WWE Youth Is Served: Ranking the All-Time NXT Rookies

With WWE NXT Season 4 in full swing, we can start to get a feel for the current crop of rookies. Enough judgment so, that we can put a gauge on how their WWE futures will look. This got me to thinking about how these current rookies match up against the past classes. That being said, I decided to rank the 21 all-time NXT Rookies from worst to first. I'm leaving the divas out of this for obvious reasons. Also, I've decided to withhold Kaval as it really doesn't matter what anyone thinks of him because he has no future in the company. Even if it was the wrong move. That being said, lets get the the rookie rankings.

21) Jacob Novak

Season 4 - 6th place (out of 6)

The guy brought nothing to the table, in all honesty. His former pro, Dolph Ziggler, said it best on this past Tuesday's episode. Novak is terrible, he doesn't have "it", and he is nothing more than a blazer from Express.

WWE Projection - Future Endeavor List

20) Titus O'Neil

Season 2 - 8th place (out of 8)

His in-ring work was forgettable. He went winless in his three matches. And at 33 years old, there really isn't much room to grow either. The only thing anyone will remember him for, and the reason I kept him out of last place, was his infamous promo he cut which eventually got him a Slammy nomination for the "..And I Quote.." Award.

WWE Projection - Future Endeavor List

19) Eli Cottonwood

Season 2 - 7th place (out of 8)

This guy is a stiff. I cant see how anybody saw anything in this guy. His only positives, obviously, is his size as he's a legit 7 footer. His mic skills, however, may have been he worst of any rookie in NXT history. Lastly, was it just me or did it look literally painful when he moves. Maybe not Khali-like, but then again, who makes walking look as difficult as him?

WWE Projection - Future Endeavor List

18) Lucky Cannon

Season 2 - 6th place (out of 8)

Lucky Cannon passes the eye test. He has a good body and a good overall look. He isn't the greatest wrestler (can I say wrestler or no?), but he isn't bad either. His downfall on season two was his lack of charisma. The guy was just flat out boring anyway you look at it.

WWE Projection - FCW Lifer

17) Conor O'Brian

Season 4 - Still in the competition

The self-proclaimed "Rat", Conor O'Brian is currently competing on NXT. His whole rat gimmick is new, although not necessarily interesting. WWE has him at 2-0 so far, so maybe they have like him more than I do.

WWE Projection - FCW Star

16) Husky Harris

Season 2 - 4th place (out of 8)

I don't see much in FatAss Harris (sorry, but he's a bit more than just husky). He didn't impress me with either his in-ring work or his mic skills. His cowboy boots are lame and his finisher looks like it might be slightly unappreciated by his opponent, nothing that would knock them out. In my opinion, if his last name wasn't Rotunda then he wouldn't have a job in the company.

WWE Projection - FCW All-Star

15) Michael Tarver

Season 1 - 7th place (out of 8)

Tarver saw his initial knockout specialist gimmick throw out as WWE already had their own "specialist", Big Show, claiming to be the KO King. He then became the token angry black guy who didn't care to follow the rules of the contest and was kicked off. He reappeared with Nexus as a mask wearing thug. I, personally, like Tarver, but I don't think WWE agrees with me here.

WWE Projection - Jobber

14) Darren Young

Season 1 - 5th place (out of 8)

Young had a nice showing on NXT, going 7-4 and feuding with his mentor CM Punk. He was later part of Nexus, but never really looked at home as a heel and was clearly the weak link of the group, which explains why he was the first member ousted from the stable. Young later reemerged on Superstars with a new (and much better looking) haircut and as a full face. I like him better in that role and he's performed admirably.

WWE Projection - Lower-card Superstar

13) Byron Saxton

Season 4 - Still in the competition

Saxton reappeared on WWE television on this season of NXT. With his past experience as a commentator on ECW, you could tell Byron would be at home on the mic and he has not disappointed one bit. He comes off with tons of cockiness and swagger, but not the kind that makes you really boo him like a Miz or Ziggler does. In a way, and don't kill me here please, he has a Rock-like cockiness that I feel gets him over as a face. Being paired with Ziggler now will only help.

WWE Projection - Weekly Superstars Performer

12) Heath Slater

Season 1 - 4th place (out of 8)

Since the first season on NXT has ended, Slater has been full-time member of Nexus and even held the WWE Tag Team Championship on one occasion. While his credentials may point that he should be ranked higher, I don't see enough to make me think he can make it on his own. He could have been replaced by anyone previously named and would anything really have been different? His finisher is a blatant Paydirt/Zig-Zag rip off and he isn't overly convincing on the mic.

WWE Projection - Lower-card Superstar

11) Derrick Bateman

Season 4 - Still in the competition

Andy Samburg's athletic twin, Bateman has been one of the clear cut favorites on the current season of NXT, despite his winless record. He has shown good mic skill and has yet to make any major mistakes in the ring. The only thing I feel that is holding him back is the one thing that has probably gotten his as far as it has, his comedy. It's very apparent that Bateman has a great sense of humor and is a a likable guy off camera, it shows on camera. But with the things I've seen them do with him in his promos/backstage videos has me seeing way too much Santino in him.

WWE Projection - Mid/Lower-card Comedy Act

10) Brodus Clay

Season 4 - Still in the competition

Brodus, my pick to win NXT Season 4, has the size Vince loves. At 6'8 360 lbs, he is a mountain of a man with strength to waste. From what I have read, he has lost 60 pounds and is still getting himself in peak physical shape. He's also been with the company since 2006 without getting cut once, so you know they like him in some fashion. I can see big Brodus making a very nice bodyguard for any star on either of the brands and eventually branching off a la Ezekiel Jackson.

WWE Projection - Enforcer/Mid-card Superstar

9) Percy Watson

Season 2 - 5th place (out of 8)

"Showtime" Percy Watson showed some real flash on the second season of NXT. He had some nice moments with MVP and seemed comfortable on the mic and in the spotlight. It's tough to come onto the show without having an internet following (i.e. Daniel Bryan or Kaval) and be successful face superstar. Percy did it about as good as you can. He has recently been working SmackDown house shows.

WWE Potential - Mid-card Superstar

8) Johnny Curtis

Season 4 - Still in the competition

Another guy who has been in the farm system for some time now, Johnny Curtis appears to have what it takes to make it in the WWE. He has a great look, great body, and mic skills to get his personality across. Only time will tell if he continues to progress into the talent I feel he can become.

WWE Projection - Mid-card Superstar

7) Michael McGillicutty

Season 2 - 2nd place (out of 8)

The former Joe Hennig, McGillicutty was destined to the a WWE Superstar. He had a great showing on the second season of NXT, finishing 7-4 and as the runner-up to eventual winner Kaval. His heel turn was much needed as he was not connecting as a face early on. Now part of Nexus, he hasn't yet had his chance to really shine, but you can tell there is something there with him. My only suggestion would be a new finisher as his current running neckbreaker is too generic.

WWE Projection - Solid Mid-card Superstar

6) Justin Gabriel

Season 1 - 3rd place (out of 8)

This pains me to put him here, as I think he is the second most talented superstar to partake in NXT, only behind arguably one of the greatest performers in Daniel Bryan. Gabriel has model looks, sensational in ring ability, and one of the most devastating finishers in the WWE at the moment with his 450 splash. The only thing holding him back is his lack of mic skills. Gabriel is a natural face, forced to work as a heel as part of Nexus. While I would have liked to see them give him a chance or two to talk to hopefully allow him to work on it, they've decided to let no one but Barrett and Otunga handle a microphone. Let's just hope after Nexus disbands they return him to a face.

WWE Projection - Solid Mid-card Superstar

5) Skip Sheffield

Season 1 - 6th place (out of 8)

While the "Cornfed Meathead" gimmick was all fine and dandy, it was as the silent enforcer of Nexus that Sheffield really took off in WWE. His broken leg really came at an inopportune time as he was being built as a real threat within Nexus and was coming off an impressive SummerSlam showing. How they utilize him coming back from injury will be crucial though, as they have a chance to really have him make an impact.

WWE Potential - Upper/Mid-card Superstar

4) David Otunga

Season 1 - 2nd place (out of 8)

Otunga has been the clear cut #2 in Nexus since the start. Now while I would have rather Punk not gotten involved with Nexus and let Otunga be the new leader, in turn raising him up the roster, he is still the #2 guy within the group. We all know he can handle the mic like a natural, he just needs to work on his in ring ability before we can really put him in main event matches. Something that isn't a long way away.

WWE Projection - Upper/Mid-card Superstar

3) Alex Riley

Season 2 - 3rd place (out of 8)

Had season two of NXT not included fan voting and it was just WWE choosing the winner, many (myself included) believe Riley would have been chosen as the next breakout star. He was immediately paired with The Miz and has been a fixture in Raw main events for the past month or so. Sure, he's losing them as Miz's lackey, but he's getting the exposure and wrestling some of the best in the business. His TKO finisher is legit, and A-Ri is already one of the premiere talkers in the company. The guy is pure gold on the mic.

WWE Projection - Upper-card Superstar

2) Daniel Bryan

Season 1 - 8th place (out of 8)

Clearly the best technical wrestler on this list, Daniel Bryan has already accomplished more in his short WWE tenure than anyone else on the list as well. He's held the United States Title for 109 days and counting so far, collecting multiple decisive victories over current WWE Champion The Miz in the process. There is no doubting Bryan's talent or hunger to be the best, it's just up to Vinny Mac and how far he wants to let Bryan succeed.

WWE Potential - Main Eventer

1) Wade Barrett

Season 1 - Winner

At this time last year, Wade Barrett was a total unknown wrestling for FCW. Fast forward a year and he has already main evented multiple pay-per-views and had multiple WWE Title shots. While he has yet to capture the elusive gold, it's only a matter of time before he is wearing a top title around his waist. I gave him the edge over Bryan because he has the size and is miles ahead of him on the mic. Barrett already has some of the best mic skills in the company. SPOILER ALERT!!! With his move to SmackDown and ties cut to Nexus, he will undoubtedly be going after the World Heavyweight Championship in no time.

WWE Projection - Main Eventer

Conclusion

So there you have it. Let me know what you all think. I'm sure you all have some varying opinions from mine and I'm always open to debating anything WWE. As always, enjoy a closing picture of Layla.