Ranking the Top 10 NXT Alumni of the decade

This Sunday marks the first time ever that NXT will join RAW and SmackDown in the battle for brand supremacy. With Triple H leading the charge, the Black & Gold brand is out to prove that it is the company's "A Brand." One could argue though that it already is due to it's influence on the Red and Blue brands.

Wherever your allegiances lie heading into Sunday, one thing is undeniable. The Black and Gold brand has molded WWE into what it is today. NXT is closing in on it's 10-year anniversary. When you look up and down the card, the Superstars on RAW and SmackDown that have graduated from NXT outnumber those who did not.

Whether the current Superstars come out on top at Survivor Series or not, NXT and Triple H have already won. The foundations of RAW and SmackDown were built at Full Sail University, so let's take a look at the top "graduates" from the last decade.

Honorable mentions

Dean Ambrose: Gone but certainly not forgotten

Dean Ambrose: 'The Lunatic Fringe' may have never risen to the stardom that Jon Moxley has (and he'll be the first to tell you why), but his contributions in WWE cannot be ignored.

Ambrose, along with his Shield brethren, took the company by storm in 2012. The man now known as Moxley was a Grand Slam champion before exiting the company earlier this year. In fact, Ambrose still holds the record for longest U.S. Championship reign in WWE history.

Shinsuke Nakamura: It took a while for him to find his footing, but the former NXT Champion has had a solid run on the main roster. Nakamura has enjoyed two singles championships runs, and won the 2018 Royal Rumble. 'The King of Strong Style' is one WWE Championship away from cracking the Top 10. Alas, he was never able to take the title away from AJ Styles.

Finn Balor: When it comes to Balor, one has to wonder what could have been? 'The Demon' seemed poised for a main event push when he was first brought up to the main roster. However, the first ever Universal Champion had to vacate the Title less than a day after winning it due to injury.

After that happened, he never was able to get back to the top level. A couple Intercontinental Title runs and few marquee matches with Brock Lesnar and Bray Wyatt later, Balor is now back home in NXT.

Big E\Xavier Woods: New Day Rocks! New Day Rocks! New Day Rocks! That's all that really needs to be stated as their resume speaks for itself. So just clap for your World famous 7-Time Champs... and FEEL THE POWER!

Paige: Paige is another case of what could have been. Her main roster career got off as well as it could. She defeated AJ Lee to capture the Divas Championship her first night on RAW. Unfortunately Paige was sidelined by a series of injuries over the years and had to retire at just 25 years-old. Her contributions to the Women's Revolution paved the way for current and future women's wrestlers.

#10 Bray Wyatt

A lengthy run as Universal Champion and The Fiend could climb the Rankings

Bray Wyatt is the hottest act in professional wrestling right now, but it's a far cry from the first time we saw him. Wyatt joined NXT in 2010, but back then he was known as Husky Harris. Much of his early tenure was spent toiling in the group called Nexus, until Randy Orton punted him in the skull and figuratively back to FCW.

What makes Wyatt so successful though is his ability to reinvent himself. In 2012 he re-debuted as the demented cult leader the WWE Universe grew to love and sing along with. He had a fair amount of success, but never reached the heights many fans hoped he would. Wyatt worked programs with a number of the company's top stars including John Cena and The Undertaker. More often than not he would lose, and the mystique soon wore off.

Wyatt's biggest career achievement, prior to this year, came when he won the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber 2017. However, he lost the title just a few weeks later to Randy Orton at WrestleMania 33.

Career Highlights:

Universal Champion
WWE Champion
SmackDown Tag Team Champion
RAW Tag Team Champion

Despite reaching the top of the WWE mountain, Wyatt was not on track to make this list. That was until he went to his dark place and reinvented himself once again. He debuted earlier this year as The Fiend, a sick and twisted horror movie type career with unbelievable strength and drive to torture his enemies.

Wyatt defeated Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel to claim his first Universal Championship, and is reportedly set for a length run with the Title. Next up is his match Sunday against Daniel Bryan at Survivor Series.

#9 Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens had the attention of the WWE Universe from day one when he showed up at Elimination Chamber 2015 and beat John Cena in his debut match. By that time though, Owens was already a well accomplished wrestler. He spent 14 years in the Indies mixing it up with the likes of Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, and Sami Zayn.

Owens joined NXT in 2014 and spent nearly 6 months as the NXT Champion before making the full transition to the main roster. Since then, he's been involved in a number of high profile feuds involving guys like Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, and Shane McMahon.

Career Highlights:

Universal Champion
United States Champion
Intercontinental Champion
NXT Champion

The biggest moment of KO's career came in the Summer of 2016 when he shocked the world and won the vacated Universal Championship. He received an unlikely assist from Triple H, but it still went down as one of the biggest moments in the history of Monday Night RAW.

Recently KO has traded the Pop-up Power Bomb for the Stunner, and is one of the top baby faces on Monday Night RAW. Another first could be in Owens' future, if he ever gets the opportunity to face Brock Lesnar. The WWE Championship is one of the few prizes he has yet to get his hands on.

#8 Sasha Banks

It was during her tenure in NXT, that a young Sasha Banks found her swagger, and molded herself into 'The Boss'. Banks helped put the Black and Gold Brand on the map, along with her fellow Horsewomen, by putting on a series of stellar matches. She would capture the NXT Women's Championship before heading up to the main roster in 2015.

Over the last 4 years, 'The Boss' has been a part of numerous history making moments for the Women's Division, including:

The first-ever Women’s WWE Iron Man Match
The first-ever Women's Hell in a Cell Match
The first-ever entrant in the Women's Royal Rumble
Participant in the first-ever Women's Elimination Chamber Matches

Meanwhile, Banks has captured Four RAW Women's Championships and most of these occurred during the feud of the year with Charlotte Flair in 2016.

Banks would make history one more time at this year's Elimination Chamber PPV when she and Bayley became the first WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.

It's been a while since 'The Boss' has won the big one. Her last Women's Championship run came in the Summer of 2017, and it only lasted a week. In fact, she has never had a successful title defense when holding the top prize on RAW. Maybe her fortunes will change in the coming months with her move to SmackDown.

#7 Bayley

Bayley becomes the 2nd member of the Horsewomen to make the Top 10

Coming in at #7 is Banks' partner in crime Bayley. The SmackDown Women's Champion has undergone a massive transformation in the last few weeks, and her new attitude is already paying dividends. Shortly after murdering her 'Bayley Buddies' with a sharp stick, Bayley captured her 3rd Women's Championship and is now slated for one of the biggest matches on the Survivor Series card.

Prior to lopping off her famed ponytail, Bayley was one of the biggest stars in NXT. Her infectious smile and unmatched enthusiasm made her a fan favorite at Full Sail University. Unlike her fellow Horsewomen, Bayley did not make the move to the main roster in 2015. Instead she stayed around to mix it up with the likes of Asuka and Nia Jax before debuting in the Summer of 2016.

It didn't take long for Bayley to defeat her former friend Charlotte and claim her first RAW Women's Championship. Since then, it's been one accolade after another:

RAW Women's Champion
2X SmackDown Women's Champion
First Ever Women's Tag Team Champion
Money in the Bank Winner

Much to the dismay of children everywhere, Bayley is not at as bubbly as she used to be. The new Bayley is all business and appears ready to do whatever it takes to stay on top of the Women's Division on Friday Night SmackDown.

#6 Alexa Bliss

Ever since being drafted to SmackDown in 2016, 'Little Miss Bliss' has been a force to be reckoned with. The former body builder obviously had the look and athletic ability, but it's her sassy attitude and mic skills that really set her up for success.

Alexa Bliss was never able to win gold while cutting her teeth in NXT, but she won it early and often after getting her call to the main roster. Just 5 months after being drafted, Bliss defeated Becky Lynch in a tables match at TLC to claim her first Women's Championship.

Shortly after being drafted to RAW a few months later, 'The Goddess' would make history. She defeated Bayley at Payback to become the first Superstar to win both the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships.

Career highlights:

3X RAW Women's Champion
2X SmackDown Women's Champion
Women's Tag Team Champion
Money in the Bank Winner
First women to ever to defend her title inside an Elimination Chamber

Injuries have kept Bliss on the sidelines at various times in recent months, but WWE has figured out how to utilize her talents in other ways. Whether it's been as a mentor to Nikki Cross, the host of WrestleMania or emceeing her own talk show, 'The Goddess' always finds a way to stay in the spotlight.

#5 Daniel Bryan

Yes! Yes! Yes! Daniel Bryan is in the Top 5

Not even a three year hiatus from professional wrestling was enough to keep Daniel Bryan off this list. Bryan didn't spend much time in NXT, but he was there for the inaugural episode where he lost to the World Champion Chris Jericho. That was also the night his long storied rivalry with The Miz began, when his former mentor attacked him after the match.

Bryan never won a match in NXT and soon after was released from the company for being too violent on TV. WWE would apologize for letting Bryan go, and ultimately brought him back. He would go on to defeat The Miz at Night of Champions 2010 to claim his first singles title, the United States Championship.

Over the years Bryan would build an amazing connection with the audience. It was that connection that helped spark the "Yes Movement" and catapult him into the Main Event of WrestleMania 30. His victory over Randy Orton and Batista created one of the most iconic moments in WWE history, one that still gives this writer goosebumps.

Career highlights:

4X WWE Champion
World Heavyweight Champion
Intercontinental Champion
United States Champion
WWE Tag Team Champion
SmackDown Tag Team Champion
Money in the Bank Winner

At the height of the "Yes Movement" Bryan was one of the most popular stars in WWE history. On the same level as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin or The Rock. Miraculously Bryan was able to return to the company three years after having to retire due to concussion issues. He has a chance to win his first Universal Championship this Sunday at Survivor Series.

#4 Becky Lynch

'The Man' has come along way since her NXT debut

'The Man' has made a career out of over coming the odds. After a legit head injury forced her to miss 7 years of in-ring action, Becky Lynch signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2013. She was given a very stereotypical Irish dancing gimmick and was told to make herself relevant. Lynch did just that, although it took a little longer than she might have wanted.

Eventually the 'Irish Lass Kicker' would find her footing in NXT, and put on a series of incredible matches with Charlotte, Bayley, and Sasha Banks. Those matches helped spark the Women's Revolution, and ultimately led to her call up to the main roster.

Lynch would have a bit of success early on, becoming the inaugural SmackDown Women's Champion. Soon after dropping the Title to Alexa Bliss though, Lynch found herself on the back burner. Much to the chagrin of her fans, Lynch seemed to spend more time in catering than on TV for parts of 2017 and 2018.

The Man comes around!

Lynch's feud with Charlotte Flair in the Summer of 2018 brought a new attitude out of her. When she attacked her former best friend at SummerSlam, the 'Irish Lass Kicker' was no more and 'The Man' was born. The rest as they say is history:

RAW Women's Champion
3X SmackDown Women's Champion
2019 Women's Royal Rumble Match winner
Participant in the first ever Women's Main Event at WrestleMania
Only Women to defeat Ronda Rousey
First Women to hold both the RAW and SmackDown Women's Titles at the same time.
First Female cover star of WWE 2K20

Becky Lynch won both the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships in the main event of WrestleMania 35. 'The Man' is still holding on to the RAW title and is just days away from breaking the longest title reign record. Next up for 'The Man' is the Triple Threat Match this Sunday against Bayley and Shayna Baszler at Survivor Series.

#3 Roman Reigns

Whether you love him or hate him, you cannot argue with the resume of Roman Reigns. The powerhouse of The Shield had an unbelievable singles run from 2015-2018, participating in an incredible four consecutive WrestleMania main event matches. This included handing The Undertaker his 2nd ever loss at the Showcase of Immortals.

'The Big Dog' has stood toe to toe with some of the best the company has ever had to offer including the aforementioned 'Deadman,' Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins, and Daniel Bryan.

Reigns has racked up a number of championship victories over the years and in doing so became a Grand Slam Champion, winning all the major titles the company has to offer:

Universal Champion
3X WWE Champion
Intercontinental Champion
United States Champion
RAW Tag Team Champion
2015 Royal Rumble Match winner

However, it was outside the ring that Reigns had the biggest win of his life. On October 22nd, 2018, Reigns had to relinquish his Universal Championship, revealing to the world he had leukemia. Amazingly 'The Big Dog' made his return to RAW back in February to announce that his cancer was in remission. Since then, he's remained out of the main event picture, but will be part of Team SmackDown in the 5-on-5-on-5 Elimination match this Sunday at Survivor Series.

#2 Seth Rollins

'The Architect' of The Shield comes in at #2

The first ever NXT Champion and 'The Architect' of The Shield ranks No. 2 on this list. Much like Roman Reigns, you can love him or hate him, but you can't argue the facts. Seth Rollins is one of the most decorated NXT call ups of all time. His run with The Shield is well documented, but it's what he did after the 'Hounds of Justice' went their separate ways that earns him this No. 2 ranking.

A little over a year after Rollins turned his back on Reigns and Ambrose, he won Money in the Bank, and the United States and WWE Championships. Eventually, he would also became a Grand Slam Champion when he won the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania 34.

However it was at WrestleMania 31 where Rollins delivered arguably the greatest shock in the event's history. Remember that Money in the Bank briefcase previously mentioned? Of course you do:

This was just the first of many big moments for Rollins:

2X Universal Champion
2X WWE Champion
United States Champion
2X Intercontinental Champion
5X RAW Tag Team Champion
NXT Champion
2018 Royal Rumble Match winner
2014 Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match winner

The appropriately nicknamed 'Beast Slayer' is one of very few people to record not one, but two clean Title victories over Brock Lesnar. He's also the only man to ever hold the WWE and U.S. Titles at the same time.

This coming Sunday, Rollins will lead Team RAW into battle in the 5-on-5-on-5 Men's Elimination Match at Survivor Series.

#1 Charlotte Flair

They don't call her 'The Queen' for nothing. Charlotte Flair ranks No. 1 on this list of all-time NXT Alumni. The list of reasons why is long, and has absolutely nothing to do with who her father happens to be. Charlotte has athleticism and charisma that is matched by very few Superstars. It's almost like she was born to do this.

Charlotte won gold for the first time back in 2014, when she defeated Natalya to claim the NXT Women's Championship, a title she held for nearly 10 months before dropping it to Sasha Banks. Soon after she, along with Banks and Becky Lynch, would make her main roster debut.

In 4 short years 'The Queen' became the first female Superstar in WWE history to main event in a singles match on RAW, SmackDown and a PPV, not to mention taking part in the first ever Women's Hell in a Cell match. She ended Asuka's undefeated streak at WrestleMania 34, and just a year later main-evented WrestleMania 35 with Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch.

I haven't even mentioned the elephant in the room yet, her 10 Women's Championship reigns:

4X RAW Women's Champion
5X SmackDown Women's Champion
WWE Divas Champion
NXT Women's Champion

Flair has held the most Women's Championships in WWE history already and doesn't appear close to stopping any time soon. She may even pass her own father's record of 16 World Titles one day, although she's said that's not a career goal for her.

What do you think of the list? How would you rank the Top NXT Alumni?

We want to know what you think of the matches that you see on TV! Go to our WWE page here to rate them!

What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.