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Back in October 2019, NXT cemented its place as the third WWE brand after declaring war on Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown on the road to Survivor Series. But before that, NXT was viewed as a developmental territory where future WWE Superstars got to perfect their craft in the ring and on the microphone. NXT exceeded expectations with Triple H at the helm, producing amazing matches and captivating storylines.
Numerous former NXT Superstars have achieved success on the main roster such as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Kevin Owens, Charlotte Flair, Drew McIntyre, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Asuka, and many more. However, there have also been cases wherein former stars on NXT did not have the same kind of success on the main roster.
But as mentioned earlier, NXT is now the official third brand of WWE and has brought back Superstars such as Finn Balor and Tyler Breeze. Similarly, other wrestlers who aren't doing much on the main roster currently could return to the Black and Gold brand and revitalize their careers. So, let’s look at 5 such WWE Superstars.
#5 Humberto Carrillo
Humberto Carrillo signed with WWE back in 2018 after a successful stint as Ultimo Ninja in Mexico as well as Pro Wrestling Noah and Major League Wrestling. Following a brief NXT run, Carrillo was promoted to 205 Live in early 2019 and drafted to RAW during the WWE Draft in October 2019.
Carrillo was immediately given a push by WWE with feuds against A.J. Styles, Seth Rollins, and Andrade. He was even close to winning the United States Championship but it never happened. Ultimately, Vince McMahon gave up on him and he is now stuck in the mid-card with little to no direction.
To be fair, Carrillo is decent in the ring but he lacks the charisma to become the next big Latino WWE Superstar. The company already has Humberto’s cousin, Angel Garza, who is both talented and charismatic. For Carrillo, an NXT run could help him improve on the microphone and build his character.
#4 Liv Morgan
Liv Morgan spent three years in WWE NXT from 2014 to 2017 before becoming a part of the Riott Squad and joining the main roster. However, throughout her stint on the main roster, Morgan never got a push until Paul Heyman became the executive director of RAW in June 2019. Liv was named RAW's final pick in the 2019 WWE draft.
Upon her return, Morgan entered the Bobby Lashley-Lana storyline and immediately turned face. She grabbed wins over former teammate Ruby Riott, Natalya, and was even a part of the 2020 Elimination Chamber match to determine the No. 1 contender for Becky Lynch’s Women’s Championship.
However, Vince McMahon halted her singles push, resulting in Morgan going on a losing streak on WWE TV. A fresh start on NXT could do wonders for Liv’s career since she’s only 26-years-old. She can get a chance to polish her wrestling skills with matches against Candice LeRae, Mia Yim, Io Shirai, and more. Morgan looked like a star during her short push earlier this year and she could become one again if she goes back to NXT.
#3 Chad Gable
Chad Gable was a part of one of the best tag teams in NXT history, American Alpha. Teaming up with Jason Jordan, Gable won the NXT Tag Team Championship once before the team in question got promoted to the main roster in 2016. On the WWE main roster, he won the SmackDown Tag Team titles with Jordan and the RAW Tag Team titles with Bobby Roode.
However, after the 2019 Superstar Shakeup, Gable was repackaged as Shorty G during his feud with Baron Corbin. He embraced his new gimmick and even came close to winning the King of the Ring tournament. Everything seemed like a heartfelt underdog story was on the horizon but it wasn't.
Gable is one of the best pure wrestlers in WWE today and he can cut a decent promo as well. He may lack the height but he has the heart to capture fans. A fresh start on WWE NXT could help resurrect his career. Also, he needs to ditch the Shorty G gimmick and revert to wrestling as Chad Gable.
#2 Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander only made a few appearances on WWE NXT after participating in the inaugural Cruiserweight Classic back in 2016. In the said tournament, Alexander’s match with Kota Ibushi was outstanding, leading to fans chanting, “Please Sign Cedric” after the match. Cedric was eventually signed by WWE and joined the company's show that was launched to feature the cruiserweights, 205 Live.
Upon his main-roster call up in 2019, Alexander received a push once Paul Heyman became WWE RAW’s Executive Director. He even got an upset win over the current WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre. He also feuded with then-United States Champion, A.J. Styles. However, just like Humberto Carrillo and Liv Morgan, his push was stopped by Vince McMahon.
Stuck in the mid-card purgatory on the WWE main roster, Cedric could use a fresh start on NXT. With the impending call ups of Adam Cole and the rest of the Undisputed Era, the third brand needs to replenish its roster and Alexander’s high-flying persona would fit perfectly. On NXT, the former Cruiserweight Champion can work on developing a character that the WWE Universe could relate to, and couple it with his already-excellent wrestling ability.
#1 Ricochet
Ricochet was one of the biggest signings in the history of NXT. Prior to coming to WWE, he was already a big star for Evolve, Dragon Gate, Pro Wrestling Guerilla, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Lucha Underground. He is undoubtedly one of the most athletic Superstars in WWE history. Ricochet spent only a year in NXT before being called up to the main roster last year.
After just four months on the main roster, Ricochet won the United States Championship by defeating Samoa Joe. He went on to lose the title to A.J. Styles and they began a feud. Ricochet also scored huge wins over Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, and Seth Rollins. He earned a WWE title shot against Brock Lesnar at WWE Super ShowDown earlier this year but lost in just two minutes.
Since then, Ricochet's credibility has been on a downward spiral and he has become a regular fixture on WWE Main Event. Even teaming up with Cedric Alexander hasn't done him any wonders so far. If given the chance to return to NXT, Ricochet can have a Finn Balor-like impact on the brand. Ricochet is too talented to not succeed in WWE.
