WWE NXT has been the home for young talent in the company to flourish, but it has also been a haven for underused Raw and SmackDown stars.
Whether it be a former champion who has lost their way or a rising star who is lost in the shuffle, a move to NXT has helped various competitors from Raw and SmackDown over the years.
Both rosters have quite a few members who could benefit from competing in the NXT men’s, women’s or tag team division.
Here are seven underused WWE Raw and SmackDown stars to move to the NXT brand.
7. B-Fab
On the November 15 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Bayley defeated Candice LeRae and B-Fab to advance in the WWE Women’s United States Championship tournament.
After her showing in the tournament, B-Fab garnered praise backstage from those within the company for her strong performance.
While this performance could lead to more opportunities on the SmackDown brand, it could lead to a move to NXT where she can gain even more training while working with up-and-comers.
B-Fab has a unique look, boatloads of charisma and is improving the rest of her game, which could make her an asset for the NXT brand.
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6. Santos Escobar
After betraying Rey Mysterio and leaving the LWO to recreate Legado Del Fantasma in 2023, many fans believed this would be Santos Escobar’s big break on the main roster.
However, 2024 hasn’t been as kind to Escobar as last year was. Whether it be major losses or lack of TV time, the Legado Del Fantasma leader seems to be lost in the shuffle at times.
Escobar is extremely talented inside the squared circle and on the microphone that he should be counted on to be a consistently featured act with Elektra Lopez and Los Garza.
While he became a prominent star on NXT, there is still more for Escobar to achieve if he were to move back down and become a main-eventer for the brand.
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5. Pete Dunne
In 2024, Pete Dunne regularly appeared on both Monday Night Raw and WWE NXT where he has been featured in singles rivalries.
Dunne is a former NXT UK Champion and NXT Tag Team Champion with Matt Riddle, but he has never held singles gold on NXT proper.
“The Bruiserweight” coming back to NXT to vie for one of the singles titles could happen to help add some main roster star power to the men’s division.
Considering he was the last competitor to pin reigning NXT Champion Trick Williams, Dunne has a stronger argument in getting a shot at gold in the developmental brand than on Raw right now.
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4. Apollo Crews
After a second stint on the NXT brand, Apollo Crews has made his way back to Friday Night SmackDown where he hasn’t been seen that often.
During that second run on NXT, Crews was featured in feuds against the likes of Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes. Meanwhile, he has only teamed with Baron Corbin and feuded with Giovanni Vinci since returning to SmackDown.
Crews has a lot to offer as a polished in-ring performer and could help the younger talent on the NXT brand with a move back.
With the current NXT main event scene lacking top stars, Crews could be someone who will be a reliable competitor that can deliver in the ring with anyone on the roster.
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3. Giovanni Vinci
Following his excommunication from Imperium, Giovanni Vinci was absent from WWE TV for months until vignettes started to air on SmackDown to tease his return.
When he eventually returned under a new persona, Vinci lost his first two matches against Apollo Crews by a total of two minutes.
Since then, Vinci has once again been off of the company’s programming as it looks like the promotion is finding a new role for him.
The former Imperium member making a return to NXT should be considered and would allow him the chance to once again showcase his exhilarating in-ring abilities against the likes of Wes Lee, Je’Von Evans or Nathan Frazer.
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2. Zelina Vega
Zelina Vega originally came into WWE under the role of a manager, but she has developed into one of the most exciting high flyers in the women’s division.
The LWO member has gotten opportunities to shine in the past two years, including two shots at the WWE Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan individually.
Vega’s role with the LWO gives her a consistent role on the WWE main roster, but she could be a crucial addition to the NXT women’s division.
There is no better women’s division currently in the entire company than NXT, so adding Zelina to the roster will give the young talent someone with veteran experience who could help give a spotlight to the likes of ZARIA, Jaida Parker and Sol Ruca.
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1. Chad Gable
When it comes to WWE main roster stars who could instantly become a top talent on NXT, there might not be anyone who is a better candidate for that than Chad Gable.
The former NXT Tag Team Champion has become an extremely entertaining heel on Monday Night Raw alongside American Made’s Ivy Nile and The Creed Brothers.
However, Gable doesn’t seem to have the upward mobility to become a main eventer on Raw like he would on the NXT brand.
Gable battling Trick Williams for the NXT Championship could headline a PLE and his potential reign could offer some of the best wrestling television in all of WWE.
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