WWE NXT Stock Up, Stock Down on the Brand's Prospects for Week of June 8

WWE NXT's ferocious predators reigned on Wednesday night.

Peyton Royce clicked as an egotist with no mercy in her heart. Lars Sullivan was a monster on the mat. Hideo Itami has started letting the savage side of his brain take over, and it's been a joy to watch.

It was viciousness and hard-hitting offense that elevated each of these NXT prospects.

No Way Jose, on the other hand, looked rather meek in comparison. As a result, the buzz after Wednesday's show at Full Sail University did not center on him. 

With good reason, the biggest talking points from WWE's third brand came courtesy of Royce, Sullivan and Itami.

The following is the latest look on who improved their stock at NXT and who slid backward.

Up: Lars Sullivan

NXT's resident monster continues to impress.

Sullivan teamed up against Heavy Machinery with Victor Andrews at his side. And when Andrews fell to the powerhouse tag team, Sullivan thrashed him in retaliation. 

The match wasn't anything special, but the big man was the most compelling force in that ring.

His facial expressions are excellent. His intensity shone throughout the action. He looks like a ravenous wild animal at times—roaring, snarling, prowling.

Sullivan lumbered a bit. But his overall lack of speed may be a product of injury as he wore a bulky knee brace into battle.

This ongoing story where he destroys his inferior tag team partner has legs. It's a smart way to introduce him. And so far, it's allowed us to see how unhinged and dangerous he is.

There are better athletes and smoother workers all over the place on the roster, but Sullivan's "it" factor and size make him one to watch. As Zack Zimmerman of ProWrestling.net wrote: "This Sullivan guy is super intriguing."

Down: No Way Jose

No amount of dance moves and charming smiles could prevent Jose from fading to the background against Killian Dain.

Wednesday's main event was all about the Scotsman. Jose got lost. Dain overshadowed him.

Jose failed to generate much babyface pathos as he suffered Dain's offense. His selling didn't stand out at any point. Minimal drama colored the action.

Even when Jose went on his comeback, a lack of fire made the moment an underwhelming one.

Dain looked like the bigger star here, and not just because he was in control for the majority of the match. He showed more presence and magnetism than Jose did here.

And the Dominican dancer is losing momentum in a hurry.

Up: Hideo Itami

Itami is in the midst of a metamorphosis.

The frustration of not claiming the NXT Championship has drawn out his inner darkness. That was on display against Oney Lorcan on Wednesday as he turned up his aggression several notches.

His clothesline and chops were extra loud. His offense was an onslaught. He attacked Lorcan after the bell, beating on him with fury coursing through his being.

This was a nastier, more focused and ultimately more compelling version of Itami.  

The heel turn will be good for him. It will allow him to be more intense, more like the Itami that kicked in people's heads in Japan.

The first taste of his new ways was excellent. He and Lorcan put on the clear best match of the night.

Denny Burkholder of CBS Sports had high praise for their slugfest:

More action like that is on the way. Itami is sure to thrive against Kassius Ohno, who he shoved on Wednesday, for one.

He will be better off as a badass with a massive chip on his shoulder.

Up: Peyton Royce

Royce continues to hone her craft as she attempts to make the case that she's better than a career midcarder.

The rugged Sarah Logan gave her a physical match on Wednesday. And while the bout was not spectacular, it provided further reminders of how Royce aces the smaller things about the sport.

Royce screamed in frustration when things didn't go her way. She looked overcome with disdain at times. She brimmed with over-the-top confidence as she slapped Logan around.

She was loud and demonstrative, again doing well as a heel.

Her ring work still needs refining, however. She awkwardly sold a dropkick. And there were a few brief moments where things seemed a bit off.

Royce, though, can hit a fisherman's suplex like a dream. 

If she can get the rest of her offensive repertoire to be as crisp and beautiful as that, she's going to be a major player down the road. As for now, she continues to lean on her mastery of wrestling's nuances.