The Motor City Machine Guns & 3 other RAW and SmackDown stars who could move to NXT during the WWE Transfer Window
Ahead of WWE RAW's highly anticipated Netflix debut, fans have been witnessing a variety of exciting shake-ups. The 'Transfer Window' policy is the latest example of that.
With the General Managers of all three shows collaborating to decide which stars get to move across brands, the possibilities are limitless. NXT's involvement in this program could indicate a few call-ups. Fans of the developmental brand can also expect main roster stars to move to Tuesday nights in the near future.
That said, here is a list of five WWE main roster stars who might move to NXT while the Transfer Window is open.
#5. Otis
It's no less than a remarkable feat for a wrestler to remain uber-popular with the WWE Universe despite undergoing start-and-stop pushes. Otis happens to be one such specimen.
After losing most of his momentum by the end of 2020, it looked like Otis might never become as popular as he was in the first few months of the year. However, his time with the Alpha Academy proved that wrong. By the summer of 2024, the beloved Dozer once again had the crowds going crazy for him. However, the lack of a satisfactory conclusion to his friendship-turned-rivalry with Chad Gable cooled him down yet again.
A temporary move to NXT could do wonders for Otis. Given how the men's division is lacking in star power, the former Mr. Money in the Bank would be a credible addition to that department. In addition to challenging for either title, he could propel his babyface stocks even higher by using his Alpha Academy experience to help rebuild Chase U.
#4. Santos Escobar
Ever since the culmination of his rivalry with Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar hasn't been a force to reckon with on WWE SmackDown. That's unfortunate, given how gifted he is in the ring.
At this point in his career, a short stint in NXT could be the right move for the Legado leader. For those unaware, he made an instant impact upon his NXT arrival back in the spring of 2020. He won his first WWE tournament to become the Cruiserweight Champion and emerged as a highlight of the brand at a time when stars such as Finn Balor, The Undisputed Era, Karrion Kross & Pat McAfee were the prime players.
So, Escobar could utilize the flexibility of the 'Transfer Window,' trust his stablemates to hold down the fort on the blue brand and head back to NXT to regain his credibility. Maybe he could do recruiting for Legado Del Fantasma while he's down there.
#3. Blair Davenport
In the words of the legendary Triple H, WWE is on fire right now. One of the main reasons behind that is the abundance of insanely popular stars in the midcard and main-event divisions.
Given how stacked the RAW and SmackDown rosters are, it's understandable that certain talented stars wouldn't be utilized to the best of their potential. Blair Davenport happens to be a casualty of that fact. So far, she has been a non-factor on SmackDown.
Given the health of the current RAW and SmackDown women's rosters, coupled with the impending returns of Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Jade Cargill, it's unlikely that Davenport will achieve upward mobility. So, a return to NXT and playing the antagonist to mega-popular babyfaces such as Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria & possibly Jordynne Grace, could keep the Stardom alum busy.
#2. and #1. Former WWE Tag Team Champions, The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley)
The Motor City Machine Guns' addition to SmackDown's tag-team scene provided the division with the shot in the arm it desperately needed.
They've already wrestled DIY, The Bloodline, The Street Profits & more. In fact, the celebrated tag-team revolutionaries became the WWE Tag Team Champions in their third match in the company. They ended up dropping the titles a little over a month later, and are currently involved in a three-way storyline featuring DIY and The Street Profits.
Once Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley wrap up their business with the aforementioned teams, WWE should consider moving them to NXT through the 'Transfer Window.' The sea of knowledge these veterans boast could greatly benefit the established and budding duos on WWE's developmental show.