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NXT is still considered a developmental brand for WWE, but the company have often said they want it to be considered as the third brand alongside Monday Night RAW and SmackDown.
With that being said, NXT has contributed massively towards the ongoing success of WWE with many of the superstars who have shone on the black and gold brand becoming top stars on RAW or SmackDown, like Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Finn Balor.
However, there have even been times when superstars have moved from RAW and SmackDown back to NXT, where they've arguably found more success. Finn Balor, Breezango and now Samoa Joe are, perhaps, the biggest names that have returned to the brand to increased popularity.
But which other superstars on RAW or SmackDown would stand to gain from returning to NXT? Here are five names I think would be better off there.
#5. Former WWE NXT North American Champion Ricochet
The high-flying star went on to win the NXT North American title and the 2019 Dusty Rhodes Classic with Aleister Black, but he was then called up to WWE's main roster where he had a brief WWE United States Title run before petering out completely.
It doesn't seem like Ricochet is going to get a main event run on either RAW or SmackDown and someone with his talent and in-ring ability should absolutely be treated like star, therefore a move back to NXT would benefit him immensely.
Not only would it give him an opportunity to go for the NXT Title, which would give him the opportunity to act as a brand's leading man for a way, should he win it. But it would also allow him the space to have decent feuds with other wrestlers who can match him technically, meaning he won't have to dial it back any.
#4. Former WWE United States and Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura is one of the best and most accomplished wrestlers in the world. However, in WWE he's only managed to win mid-card titles whilst on either Monday Night RAW or SmackDown.
He has a main event pedigree as he's a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He's also the second wrestler behind Chris Jericho to win both the WWE Intercontinental and IWGP Intercontinental titles.
Nakamura is currently feuding with King Corbin over his King Of The Ring tournament crown, but what he really should be doing is challenging for whatever the top title on his promotion is.
That's why he should move back to NXT. He's one of four superstars to have won the NXT Championship more than once (alongside Samoa Joe, Finn Balor and Karrion Kross) and he'd almost certainly become the first to win it three times if he returns.
Not only would that record-breaking third championship be befitting of a wrestler of the caliber of Nakamura, but it would allow the charismatic star to truly strut his stuff on a main event run.
#3. Former WWE NXT Champion Sami Zayn
Before WWE, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens had parallel careers as long-time friends and opponents. In WWE, both became NXT Champions on the black and gold brand. However, only one has become a world champion after moving to RAW and SmackDown and the other one, well, hasn't.
Sure, Zayn has always been involved in something during his many years on the main roster. However, he hasn't managed to get his hands on either world championship, and he's only had two mid-card title reigns.
It's almost like WWE just don't see Zayn as a main event star, but he absolutely could be if given the chance. That's why he should move to NXT where he can have a star-making run as NXT Champion before returning to the main roster and going for one of those world championships.
He could even move to NXT as part of his ongoing 'conspiracy' gimmick which would fit perfectly! Sami Zayn should be treated like a main event level threat, even if he has to be a slippery heel to do it who moans about being victimized.
#2. WWE's Reckoning/Mia Yim
Let's be honest, RETRIBUTION was a disaster of a stable in WWE from start to finish. Whilst Mercedes Martinez very wisely jumped ship when it started sinking, Mia Yim/Reckoning, unfortunately, stayed with it all the way to the bottom of the ocean.
Thankfully, the stable has been disbanded but we've yet to see Mace, T-Bar Slapjack and Yim recover from the association on the main roster, and they might never do so.
That's why Yim should move back to NXT. Before her call-up, she was flirting with the main event in the WWE NXT women's division and, as a former IMPACT Knockouts Champion, certainly has the ability and experience to be a main eventer in the black and gold brand.
Yim's main roster debut and run has been doomed from the start thanks to RETRIBUTION's terrible booking. Therefore, the name Reckoning should be well and truly buried. A high-profile NXT run to remind people of the name Mia Yim would be perfect.
#1. WWE's The Fiend Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt has enjoyed a career renaissance as The Fiend in WWE. Now that Alexa Bliss has taken over as RAW's resident demonic entity, it seems like the wrestler's time as The Fiend has run its course on WWE's main roster shows.
The Fiend hasn't been seen since WrestleMania this year after a fairly flat and disappointing loss to Randy Orton following months of build-up. Consequently, many people are wondering when or where we might see The Fiend next.
That's where WWE can kill two birds with one stone. They can move The Fiend to the black and gold brand which would be something fresh and different for the character. It would also add a certain element of longevity that might be slipping away on RAW or SmackDown.
However, it would also be adding something to NXT that NXT hasn't typically had before. However, it could be argued that Tian Sha are currently fulfilling the supernatural niche for the show.
The Fiend won't be able to carry on forever and we're likely going to get Bray Wyatt or even Husky Harris returning eventually, so why not do something really different with him?
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Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
