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5 Superstars who have been in NXT for too long and could move to the WWE main roster

WWE's Performance Center Aliyah vs Dakota KaiAliyah vs Dakota Kai
WWE's Performance Center Aliyah vs Dakota KaiAliyah vs Dakota Kai

When WWE announced that it was launching (or re-launching) the NXT brand in 2012, the idea behind it was to build homegrown talent in order to find the next big star or future Wrestlemania headliners. The Florida facility, overseen by Triple H, was supposed to be a talent factory - and for the most part, this really has been the case successes of NXT are numerous.

The list of names that have gone on to dominate on the main roster reads like like a who's who of professional wrestling in 2019: Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair, Corey Graves, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Nikki Cross, Heavy Machinery, The Viking Raiders, and Nia Jax.

NXT has been a very big success and has achieved what it was supposed to do all those years ago.

But, there are always exceptions to the rule.

While I don't dispute that the five wrestlers featured here are incredibly talented and have bright futures ahead of them, you can't deny that they've been in WWE's developmental system for far too long and have, essentially, outstayed their welcome.

All they might need is a push to the main roster or even a stint on 205 Live or Main Event, but to stay in NXT this long, while other, younger and fresher talents wait in the wings doesn't seem fair to any of the the superstars in question, the future superstars or the fans who are constantly on the lookout for fresh stars.

Whether it's being called up to the main roster, or being sent to pastures new, it's time to look at five wrestlers who have been in NXT for far too long...


#1 Aliyah

Aliyah vs Carmella
Aliyah vs Carmella

Aliyah has been in NXT longer than pretty much anybody on the roster.

The Toronto, Canada-native, who is of Syrian and Iraqi descent, joined the facility in 2015, after just two years of experience on the independent circuit.

The 24-year-old's win-loss record leaves much to be desired, and she has seemingly been content to make the odd appearance, without pulling up too many trees.

Her recent teaming with Vanessa Borne, while a little awkward at times, has revitalized her career, but it doesn't seem like she'll really be pushed any further than an NXT mid-card slot at best.

She has, to her credit, had one main roster match - on Smackdown two years ago - in a losing effort against Carmella.

Given her long stint in developmental, with not much sign of ever being called up properly, surely her spot could be better utilised by another up-and-coming superstar?

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