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The NXT developmental system has proven to be one of the best ideas to happen to the company in history. Today's Superstars have access to the absolute best facilities and resources than ever before. In fact, the current crop of NXT talent is not really considered "developmental" stars, they are simply Superstars, as they should be considered.
Since the rebranding to what we now know as NXT, there has been a sort of revolving door as the stars develop and hone their craft, they are called up to one of the main rosters relatively quickly, especially considering the speed of how things once were before the inception of the Yellow Brand.
It's been a while since we've seen a "Superstar Shake-up," or anything like that. With that in mind, the time must be nearing for something similar to a shake-up, or perhaps an invasion angle to take place. Looking at the current NXT roster, there's plenty of quality talent to pick from.
So, in the infamous words of WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg, "who's next?" Which current NXT Superstars are ready to carry the load that comes along with the main roster call-up? Actually, there are quite a few who are more than ready, here's a look at the top 7 NXT Superstars who should be the next group called up to either RAW or SmackDown Live.
#7 Lars Sullivan
There's not a whole lot known about Lars Sullivan, other than the fact that he's big, mean and relentless. Sullivan came to the company with no experience, yet he had all of the fundamental tools needed to potentially be successful in the professional wrestling industry.
Despite being new to the business, Lars has certainly caught on rather quickly, especially in the past year or so. Sullivan has learned to use his brute strength and massive frame to his advantage as he continues to be an intimidating force on the NXT roster.
Considering the fact that there is currently no real direction or storyline in place for Lars, it might be a good time to call him up to the main roster and insert him into an existing situation as a surprise run-in alliance or something similar. That would be a good way to get his feet wet and introduce him to the big stage.
#6 Shayna Baszler
WWE landed a big-time signee when Shayna Baszler was announced as the newest member of the NXT roster. Shayna comes to the company with a plethora of quality experience not only in wrestling but in various other realms of combat sports as well.
Prior to signing with the company, Shayna had excelled in MMA and had begun to make a name for herself as an independent professional wrestler, with appearances in Ring of Honor and Shimmer, just to name a couple of top promotions.
The few fans who have yet to see Shayna in action, they are indeed in for a special treat. She's not the typical "girlie-girl" that the WWE Universe has grown accustomed to. She's quite the opposite. Shayna is a rugged, tough and relentless performer that we will enjoy watching, hopefully, for years to come.
#5 Aleister Black
After nearly 14-years of success on the road with top promotions such as CZW, ICW, and PWG just to name a few, "Tommy End" signed his WWE contract in late-2016 and made his official NXT debut as Aleister Black shortly thereafter.
Since joining the NXT roster, Aleister has shot straight to the top, culminating on WrestleMania Weekend when Black captured the NXT Championship at NXT Takeover: New Orleans where he defeated then-champion Andrade 'Cien' Almas. Aleister held the title for over 10 days before finally losing it to current champion Tommaso Ciampa.
Aleister Black has remained at the top of NXT's roster his entire tenure with the Yellow Brand. Now that he has lost his NXT title, many believe now is the time for WWE's creative brass to find an angle to introduce Black into the main roster. When that does happen, the rest of the main roster will have yet another top-tier contender to compete with.
#4 Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa was yet another top indie name that has signed with WWE in the past several years. In fact, he is one of the most accomplished independent wrestlers to ever sign with the company.
Ciampa is a product of Harley Race and Killer Kowalski's training, which in itself speaks volumes about the type of skill-level that Ciampa has. Tommaso would go on to have major success with Ring of Honor, Chaotic Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Guerilla, as well as several other independent promotions.
Since his NXT arrival, Ciampa has been on a roller-coaster ride of success, which included a big babyface run with his friend Johnny Gargano. Ciampa would then turn on Gargano in what would become one of the most entertaining storylines in NXT's young history.
Tommaso would use his momentum from the Gargano feud to eventually bankroll him into position to challenge for NXT's top prize, which he would capitalize on when he defeated Aleister Black and became the new NXT Champion in a July 2018 episode of NXT on the WWE Network.
#3 EC3
At NXT Takeover: Philadelphia in early-2018, the WWE Universe received a pleasant surprise as the cameras honed in on EC3 sitting ringside as the announcement was then made that EC3 had indeed signed with the company. However, this is not EC3's first run as a WWE signee. In fact, EC3 spent almost 4 years with the company from 2009-to-2013 when he was known by his former moniker "Derrick Bateman." After a moderately successful run with the WWE's developmental system, he was released in May of 2013.
After leaving NXT, EC3 went on to have a dynamite run with TNA's Impact Wrestling. EC3 was initially introduced as a member of Dixie Carter's authority stable, which is where his career really started to take off. He would continue to rise as one of TNA's top main-eventers. His career would climax during a July 2016 taping of TNA Impact Wrestling where he defeated former Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle to become the new TNA Champ.
#2 Adam Cole
At the number 2 spot on our list, we have yet another one of those former "indie darlings" in Adam Cole. If you take one quick look at Cole's track record and history prior to signing with the WWE, it's obvious that this guy was a tremendous catch for the company. For nearly a decade prior to ever stepping in an NXT ring, Adam Cole traveled the world defeating the top free agents, while aligning himself with some of the most prolific names in the sport...The Bullet Club.
Adam owns a laundry list of accolades, which include being a 3-time Ring of Honor World Champion, winning the PWG World Title, as well as the 2012 PWG Battle of Los Angeles and these accomplishments don't even scratch the surface of what he has achieved. In fact, Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Cole the number 9 wrestler in the world in their annual 'PWI 500' list for the year of 2014.
Cole has not been around very long, yet he and his Undisputed Era buddies have already accomplished a lot. Adam also owns the title of being the first ever NXT North American Champion.
Get used to seeing championship gold draped around Adam Cole's waist. Once he lands on one of the main rosters, he will be ready to take aim at anyone who dares test the "new guy."
#1 Ricochet
It's no secret that I have been extremely generous about my feelings and thoughts on Ricochet. I have been a long-time fan and advocate to see Ricochet one day being on a WWE roster. Thankfully, that time has come and we are seeing just how incredible this guy truly is.
Since he arrived, Ricochet has set out to prove to the WWE Universe and to show the NXT roster that he is much more than just another developmental signee. It all started when he made his NXT debut against Fabian Aichner - we witnessed how special this guy was and he has continued to perform at the highest possible level each and every night out.
Prior to reporting to Orlando, Ricochet had a habit of having these insanely good matches. In fact, his matches were so good that globally known wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer often rated Ricochets bouts 5-stars and even higher on occasion.
The WWE Universe is in store for something unlike we have ever experienced before. Ricochet is a unique performer, someone who always seems to be up for any challenge and anyone who is placed in front of him. The future of not only the company but the business as a whole is in great hands, thanks to talent like Ricochet and others on this list.
