Incredibly popular star, reuniting a team - 5 NXT acts that could join the main roster following SummerSlam
WWE debuts stars from NXT at various points during the year. The biggest times for such occasions usually occur during the Royal Rumble, in the WWE Draft, or immediately following WrestleMania.
Tiffany Stratton and Bron Breakker appeared between PLEs before The Show of Shows, bucking the WWE trend. Lyra Valkyria, Blair Davenport, Carmelo Hayes, and Ilja Dragunov were selections in this year's Draft.
Since SummerSlam is the second-biggest show of the year, more NXT debuts could be on the way next month. The next five acts could debut on the main roster following The Biggest Party of the Summer.
#5. Lexis King has big-crowd experience
Lexis King joined NXT as a ready-made performer who just needed a gimmick. AEW didn't give him much of a character beyond a retread of his father's Hollywood Blondes gimmick.
In NXT, he's played the arrogant young star well but has come up even in his matches. This could be to ease him into the WWE flow while also seeing how he stacks up with the variety of stars in the developmental brand.
King could easily join RAW as another brash young upstart whose mouth often gets him into trouble. LA Knight had medium success in NXT and is one of the hottest acts on the main roster now. Similarly, King could also have a bigger impact on RAW or SmackDown.
#4. Izzi Dame could fill a void on RAW
Izzi Dame made her initial mark as the overpowering ally of Kiana James. It was a Diesel/Shawn Michaels or Raquel Rodriguez/Dakota Kai-like situation. James has appeared a few times on RAW since being drafted but hasn't done much of note.
The former volleyball player should join her former ally after SummerSlam to give the division another formidable tag team. Raquel Rodriguez has been in and out of the lineup but hasn't been active since February.
Officials have already shown trust in Izzi Dame, sending her to TNA to challenge Jordynne Grace. That's not something done lightly. Since she's one of the bigger women in NXT and could help on the main roster, she could ease into things while helping push James further. It would also open up a spot for a new performer on the white and gold brand.
#3. Gallus helped prepare The Rock for his 2024 in-ring return
Gallus was long a staple of NXT UK but has been in and out of the proceedings stateside. The group strongly resembles The Brawling Brutes who disbanded earlier this year. Joe Coffey is the leader and most complete member of the group. The trio helped train The Rock for his WrestleMania XL matches.
Coffey will likely battle Joe Hendry at some point soon, but after that, the Scots could join the main roster. They wrestle at the same slow pace as The O.C., so having two very similar teams on the same brand takes opportunities away from one.
They may have trouble standing out due to a lack of character other than "tough" and "fights." Sheamus got by on that but has charisma that the group lacks. The trio has done what it could in NXT and should see if they have better prospects on RAW or SmackDown.
#2. Wes Lee is one of the most exciting stars in wrestling
Ricochet opted not to re-sign with WWE, so the void for a high-flying, athletic performer exists on the main roster.
Wes Lee fills that void and more, especially if the Rascalz somehow joined the company at some point following their recent crossover success. It seems like the former North American Champion has been in NXT forever, and to an extent, he has.
Despite a back injury that robbed Lee of nearly six months, he stormed back onto the scene and resumed his ability to steal the show. The former two-time NXT Tag Team Champion could be thrust into the title scene but he's more than ready to shine on the main roster.
#1. Trick Williams is the top face in NXT
While he could use more refining in the ring, Trick Williams could join RAW or SmackDown following SummerSlam. He lost the NXT Championship to Ethan Page without being pinned, protecting him to a degree.
It could have been done for a quick turnaround or because there is more to the story and money to be made in a face chasing a title. Should Page have a longer reign than expected, then Williams should move up to the main roster.
Fans already cheered for him before WrestleMania XL when he saved his former friend/ally Carmelo Hayes. That familiarity would allow Trick to transition easily to SmackDown or RAW. It would also free up other faces to move up the card.