5 Most underrated NXT Superstars right now

The future is now with NXT. A few years ago no one would have thought that a brand named NXT will have such a significant impact on the wrestling landscape. The revamped FCW just did that, it took over the WWE fanbase.

NXT is not a mere developmental brand of WWE. It is recognized as the best brand of the company by many hardcore wrestling fans. With top-notch indie darlings joining the yellow brand to captivating storylines that are able to satisfy most of the fanbase, NXT has become a phenomenon. Fans all around the globe compare NXT TakeOver events with main roster pay-per-views and find the quality of matches better in NXT.

People have praised Triple H and the WWE for converting NXT from a nonsense reality show to a wrestling bonanza. Independent wrestling Superstars such as Adam Cole, Ricochet, Matt Riddle, Keith Lee and Samoa Joe have brought a whole new audience for the WWE with them and the recent opening of NXT UK will bring a whole new British fanbase for the company. The recent signing of WALTER has created a buzz in the British wrestling scene.

But not all the Superstars make it to the top real quick. Some of them get lost in the shuffle and it's not easy to come back from that limbo. NXT has produced a lot of Superstars including Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Big E, but there are still a bunch of Superstars you might not be aware of or might not have noticed that much in the yellow brand but they deserve your attention.

They have not reached their full potential and if given a chance they will become the future of the company. So we've got you covered with five of the most underrated Superstars that are yet to shine on NXT TV.

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#1 Marcel Barthel

Marcel Barthel wrestled as Axel Dieter Jr in the independent circuit and was a member of Ringkampf

Marcel Barthel is a German wrestler best known for his work in the independent circuit as Axel Dieter Jr. He wrestled for wXw and Progress Wrestling among others and was a member of Ringkampf along with WALTER and Timothy Thatcher. Alexander Wolfe of Sanity was also a part of this stable before leaving for NXT.

Barthel is a technically sound wrestler who has been praised for his wrestling skills by the critics and fan alike. He joined NXT in June 2017 under his real name but he was not able to make a big impact on the audience watching him for the first time.

He went on to lose various matches to the likes of Keith Lee and EC3 among others but things look better since the formation of European Union with Fabian Aichner and a Ringkampf tease segment with WALTER.

#2 Fabian Aichner

The former Evolve Champion is a total package of power, agility and technique

Although he didn't make much of a mark during his debut in the Cruiserweight Classic tournament, the former Evolve champion got everyone's attention when he first came to NXT. A total package of power and agility, he still took a loss to Kassius Ohno in his NXT debut.

Aichner has a lot of potential and like I mentioned earlier about his tag team partner, this alliance looks like a good sign for Fabian Aichner. Although he looks like that generic dude from the WWE 2K games, the first time I saw him wrestle I was really impressed and if given the proper push at the right time this wrestler can do wonders in the main roster.

#3 Aliyah

She's been around for quite some time but is yet to leave a mark on the NXT Universe

Aliyah joined the yellow brand on March 2015 with an Arabian gimmick dealing with a bunch of losses. She later changed her ring gear and gimmick, turned face and got a few victories until being shoved back to the back of the queue.

In a recent episode of NXT, Aliyah won a match after a long time with the help of Vanessa Borne. Aliyah has a lot of potential and with a little bit of grooming she can fit the roles as both face and heel with precision.

She is a talented in-ring competitor, I loved the way she finished her latest televised match against Taynara Conti. I think she needs to find the right gimmick to get over with the WWE fans. There is still time for her to strike the right balance between her in-ring persona and her wrestling style.

#4 Dakota Kai

The Captain of Team Kick should have already been in the NXT women's title picture.

Dakota Kai is one of my favorite wrestlers. She has a captivating presence, a unique move set and an awesome finisher. Dakota Kai made an impact in the inaugural Mae Young Classic Tournament but is still not able to shine to her full potential in NXT.

I think she should've already been in the title picture, I hope she becomes NXT Women's Champion soon. Her angle with the current NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler was interesting and could have gone a little longer and the underdog Kai coming on top defying all odds would have been a feel-good movement for the NXT Universe.

Many people have compared her to Bayley but I hope she does better than Bayley once she gets to the main roster. She recently sustained an injury which will keep her out of competition for a few months.

#5 Punishment Martinez

His blend of styles and huge size makes him one of a kind

Wrestling fans must be aware of the ROH run of Punishment Martinez because there was a huge buzz about his NXT signing. His ROH run saw him become a World Television Champion and also a Survival of the Fittest Tournament victory in 2017.

The buzz was shattered down when Martinez took a loss in his debut to another fan favorite Matt Riddle. Many people think his momentum is derailed but he has plenty of time to be the star of NXT and with his size, unique move set and his crazy agility, he deserves to be a champion in NXT.

I was really happy that the WWE allowed him to use his Punishment Martinez ring name and persona. If he is built up slowly the way he was in Ring of Honor (ROH) he can be a household name within the WWE fanbase.