5 NXT Superstars who were destined to fail on the main roster

The introduction and phenomenal rise of NXT has changed the very face of WWE. Look up and down the Raw and SmackDown Live rosters now and you will likely find that a majority of the Superstars have plied their trade down in Full Sail.

Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor - all World Champions in WWE at some point during their careers all went through NXT before arriving on the main roster. What's more is those four names really are just the tip of the iceberg.

Coming up to WWE through NXT doesn't guarantee you greatness, however. Even being NXT Champion and loved by the fans in developmental doesn't necessarily mean you'll soar once you get the call-up.

Sometimes NXT alumni simply aren't destined to succeed on Raw or SmackDown Live and the five in this list prove that theory.

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#5 Apollo Crews

Apollo Crews gets set for Fatal 4 Way action

Apollo Crews showed a lot of promise when in NXT. An incredibly athletic Superstar, all he needed was a little bit of professional wrestling development, hence he was required to go through NXT.

Evidently, though, Vince McMahon caught a glimpse of what Apollo looked like and what he could do and simply couldn't resist. Crews was called up to the main roster in a decision that felt awfully rushed considering Apollo's ability at the time.

Ever since, that belief has been solidified. If given time in NXT, Crews could have thrived, flourished, and gone on to be a big money-making star in WWE. Instead, he's lucky if he even makes it on TV each week.

#4 The Ascension

The Ascension with the NXT Tag Team Championships

The Ascension are one of, if not the most successful tag team in the history of NXT. They were loved by the fans at Full Sail and to this day are the longest reigning Tag Team Champions in the brand's history.

When Konnor and Viktor came to the main roster though, they just didn't take off. It's unclear as to why exactly fans were disinterested in them outside of NXT, but it may have something to do with their gimmick being dangerously close to that of The Road Warriors.

Nowadays, The Ascension are less of a dominant force and more of a comedy act. Their role on SmackDown Live right now is effectively to act as sidekicks to Breezango during their Fashion Files segments. Maybe it's time for them to return to developmental.

#3 Austin Aries

Austin Aries challenging Neville for the Cruiserweight Championship

When you look at the pedigree Austin Aries has in the pro wrestling business, then it's hard to not imagine that he was quite a coup for WWE. A former Ring Of Honor and TNA World Champion with almost 20 years in the business, Aries' work in NXT reflected that.

While he didn't quite make it to the upper echelons of the NXT Championship picture, he almost certainly would have had he not been sidelined via an impromptu injury.

Rather than returning Austin to NXT once his broken orbital socket had healed they prematurely threw him in the main roster on 205 Live. Aries may be the size of a cruiserweight, but in reality he is so much more than that.

Being confined to WWE's purple brand was never going to be enough for A-Double.

#2 Bo Dallas

Bo Dallas

Bo Dallas is treated as little more than a joke on Raw each week. From his Bo-lieve gimmick, to his current place in The Miztourage, considering he's a third-generation Superstar, things aren't exactly that great for Bo.

Those of you who don't watch NXT may not realise how strong a start Dallas had to his WWE career. While at Full Sail, Bo was actually NXT Champion, an honor not afforded to many thus far, although it just goes to show that even being NXT Champion doesn't guarantee you success.

There is one thing that could shoot Bo up the roster in no time at all, and that's an angle involving his real-life brother Bray Wyatt. Maybe WWE are keeping it in their back pocket, or maybe they aren't planning on utilising that at all.

#1 Tyler Breeze

Tyler Breeze

There is probably no act on the main roster right now that has left long-term NXT fans scratching their heads more so than Tyler Breeze. The SmackDown Live Superstar is incredibly talented yet hasn't been given the chance to shine on the main roster.

There is a rumour as to why that is exactly. Apparently shortly after Tyler was first called up from NXT, he requested to leave an episode of Raw early. That's a big no-no, especially for someone as new as Tyler, and it has hindered him ever since.

The good news is that Breeze didn't simply turn tail and leave. He and Fandango were given what is effectively a joke gimmick in Breezango, and are truly making the most of it right now on SmackDown Live.