Baron Corbin Odd Man out as WWE's NXT Searches for New Top Contender

As Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn battled to determine the new top contender to Finn Balor's NXT Championship on Wednesday's episode of the WWE Network-exclusive show, one could not help but notice the absence of Baron Corbin from the proceedings.

Perhaps it was the backstage vignette with general manager William Regal where he vowed to get even with Joe and Zayn, threatening "an eye for an eye" for what he considered theft of his championship opportunity that heightened awareness. Maybe it was the fact that he was firmly entrenched in the title hunt until the questionable decision to eliminate him via a controversial, screwball finish some weeks ago.

Whatever the case, Corbin finds himself the odd man out as NXT searches for the next Superstar to challenge for Balor's most prized possession.

The former football player for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals has developed into one of the premiere competitors in NXT. A mountain of a man, he has combined his on-screen presence with a smashmouth style that sets him apart from the other more traditional wrestlers on the roster.

Better yet is the most recent addition to his performance, his complete disdain for former indy wrestlers. "Go back to Ring of Honor," he has been heard yelling at guys like Johnny Gargano and Apollo Crews. An athlete who does not try to be liked by fans, he has been very open about the fact that he did not have to pay his dues in high school gyms or VFW halls around the country.

He even let his opinion be heard on Twitter, where he referenced his most recent match with Gargano:

He is incredibly unlikable, which is exactly the type of heel NXT needs at the top of the its brand.

That is why his dismissal from Wednesday's No. 1 Contender's match stood out as much as it did.

Joe is enjoying a run at the top of the card, positioned as a heel against Balor. Other than his act of betrayal, though, he has done nothing to set him apart as a legitimate villain. He still has the respect of fans who appreciate his body of work before arriving in NXT.

Corbin, on the other hand, is the definition of a heel. He is a performer that can be built around, a star that can carry the brand when Balor, Joe and Zayn are competing on Raw and SmackDown.

Taking him out of the title picture, even if it was just to set up one single match between Zayn and Joe, is a setback the likes of which management cannot afford. It needs to keep its marquee stars strong because there will come a time when it needs to rely on Corbin to be the workhorse of the brand.

Fans have already connected with him, in one way or another, thanks to his appearances on WWE Network's Breaking Ground. They have gotten a look at the man beyond the cameras and have either enjoyed his not-so-nice demeanor or despise him for his crappy attitude.

Regardless of which side they fall on, they care about him, and that is absolutely key to the success of any performer.

NXT officials must build on that emotion, push him to the main event with consistency and let him be the star he should be.

It is entirely possible that Corbin will leap right back into the mix, perhaps even competing in the next No. 1 Contender's match that Regal and NXT unleash on fans. If that is the case, The Lone Wolf should be fine. He will be where he needs to in order to maintain credibility as a true main event star.

If not, and Corbin remains the odd man out, the brand's top officials will have made a rare misstep, wasting an opportunity to create a legitimate star out of someone who has all the tools necessary to succeed under the WWE banner.