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NXT wasn't always the show that produced the best matches in WWE. It first started out as FCW but changed to NXT when it was featured with a game show format in 2010.
It eventually changed to the current format we are used to, in June 2012. Since it's inception in as the developmental brand of WWE in 2010, hundreds of wrestlers have come and gone.
And while many have left and made their marks on the main roster (Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair, Daniel Bryan), not every wrestler enjoyed success in the promotion.
A lot of wrestlers were either released or asked for their release. While all of those who departed NXT haven't necessarily experienced success, the following wrestlers have left and flourished in other promotions. In some cases, they made such an impression that WWE re-signed them.
For this list's purposes, wrestlers once signed to FCW are not included. Brian Cage and Kenny Omega were never officially a part of NXT as FCW, so for that reason, they will not be on this list.
Both departed before 2010.
#5: Sami Callihan
It's hard to believe, but Callihan was technically under the NXT banner from 2012-2015. He wasn't on the NXT show for very long, debuting in 2015 but being released in November of the same year.
His name was Solomon Crowe because WWE couldn't have two guys named Sami under its banner. It must have been frustrating for a guy to be in the system for three years only to debut, be off television for months and then released later in the year.
Ever since leaving NXT, he's competed in Pro Wrestling Guerilla, Combat Zone Wrestling, Lucha Underground and Impact Wrestling among other independent promotions. His star rose when he debuted for LU in 2016 during its third season, portraying the boyfriend of Ivelisse, Jeremiah Crane.
He had some good matches in the temple and was effectively written out during a loss to Mil Muertes in a Grave Consequences match. He later returned as a snake-like zombie named Jeremiah Snake. He acts like he's under the control of the Reptile Tribe's leader, Kobra Moon, due to her venom bringing him 'back from the dead'.
Although the name leaves a lot to be desired, he held the LU Trios' Championship alongside Moon and the fantastic Daga. Due to LU's relationship with AAA and Impact Wrestling, Callihan debuted in Impact to lead the faction OVE.
He'd lead Dave and Jake Crist to terrorize LAX, the Lucha Brothers (Pentagon Jr. and Fenix) and Eddie Edwards. Since his time in Impact, he's built up a reputation as a solid, technical wrestler who usually brawls. He hasn't captured any gold yet, but calls himself 'the Draw'.
Who knows how far he could have gone as Crowe in NXT.
#4: Ivelisse Velez
She just goes by Ivelisse, but when she was a member of FCW/NXT, she was known as Sofia Cortez. She was close to Paige as the Brit became the first-ever NXT Women's Champion.
She had previously competed on Tough Enough in 2010 and was signed to FCW/NXT until her release in 2012. She was one of the many prospects who had been outspoken about Bill DeMott and his bullying. Since her departure, she's wrestled for Shine and AAA in Mexico.
In 2012-2013, Velez had a series of matches for Impact Wrestling (then TNA). She competed in the Gut Check series whereas the wrestlers competing were or were not offered a contract with the promotion.
Even though she defeated Lei'd Tapa in the contract match for both, Velez strangely wasn't offered a contract. Tapa, however, was. Taking it in stride, she has been a fixture of Lucha Underground since the first season in 2014.
She was originally a heel with her then on-screen boyfriend, Son of Havoc. Those two and Angelico, one of the best high flyers in the world, were one of the first Trios' champions.
She's had feuds with Mariposa, Taya, Catrina and has competed against Mil Muertes, Matanza and a lot of the other men on the roster.
She's been primarily a fixture in the Trios division but suffered two devastating knee injuries that halted her momentum.
With Lucha Underground's future up in the air regarding a possible fifth season, she might be looking elsewhere for work.
She'd be a great addition to NXT/WWE if the two sides could work out any differences that might exist.
#3: Eli Drake
Drake wrestled for NXT from 2013-2014 under the name Slate Randall. He had previously competed on and won the reality show the Hero which was executive produced by the Rock.
He eventually left in 2014, citing issues with head trainer DeMott. When he resurfaced again, he was a part of the Rising faction alongside Drew Galloway (McIntyre) and Mika (Camacho/Tanga Loa).
He initially started as a face but when he turned heel, his career took off. He was one of the main bright spots when Impact and Dixie Carter were going through a messy divorce.
Week in and week out, Drake was always a highlight of any episode of Impact he was on. Whether in the ring or on his talk show, The Fact of Life, he always delivered.
He really shined when he would run down any number of opponents as he would call them 'Dummies'. It was and still is, always entertaining.
He eventually won the GFW/Impact World Championship at the end of a 20-man Gauntlet Match to name a new Heavyweight Champion. Alberto El Patron was stripped due to alleged domestic issues with then-girlfriend Paige. I think they made the right choice.
Drake and Eddie Edwards started the gauntlet and finished it, providing fans with two impressive performances from guys who would become building blocks for the new Impact. Although he lost the title to a debuting Austin Aries, Drake has always remained one of the top performers in the company.
He's still signed to Impact and appears to be headed to a feud with hardcore legend Tommy Dreamer. Drake is saying he's the last of a dying breed of guys who look and wrestle like superstars whereas Dreamer represents any 'slob' off the street who thinks they can make it as a hardcore wrestler.
It should be an interesting feud.
#2: Juice Robinson
When Juice was a member of FCW/NXT, his main gimmick was that of a tree-loving, environmentalist hippie CJ Parker.
He was mainly used as an enhancement talent for a lot of bigger debuting stars like Kevin Owens and Sami Callihan. As that would frustrate anyone, Juice eventually was released after his run from 2011-2015.
He eventually went to NJPW and CMLL, becoming a fan favourite overseas. He became so popular that he defeated Jay White for the IWGP United State Championship. White had previously defeated Kenny Omega, the first-ever IWGP US Champ.
Since his popularity was on the rise, he has competed in the NJPW World Tag League and even the G1 Climax Tournament in 2017. While he probably already knew it, he has really shown that he was so much more than the hippie character he portrayed in NXT.
His success became so well-known worldwide that WWE took notice and tried to sign him again. He declined the offer, opting to stay in Japan. Can you really blame him?
Robinson might also be likely elevated up the card depending on who departs NJPW once the calendar year shifts to 2019. Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks and Cody could all feasibly leave NJPW, leaving a void of foreign babyfaces atop the roster.
Juice would be a perfect choice to at least challenge the top stars like Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito and Hiroshi Tanahashi for titles if any have them. NJPW would still need some noticeable North American faces to help spearhead further expansion into North America.
Robinson has already proven his popularity in the NJPW North American Specials Fighting Spirit Unleashed and the G1 Special in San Francisco. He's important to the future of NJPW regardless of what happens at year's end.
#1: EC3
He was the top 1% in Impact and he brought that back to NXT. Only this time, he was much more famous. Once he left in 2013, EC3 debuted in Impact as the nephew of Dixie Carter. His storyline was that of a pampered, spoiled nephew who got away with practically everything due to his last name.
It's not unlike the children of politicians or famous athletes who get away with things us normal folks don't because we don't have the right surname. While he was in Impact, he was treated like a huge star.
And for a good portion of his run, he delivered like a huge star should. He was given huge victories over Impact legends like Kurt Angle and Sting and he even won the TNA Heavyweight Championship from Angle.
He also had big feuds with the likes of Bobby Roode, Eddie Edwards, Lashley, James Storm and the Hardys. He practically feuded with everyone in his five years in Impact. Like Eli Drake, he stuck around during the messy change in ownership of the company, being one of the reliable wrestlers like Edwards and Drake to smooth the transition.
EC3 was so well known that WWE re-signed him. He debuted in April 2018 and competed in the inaugural 6-man ladder match for the NXT North American Championship. He's currently a face but might turn heel depending on who stays in NXT and who is promoted to the main roster. He'll be cheered regardless of his character status.
He wasn't on the latest Takeover special, but he will certainly be a featured player going forward in 2019. A lot of turnover is expected in the early-to-mid part of the years and EC3 will be in the NXT title picture sooner rather than later.
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