As hot as NXT is at the moment, it is never a guarantee that someone who is regularly featured on the program will be called up to WWE's main roster. And even when some stars reach the grand stage, they either sink or swim, depending on how they are booked.
In fact, there are many up-and-comers in NXT right now who have been a part of the developmental system for several years, with hopes of one day gracing the main roster. Unfortunately, there will be those who don't make the cut and others who do to the surprise of fans.
Big Cass recently mentioned in a WWE 24 special that he was told long ago he would never amount to anything in WWE, but of course, the cream always rises to the top and he ultimately arrived on Raw after WrestleMania 32. These five Superstars were also never earmarked for any sort of push on Raw or SmackDown, but they eventually exceeded expectations by proving they could make it big.
#5 Elias Samson
Outside of rumours that began to circulate a few months ago, you can't honestly tell me that you thought Elias Samson would ever surface on SmackDown or Raw. He debuted The Drifter gimmick in December 2015 and struggled to find his footing in the role before just recently.
Even before that point, Samson had been in NXT for several years and was primarily utilised as an enhancement talent. He continued to lose more matches than he won as The Drifter before he suffered an injury that halted his momentum if he had any, to begin with.
Seemingly out of nowhere, he showed up on the April 10 edition of Raw and was unofficially declared the newest member of the roster. He may not go far on Team Red, but at least he finally graduated from developmental, which would have been unheard of at one point.
#4 Aiden English
Similar to Elias Samson, Aiden English was nothing more than a designated jobber in NXT for many years. Interestingly enough, he can be seen on one of the very first episodes of NXT from 2012 (available on the WWE Network), losing to Leo Kruger.
He was given a chance to shine in late 2013 when he started a singing gimmick, but it wasn't long before he was back to doing nothing on the black-and-yellow brand. His departure from the company seemed to be only inevitable, but his pairing with Simon Gotch salvaged his fledgeling career.
Almost exactly one year after they joined forces, they captured the NXT Tag Team Championship at TakeOver: Brooklyn and were main roster bound by April 2016. Unsurprisingly, the gimmick never took off on the main stage, but English remains a fixture on SmackDown Live, over a year later.
#3 Jason Jordan
At fight sight, Jason Jordan would have seemed like a shoe-in to be on the main roster. However, although he was viewed as a top prospect on NXT for several years, he never got above a certain level as a singles star and was instead positioned as an enhancement wrestler.
His initial pairing with Tye Dillinger could have been his ticket to the main roster, but their lack of chemistry as partners forced them to go their separate ways. Thankfully, Jordan joined forces with NXT newcomer Chad Gable in the summer of 2015, and the two instantly gelled.
Also read: NXT: 5 Points to note (13/04/2017)
Over time, American Alpha gradually built momentum and became huge fan favourites on NXT, winning the NXT Tag Team Championship in April 2016. It was merely a matter of time before they went to the main roster. And at the 2016 WWE draft, they were selected by SmackDown Live.
#2 Adam Rose
Not everyone finds success with their first gimmick, or their second, or their third. Essentially, that was the case with Adam Rose, who had several characters that failed to get over with the audience.
In early 2014, he was given the option to either evolve or be sent packing; and luckily, his resurrection as Adam Rose took off immediately. Things were finally looking up for the former FCW Heavyweight champion, and it was with this persona that he would get his long-awaited call-up to the main roster.
Less than a month after debuting the party persona, he arrived on Raw with a tonne of fanfare. Sadly, Rose is no longer employed by WWE following his May 2016 release, but his stint on the main roster was fun while it lasted, and at least he can say he spent some time on the flagship show.
Rose announced recently that he will be retiring at the end of this year which is a shame.
Also read: Adam Rose announces that he's leaving the business this year
#1 Tye Dillinger
Tye Dillinger was another individual who had all the tools necessary to be a solid mid-card competitor in WWE, especially given how talented he was in the ring. However, the officials didn't recognise his potential and released from his contract at the onset of 2009 after having several stints down in developmental and on the now-defunct ECW brand.
Upon his return to the company in late 2013, he was determined to prove the naysayers wrong and ultimately work his way to the main roster. Although it took two years for him to connect with the audience, his “Perfect 10” gimmick was exactly what he needed to help him break the glass ceiling in WWE.
Despite never winning a single match at a TakeOver special, Dillinger more than earned his spot in the Royal Rumble match back in January. His decade-long journey culminated with a debut on SmackDown Live two days after WrestleMania 33, and the sky is the limit for what he will be capable of accomplishing.
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