WWE: Previewing the Talent of NXT Before They Invade the Main Roster

NXT began two years ago as a new evolution in WWE. It was built as a reality TV show where the fans would help decide the newest WWE superstar. This was a unique and interesting concept at first, introducing the fans to a variety of young superstars that would one day become huge stars.

However, it only took two seasons for the entire show to go off the rails. Wade Barrett and Nexus were the lone bright spot as the majority of Season 2's talented roster were completely ignored or thrown under the rug.

The following season became a complete joke as the roster of entirely female wrestlers failed to gain any attention and showed some of the worst ring rust in WWE history. One match, Kaitlyn vs. Maxine, would be almost unanimously called the worst match of the year.

It was not going well, and even though there was a reasonable amount of talent in Season 4 of NXT, nobody paid any attention anymore. The season went by with almost no success, and NXT Redemption began.

Redemption was meant to simply be another NXT only with entirely old NXT members. Without any true standouts, the entire show began to collapse to such an extent that WWE decided to extend the season indefinitely once only two wrestlers remained.

Somehow, this decision became the show's saving grace as many under-appreciated low card wrestlers were given a chance to appear on the show and work into feuds. Soon, this was no longer NXT the competition but rather NXT the third show.

Sure, it doesn't help that NXT only airs online for US viewers now, but NXT Redemption has become a success story by saving the careers of several wrestlers both rookies and fully signed low-card wrestlers.

Now, though it would seem WWE is moving shop. NXT Redemption is moving out almost everyone on its roster. This may mean that a new batch of wrestlers are being moved in especially after the stop to the showing of FCW for WWE or it could just be WWE giving up on the Internet show despite its redeeming qualities as of late.

Either way, nine wrestlers are going to be moving on from NXT onto the main shows most likely. Some of them are ready made mid-carders. Others are largely forgettable talent still need of great changes. No matter who they are though, you need to know them.

Titus O'Neil and Darren Young

The first two men to jump ship as seen on SmackDown this past Friday, Titus O'Neil and Darren Young are now being packaged as a young fresh challenge to the tag team division.

It is refreshing to see WWE do something good for the tag division for once; however, as a warning, Young and O'Neil are the least interesting and least talented performers on this list.

O'Neil began his journey in WWE as the worst rookie in Season 2 of NXT. While large and strong, he was annoying and lacking in any visible signs of charisma. He just stood out like a sore thumb who was quickly thrown to the side.

Luckily, he was given a second chance in NXT Redemption where he dominated due to booking. It helped him last through the entire competition. Problem was that while he gained some charisma the second time around, he also grew more annoying and never improved on the mic.

Young should be a more familiar face. He was in the very first season of NXT as a middle-of-the-pack star lacking in everything that is distinctive. He did have the fact that he looked disturbingly like John Cena to help him be memorable, though.

After losing in Season 1, he helped Nexus invade Raw and was a soldier in the Nexus army, though largely considered the weakest link. That would get him kicked out of the group, eventually only to come back as an NXT Redemption rookie even though he supposedly was still under WWE contract on Raw.

The two on their own are really not much to write home about; however, together, they make a competent if a bit annoying tag team that should help the overall division grow.

Derrick Bateman

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of Derrick Bateman; however, I also have to say the guy is certainly made to be entertaining. He has a good, quick wit about him and has a steady control of himself on the mic. In the ring, he is passable. Not great, not noticeably lousy. He just sort of can go through the motions well.

Bateman began in Season 4 of NXT where he was considered a favorite. Many were convinced he would win. In the end with the way the season went, it didn't end up mattering. Bateman now is in Redemption where he adds some corny drama and humor to stories mostly.

On NXT, he is considered a rookie, and he has yet to gain a contract making him unsigned at this point. That is likely to change in the next few months as many people seem to be pretty big on Bateman and his natural comedic flow.

It is questionable whether Bateman has the ability to get very far in WWE, but he has the skill set to improve and develop over time. Right now, he just doesn't come off as a credible wrestler.

Percy Watson

Previously a Season 2 rookie, Percy Watson is now an official member of Redemption though he was never put under the role of rookie. Instead, he acts almost in the role of enhancement talent, almost just wrestling though mostly winning, showing WWE has some direction in mind for him.

Watson is immensely charismatic. It sort of just oozes out of him; however, he is the least memorable or noticeable star on NXT. How these two ideas clash is strange.

Watson is most likely set to go to SmackDown, though no announcements have been made yet. Watson is an athletic and versatile in-ring competitor who would fit well in SmackDown's mid-card scene where he can hopefully mature as a character.

He has the skill set to be a star. He just needs the platform and the character, which he is lacking on both fronts right now.

Give him a couple months on the main shows, and he could end up really being one to watch.

Maxine

Maxine is one case where second chances can mean all the difference. Originally in Season 3, Maxine was annoying and failed to show much talent. She was even largely the reason for many of the worst matches on the show.

Maxine was eliminated but came back at Bateman's side on Redemption. When this happened, Maxine's career turned a new corner.

Maxine began showing great versatility on the mic along with steadily growing ability in the ring thanks to some impressive added flexibility. Whatever had held her back before had no hold on her in Redemption.

Maxine has become the premiere Diva on NXT. Her power on the show makes her one of the most recognizable and memorable Divas in all of WWE.

When Maxine moves to the main roster, she will bring some needed presence and character to the division, though at this point it is likely that she will be debuting as the manager of this next man.

Johnny Curtis

Johnny Curtis, the man formerly known as the guy who won NXT Season 4 and the man who loves puns, now sits right back on the show he already won.

Why? Because WWE gave him the lamest gimmick ever (if anyone still remembers his puns including painting himself into a corner and crying over spilled milk).

Now, Curtis has evolved into one of the most interesting WWE superstars in the company. He is creepy, is always ready to get weird, and loves to ruin everybody's fun (except his own).

His antics on the show have largely helped the entire show's renewal as he does everything from getting a girl to marry him in Vegas to randomly using chloroform on Matt Striker.

This guy is hilarious, good on the mic, and a decent-to-good in ring competitor who honestly is good enough to be on the main shows.

At this point, he is still stuck, but, with his natural ability shining through as of late, it shouldn't be long before this SmackDown superstar is actually competing on SmackDown again.

Plus he should be bringing his contractually obligated (thanks to NXT and William Regal) manager Maxine with him.

Kaitlyn

Here we have another NXT winner stuck on the show she already won. This time though, it has been for the best. The fact that Kaitlyn won NXT was somewhat of a miracle seeing as she was barely even beginning to develop as a wrestler during her original time there.

Kaitlyn returning has been for the best, giving an interesting, ongoing Diva feud with Maxine. The two have wrestled countless times in NXT now, and they keep improving upon their work. Luckily after their train wreck of an original encounter, they have slowly redeemed themselves.

Both are now ready to face the main roster and boost the overall women's wrestling division. With how sparse the division is, it is surprising that Kaitlyn has been largely left to the side on NXT lately.

Most know her for her time in WWE to some extent, though most of that time she was simply just jobbing, but it has been a year since she won NXT.

With Kaitlyn's much improved wrestling ability and decent mic skills, she should make a quick splash on the main roster given time.

Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks

Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks are the most interesting duo of all the wrestlers on this list. Technically, as with a few other stars on this list, they are contracted WWE superstars on the main roster, in this case, Raw.

In fact, most fans even vaguely know these two especially Hawkins for their time they have already spent in WWE, Reks with two years experience and Hawkins with four.

However, these two have almost become NXT superstars now, taking over the side brand slowly. Turning their slow takeover, the two have developed into arguably the best tag team in WWE right now, yet you wouldn't know it without watching NXT.

While Reks does not have the greatest voice for his size according to some, both are good mic workers especially Hawkins, who is incredibly underrated and distinctive in his approach.

Wrestling-wise, Reks is a behemoth who can fly like a cruiserweight when he feels the urge. Hawkins is a pure wrestler, a grappler and a technician, always aware of his surroundings as he performs arguably one of the better wrestlers in the entire company.

Looking at all the facts especially how much the two have grown in a short time with their spotlight on NXT, it is questionable why they have not moved to the main roster to help the tag team division.

These two are the most interesting prospects right now as they are kayfabe fired at the moment at least from NXT. This could lead to an appearance soon to come on SmackDown or Raw where they are finally given real chances to perform or it could lead to their actual firings.

However, with both being talented stars and Hawkins being only 27 years old with four years experience already, that would seem a massive waste. Plus, Hawkins reportedly helped to train the Rock this last year, so that may lead to a large push in the wrestler's future even if it doesn't for Reks.

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All of these stars are likely coming to Raw or SmackDown in the coming month or so, so be prepared. It is hard to put into words just how much of an impact these nine stars could have, but simply put, they should be an enormous help.

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