5 Superstars who debuted on the main roster while being Champion in NXT

#2 Kevin Owens (NXT Champion)

This is a moment fans will never forget

Kevin Owens shocked the wrestling world when he defeated John Cena in his very first match on the main roster at Elimination Chamber. A veteran of the independent circuit, Owens signed with WWE in August 2012. Owens made his debut at NXT Takeover: R Evolution on December 2014 where he defeated CJ Parker (Juice Robinson).

Following the show's main event which saw Owen's long-time friend and former tag team partner Sami Zayn win the NXT Championship from Neville, Owens would brutally attack Zayn, laying him out with a powerbomb on the ring apron. Owens would defeat Zayn and capture the NXT Championship two months later at NXT Takeover: Rival.

Owens made his main roster debut on the May 18, 2015, episode of RAW when he answered John Cena's US Open Challenge. But, instead of competing in a match, Owens attacked Cena and stomped on the US Title and even mocked Cena's ' You Can't See Me' hand gesture. The two would meet at Elimination Chamber in a ' Champion Vs Champion' Match which Owens won.

Owen's win over Cena was a momentous occasion as it brought to light that an NXT Superstar can go toe-to-toe with a main roster star. It also helped break the myth that Cena was someone who always buried young, upcoming Superstars.

Owens even defended the NXT Championship on the main roster as part of his 'NXT Championship Open Challenge' which helped attraction to NXT.