Nowadays, NXT isn’t so much a “developmental” brand and is more just a third WWE brand alongside Raw and SmackDown.
It has become common to see the upcoming talent be booked into oblivion on the main roster shows. It either makes or breaks them. However, stars have gone back and forth between main roster and NXT in the past.
Look at Breezango or Finn Balor – the latter was going quite stale on Raw in 2019 and is now the current NXT Champion. Balor is doing some of his career’s best stuff involved in this Undisputed Era breakup storyline.
So, it begs to question: will we see anymore main roster stars make their way to the black and gold brand? With megastars like Edge stating “NXT is the place to be”, their roster is notable as one of the most forceful and stacked right now.
Therefore, let’s take a look at seven main roster stars that would benefit with a run on NXT.
7. Bo Dallas
The name ‘Bo Dallas’ has sparked a lot of interest, recently.
The former B-Team member hasn’t wrestled since November 2019 and has been reported to be preparing for life after wrestling.
Why not WWE send Bo Dallas back to NXT, where it is apparent this was the last time he was booked correctly?
Dallas may be a former Raw Tag Team Champion with Curtis Axel, but his best work was in NXT. Back in 2013, Dallas actually became the third NXT Champion, beating current Intercontinental Champion Big E to elevate the brand in its early days.
Therefore, lightning could strike twice sending him back to the place that “Bolieves” in him. Dallas could dig his name out of the mud again and display his charisma and in-ring skill proving he is much more than a jobber. Preferably, he would be a great cocky heel for the division.
Plus, with the North American Championship being there for mid-card talent, Dallas’ skills have found a certain place to call home.
The only better solution would be swapping the sheep at his farm for the sheep of the Wyatt Family and joining his brother Bray Wyatt in the Firefly Funhouse.
6. Cesaro
Lately, the ‘Swiss Cyborg’, Cesaro, has been booked effectively on SmackDown… or at least way better than previous years.
Cesaro is one of the guys that is beloved by the fans, but creative never seems to click with them. He has the in-ring prowess and pack-a-punch character to take him far in the company. Despite this, he is never capitalised on.
That is basically until now, as it is believed Daniel Bryan deserves some praise for the return of the ‘Swiss Superman’. With Bryan’s say backstage, we could see more adored stars getting the spotlight they truly deserve.
It is believed that Cesaro will be used to help heighten the stars of tomorrow. Likewise with Shinsuke Nakamura. That would mean we will get fantastic Cesaro matches, but it doesn’t sit right with many people.
Cesaro seems to have missed his opportunity to get any sort of main event push. Therefore, an impactful solution would be to send him to NXT.
Cesaro has the name recognition to go far during a potential second time on the developmental brand. He could even win the NXT Championship for the first time in his career.
If not, then matches with Finn Balor, Adam Cole, Karrion Kross or even rising stars like Cameron Grimes or Leon Ruff would be dramatic displays of power. Cesaro could help elevate the future while being on the best run of his career.
Overall, an NXT run would do wonders for the Cesaro Section.
5. Natalya
Natalya has been wrestling for WWE since 2007.
2007?! That is a seriously long time to be doing the same stuff year in, year out.
She is seen as a pivotal member of the past Divas era. Plus, as a workhorse in kickstarting the women’s eevolution of today. However, right now, her career is going nowhere fast. She is just there having constant ‘Mean Girls’ storylines.
Therefore, why not make her a pioneer on NXT? She can help to shape their division as one of the strongest out of each roster.
Natalya’s distasteful storylines on the main roster don’t complement her incredible wrestling ability. She certainly was ahead of her time and can still hold her ground against the talent of today.
NXT would definitely utilise her strengths successfully.
4. Drew Gulak
Last year, the career of Drew Gulak remained hopeful. Unfortunately, it is obvious WWE sees nothing more than fodder for the 24/7 title. Gulak deserves more.
This is further proof that Daniel Bryan’s creative motives can help make stars that are under-appreciated.
Gulak vs Bryan from last year’s Elimination Chamber was a match of the year with technical ability going through the roof.
Then having Gulak partnered up with Bryan helped to emphasise how skilled this guy is. It is a shame to see how downhill he has gone since then.
The former Cruiserweight Champion would be a delightful member of the NXT roster, whether this is part of the mid-card or chasing the Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar.
Gulak’s old-school approach would stand out in a roster where high-flying manoeuvres are the norm. Then, hopefully, he can return to the main roster with more noted value than he has now.
3. Dolph Ziggler
Do you remember that Dolph Ziggler is the current SmackDown Tag Team Champion with Robert Roode? Probably not.
Ziggler is similar to the previously mentioned Natalya. He has been part of the company since 2004 and been repetitive for the last decade. There is no surprise he has gone stale.
WWE should’ve really capitalised on Ziggler the last time he was relevant in 2016.
Ziggler is still one of the best sellers in the company and shouldn’t just be randomly utilised whenever there is no-one else. The ‘Showoff’ would be a fantastic addition to NXT taking it up a notch with Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne and so many more.
Ziggler started with the company way before NXT was an idea, and therefore, a move to the brand could rejuvenate a character that has grown tiresome in the last few years.
2. Andrade
Oh how we miss Andrade wrestling.
Remember when we got insane matches between him and Rey Mysterio on SmackDown every week? Those were the days.
Unfortunately, since the release of Zelina Vega, Andrade has been kept off TV. He has been absent since the October 12 edition of Raw when he fought with former partner Angel Garza.
Unlike some of the prior mentions on this list – who would benefit from NXT because they can help the younger guys and continue their own success – Andrade just needs somewhere to show off his enthusiasm.
The main roster regrettably missed its chance to excel with Andrade – who is apparently not high on Vince’s radar because of his lack of English fluency.
Therefore, put him back under the management of Triple H and NXT – a brand that had him as its top champion back in 2018.
Andrade returning to the black and gold brand would bring some freshness to the luchador scene on the roster.
He could have star-studded matches with Santos Escobar or even have a rematch of one of NXT’s best collisions against Johnny Gargano.
It is obvious that Andrade’s return would be magnificent for his career, similar to the success it brought Finn Balor.
1. Aleister Black
Finally, the most obvious omission on the main roster and definitely the most devastating is the lack of Aleister Black.
The mysterious Black hasn’t been seen since the October 12 edition of Raw (the same date as Andrade’s last appearance) when he lost to Kevin Owens, ending their feud. He was then moved to SmackDown as part of round six in last year’s draft.
This was a sore jab to the throat witnessing the talented Black be drafted in the final round. However, the pain is still swelling as he hasn’t appeared since.
It doesn’t look like Black will be used anytime soon despite his incredible character and in-ring work. Vince was high on him once upon a time, but obviously, something didn’t click. As a result, Aleister Black returning to the place he found fame and success is required.
Aleister Black could totally return as one of the main roster’s biggest stars after another run on NXT. They have more freedom in exploring his dark character down there.
Additionally, matches with Finn Balor, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and many more would be effective in conveying why we all fell in love with Black during his first NXT run.
Overall, Aleister Black would benefit the most from a return to NXT.
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