WWE NXT Big Board: Updated Prospect Rankings and Analysis for October 31

WWE NXT's freight trains made the most impact on Thursday's show.

Bull Dempsey and Baron Corbin forced eyes to gravitate toward them as they battered their competition. In the process of steamrolling their foes, the prospects continued to make progress toward NXT's top tier.

Marcus Louis made a slight move upward. Carmella continues to keep Alexa Bliss out of the Divas top five.

This look at the ongoing race to the big leagues breaks down who is most ready to move up to the main roster. The order is based on a combination of size, physical ability, mic work, gimmick and presence.

Only prospects who have debuted on TV are ranked.

The Superstars

Rank	Wrestler	Height/Weight	Notes
1.	Sami Zayn	6'1'', 205 lbs	Excellent showman, consistently produces quality matches, understated on the mic
2.	Adrian Neville	5'10'', 194 lbs	Top-tier high-flyer, great athlete and in-ring storyteller, improving but still below-average on the mic
3.	Tyler Breeze	6'0'', 190 lbs	Quick, fluid in ring, charismatic, strong promo skills
4.	Hideo Itami	5'9'', 182 lbs	High ceiling, great mat worker, in the process of improving English and adjusting to WWE in-ring style
5.	Colin Cassady	6'10'', 276 lbs	Big, charismatic, slowly stepping out of Enzo Amore's shadow
6.	Bull Dempsey	6'2'', 300 lbs	Explosive, powerful, good showman, one of NXT's better talkers
7.	Kalisto	5'6'', 170 lbs	Incredibly agile and quick, size holds him back some
8.	Viktor	6'2'', 219 lbs	Excellent mat worker, underrated on the mic, good presence
9.	Konnor	6'4'', 265 lbs	Powerful big man, good showmanship and intensity, limited on the mic
10.	Enzo Amore	5'11'', 200 lbs	Poor in the ring, elite on the mic, extremely charismatic, better suited as manager
11.	Aiden English	6'3'', 215 lbs	Charismatic, solid wrestler, gimmick has potential
12.	Simon Gotch	6'1'', 221 lbs	High-level showman, charismatic, versatile in the ring
13.	Baron Corbin	6'8'', 275 lbs	Great size and look, rare presence, raw and inexperienced in the ring
14.	Jason Jordan	6'3'', 245 lbs	Athletic, fluid in ring, great look
15.	Scott Dawson	6'3'', 245 lbs	Excellent mat worker, but lacking elsewhere
16.	Buddy Murphy	5'11'', 227 lbs	Powerful, explosive, bodybuilder look
17.	CJ Parker	6'3'', 220 lbs	Solid in all departments, not great in any
18.	Tye Dillinger	6'3'', 223 lbs	Solid all-around wrestler, lacking in "it" factor, needs to find the right gimmick
19.	Marcus Louis	6'2'', 245 lbs	Intense, solid brawler, working to tone down facial expressions
20.	Mojo Rawley	6'4'', 290 lbs	Explosive, athletic, struggling with showmanship, one-dimensional in the ring

Bull Dempsey Rising

NXT's acrobats and indie vets are getting more buzz than Dempsey, but don't underestimate the big man.

Going up against Justin Gabriel, he looked every bit the throwback bruiser he claims to be. He's nasty and physical, a snarling beast with bad intentions. 

Credit: WWE.com

There's no wasted opportunity with Dempsey. Everything from a knee to the back to a basic chinlock is a chance to make an imprint on the audience.

He doesn't have the kind of build one would craft for the ideal prospect but has more presence than many of his well-toned peers.

When Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville and Tyler Breeze head to the main roster, there's going to be a void at the top of NXT. Look for Dempsey to charge into that spot, with or without the hoopla.

Need to See More Than Baron Corbin's Presence

Corbin is a star. You can see that when he prowls toward the ring, when he stands gloating over his prey or gives the camera the smallest of smug smiles.

Credit: WWE.com

The question is: Can he wrestle?

When he destroyed his latest opponent on Thursday's NXT, fans knew it was going to be a short battle. They began to count down to the end of the match, not reaching 20 before Corbin hit with The End of Days.

These short, one-sided contests are designed to build up this new threat, to create a sense that he's unstoppable. They only give glimpses of his in-ring ability, though.

His size, presence and physical gifts have him high on the rankings, but it won't be until he shows that he can hang in longer bouts that he will climb toward the top. His stockpile of intangibles means he doesn't have to be a mat wizard to be a marquee guy.

If he's at least competent between the ropes, count on him to make a major impact on the main roster.

The Frenchman Refining

That sweet spot between understated and over-the-top should be Louis' goal. 

He's a well-built guy who can brawl and move well in the ring. His biggest issue has been when he tries to emote. He turns the dial up to 10 when it only requires a seven.

In his battle with Sylvester Lefort, he showed he's heading in the right direction.

He exuded fury as he took on his former partner. It was still a bit cartoony at times but better than what we've seen in the past. 

Credit: WWE.com

Now that the story of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady shaving his head is over and his partnership with Lefort is done, Louis should get a better chance to showcase his skills.

He's a poor fit for goofy comedy. Let him mix it up as if he were in a barroom, and the best of him will emerge. 

Other Notes

Lefort won't last much longer at NXT. With Finn Balor, Kevin Steen and Solomon Crowe all set to debut, he's going to be pushed further down the rankings.

He doesn't have any one skill that will save him. He's unimpressive in the ring, isn't a great talker and has nothing that grabs attention. 

The Ascension vs. Hideo Itami is about to truly get going. Itami announced on Thursday's show that he has a partner coming to NXT next week.

That means we'll soon see more of him in the ring. If he can bring the same intensity and edge to his matches that he had in Japan while pulling back on his strikes, he'll be in line for big things.

The Divas

Rank	Wrestler	Height	Notes
1.	Sasha Banks	5'5''	Most polished NXT Diva, high-level ring worker, impressive showmanship, thriving as a vicious heel
2.	Charlotte	5'10''	Natural magnetism, becoming a ring general, great presence in the ring
3.	Bayley	5'6''	Charismatic, works her gimmick effectively, above-average in the ring
4.	Becky Lynch	5'6''	Experienced, athletic, remains to be seen if she can handle a heel role
5.	Carmella	5'5''	Good presence, athletic, a natural at showmanship

Carmella's Potential

Officials are high on the wrong female prospect. According to PWInsider (h/t PWMania), Bliss is moving to the top of the developmental ranks in officials' eyes.

Bliss is athletic, likable and bubbly, but if we're choosing between raw talents, Carmella is the better choice.

The NXT newcomer is taking to the art form well. Showmanship seemingly comes naturally to her. Everything from her walk to how she rips her opponent down by the hair has an electricity to it.

Her Jersey-sass shtick is fun to watch.

Carmella needs to turn up the intensity on her kicks and work on smoothing out transitions between moves, but she's already showing herself to be a better mat worker than Bliss. When her ring work catches up to her attitude, she's going to be one of NXT's best Divas.