One of WWE Raw’s most memorable angles came in 2010, with the invasion of the “rookie” faction The Nexus, led by Wade Barrett, as they tore up the set and attacked the promotion’s biggest stars.
Given the current strength of talent in NXT, there is ample opportunity to do something similar – introduce an invading faction of “rookies”.
One of the issues with the Nexus storyline was that the group had no established leader, no one with credibility in the eyes of the WWE audience at the time, but this problem could be resolved by placing NXT’s booker, Shawn Michaels, as the faction’s head, instigating his young charges to run roughshod over Raw or SmackDown.
Here are five names we could see in an invading NXT faction led by Shawn Michaels.
5. Trick Williams
Trick Williams is currently doing the best work of his career.
As TNA World Heavyweight Champion, he’s working across both NXT and TNA, improving his in-ring skills.
Moreover, he has developed his character into a highly effective main-event-level heel, exuding charismatic arrogance.
Williams would seem to be the first choice for any Shawn Michaels-led NXT faction invading the WWE main roster.
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4. Myles Borne
Myles Borne has proven himself one of WWE NXT’s hottest prospects this year.
While the push he appeared to be receiving in May, after winning a battle royal and having standout performances against Ethan Page and Oba Femi, has cooled off, he continues to perform at a high level in-ring – including a recent bout against Lewis King on the August 5 edition of NXT.
Much has been made of his comparisons to Randy Orton in terms of his look and moveset, although, unlike Orton in his younger days, he appears to be a natural babyface.
Already a very good in-ring worker, a move into a heel Michaels faction would give him a chance to work on and add more depth to his character work.
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3. Zaria
On NXT programming, Zaria continues to be teamed in the odd-couple partnership with Sol Ruca.
While an eventual split is coming, the question is when the trigger will be pulled.
A turn to a powerhouse unstoppable heel character is the more natural fit for the 26-year-old, a role she previously played as a standout on the Australian indies.
Already a polished worker, a move to the WWE main roster alongside Michaels as part of an NXT faction would provide her with the spotlight she’s ready for.
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2. Wes Lee
At this point, Wes Lee has been in WWE’s NXT for five years, where he has consistently been one of the best – if not the very best – workers on the brand.
While his in-ring work has always been of the highest standard, alongside the High Ryze faction, he has developed character work, moving beyond the clean-cut babyface role he played early in his career, and proving himself to be an effective, arrogant and cocky heel.
Lee is beyond ready for a move to the main roster, where he has all the tools to get over.
Any Shawn Michaels-led NXT faction would surely have to feature Lee.
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1. Ricky Saints
Ricky Saints is another member of the NXT roster whose polished skillset demands a place on WWE’s main roster.
As a babyface on NXT programming, Saints has gotten over and had several standout matches, including his recent Falls Count Anywhere bout with Ethan Page at The Great American Bash.
His best work is as a heel – as seen in his AEW run – there are few wrestlers as charismatic with the ability to convey arrogance as Saints.
As part of a Shawn Michaels-led NXT faction, Saints could be the in-ring leader, propelling him immediately to the top of the card on either SmackDown or Raw.
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