WWE NXT: Updated Prospect Rankings and Analysis, Predictions for Week of Dec. 8

There is something uniquely heartwarming about seeing WWE NXT prospects find their niches, for gladiators of the squared circle to discover the ideal weapons to swing.

That is happening in several places at WWE's developmental brand.

Ember Moon's turn as a mystical huntress who delights in beating foes down has been tremendous. Her gimmick has allowed her to stand out from day one. And she's nailed it thus far.

Alexander Wolfe, as we saw again on Wednesday's NXT, has found a fitting home as a madman goon for the Sanity faction. The role is allowing him to make his mark one spasm at a time.

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are in a different situation.

They have long been what they are today—hardworking babyfaces who cut their teeth on the independent circuit. The NXT tag team champs haven't discovered some new shtick; they have excelled in continuing what they started outside WWE.

As 2016 nears its end and the build toward TakeOver: San Antonio on Jan. 28 picks up steam, several NXT performers have made it clear that they must be in the discussion for the brand's best prospects. The following is a look at where Moon, Wolfe, the members of DIY and others stand on that front.

The wrestlers' ring work, mic skill, gimmick, charisma and presence determined the rankings.

Male Wrestlers

Rank	Wrestler	Height/Weight	Notes
1.	Shinsuke Nakamura	6'2", 229 lbs	Elite presence, highly charismatic, fun ring work, growing number of excellent matches.
2.	Samoa Joe	6'2", 279 lbs	Compelling heel, versatile in ring, NXT's best talker, intimidating.
3.	Scott Dawson	5'10", 224 lbs	Clutch in-ring performer, excellent tag team psychology, strong brawler, improving mic work.
4.	Johnny Gargano	5'10", 190 lbs	Excels as babyface, good energy, smooth ring work, strong connection with fans.
5.	Bobby Roode	6'0", 235 lbs	Working gimmick well, strong heel promos, highly dependable in the ring.
6.	Hideo Itami	5'9", 182 lbs	Has to regain momentum after latest injury, skilled striker, excellent in the ring, highly athletic.
7.	Eric Young	6'0", 224 lbs	Thriving as Sanity leader, skilled storyteller, strong presence.
8.	Austin Aries	5'9", 202 lbs	Recent 205 Live announcing work showcasing verbal skills, excellent in-ring technician, smooth offense.
9.	Tye Dillinger	6'3", 223 lbs	Harnesses gimmick well, growing connection with fans, solid ring work, excellent showmanship.
10.	Tommaso Ciampa	5'11", 210 lbs	Fierce bruiser, good facial expressions, strong striker.
11.	Roderick Strong	5'10", 211 lbs	Smooth ring work, athletic, natural in the ring, unproven talker, generic gimmick for now.
12.	Andrade Almas	5'9", 222 lbs	Heel turn has boosted him, highly athletic, hasn't yet delivered great match in NXT.
13.	No Way Jose	6'3", 245 lbs	Great potential, natural athlete, explosive offense, keeps progressing.
14.	Dash Wilder	5'10", 222 lbs	Good brawler, excelling as tag team specialist, improved as a talker.
15.	Alexander Wolfe	6'2", 231 lbs	Good bruiser, solid striking, making good use of Sanity gimmick.
16.	Shane Thorne	6'1", 200 lbs	Smooth offense, athletic, strong showmanship, hasn't mastered babyface role.
17.	Rezar	6'4", 308 lbs	Good acceleration, powerful, raw in the ring, still working on mastering monster role.
18.	Tucker Knight	6'2", 282 lbs	Impressive power, good acceleration, plenty of intensity.
19.	Buddy Murphy	5'11", 227 lbs	Powerful, excellent acceleration, underwhelming charisma.
20.	Nick Miller	6'1", 230 lbs	Solid all-around performer, charisma growing, below-average presence.

Prospects just outside the top 20: Elias Samson, Akam, Wesley Blake

Wolfe in an Ideal Den

The unhinged, bloodthirsty faction known as Sanity has been a godsend for Wolfe.

Before the Eric Young-led stable came along, Wolfe rarely made it to TV. His character had little direction. But suddenly, he's a key member of an intriguing group.

Young and Wolfe teamed up on Wednesday to take down Rich Swann and No Way Jose. 

The German bruiser stood out at several points. He nailed his foes with frenzied strikes. He wobbled dramatically when his opponents struck back.

And Wolfe continued his habit of flailing in the ring when not trading blows, in what looks to be part dance, part seizure.

This may be too cartoony for some, but Wolfe has thrived as a wild man. He certainly won't be ignored with this shtick. Wolfe's next challenge will be maintaining interest in his own insanity, keeping the act fresh.

A Glimpse at the Tag Team Scene

Wednesday's NXT opened with Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa celebrating their tag team title win at TakeOver: Toronto. The Authors of Pain and The Revival soon emerged to cut the festivities short.

The scene offered a brief look at the three teams atop the tag division right now.

The squads didn't talk much, but the gap between The Authors of Pain and everyone else was clear. Gargano and Ciampa had a strong presence, even in a wordless moment. They are both likable, and the crowd roared for them.

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder came off as intimidating and arrogant, two hard-nosed bruisers you wouldn't trust for a second.

Akam and Rezar, meanwhile, didn't wield the kind of presence two monsters should. Akam, in particular, hasn't gotten the hang of being menacing yet. The duo's level of "it" factor isn't up to par with DIY and The Revival's. 

Their size and physical gifts will net The Authors of Pain many an opportunity, but they have some growing to do.

Female Wrestlers

Rank	Wrestler	Height	Notes
1.	Asuka	5'3"	Plenty of flair, strong showmanship, elite ring worker, promos improving.
2.	Ember Moon	5'2"	The total package in the ring, agile, powerful, harnessing gimmick well.
3.	Nikki Cross	5'1"	Sanity gimmick proving to be perfect fit, frenzied energy, intimidating, strong in the ring.
4.	Billie Kay	5'8"	Growing as a heel, good viciousness, sometimes awkward in the ring.
5.	Peyton Royce	5'7"	Solid heel work, not electric in the ring, average mic skills.
6.	Aliyah	5'2"	Unrefined in the ring, huge potential, great energy, strong presence.
7.	Mandy Rose	5'4"	Progressing in the ring, strong presence, has star quality.
8.	Daria Berenato	5'7"	Unique gimmick, strong strikes, good intensity.
9.	Liv Morgan	5'3"	Remains awkward in the ring, working on harnessing gimmick, good energy, plenty of potential.
10.	Danielle Kamela	Not listed	Unproven, raw, solid selling.

Moon Continues to Wow

The announcers calling Moon's win over Kimber Lee didn't have to feign excitement. Moon made sure there was plenty to rave about.

The NXT newcomer showcased her skills, even in a below-average match. The chemistry between Lee and Moon wasn't good, but it was hard not to come away impressed with the red-eyed warrior.

Moon is a natural athlete—nimble, quick and powerful. She hopped up from the mat and leaped on her foe like a jaguar pouncing on prey. Her kicks were hard-hitting works of art.

Thus far, Moon has shown that she can flourish in the ring. She has a unique gimmick, a memorable finisher and a knack for showmanship. The only question mark about her concerns her promo skills. 

WWE hasn't let her talk much yet. If she proves to be highly skilled in that department, then it will be time to discuss whether she should rank above NXT women's champ Asuka.

Predictions

It appears that Sanity has ousted Sawyer Fulton. 

The big man didn't accompany the stable on Wednesday. Young slammed Fulton's jacket on the entrance ramp before his match. And a new behemoth, Big Damo, emerged to seemingly take his place.

Total Wrestling magazine had some good things to say about the rookie:

For Fulton, though, this will spell the end of his NXT run. He has tried on a number of gimmicks and personas. None of them has stuck, and WWE is likely to give up.

Sanity was the ideal vehicle to propel him, but WWE looks to have decided to drop him from the group. Bet on him leaving the developmental system altogether in the coming months then.

The tag team division will soon be what the women's division was to NXT last summer. Thanks to so many quality teams rising up the ranks, WWE will make sure to highlight that part of the roster. Look for several tag feuds to unfold at once.

Gargano and Ciampa are bound to main event a TakeOver special during their title reign.