4 Former NXT Superstars who could follow Finn Balor back to the brand 

Nearly every WWE fan was shocked after watching this week's NXT episode. Finn Balor returned "home" after leaving NXT three years ago. Balor was one of the six NXT Superstars drafted to the main roster in the 2016 WWE Draft. Since then, he has been competing on the main roster, winning major matches and becoming both Universal and Intercontinental Champion. A sudden NXT return was never expected.

Balor took a two month sabbatical from the company after losing to The Fiend at SummerSlam, but was expected to return soon to either RAW or SmackDown. Instead, WWE sent him to the Black and Gold Brand.

Dave Meltzer is reporting that Balor is now expected to stay in NXT full-time. This transition isn't limited to Balor exclusively, as NXT may also bring back various other Superstars.

With all that in mind, here are four main roster WWE Superstars who could follow Finn Balor back to NXT.

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#4 Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn could return to NXT.

Sami Zayn is one of the greatest NXT Superstars of all time. He was the top babyface during his run on the brand. His storylines were tremendous, and his matches were exceptional to watch. Fans connected with Zayn and believed him to be destined for stardom on the main roster. Things didn't work out that way.

Its been nearly four years since Zayn has arrived on the main roster, but he has not yet won a title. While Zayn has had some fantastic matches, his time on the main roster can only be described as subpar.

Think of the potential feuds. Sami Zayn vs Velveteen Dream, or Sami Zayn vs Johnny Gargano could be absolutely stellar. Where would a heel Sami Zayn fit into the NXT landscape? A return to NXT could help Zayn re-establish himself as a top-tier Superstar.

#3 Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre could return to NXT.

Most fans remember Drew McIntyre's previous WWE run. After WWE made several attempts to push 'The Scottish Psychopath' to main event status, McIntyre simply failed to grab the brass ring. Soon, the company released him from his contract, and he went on to make a name of himself in other promotions. WWE brought him back to NXT in 2017, where he became the NXT Champion in a few short months. He was called-up to the main roster the following year.

When McIntyre arrived on the main roster, it seemed that he was about to get a massive push. Once again there were rumblings that everyone backstage was a fan, but just like many other NXT Superstars, McIntyre failed to crack the main event scene. A return to NXT could help to re-establish McIntyre as a true main event player.

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#2 Ricochet

Ricochet could return to NXT.

Ricochet is another massive independent star who is having a good run with the company, however, it should also be remembered that he put on some of his best bouts at NXT Takeovers. He even won the NXT North American Title during his time with the brand. After being called to the main roster, Ricochet continued his run of stellar bouts, first while teaming with Aleister Black and then as a singles star. His momentum, however, seems to have come to a stall.

There were rumors that the new executive director of RAW Paul Heyman has been very high on Ricochet and wants to push him. Then Ricochet won the United States Title at the WWE Stomping Grounds pay-per-view, only to lose it at WWE Extreme Rules to AJ Styles. Since then there hasn't been much for the RAW Superstar.

There could be more for Ricochet on the main roster, or he could stay stuck on the mid-card like many of his other NXT counterparts. It's probably best for him to follow Finn Balor to NXT where he will be an instant main event player.

#1 Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens could return to NXT.

Considering every main roster Superstar that might follow Balor back to NXT, Kevin Owens' name stands alone at the top of this list. WWE has the perfect storyline opportunity to move Owens. He will face Shane McMahon on tonight's SmackDown FOX premiere, with the loser of the match being forced to leave the company. Could Owens lose to McMahon, only to find his way back to NXT? SmackDown's loss could be NXT's gain.

Owens was wildly successful in NXT, and although he's had his moments on the main roster, he has failed to capture the same magic. Rumors suggest that Owens is expected to go back to NXT, but to the contrary other rumors also suggest that Owens will win this match, so that Shane McMahon could be written off television. Fans will have to tune in to tonight's premiere to find out exactly what will happen, but a Kevin Owens loss could be a good indicator that he is heading back to NXT.