5-to-shine: Predicting the next 5 NXT Superstars to move up to the main roster

There are many reasons why every WWE fan should be excited and happy to be witnessing the current era of professional wrestling. Never before has the talent pool been stocked with so many talented athletes. There are so many intricate, moving parts that make this wild ride run so effectively, with the primary component being the men and women of the WWE and NXT.

NXT was once simply thought of as the farm system for WWE's main roster. However, the yellow squad has become much more than just a developmental brand. In fact, NXT has produced some moments which rival other professional promotions, including the parent company- WWE.

As the landscape of professional wrestling continues to evolve, so too does the stars of both NXT and WWE. It has never been this exciting to watch as NXT's stars of tomorrow compete to earn the right to get called up to one of the main rosters, be it Smackdown Live or RAW. There are plenty of talented men and women in Orlando, who are giving NXT all they have, in hopes of being the next Superstar called to the dance.

Here's a look at 5 NXT Superstars who could be the next in line to make the leap to one of WWE's main rosters.

#5 War Raiders

Hanson and Rowe first met as foes at the 2014 Ring of Honor Top Prospect Tournament. It was Hanson who would eventually win that particular tournament by defeating his future partner, Ray Rowe.

Since becoming tag team partners, Hanson and Rowe have dominated at every opportunity. From ROH to NJPW, and all independent promotions in between, what was then known as "War Machine," has done it all.

Now with NXT, The War Raiders have shown already that they are more than capable of succeeding in the WWE system. While most normal duos may spend years in the developmental system, The War Raiders are not your "normal' duo.

#4 Aleister Black

Enter captio — Watching everything fade-to-black...

Aleister Black was a global star long before ever stepping foot into a WWE ring. Known all throughout Europe as "Tommy End," he had established himself as a proven champion with over a decade of notable, professional experience to his credit.

When he arrived in NXT, the fans were immediately drawn to his undeniable in-ring superiority and his overall skill level which he demonstrated flawlessly from the very beginning.

While he's only been with NXT for roughly two years, Black has already proven that he has the goods to not only survive at the top but to excel and likely compete for a championship very quickly.

#3 Ricochet

Ricochet made his NXT debut as quite possibly one of the most hyped and anticipated free agents to ever sign a WWE contract. While he had been on WWE's radar for quite some time, there was still that doubt looming which suggested that Ricochet may very well be content as he was, which was a top-tier independent star.

Thankfully, Ricochet made his way to the table and signed his WWE contract. Once he made his in-ring debut, it appeared as if he was at home in NXT and that he had never missed a beat.

Ricochet is a 5-star caliber athlete who performs consistently at the very top. It is important that WWE officials do whatever they can, within means, to keep this guy happy as a WWE Superstar.

#2 The Undisputed Era

Ent — This is not your average group of indie darlings!

If you look back at the past several years, one thing that has become incredibly obvious is the fact that WWE officials have truly signed some of the best talent in the entire industry. The signing of Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, and Bobby Fish was just an example of how deep the collective corporate pockets are within the company and that they are willing to go after the best wrestlers on the planet.

There is also a decision that will have to be made as well, in regards to the future of this highly talented stable. That decision centers around Roderick Strong. Will the entire group remain together as they make the move to the main roster, or will Roddy be left behind? While Strong is a very solid performer, he certainly lacks that excitable "wow factor" that is needed for survival at the top. Roderick is definitely better with the group than without.

At the end of the day, The Undisputed Era is more than capable of not only surviving but in fact, thriving at the top of WWE's mountain. Personally, I believe all four will move to one of the main rosters together, but will eventually get dismantled at the next Superstar Shake-up. Regardless, there's a lot of money on the table for these guys.

#1 EC3

EC3 has evolved throughout his career, into one of the complete performers in the entire world. His skill level is far beyond most of his Impact Wrestling opponents. In fact, the gap was widening within Impact, between top-tier stars and the rest of the pack, so much so that the product was becoming nearly unbearable to watch. With that said, EC3 was certainly one of the few Impact stars worth writing home about.

When EC3 was spotted by WWE cameras at NXT Takeover: New Orleans, fans immediately erupted into one of the biggest pops of the evening. Everyone knew we had captured one of the biggest fish in the industry.

While EC3 has only competed in an NXT ring for a short time now, it has become very obvious that he stands out amongst most of his peers as one of the more seasoned and accomplished stars on the roster. His career thus far has been a catalyst to get him back to this point, as a top-tier NXT Superstar who is ready to become a top star on the main roster. The future could be very exciting for this guy.

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Edited by Shruti Sadbhav