Predicting Where Top NXT Stars Fit In on WWE's 2026 Raw, SmackDown Rosters
As WWE closes out 2025, it's time to begin looking to the future in 2026.
When NXT was created, it was designed to be a stepping stone to the main roster. While WWE has tried to give the brand its own identity as a third tier, it's still a developmental system, and that means every NXT talent's goal should be to end up on Raw or SmackDown.
The NXT roster is brimming with names ready for the next stage of their careers, but WWE needs to be judicious about who it brings up and when.
Let's take a look at the stars most likely to end up on Raw or SmackDown in 2026.
Oba Femi
1 of 10
Oba Femi recently regained his NXT Championship from Ricky Saints, but this doesn't feel the same as his first reign.
Instead, this feels like a placeholder for The Ruler to bide his time until management decides to call him up to the main roster.
The 27-year-old wouldn't have been given such a big match against Cody Rhodes at SNME if he wasn't already being viewed as a future star on Raw or SmackDown.
He has the size, look, charisma and physical ability to be a WWE mainstay for years to come. It's surprising he hasn't done more on the main roster already.
It wouldn't be shocking to see this current reign in NXT end quickly so he can move to Raw, possibly as a surprise Royal Rumble entrant or a post-WrestleMania 42 call-up.
Blake Monroe
2 of 10
The former Mariah May arrived in WWE already experienced enough for the main roster, but management opted to have her begin in NXT.
Blake Monroe already has the in-ring ability, mic skills and character development to be called up at any time, so it feels like a waiting game at this point.
Once WWE decides the time is right, the 27-year-old will drop the NXT Women's North American Championship before making a quick move to the main roster.
Monroe has every tool needed to succeed. Between the two main brands, she feels like a better fit for SmackDown alongside the likes of Jade Cargill and Charlotte Flair.
Ricky Saints
3 of 10
Ricky Saints is one of the more notable names to jump from All Elite Wrestling to WWE, and he has already found some success in NXT, but he's another star who came into the company already prepared for the main roster.
Saints, 35, is not some young rookie getting his feet wet. He has been in the business for over a decade. He is already as polished a performer as you can find.
His friendship with Cody Rhodes has been established in WWE lore already, so having him arrive on the main roster as an ally only to turn on The American Nightmare to kickstart a feud feels like the best way to go.
A SummerSlam program featuring both of them would be a great way to elevate Saints in the back half of 2026.
Jacy Jayne
4 of 10
Jacy Jayne has put a lot of time and effort into her career, but it feels like she has done everything she can do in NXT.
She went from being a sidekick in Mandy Rose's group to leading her own stable with Fatal Influence. She has won tag team gold and the NXT women's title twice, so she doesn't have much left to do other than make the jump to the main roster.
The 29-year-old has proved to be a valuable heel and could easily transition to Raw or SmackDown as a solo act or as part of a team.
Je'Von Evans
5 of 10
The Young OG has been nothing short of impressive every single time WWE has put him in a big-match situation.
The current WWE roster has many big stars, but it lacks youth. Je'Von Evans can help usher in the next generation of stars, but it has to happen quickly.
The last handful of WWE champions have all been near or over 40. It's time to inject some new blood into the title scene.
Evans, 21, may not be ready to be a world champion yet, but he is the kind of guy WWE can build to that level quickly. The crowd loves him, he is exciting to watch with his high-flying antics, and he has a long career ahead of him if he stays healthy.
Throwing him right into the U.S. title scene on SmackDown with Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov would allow him to put on some stellar matches to establish himself.
Fallon Henley
6 of 10
Fallon Henley has been wrestling since 2017 and has been part of WWE since 2022. She has learned as much as she can at the Performance Center.
Much like Jayne, the 31-year-old has been ready to be called up for some time, but finding the right moment is important so she doesn't just fall to the wayside.
We've seen it happen several times before. A talent is called up with no clear plan in place, and that leads to them being booked irregularly and without direction. Sadly, Giulia has been a victim of this.
Henley could be a great heel or face character. She just needs management to give her a chance on the main roster to prove she has what it takes.
She would be great on either brand, but Raw seems like a better fit for her given the current roster setup.
Trick Williams
7 of 10
Trick Williams is another talent who has done just about everything there is to do in NXT, and he has also won the TNA title.
Whether he re-forms his tag team with Carmelo Hayes or continues to be a solo act, the 31-year-old has what it takes to be a star on the main roster.
This is a guy with the physique WWE loves, more charisma than he knows what to do with, and the ability to make the crowd love or hate him with ease. He could be a top star within a few years if the company booked him strongly enough.
If Williams is called up early in 2026, he will likely end up holding a midcard title before the year is out. With Hayes now holding the United States Championship, reigniting their feud would help elevate both men.
Jordynne Grace
8 of 10
Jordynne Grace came into WWE already prepared for the main roster, but management has her in NXT to add some veteran experience to the roster.
The 29-year-old has been unsuccessful in her attempts to win gold thus far, but it's just a matter of time before The Juggernaut has a belt around her waist.
Grace is someone WWE can slot into the world title picture immediately and nobody would bat an eye. Putting her in the ring with another powerhouse such as Rhea Ripley or Bianca Belair would be guaranteed to get people watching.
Ethan Page
9 of 10
Ethan Page has been a great asset to NXT and has helped many young stars by putting them over. However, at this point, he is spinning his wheels.
The 36-year-old has already been an NXT champion and is the current North American and AAA mixed tag champ. Once he loses those belts, there's not much left for him to do.
All Ego has established himself as a great wrestler with enviable mic skills, so having him debut and immediately start chasing the IC or U.S. title would be the best way to go.
Sol Ruca
10 of 10
All of the NXT stars who competed at SNME on December 13 made a good impression on the WWE Universe, but Sol Ruca stood out the most thanks to her high-flying offense and the fact that she is the only one who got a victory.
Beating Bayley didn't earn her a new title, but it did put a lot of eyes on the young star. WWE needs to capitalize on that momentum quickly.
Ruca, 26, has a unique style in the ring and will create countless highlight-reel moments that will be shared endlessly on social media.
She just needs to wrap up her storyline with Zaria, and then nothing is holding her back from joining Raw or SmackDown.
The NXT roster is overflowing with talent. These 10 stars could all be called up in 2026, but they are not the only ones. Who do you think should make the jump to Raw or SmackDown in the next 12 months?
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