With the 2025 WWE Draft reportedly approaching, fans will be anticipating NXT main roster call-ups, but could we also see stars from Raw and SmackDown head the other way?
From top stars sent for a specific reason, to others that could use a re-launch or refresh, there are some intriguing candidates to head to the Performance Center.
Here are six main roster stars that could be drafted to NXT.
6. Kit Wilson
There is an opportunity for Kit Wilson to engage in some singles action while Pretty Deadly partner Elton Prince is out of action with injury.
While that could come on SmackDown, it might be fun to see Kit Wilson instead head to NXT to engage in some singles feuds and demonstrate the ‘Deadly’ part of the Pretty Deadly tag team name.
Moving Kit Wilson to NXT and showing off a more violent side could segue into a re-introduction for Pretty Deadly on the main roster.
Alternatively the duo could challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championship upon Prince’s return since the current tag team division in NXT remains a bit slim.
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5. Kiana James
Kiana James was drafted to the main roster in the WWE Draft 2024, however, never truly got her feet off the ground before falling to injury.
With over a year now passing since her last appearance, there are reports noting that she could be on her way back to in-ring action.
While it’d be preferable to see James receive the push on WWE Raw that she unfortunately never got the chance to see, she could also make a return to NXT.
Able to make a big impact on her former brand, James could use the brand to relaunch into whatever her latest character iteration may be before eventually heading back to the main roster.
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4. Karrion Kross
With all of the buzz around Karrion Kross, it would make an even better reality bending storyline to see Kross drafted to NXT.
Able to mobilize his feelings of being cast aside even more directly, his presence on the show could bring in main roster viewers – helping to engage audiences across WWE.
As a dark foil to some of the other lighter characters at the top of the card in NXT, Kross could cause more trouble backstage than he did in his in-ring matches – making a short stay overall at the Performance Center but with a big impact.
The former two-time NXT Champion has failed to find championship gold on the main roster, so perhaps a return to NXT is the perfect way to re-launch and become even bigger than before?
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3. Rhea Ripley
For the 2025 WWE Draft to actually be interesting, there should be some sort of big moves that fans wouldn’t see coming.
One such shock could be if NXT managed to draft a top star the likes of Rhea Ripley to the brand, even if there was some caveat that allowed her to return to Raw or SmackDown or float between brands.
Giving the stars of NXT an opportunity to interact with a big WWE star but also bringing additional eyes and attention to NXT could be a really fun arc for a month or so.
While eventually Ripley would get picked up by another main roster brand, establishing a move to NXT as something top stars could do from time to time could be a helpful plot device in the future.
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2. Bayley
Earlier this year Bayley made a return to NXT to feud with Roxanne Perez, prior to “The Prodigy’s” move to WWE Raw shortly thereafter.
While Bayley is currently embroiled in a feud for Becky Lynch’s Women’s Intercontinental Title, “The Role Model” could potentially find herself in NXT after that comes to an end.
With Damage CTRL now a thing of the past, perhaps Bayley could seek some NXT talent for a brand new version of the group? With many viable candidates.
Potentially leading to the break-up of Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and or ZaRuca (Sol Ruca and ZARIA) – introducing a competition element amongst the locker room for a shot at Bayley’s mentorship would be a fun story to tell.
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1. Xavier Woods With Kofi Kingston
Xavier Woods absolutely should have a World Title run on the main roster eventually, following in the footsteps of Kofi Kingston and Big E. However, a dominant run in NXT could serve as a prelude to getting to that point.
With a chip on his shoulder, Xavier Woods could easily go to NXT and establish himself as a singles star – becoming an immediate threat to Oba Femi.
But moreover, an incredibly compelling sparring partner for the likes of Ricky Saints and Ethan Page if he was to capture the title right away – Woods with the help of dastardly Kofi Kingston would become the crucible the NXT roster had to face to reach excellence.
Whatever the creative plans in store for The New Day on NXT, considering that their World Tag Team Title run ended with a whimper, it may be time for the duo to take a step away from Raw in order to come back stronger.
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