5 best NXT superstars of 2017
WWE NXT continues to thrive and grow as a brand with each passing week, month and year that passes. This past year has seen the likes of Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, Bobby Roode, The Revival, Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Hideo Itami, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville all added to either the Raw or Smackdown Live rosters. Their call-ups came about because there was little to nothing for them left to achieve in NXT and to ensure that other talents were used in a capacity where they can develop and thrive.
The likes of Velveteen Dream, Roderick Strong, and Lars Sullivan proved that 2017 was the start of something great for them. However, for our list, only a select few were identified as not only having tremendous years in the ring but once they were elevated to a point that they were either featured in main events of either weekly programs or NXT Takeovers.
Those mentioned are still on the brand, as we are not measuring based on being brought to Raw or Smackdown Live. Who are the ones that managed to stand above the rest at the end of the year? Here are the top five NXT superstars for 2017.
#5 Peyton Royce
While Royce hasn't captured any championships with the brand, her importance and overall growth as a featured character in NXT cannot be ignored. After an injury that appears to have sidelined, her iconic duo partner Billie Kay, Peyton Royce took the ball and ran with it. In the process, she has been a featured adversary for so many in the division and has been a part of essentially every NXT Takeover event this year. Her success isn't measured necessarily in wins and losses, but how completely over her character is with the crowd.
Royce was required to maintain that ‘I'm better than you' persona, and has been completely committed to that character with each strut, pose and standing spin heel kick. Whether it was against Asuka, Nikki Cross, Kairi Sane or Ember Moon, Royce has been a prominent character throughout 2017. It is only a matter of time before Royce is recognized for her contributions and awarded with an NXT women's championship reign, as she has been more than deserving of it.