5 WWE Superstars who were never expected to leave NXT
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.