Since taking over the developmental side of World Wrestling Entertainment, Paul "Triple H" Leveque has shattered many old codes that existed within the company and diversified his talent signings by all metrics of gender, size, speed, athletic ability, and looks.
The talent alone that has come through his crown jewel of NXT is astonishing when fully thought about:
-Former TNA stars and World Champions Bobby Roode, Austin Aries, and Eric Young
-Ember Moon
-Samoa Joe
-Shinsuke Nakamura
-Hideo Itami
-Asuka
-Roderick Strong
-Sami Zayn
-Finn Balor
-Kevin Owens
-The Wyatt Family
-Johnny Gargano
-Tomasso Ciampa
And that isn't even including former NXT alumni such as Xavier Woods, Big E, Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady, Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Bayley just to name a few.
What was a regionally run outfit has now hit major markets on a regular basis and sold out arenas in California, New York, LA, The United Kingdom and many more. It is no hyperbole that NXT is the hottest brand within WWE going today.
However there is something just as important and vital to not only the long-term growth of both the brand and WWE's main roster:
The Performance Center and homegrown talent
In addition to scouring the world for the best talent to bring into the fold, Triple H oversaw the creation of the Performance Center with the idea to give every talent the very best facility to learn and grow in. Everything is at their disposal and it really is up to them how far they go and develop.
There are well over 100 recruits many fans likely don't even realize are currently plying their trade and working towards the goal of visibility on NXT television and live event touring. Many of them are doing so right now in Florida every weekend. Those who have caught on have recently started to pop up on TV and carve out their own niche.
Some have just now started to draw attention to themselves while others left an unforgettable impact the second they walked into Full Sail University.
In no particular order I offer my top Five NXT Prospects; the men and women I believe have a bright future and will go far on their journey.
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No Way Jose
Positive thinkers rightfully encourage everyone that nothing in life is impossible.
That said, it may be darn well impossible not to get swept up in the fiesta No Way Jose has brought into NXT since his arrival. His good time vibrations and sunny disposition are both infectious in the best ways possible.
Perhaps best of all is that Jose has shown us that having a good time and taking care of business do not have to be mutually exclusive. In his debut victory over Alexander Wolfe on April 20, Jose danced, smiled, and delivered high impact offense that captivated the audience like few had previously.
Fiesta fever caught like wild fire and nothing seemed capable of slowing it down. Jose would go on to amass an impressive win streak in the ensuing weeks, each time bringing the crowd to its feet and having more fun than perhaps should be legally allowed.
However, those who were foolish enough to believe there was no further substance behind Jose's happy go lucky demeanor were in for a surprise.
The self-professed "Greatest Man That Ever Lived" Austin Aries found this out the hard way.
Coming off a loss to Shinsuke Nakamura at Takeover: The End, Aries was left wondering where to go from there when Jose approached him with some uplifting advice on how to stay positive and that if he incorporated a good time into his game plan, he would be all set.
Following another Jose victory, Aries would come down to the ring and seemingly embrace Jose's message. An impromptu dance sessions kicked off and went all the way to the announce booth, onto the table itself.
It was then Aries' true colors were revealed, his black heart on full display.
A sucker punch is all it took to rain on the proverbial parade. A Last Chancery on the ramp way only served to rub salt into the wounds.
Aries may have thought he successfully used Jose as a stepping stone to ignite his NXT tenure but all he did was awaken an intensity inside him that few believed he had.
A few weeks later Jose would return and beat Aries from pillar to post; so much that A Double would resort to escaping through the crowd to avoid Jose's wrath. The look in Jose's eyes told the whole story: mistaking his happy demeanor for weakness wasn't a mistaken you wanted to make twice.
Aries would also represent Jose's first real test in competition and many wondered if the new sensation would be able to keep up with the man who ended the record ROH and TNA World Championship reigns of Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode respectively.
The answer would be a resounding yes. Once the bell rang, Jose was all business and more than had Aries on the ropes throughout the opening contest of Takeover: Brooklyn II
While Aries would go on to pick up the submission victory, many's eyes were opened to just what Jose was capable of and what a bright future he has.
Since that night in August, Jose has collected several more wins including a first round victory in the 2016 edition of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Rich Swann over the dangerous combination of Tony Neese and Drew Gulak.
The likes of Bobby Roode and Eric Young have also been taken to the limit and had to really earn their respective wins over Jose.
Going forward, No Way Jose has all the tools to make a long-term impact in NXT and eventually Raw or Smackdown. His colorful personality makes him memorable and easy to connect with while his wrestling abilities improve each time he steps into the ring. If he can stay healthy there is no reason why 2017 won't see great progression and just maybe a championship or two.
Want to doubt him? He'll just smile and tell you NO WAY JOSE!
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The Authors of Pain
"Precious" Paul Ellering is no stranger to being the mastermind behind destructive forces.
Nearly every long time fan is well aware of the course of broken bones and championships he charted for the Road Warriors in the AWA and NWA. Hawk and Animal tore into the ring and left anyone with a pulse laid to waste and considering different profession. Behind all the mayhem was the brains of the operation who knew exactly what he was doing.
Fast forward to 2016 and Ellering has once again unleashed a tandem so dangerous that it is a wonder even he can harness it, mold it, and turn it into an unbeatable machine.
At Takeover: The End fans were on the edge of their seats as The Revival took on then-NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha in another instant classic of their rivalry. After Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder reclaimed the titles, becoming the first ever two-time champions of any division in NXT, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable picked themselves up to applause and respect from the crowd.
Without warning, the NXT tag team division was turned onto its head and really has not recovered since.
The monsters that would come to be known as Akam and Rezar hit the ring, not unlike the Road Warriors, and proceeded to decimate Alpha in short order. As fans couldn't believe their eyes, out walked Ellering to reveal himself as the guiding force behind the carnage.
It's only gotten worse and more painful for those unfortunate enough to be placed in the Authors' path. They have been like lambs being led to slaughter of the most brutal, unsettling variety.
Very few teams have been able to make a single dent into their armor and all have wound up having their Final Chapter written for them. All the while Precious Paul has stood by like a proud father knowing exactly the heights he plans on bringing the AoP to.
At first Ellering offered little insight into their motivation and goals. He was content on sending a message to all NXT tag teams and viewers alike that this was a nightmare taking place while awake and there was no avoiding the inevitable misery and suffering.
Recently however the message has become crystal clear. Amid the trail of bodes lies the NXT Tag Team Championships and whatever it takes to get there.
A major step towards that goal was taken in November via the prestigious Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The Authors were immediately entered and there was no doubt they were considered heavy favorites to go all the way.
In the opening round they tossed around and defeated The Bollywood Boys as if they were yesterday's trash. Harv and Gurv Sirha are very talented and did compete in the Crusierweight Classic but were no match for Ellering's disciples.
#DIY of Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa were a bit more formidable competition in the second round and were able to be one of only three teams to take the Authors off their feet multiple times. In fact, some argue had it not been for Ellering and The Revival they may have been the first team to serve AoP their first defeat. That wasn't the case however and even with the pair of assists, The Authors were still able to dish out their brand of dominance en route to victory.
At Takeover: Toronto AoP stood across the ring from TM61 the first team to really give them any sign of trouble back in August. Nick Miller and Shane Thorne made a career out of taking down the biggest of threats during their award winning stint in Pro Wrestling NOAH and weren't going to be intimidated by the sheer size of Akam and Razar. To help matters, Ellering was placed above the ring in a crash cage to ensure a fair contest.
The match itself was a beautiful blend of styles. The Authors' brute force up against TM's dazzling speed and caution to the wind high risks. Thorne went as far as to climb the structure holding Ellering's cage and somersault off it with no regard for anyone's well being.
Ellering would attempt to toss a chain down to his men but even that going a bit awry wasn't enough to derail them; for both TM61 and the Dusty Classic, their final chapter would be written like so many before them.
All signs now point to The Authors aiming to add the NXT Tag Team Championships to their collection. On that same night in Toronto, DIY fulfilled a dream by finally toppling The Revival and taking home the gold. If/When these two teams meet again, it should prove to be memorable.
The scariest fact of all? The Authors of Pain are only going to get better as time goes on. While massive in size, they don't lumber around the ring like clueless oafs. While only shown in glimpses, their athletic prowess is very impressive for a team so new to the world of wrestling. Outside of the ring their credentials ring even more notable.
Akam was a standout collegiate wrestler on an Olympic level, nearly qualifying for the 2012 games and being considered a prospect for 2016 before choosing to sign with NXT. Rezar compiled an MMA record of 5-2 competing internationally.
Combine their abilities with the devious mind of Paul Ellering and it is clear much more will be written by the trio in the future. Mainly the obituaries of their opposition. Teams on Raw and Smackdown should be paying close attention..
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Daria Berenato
For many the 2015 return of Tough Enough left much to be desired of presentation and connecting with many of the contestants. However it can, and will be, argued that the talent pool selected to continue on despite losing the competition has a ton of potential for the future.
The one that stands out the most in my view is Daria Berenato.
Berenato is full of confidence and it was evident on TE that she knew exactly who she was and who she wanted to be seen as out the gate. Coming from an MMA and American Judoka, the "Jersey Devil" went full tilt in whatever was thrown the contestants' way. While she wound up being the third one eliminated she obviously left a lasting impression and would soon to be signed to NXT.
Plying her trade on local live events, Berenato, sporting her MMA inspired gear and attitude to match, would display a knack for twisting opponents into pretzels and landing quick strikes in the blink of an eye. Even in defeat, she proved to be someone to take notice of and to reckon with.
It wouldn't be long before Full Sail University got their first look at what she has to offer.
On August 17, she would be paired with Alexa Bliss and Mandy Rose against the trio of Carmella, Liv Morgan, and Nikki Glencross. Despite the personality clash between the no-nonsense Berenato and the vocal and bombastic Bliss and Rose, Daria quickly put her unique offense to work and show she can punish people in various ways.
Despite her team coming out on the losing end, Berenato stood out as a future threat to the entire NXT Women's Division.
Perhaps noting her penchant for pain, the next time we would see Daria came when the newest resident Mean Girls of NXT Peyton Royce and Billie Kaye recruited her in their ongoing rivalry with Morgan, Aliyah, and Ember Moon.
Though she encountered another clash of moods, Berenato accepted the offer mainly because she was guaranteed the opportunity to beat people up.
Unfortunately while she did get to do just that on November 23, Berenato would find herself abandoned by her partners who no longer seemed interested in facing their rivals. Ember Moon would hit the eclipse en route to her team's victory.
Despite the losses, Berenato has shown she can definitely handle herself inside a squared circle. She just may need to switch her focus to singles action where she wouldn't have to worry about the other women getting in her way or running off the second the going gets tough. Her style of wrestling isn't something many of her opposition can readily prepare for and she has many ways of taking them onto the mat for either submissions or ground and pound.
If her focus were to be solely on herself, there may be no limit as to what she can attain. A few impressive victories strung together and suddenly the likes of Asuka may be looking over their shoulders a bit more. The pieces of the puzzle are all there and when Berenato puts them together, she will be a one woman wrecking crew. She has tremendous upside and I look forward to seeing how she progresses.
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Liv Morgan
Representing the 201 out of Jersey comes a fireball named Liv Morgan.
Not short on drive and spunk, she burst onto the NXT scene in 2015 briefly using the name Marley in a losing effort to Eva Marie.
As is the case with any rookie, Morgan has suffered her fair share of losses early on (to the likes of Nia Jax and Emma) but there is no mistaking that each subsequent match has seen noted improvement from the Jersey Girl Next Door.
As previously mentioned, she picked up a win with Glencross and Caremella against Daria, Bliss, and Mandy, Her quickness and bursts of athletic offense made for an exciting combination.
Her singles career also took off as she strung together wins over Aliyah and Rachel Fazio and found herself challenging the one and only Asuka for the NXT Women's Championship.
While Asuka went on to make quick work of Morgan and add her to her ever growing list of conquests, the very fact Liv had the confidence to even make the challenge told you everything you needed to know about her character. As her Twitter handle says, "You only Liv once" and there wasn't a chance she would let a title opportunity sit as a "what if?" in her life.
You know you're doing something right when others start to harass you and that is exactly what Peyton Royce and Billie Kaye began to do right after the Asuka loss. Not only would they mock her as trainers tended to her, they would also attack her backstage and drag her out onto the ramp, declaring the women's division now belonged to them.
Undaunted, Morgan would keep her swagger intact and take the right to the latest bullies of NXT. The numbers game seemed to be the only advantage Kaye and Royce had over her.
After several more weeks of back and forth encounters, including Morgan helping Aliyah gain a victory over Royce, the feud wound up including Ember Moon and Daria Berenato and setting up a big six woman tag team match on the 11/23 edition of NXT.
It was there Morgan really shined. Each maneuver was executed with a crispness unseen previously and the Aussie duo didn't know how to react to someone standing up to them even with an MMA badass on their side.
In the end they chose to abandon Berenato leaving her easy prey to Ember Moon's eclipse. By walking away, Royce and Kaye essentially acknowledged Liv Morgan is a threat to them and their quest for power and gold in the division. They still have sins unanswered for and Liv is ready as can be to dole out Jersey justice.
The future looks extremely bright for Morgan. In addition to her burgeoning skill set, she is instantly relatable to a good portion of the fans. They can picture themselves hanging out with her grabbing a slice of pizza and taking in an action movie. That type of down to earth personality makes it very easy to get behind and root for her as she continues to climb the ranks.
New Jersey is often a punchline for many things but I believe before it's all said and done, Liv Morgan will have proven herself to be no joke.
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SAnitY
If Paul Ellering's masterminding of The Authors Of Pain is genius, what is one to make of Eric Young bringing SAnitY to NXT?
Back on May 4, Young appeared out of the blue to put NXT Champion Samoa Joe on notice as well as take him to the limit in that evening's main event. Many were abuzz about the former TNA Grand Slam champion being inside the NXT arena and wondered what the future would hold.
For the longest time, it appeared nothing would be the answer. EY vanished without a trace or mention for months on end.
Meanwhile mysterious vignettes began popping up promising the arrival of an entity known as SAnityY Little was known about what that meant for NXT.. When the answer finally arrived, it was truly frightening for everyone on the outside of this demented quartet.
With no knowledge of who was behind the group, they were announced as taking part of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and taking on the duo of Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger.
Upon arrival it was revealed two members would be Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe; both had previously competed on NXT TV and although each gave their opponents all they could handle, victories were hard to come by.
But this wasn't the same two men we had seen prior. Escorted by two hooded stablemates, there was an aura of crazy surrounding them. As they beat on Dillinger, Roode opted to walk off rather than be a fellow recipient of the mauling.
Once victory was secured, the other two members wasted no time in revealing themselves to be Nikki Cross and Young as their leader.
Wins and losses don't seem to be the primary goal of this group of droogs however. In fact, nobody seems to be quite sure what their endgame is. The only insight offered was a cryptic statement given by Young on the 11/23 edition of NXT.
He and his followers had already interrupted the opening match between Rich Swann and Kona Reeves for the sole purpose of obliterating them; mission accomplished in that regard. With a crazed look in his eyes but his mind's gears fully operating, EY shouted that the world was hanging on by a thread and thus they wouldn't be asking but taking.
The carnage left behind meant the message was received loud and clear. Especially by No Way Jose who took umbrage with his good friend and Dusty Classic partner being a victim of the assault. He challenged Young to face him which he did the following week.
Jose put up a great fight but the numbers game proved to be too much for him and Young emerged victorious. Afterward SAnitY would administer a beat down of Jose to further make their intentions clear.
There is little doubt the male portion of the group are not be taken lightly or even confronted when out in full force.
But the most deranged and dangerous members may very well be Nikki Cross. Her stunning transformation since linking up with Young and company still has many shocked beyond belief.
Cross seemed harmless enough when she debuted in NXT on August 17 in a winning effort with Carmella and Liv Morgan against Alexa Bliss, Mandy Rose, and Daria Berenato. She came into the match with a wealth of experience both in the US and abroad and seemed just happy to have the opportunity to wow the NXT Universe.
Little did anyone know the dark side that lurked within. Now that it has been unlocked, the NXT Women's Division has to stand up and take notice.
Though to date she has only competed in one singles match, Cross left a lasting impression on Danielle Kamela and everyone else who witnessed the carnage.
Cross dominated from the opening bell and quickly finished her opponent off with a vicious spinning fisherman's suplex/brainbuster combination. She wasn't satisfied with a victory though and continued beating on her downed foe; not even her SAnitY brethren could control her. She didn't seem to care one iota when the referee reversed his decision and awarded Kamela the match vis disqualification. Rather she was more upset her wave of violence was interrupted.
It is fear everyone in NXT must have when it comes to SAnitY. The operate within their own code and work as a well oiled machine. They are just getting started and no end appears to be in sight. I imagine those on Raw and Smackdown breathe a sigh of relief they aren't targets.. YET. Keep your eyes wide open whenever they strike and your head on swivel. Pray you even have a head left when it's all said and done..
That will do it for this special look at NXT. Feel free to share your thoughts on who you think are the top 5 prospects! Thanks for reading and always look on the Bright Side!!
