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5 NXT Superstars who were destined to fail on the main roster

Tyler Breeze pinning Kalisto
Tyler Breeze pinning Kalisto

The introduction and phenomenal rise of NXT has changed the very face of WWE. Look up and down the Raw and SmackDown Live rosters now and you will likely find that a majority of the Superstars have plied their trade down in Full Sail.

Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor - all World Champions in WWE at some point during their careers all went through NXT before arriving on the main roster. What's more is those four names really are just the tip of the iceberg.

Coming up to WWE through NXT doesn't guarantee you greatness, however. Even being NXT Champion and loved by the fans in developmental doesn't necessarily mean you'll soar once you get the call-up.

Sometimes NXT alumni simply aren't destined to succeed on Raw or SmackDown Live and the five in this list prove that theory.


#5 Apollo Crews

Apollo Crews gets set for Fatal 4 Way action
Apollo Crews gets set for Fatal 4 Way action

Apollo Crews showed a lot of promise when in NXT. An incredibly athletic Superstar, all he needed was a little bit of professional wrestling development, hence he was required to go through NXT.

Evidently, though, Vince McMahon caught a glimpse of what Apollo looked like and what he could do and simply couldn't resist. Crews was called up to the main roster in a decision that felt awfully rushed considering Apollo's ability at the time.

Ever since, that belief has been solidified. If given time in NXT, Crews could have thrived, flourished, and gone on to be a big money-making star in WWE. Instead, he's lucky if he even makes it on TV each week.

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