Ranking all of 2018's NXT call-ups

Some NXT call-ups have been more successful than others
Some NXT call-ups have been more successful than others

While they have certainly lost their appeal somewhat over the last 12 months, NXT call-ups are still one of the most exciting things that can happen on weekly WWE programming.

The WWE's track record with recent NXT call-ups has not exactly been great, with fans being quick to criticise the way the WWE has booked the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka over the past 12 months, but not every NXT call-up is a disaster.

The company has used NXT call-ups sparingly in 2018, and the vast majority of stars that have made the step up from Full Sail have been utilised regularly on WWE television.

Of course, not all call-ups are created equal, and some stars have struggled to find their feet on the main roster.

With 2018 drawing to a close, and with Lars Sullivan's main roster arrival on the horizon, let's take a look back at the rest of 2018's NXT call-ups and see how they have fared.


#7 No Way Jose

No Way Jose was doomed from the start
No Way Jose was doomed from the start

Let's be honest, No Way Jose was doomed from the moment he stepped out on stage during the Raw following WrestleMania.

The former NXT star has one of the silliest gimmicks on the main roster, and fans couldn't help but be reminded of Adam Rose when Jose danced down to the ring with his little entourage of dancers.

Jose was quickly established as one of the brand's newest jobbers and between the months of July and November, he failed to make a single appearance on Raw.

The future certainly doesn't look bright for No Way Jose, whose only real chance of survival in the WWE is a complete gimmick overhaul.

Is that likely to happen? No Way Jose.

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#6 Sanity

Sanity have struggled to make an impact on SmackDown
Sanity
have
struggled to make an impact on SmackDown

Sanity is a prime example of the WWE calling up a great gimmick from NXT and then having absolutely no idea what to do with it on the main roster

For the most part of their main roster run, the group has existed largely to make up numbers, and none of the three men involved in the group have been allowed an opportunity to really introduce themselves to the WWE Universe.

After a very quick feud with The Usos when they made their debut, the group have descended into obscurity on Tuesday nights, with their only notable pop coming when Nikki Cross made a brief appearance with the group in England.

Despite the talents involved with the group, things aren't looking too great for them heading into 2019.

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#5 The Iiconics

The Iiconics have done exactly what they set out to do: annoy the WWE Universe
The Iiconics have done exactly what they set out to do: annoy the WWE Universe

The Iiconics have to be one of the most annoying acts in the whole of the WWE. The group's whole gimmick is based around drawing cheap heat from the audience, and credit where it's due, the two women are excellent at it.

While it seems highly unlikely the group will make any sorts of waves as single stars, there is every chance that they could become a staple of the long rumoured Women's Tag-Team division, if it ever comes to fruition.

In terms of debut years, the group have picked up their fair amounts of wins and losses, with their most notable victory coming against the team of Asuka and Naomi in their home country of Australia.

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#4 Ember Moon

Ember Moon has looked impressive so far
Ember Moon has looked impressive so far

You have to feel sorry for Ember Moon. The former NXT Champion is one of the most talented performers in the WWE but unfortunately for her, she has arrived on the main roster at the same time as Ronda Rousey.

Sharing a stage with Rousey has meant that Ember Moon has not been allowed near the title scene since she made her debut post-Mania, and while she has picked up several significant victories since making her debut, she is yet to have a real defining feud on Monday Night Raw.

The sky is the limit for Moon in the WWE though, and if Rousey moves over to SmackDown, or if Moon herself gets moved to Tuesday night, then 2019 could finally be her time to make an impact.

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#3 Andrade 'Cien' Almas (With Zelina Vega)

Almas has put on some great matches since his call-up
Almas has put on some great matches since his call-up

While there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the WWE don't currently know what to do with Andrade 'Cien' Almas, the former NXT Champion has still managed to wow WWE audiences whenever he has been given the opportunity.

Almas had to wait a little while for his debut, and his ascent up the card was damaged when his opponent at the time, Sin Cara, picked up an injury, but 2018 has been a year of steady progress for him on the main roster.

Almas has put on some excellent matches against the likes of Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles, which have apparently not gone unnoticed by Vince McMahon.

While he is currently without a clear sense of direction, the future still looks incredibly bright for Andrade 'Cien' Almas, and there is every chance he could be one of the company's break out stars in 2019.

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#2 Authors of Pain

AOP have formed an unlikely partnership with Drake Maverick
AOP have formed an unlikely partnership with Drake Maverick

One of only two NXT call-ups this year to have won gold on the main roster, The Authors of Pain struggled to get going following their arrival on the Raw after WrestleMania.

The group instantly got rid of their long-time manager, Paul Ellering and ended up being booked in several pointless matches against the likes of The Ascension and Titus Worldwide.

After paying their dues for a few months though, the duo were rewarded for their efforts over the Summer and now find themselves holding the Raw Tag-Team Championships. While their reign thus far has been focused on Drake Maverick's toilet activities, the group still have bags of potential and the fact that the company has decided to slap the belts on them so soon after they made their debuts can only be seen as a good thing.

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#1 Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre has made an instant impact on Raw
Drew McIntyre has made an instant impact on Raw

In the space of a little over 6 months, Drew McIntyre has established himself as one of the top performers on the WWE roster.

Fans were initially sceptical of his partnership with Dolph Ziggler, with many quick to point out the similarities between the duo and the 1990's pairing of Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash, but McIntyre has proved beyond all doubt that he belongs at the top of the card.

McIntyre has put on some excellent matches against the likes of Seth Rollins and Finn Balor since his arrival on Raw, and with Roman Reigns now off the television, fans are calling for McIntyre to be next in line as the company's top guy.

With many fans always seeing McIntyre as a potential winner of the 2019 Royal Rumble, the future is looking incredibly bright for the former 3MB man.

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One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE

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