5 times NXT Superstars have been called up during the WWE Draft

The 2021 WWE Draft begins this coming Friday Night during SmackDown on FOX.

As has been the case in recent years, the WWE Draft will take place across episodes of Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night RAW respectively.

There has been a lot of discussion online and on social media about the potential involvement of NXT 2.0 in this year's draft pool. The developmental brand has seen major changes over the last few weeks on USA Network.

Several weeks ago WWE presented the NXT 2.0 revamp show. The show debuted a new arena at the WWE Performance Center, in addition to new graphics, new characters, new music and a radically different overall presentation.

This is in-line with the reported new vision and ethos for NXT. It has been reported that the company is shifting away from signing wrestlers from the independent wrestling scene and focusing more on talent from athletic backgrounds such as the NFL, NBA, power lifting and body building.

With the major influx of new characters on NXT 2.0, it has led some to speculate that several NXT Superstars are set to be called up to the main roster very soon.

It has since been reported that NXT will be involved in the 2021 WWE Draft with several names being called up to RAW and SmackDown.

This won't be the first time that NXT Superstars have been called up to the main roster. Let's take a closer look at five times NXT Superstars have been called up during the WWE Draft.

---

#5. Nia Jax - drafted RAW (2016 WWE Draft)

In 2016, WWE's roster continued to expand and grow due to the success of NXT and the developmental system implemented by Triple H at the Performance Center.

With more names under contract than ever, it was announced that WWE would once again implement a Brand Extension. This meant that talent would become exclusive to either Monday Night RAW or SmackDown LIVE through a draft event.

The 2016 WWE Draft took place on the July 19 premiere of SmackDown LIVE on USA Network.

Selections for RAW were made by RAW commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley. Whereas selections for SmackDown LIVE were made by SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan.

In addition to main roster stars, NXT Superstars were also eligible to be drafted.

Therefore the twenty-fith overall pick, and final pick in the fifth round, was revealed to be none other than Nia Jax.

The irresistible force was a major player in NXT. Jax competed in memorable feuds against the likes of Bayley and Asuka for the NXT Women's Championship despite never winning the gold during her time in the developmental brand.

#4 Andrade "Cien" Almas - drafted to SmackDown LIVE (2018 WWE Superstar Shake-Up)

After the 2016 WWE Draft was implemented, WWE opted against running annual draft events.

Instead, the promotion decided to announce the WWE Superstar Shake-Up. The event saw rosters of both Monday Night RAW and SmackDown LIVE "shaken up" as superstars switched between the two brands.

The event took place across an episode of both RAW and SmackDown respectively after WrestleMania.

The WWE Superstar Shake-Up also saw several NXT Superstars make their main roster debuts, too.

One such name was former NXT Champion Andrade "Cien" Almas in 2018.

It was announced that Almas and his manager, Zelina Vega, were headed to the blue brand as part of the 2018 WWE Superstar Shake-Up after WrestleMania 34.

Almas was a stand out star in NXT, holding the NXT Championship for 140 days. During his time on the black and gold brand, Andrade competed in several match of the year candidates against the likes of Johnny Gargano, Drew McIntyre and Aleister Black.

---

#3 American Alpha - drafted to SmackDown LIVE (2016 WWE Draft)

In addition to singles superstars, NXT Tag Teams have also been called up to the WWE main roster during past drafts.

One such example is former NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha, who were called up to the WWE main roster during the 2016 WWE Draft.

The tag team of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable were selected by SmackDown LIVE's Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan in the fifth round as the twenty-second overall pick of the draft, bringing them to the blue brand.

American Alpha experienced major success in NXT. Gable and Jordan are former NXT Tag Team Champions and competed in famous matches against the likes of The Revival, The Authors of Pain and The Vaudevillains.

This success followed them to SmackDown LIVE as they captured the SmackDown Tag Team Championships in December 2016.

#2 Drew McIntyre - drafted to RAW (2018 WWE Superstar Shake-Up)

Drew McIntyre's return to the WWE main roster was cemented during the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up.

After a fairly successful seven-year run with the company, McIntyre was released by WWE in 2014. The former Intercontinental Champion had fallen down the card significantly and become largely a comedic act during this point in his career.

The Scottish Warrior took this in his stride though, as he re-built his name and reputation in various independent promotions. This led to McIntyre returning to WWE via the NXT brand in 2017. He experienced success incredibly quickly on the brand, winning the NXT Championship within months of his arrival.

McIntyre's return to WWE was officially complete when he returned to Monday Night RAW as part of the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up.

He was revealed as the bodyguard for Dolph Ziggler on Monday Night RAW after attacking Apollo Crews and Titus O'Neil.

---

#1 Finn Balor - drafted to RAW (2016 WWE Draft)

Arguably the biggest NXT call-up in WWE Draft history came during the 2016 WWE Draft.

With all NXT superstars being eligible for main roster selection, the fans were eager to see which stars would move to RAW or SmackDown from the black and gold brand.

Monday Night RAW commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley wasted no time in selecting a major NXT star.

They announced that the fifth and final pick of the first round of the 2016 WWE Draft was none other than former NXT Champion Finn Balor heading to Monday Night RAW.

At the time, Balor was arguably the greatest superstar in NXT history. The former New Japan wrestler carried the brand into its most successful years as a fully-fledged third WWE brand.

The pick was a major seal of approval for Balor's abilities and immediately told the audience that the Irish star was going to be a major player in WWE.