Projecting the Next 5 WWE NXT Prospects to Make It to the Main Roster

Xavier Woods is the latest WWE NXT prospect to debut on the main roster, and he will soon be followed by a powerhouse, a high-flyer and Bray Wyatt's brother.

Backstage reports and the matches these NXT talents get placed in tell us a lot about which of the developmental talents WWE thinks most highly of. Are they getting work on WWE house shows and dark matches? Are they pitted against main-roster Superstars?

The answer is yes for the prospects most likely to make 2014 the year their WWE journey officially begins.

The following five NXT talents have the talent, support and skill set to have their names called next. Let's begin with a man who once called Renee Young "a general ray of sunshine."

Sami Zayn

There is no one hotter than Sami Zayn in NXT right now.

Zayn has been a part of many of the show's best matches in his short time there. The passion the fans show when they chant "Ole!" for him is something WWE has surely noticed.

It's reminiscent of the "Five!" chants Big E Langston garnered before he made the jump from NXT to the main roster.

When WWE has sent its main-roster talent to Full Sail University, it's been the electric, speedy Zayn who most often gets the call. He's taken on Antonio Cesaro, Curt Hawkins, Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger and produced excellence in the process. 

He has since been at the top of the NXT totem pole, battling Bo Dallas for the NXT Championship. That rivalry may soon overflow onto Raw and SmackDown as both men are likely to earn a promotion soon.

WWE recently chose Zayn and Dallas to face Tons of Funk in a dark match before Main Event, per WrestleZone.com. Consider that a sign that WWE is considering making a move for both men.

Bo Dallas

Bo Dallas' critics are plentiful, but he has supporters where it counts most—the WWE brain trust.

A year ago, Dallas won a tournament that earned him a spot in the Royal Rumble. His brief time on the main roster following that was underwhelming.

Since returning to NXT, Dallas has grown tremendously. He has developed a grating heel persona that is unique, believable and must-see.

That improvement along with his quality ring work will have him move to the main roster once again soon. PWInsider, via WrestleZone.com, reports that Dallas is among two prospects "expected to be called up to the WWE main roster after the first of the year."

The other name on that list will surprise many—Kalisto.

Kalisto

Kalisto (formerly Samuray Del Sol) hasn't been in NXT long. WWE signed the dynamo in the summer, and he hasn't been on NXT programming much since.

The PWInsider report mentioned in the Bo Dallas slide points to him getting a promotion very soon, though.

The move makes sense from the perspective that the luchador niche will soon need new names. Rey Mysterio recently returned to the ring, but he's 39 which is older than it sounds as he's been wrestling since his teens. The original Sin Cara's contract is set to expire, per PWInsider, via WrestlingInc.com.

Could Kalisto take over for Hunico in playing the Sin Cara character? Could a Kalisto vs. Sin Cara rivalry be in the works? Either way, it's a safe bet that Kalisto is on Raw before many of NXT's mainstays.

Paige

On the Dec. 4 episode of NXT, Paige defeated Natalya to remain champion.

That match was better than anything the Divas on the main roster have produced this year. She's no one-hit wonder, though.

Paige has consistently impressed with her ring work. 

She has a unique look, stands out from the crowd and is already a top-notch worker with plenty of room for growth. Concerns over her age have been the perceived reason why she hasn't been promoted yet. She's 21 now and, as she showed against Natalya, ready to go wrestling-wise.

Paige is a blue-chip talent whose talent will earn her a call-up before long.

Alexander Rusev

WWE is in need of big men, and Alexander Rusev certainly fills that need.

Rusev is not the all-around talent that Sami Zayn is, but his size and intimidating presence are getting him noticed by WWE's decision makers.

In November, Wrestling Observer, via WrestleZone.com, reported that "Rusev is said to be a lock for the main roster at some point." That point looks to be near.

Rusev has been working WWE house shows, including a recent one where he defeated Zack Ryder, per WrestlingInc.com.

Kane is 46, Mark Henry is 42 and Big Show is 41 with knees that seem ready to give at any moment. The 300-pound Rusev is a possible replacement for those behemoths. He's intense, powerful and stands out from NXT's large collection of talented wrestlers.