WWE Payback 2016: Newly Called-Up Stars Who Will Shine Under PPV Spotlight

In the wake of WrestleMania 32, WWE management picked some of the most promising stars from NXT and brought them up to the main roster. In May, we'll see some of these top prospects make their WWE pay-per-view debuts at Payback.

For some, that would be an intimidating task—but the reason these athletes were given the nod was their hunger to perform on the biggest stage possible. For them, Payback is the first step toward a spot on next year's WrestleMania card.

These are the stars destined to shine when WWE takes over the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, on May 1.

Baron Corbin

Although it's not yet official, all signs point toward a match between Baron Corbin at Dolph Ziggler at Payback, even if it's relegated to the pre-show. While some would argue the Lone Wolf wasn't ready for the main roster, his size and his presence give him a huge advantage.

Unlike the other wrestlers covered in this article, Corbin made his main-roster debut at this year's WrestleMania—winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, no less. There should be no question top brass is well and truly behind him.

Credit: WWE.com

Corbin is a near 7-footer with a professional sports background. He's gone to great lengths to bring his in-ring component up to scratch after starting out with very little. Plus, he's carved out a character that's the perfect foil for the indy darlings who make up a good portion of the WWE roster.

He's got all the necessary ingredients to make an impact, and he seems motivated to do so. The reliable Ziggler is a great first opponent—he's sure to make Corbin's offence look fearsome, and he's still a fan favourite crowds are eager to get behind.

Corbin is destined for big things if he can continue the rate of progression he's upheld over the past year.

Colin Cassady and Enzo Amore

NXT's most popular tag team has one thing in common with Baron Corbin: the duo is a product of developmental. Just like Corbin, we didn't know Colin Cassady and Enzo Amore from stints in Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro Wrestling; we've seen their rise from the beginning.

The ever-entertaining jargon put forth by Amore and Cassady's abilities as a big man earmarked this team for main-roster success long ago. However, the ongoing tournament to decide the next pairing to challenge The New Day for the gold seems poised to deliver the Jersey Boys to title contention.

Credit: WWE.com

The final of the tournament is scheduled for Payback, and the matchup with the Vaudevillains plays to the strengths of both teams involved. According to information from CageMatch, these two duos have met more than 30 times since June 2014.

That means all four men know each other well—which should make it easier to produce an electric pay-per-view debut for all involved. Between their immediate connection with fans and the potential for a standout match, Payback could be an arrival for Big Cass and Enzo.

Sami Zayn

It's easy to forget Sami Zayn only tied up his stint in NXT with his excellent match against Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT TakeOver: Dallas on April 1. Since then, he's had great television matches on the main roster with the likes of Chris Jericho and AJ Styles.

At Payback, he'll be facing someone he knows all too well: Kevin Owens. KO seems to hold the opinion that he would still be the Intercontinental champion were it not for Zayn, so we're sure to see sparks fly when the two square off in Illinois.

Zayn has made the transition to the main roster better than most. Last year, he faced John Cena as part of the latter's regular U.S. Open Challenges on Monday Night Raw, but a shoulder injury put him out of action for several months. Now he's back, and he's already got legions of fans supporting him.

Credit: WWE.com

However, Zayn is perhaps at his best when he's feuding with Owens. Longtime fans will have seen this rivalry play out in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor, not to mention in NXT—but the pair will no doubt have some new tricks in store as their conflict reaches new heights.

In a matter of weeks, Zayn has become a contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, having wrestled for a shot at the gold twice already. It might be too soon for him to make a real challenge, but that could all change if his program with Owens can solidify his standing among the WWE Universe at large.

Which recent call-ups do you think will shine at Payback? And who's not going to make the cut? Make your voice heard in the comments section below.