5 Wrestlers once signed to NXT who have flourished elsewhere
NXT wasn't always the show that produced the best matches in WWE. It first started out as FCW but changed to NXT when it was featured with a game show format in 2010.
It eventually changed to the current format we are used to, in June 2012. Since it's inception in as the developmental brand of WWE in 2010, hundreds of wrestlers have come and gone.
And while many have left and made their marks on the main roster (Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair, Daniel Bryan), not every wrestler enjoyed success in the promotion.
A lot of wrestlers were either released or asked for their release. While all of those who departed NXT haven't necessarily experienced success, the following wrestlers have left and flourished in other promotions. In some cases, they made such an impression that WWE re-signed them.
For this list's purposes, wrestlers once signed to FCW are not included. Brian Cage and Kenny Omega were never officially a part of NXT as FCW, so for that reason, they will not be on this list.
Both departed before 2010.
#5: Sami Callihan
It's hard to believe, but Callihan was technically under the NXT banner from 2012-2015. He wasn't on the NXT show for very long, debuting in 2015 but being released in November of the same year.
His name was Solomon Crowe because WWE couldn't have two guys named Sami under its banner. It must have been frustrating for a guy to be in the system for three years only to debut, be off television for months and then released later in the year.
Ever since leaving NXT, he's competed in Pro Wrestling Guerilla, Combat Zone Wrestling, Lucha Underground and Impact Wrestling among other independent promotions. His star rose when he debuted for LU in 2016 during its third season, portraying the boyfriend of Ivelisse, Jeremiah Crane.
He had some good matches in the temple and was effectively written out during a loss to Mil Muertes in a Grave Consequences match. He later returned as a snake-like zombie named Jeremiah Snake. He acts like he's under the control of the Reptile Tribe's leader, Kobra Moon, due to her venom bringing him 'back from the dead'.
Although the name leaves a lot to be desired, he held the LU Trios' Championship alongside Moon and the fantastic Daga. Due to LU's relationship with AAA and Impact Wrestling, Callihan debuted in Impact to lead the faction OVE.
He'd lead Dave and Jake Crist to terrorize LAX, the Lucha Brothers (Pentagon Jr. and Fenix) and Eddie Edwards. Since his time in Impact, he's built up a reputation as a solid, technical wrestler who usually brawls. He hasn't captured any gold yet, but calls himself 'the Draw'.
Who knows how far he could have gone as Crowe in NXT.