon RAW on April 6, 2016, even before completing a year at the developmental territory.
As talented as Crews is, he was not given sufficient time to develop a persona and get comfortable with the WWE style before being called on to the grand stage.
Apollo has failed to achieve success at the bigger show seeming like a fish out of the water. Even though he is consistent with his matches, his personality remains too generic to catch anyone’s attention. Even having Titus as a manager hasn’t helped move things for him. Going back to NXT and having programs with guys like Andrade Almas and Pete Dunn could give Crews the required experience and confidence to strike big.
Bo Dallas
Bo is arguably the most underutilized of all NXT champions who have made it to the main roster. Unlike Apollo who wasn’t ready for a call-up, Bo was seemingly on the path to superstardom given his highly successful stint in NXT.
Not only is he a former NXT champion but was also one of the most over heels in NXT. The level of disdain the NXT crowds showed Bo is something rarely seen in today’s era of cheering the bad guys.
The highly charismatic superstar, however, failed to make an impact on the main roster as the creative team did not “BO-LIEVE” in his abilities. From forgettable feuds to being turned into a comic relief, Bo’s character was headed nowhere.
A stint in the faction social outcasts also did not elevate his status. He seemed poised for a push during September of last year which was abruptly put to a halt.
Although he is part of the Miztourage as a lackey of the Miz , it is clear that WWE is not tapping into his potential, so a stint back to his roots could help him regain momentum and confidence.
He could play the overconfident and cocky NXT veteran taking on “outsiders” like Roderick Strong and Aleister Black.
Darren Young
Darren, who was part of the first ever season of NXT has not been able to make a mark in his seven-year long run with the WWE.
A former one-time tag team champion along with Titus O’ Neil, he seemed poised for singles push alongside new manager Bob Backlund after kicking off the “make Darren Young great again” gimmick.
However, the gimmick quickly ran out of stream and due to an elbow injury Darren also had to take some time off. Reports state that he is now cleared for competition and may be making his return soon.
It could be beneficial for Young if he makes his return on NXT instead of going to the main roster and getting lost in the shuffle again. It will give him more time to get into his new gimmick and a lighter schedule would also help in quick recovery from his injury.
A possible tag team with No way Hose could also be viable, considering Darren had a gimmick similar to Hose during his Florida Championship Wrestling days as part of the team South beach boyz along with Percy Watson.
Dana Brooke
Dana has been one of the more underwhelming female talents to come on board in recent times. Compared to the likes of Sasha, Bayley and Becky, Dana is not at the same level athletically or charismatically.
Even in her previous run in NXT, she was always foreshadowed by the high level of female performers present there at the time.
A brief run in the spotlight after being paired with Emma helped her move up the scale for some time but she was again on the back burner when she debuted on RAW.
With Asuka leaving NXT, a new young crop of female talents are ready to take the spotlight and it could be beneficial for Dana to head back and get herself in that mix instead of languishing on the main roster with the far more accomplished female roster that might continue to eclipse her and prevent her from developing.
Sami Zayn
This pick might seem odd to some given how Sami is one of the more coveted members of the Smackdown roster.
Zayn was considered one of the most entertaining performers during his time on the independent scene, portraying the character of El Generico in promotions like Ring of Honor, PWG, and Chikara.
He was one of the cornerstones of NXT but has failed to materialize on the main roster due to poor creative decisions, something even Smackdown GM Daniel Bryan took a dig at recently on Twitter. Zayn had a memorable feud with Kevin Owens which includes a superb match at battleground 2016. However, after that program Kevin has gone on to win multiple championships and established himself as one of the top heels whereas Sami has been relegated to the lower mid card, helping upcoming heel superstars to get over.
Sami’s character needs freshness and one way to go about it could be for him to go back to NXT where he could enter a program with his former Ring of Honor colleagues in Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly.
He could either join them as their leader giving a grey tinge to his character or oppose them as the reason of voice. In both cases, coming to NXT can really benefit Sami and prepare him for a bigger and better stint on the main roster while giving NXT an established star to benefit the programming.
