WWE Flashback: Top 5 Superstars to Benefit from WWE NXT
Nearly one year ago this week, we observe June 1st (the eve of my birthday!) as the one year anniversary of the finale of season one of WWE NXT.
During this suspenseful episode, it was the cunning Wade Barrett who outlasted both Justin Gabriel and David Otunga to take home the contact and opportunistic title shot.
However, as seasons progressed, I can speak for many when I say the show has become harder and harder to watch. With the pointless challenges, boring storylines, and lackluster matches, there isn't much to look forward to every Tuesday night.
Nonetheless, there have been some positive things to come out of the "next evolution of the internet", most specifically these five Superstars. One can only hope that with one more season remaining, WWE will realize the talent that have waiting in FCW that can sure as hell make the show credible again.
Here, I will rank those who have made a name for themselves since departing from their respective season and achieved success. This list only includes the first four seasons, since basically the current fifth one is all alumni from previous seasons.
Visit my Web site at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps and more. Follow me on Twitter @GSM2ndComing.
5. Brodus Clay
1 of 7For those of you who stopped watching WWE NXT following it's boot off television, the fourth season included a unique range of talent. Among the variety was my predicted winner and favorite of the season, Brodus Clay.
Being a former bodyguard for the infamous rapper Snoop Dogg, Clay simply dominated every rookie that participated on the show, with an impressive feat of victories during the latter half of the season in both matches and challenges. He would develop an on-going feud with Johnny Curtis, who would eventually win the contract and shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles.
However, it was the season finale where Clay would shine his brightest. In the closing minutes of the broadcast, Clay cut one of the best promos I've heard in a good while from someone that's only a rookie, explaining how his dream was taken away from me at the hands of the WWE Universe. As he walked off, loud boos could be heard from all around, signaling that we had not yet seen the end of Brodus Clay.
Subsequently, Clay debuted for the RAW brand a quick six days later alongside his pro, Alberto Del Rio, losing in a match against a returning Christian. This would become a pattern over the coming weeks, always the one being pinned during tag matches with Del Rio.
In the process, Clay was secretly given a contract to work on the SmackDown brand despite his NXT loss. His push has been booked oddly, but I'm glad he has been given time to work with true veterans such as Edge and Christian and have the fans slowly adapt to him.
Brodus Clay was last seen at the WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view last month, interfering in the World Heavyweight Championship Match on Del Rio's behalf. Due to his minor injury suffered during the contest and Del Rio's apparent draft to RAW, I hope Clay can return soon to Friday nights as a force to be reckoned with.
4. Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater
2 of 7
With both Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel currently involved in a tag team, I've decided to put them tied for fourth seeing they've made an equal impact. Both got their start in WWE in the first season of NXT, being fan favorites and making it to the final four of the competition.
Of course a week later, they were involved in the brutal Nexus ambush on the June 7th edition of Monday Night RAW, cementing themselves as heels in the process. As time progressed and many of the original members began to depart, Slater and Gabriel maintained their position in the dominant stable by winning the WWE Tag Team Championships in late October, tasting gold for the first time in their respective careers.
When leader Wade Barrett was exiled from the Nexus in early January, Slater and Gabriel followed, debuting alongside Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson to form the Corre on that Friday's edition of SmackDown. Since then, the team has enjoyed two more reigns as tag team champions, and impressive showings against John Cena, Randy Orton, Big Show, and Vladimir Kozlov.
Most recently, the Corre has found itself weaker than ever, constantly gotten the better of by ex-member Ezekiel Jackson week in and week out. It wouldn't surprise me to see either man leave the stable to work on a face persona, which better fits their characters and would further launch their careers.
3. Alex Riley
3 of 7The top three of my list are debatable, so I advise you to take them lightly. Next up comes a hot topic in WWE as of late, Alex Riley.
Following his introduction done by The Miz, I had high hopes for A-Ri winning the second season of NXT last summer. Despite a strong showing, Riley took third place behind Michael McGuillicutty and Kaval in the season finale.
However, being hired by Miz on a personal assistant contract allowed Riley to appear on RAW with the Awesome One, witnessing Miz's eventual rise to the top of the company as WWE Champion.
While backing up the Miz, Riley was able to compete against the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton and John Morrison, even being involved in the WWE Championship main event at WrestleMania 27.
After months of falling out between the two, Alex Riley snapped on The Miz only last week, turning face in the process. If his push can be treated correctly, I can see a lot of fans getting behind Riley in his feud with the Awesome One and championship gold soon to follow.
2. Daniel Bryan
4 of 7Ranking in at second place is none other than the American Dragon, Daniel Bryan. Being announced as a participant in the debut series WWE NXT in February of last year, there were no doubts early on that it would be then ten year independent circuit veteran Daniel Bryan taking home the WWE contract without question.
However, due to a rocky relationship with his pro, The Miz, and a lengthy losing streak that lasted nearly the entire season, Bryan was obviously not favored by management. Despite ranking in the top spots in the polls in the weeks prior to his departure, Bryan was eliminated from the competition due to a promo that lacked in confidence the week prior.
Following weeks of confrontations with Michael Cole, Bryan reunited with his fellow rookies to take part in the initial Nexus invasion in early June. Of course, due to the "necktie violence" with Justin Roberts, Bryan was ultimately released from his WWE contract days later.
Sending the fans in a uproar of petitions, the American Dragon would be eventually signed back to return at SummerSlam, thus resuming his feud with The Miz. Their personal rivalry would lead to a United States Championship Match at Night of Champions, where Bryan emerged victorious with a title around his waist for the first time in his WWE career.
Bryan would continue to hold the belt for a long six months on the RAW brand, before dropping the U.S. Championship to Sheamus in March. He has since been moved to the SmackDown brand via the 2011 Supplemental Draft.
Being one of the best technical wrestlers in the business toady, I hope WWE will soon realize what value Bryan is to the company and how much potential he holds as a future World Heavyweight Champion.
1. Wade Barrett
5 of 7Was there ever any doubt? Well, some could argue that others on this list are more deserving of this spot given Wade Barrett's recent booking, but there's no questioning what the Intercontinental Champion has accomplished over the past year.
After Daniel Bryan's elimination from the second season of NXT, Barrett became a shoe-in to win with his solid wrestling and mic skills. He took the competition by storm, and eventually won the contract and title shot on the season finale, beating out Justin Gabriel and David Otunga.
In what was one of the most shocking and memorable WWE events in 2010, NXT Season One Winner Wade Barrett lead his fellow seven rookies to an ambush on the following RAW. This attack saw WWE Champion John Cena, Matt Striker, Jerry Lawler, among others laid out from the carnage.
Similar attacks would continue throughout the next six months, with Barrett leading the Nexus to a breakout year and numerous main events. Although it became stale as time progressed, Barrett stayed loyal to his stablemate before his eventual exile at the hands of CM Punk in early January.
Still striving to make an impact, Wade Barrett would bring his dictatorship to SmackDown days later, leveling Big Show with help from Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, and Ezekiel Jackson. The group would become known as the Corre, and although Jackson has since departed, it still stays intact to this day.
Of course the booking is lacking, I believe the Corre will once again rise to prominence when the time is right. When all is said and done, I see Barrett becoming the first English-born World Heavyweight Champion by the end of this year.
Honorable Mentions
6 of 7Here are a few NXT alumni who have had their respective shining moments, but didn't quite have what it takes to make the list:
David Otunga : A two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, Otunga's role in the Nexus isn't as important as it once was.
Michael McGuillicutty: Also a current WWE Tag Team Champion, the son of Mr. Perfect hasn't shown to be a key factor in the Nexus stable.
Darren Young: After his ex-communication from the Nexus, Young competed on WWE Superstars for a short while before returning back to NXT most recently.
Katilyn: Although she won the third Divas season of WWE NXT, her lack of wrestling skills has kept her off television quite a bit.
Johnny Curtis: Winning the fourth season of WWE NXT, Curtis hasn't received his earned tag team title shot with his pro, R-Truth, nor has he been seen since.
Where Are They Now?
7 of 7Here's a few Rookies who have competed on past seasons of WWE NXT, and although they lost, they have potential to return to television soon:
Skip Sheffield: Before his serious injury last summer, Sheffield was starting to become a threatening factor in the Nexus. A major push has been heavily rumored upon his return.
Michael Tarver: Although he is slightly green in the ring, Tarver has the mic skills to improve and become an interesting character if given the correct development.
Naomi: She was certainly one of the more unique Divas in her respective season, and has the wrestling skills to be offered a contract.
Husky Harris: Following a punt to the head by Randy Orton a few months ago on RAW, Harris hasn't been seen since.
Derrick Bateman: Competing in the fourth season of WWE NXT, Batemen had humor and decent wrestling skills to be recognized as the face of the show for quite some time.
Percy Watson: Yes, his character can be annoying at times, but his recent showings in dark matches have been impressive. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw the reuniting of his tag team with Darren Young down the line.
Visit my Web site at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps and more. Follow me on Twitter @GSM2ndComing.
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
