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WWE NXT Superstars have been doing a phenomenal job in recent years. This has enabled them to turn NXT around from being a developmental brand for several years to a proper third brand since 2019.
After defeating RAW and SmackDown at Survivor Series 2019, the Superstars of NXT made their way to WrestleMania 36. While the brand's build has died down in recent months, we’ve seen some top main roster Superstars return to NXT to make a statement.
Many NXT Superstars' performances have also caught the eye of several WWE legends and Hall of Famers. While Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Triple H, and Mark Henry have been more vocal about NXT Superstars' thoughts, a few other big names have also pointed out their favorite NXT workers.
This has helped the brand gain even more publicity and has given a big boost to several former and current NXT Superstars who’ve continued to perform at the highest level.
This article will look at six times WWE Hall of Famers spoke highly of NXT Superstars.
#6 WWE Hall of Famer Triple H has praised NXT Superstar Tyler Rust
No man is more dangerous in WWE NXT than Tommaso Ciampa. The former NXT Champion has impressed the WWE Universe with every single performance, and it seems like he will be sticking with the brand for a long time.
Ciampa recently got into a rivalry with Timothy Thatcher, which led to a collision with Thatcher’s student, Tyler Rust. Rust made his WWE debut against Ciampa and impressed the entire NXT Universe with his in-ring performance.
Rust went on to lose the match, but he gave the former NXT Champion a tough fight and earned some praise from WWE Hall of Famer Triple H.
Triple H is the NXT leader and has been doing a phenomenal job backstage. That’s not all, as many of the men and women who Triple H has praised in the past have gone on to become world champions in WWE.
The Game took to Twitter and claimed that performing in an NXT ring against Ciampa is not an easy task, and Rust managed to hold it out. He further went on to say that this will likely be the first of many more top performances from the youngster.
Such high praise from a perfectionist and 14-time world champion will definitely do Rust a world of good in WWE.
#5 Rhea Ripley has earned a lot of praise from WWE Hall of Famers, including Mark Henry
It’s no secret that Rhea Ripley is one of the finest Superstars in WWE. Her work in the ring helped her become the NXT Women’s Champion and has given her opportunities that some other women can only dream of.
Ripley has received much praise for her work from several current and former WWE Superstars and Hall of Famers. Triple H, William Regal, and Charlotte Flair have all acknowledged The Nightmare’s ability in the ring.
However, it’s Mark Henry who thinks that the young Superstar has the ability to become the next John Cena, The Rock, or Batista.
The WWE Hall of Famer made these bold comments on the Busted Open Radio show in late 2019.
"She’ll be the next Rock. She will be the next John Cena, she will be able to be the next Batista. She should be able to go outside of wrestling and make a living because she’ll be a big mainstream star."
The World's Strongest Man believes that not only does Ripley have what it takes to become a major wrestling star, but she can also become a huge mainstream star like many other WWE legends.
#4 WWE Hall of Famer Lita has praised former NXT star, Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair might be performing on the main roster now, but The EST of WWE turned a few heads during her time in NXT. Not only did Belair manage to impress the WWE Universe with her strength and performances, but she has also managed to catch the attention of a WWE Hall of Famer.
Lita, who is known as one of the finest female WWE Superstars of all time, pointed out in 2018 that The EST has a long way to go in the company. She called Belair “very talented” and claimed that she has intangible star quality.
“Bianca Belair, along with some other the others there, is very talented. She’s physically gifted, a great attitude, and when I very first saw her she had that intangible star quality that I just want to see more.”
Earning so much praise from a Superstar who is still loved by the WWE Universe is a major achievement from Belair. Even though she hasn’t won any top titles in the company yet, it’s only a matter of time before WWE gives her a championship run in the company.
#3 NXT Superstar Adam Cole has impressed WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Adam Cole has been the cornerstone of WWE NXT for several years now. He’s had such an impact on the brand in recent years that it’s impossible to think of NXT without Adam Cole.
The Superstar has been doing a phenomenal job in the ring himself, and he took to Twitter in April 2020 to retweet a video featuring Steve Austin and The Rock's journey to WrestleMania X7. “The Panama City Playboy” further wrote that it was this promo that inspired him to become a professional wrestler.
The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have inspired a generation of wrestlers, and it comes as a pleasant surprise that their iconic rivalry also inspired Cole.
Cole’s comments on the video caught WWE Hall of Famer Austin’s attention, which likely made the former's day. The Rattlesnake praised Cole for his work in the ring and told him to keep it up.
“The Panama City Playboy” is currently the Undisputed ERA leader and has enjoyed an iconic run as both the NXT North American Champion and the NXT Champion on the Black and Gold Brand.
#2 WWE Hall of Famer Edge has praised Finn Balor, Keith Lee, The Velveteen Dream, and Adam Cole
WWE Hall of Famer Edge’s wife Beth Pheonix is one of the finest commentators on WWE NXT. This pushes the legend to tune into NXT every Wednesday and watch what goes down on the Black and Gold Brand.
Since his return to the ring, Edge has been very vocal about which Superstars he sees as the future of WWE. Speaking during a WWE telephone conference call, Edge revealed some NXT stars who he thinks are extremely good in the ring.
“To me, 'the guy' who is dialed in and completely found what it is that he's supposed to do is Finn Balor. It's exciting to watch him right now. To me, he and Gargano set the template for what an NXT match should be going forward. You got your workhorses like Adam Cole who's just out there week-in, week-out, night after night in the grind and you just got to tip your hat to that guy.
"Keith Lee is so impressive - I'd love to be able to get in the ring with that guy and just show him exactly what he is and how he can be. Velveteen Dream to me is just this raw, completely natural character - he has just found his character and that's so exciting to watch. It's not just all about moves, about 84 superkicks. He has tapped into his character and it's really fun to watch and to see where he takes that - the future is good.”
While Edge seems to have a close relationship with Tommaso Ciampa, he believes Finn Balor, Keith Lee, The Velveteen Dream, and Adam Cole are the top guys on the brand.
The Rated-R Superstar has always kept an eye out and praised those who he believes are hard workers. This has given fans a cool perspective of what a WWE legend thinks about their favorite budding stars.
#1 NXT Superstar Pat McAfee has impressed WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin is arguably the greatest Superstar WWE has ever produced. Austin has been away from the ring for a long time, and he’s found a place for himself in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Austin has been very vocal about WWE’s product, and he appeared on ESPN's Monday Tailgate show in December 2020. Austin spoke about many topics, including NFL players like Pat McAfee and Rob Gronkowski in WWE.
“Hey man, he puts it all on the line, he’s going for it. I think his verbal skills, he’s slaying everybody, but he’s not afraid to go out there and put it all on the line. You wouldn’t expect it from a guy who goes out there and kicks a football, but Pat McAfee is bada**. I think he’s doing a really good job. I’d give him a solid A.”
Austin was all praise for the newest NXT Superstar, McAfee, who has competed in a couple of matches on the Black and Gold Brand. McAfee is a former pro-footballer who made a big name for himself in the sport.
After appearing in his first wrestling match against Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver XXX, McAfee wowed the WWE Universe with another great performance at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
McAfee might continue to only make sporadic appearances in NXT, but praise from a legend like Stone Cold will boost his already inflated ego.
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