5 Wrestlers once signed to NXT who have flourished elsewhere

#1: EC3

EC3 was one of the main-event players during his tenure in Impact.

He was the top 1% in Impact and he brought that back to NXT. Only this time, he was much more famous. Once he left in 2013, EC3 debuted in Impact as the nephew of Dixie Carter. His storyline was that of a pampered, spoiled nephew who got away with practically everything due to his last name.

It's not unlike the children of politicians or famous athletes who get away with things us normal folks don't because we don't have the right surname. While he was in Impact, he was treated like a huge star.

And for a good portion of his run, he delivered like a huge star should. He was given huge victories over Impact legends like Kurt Angle and Sting and he even won the TNA Heavyweight Championship from Angle.

He also had big feuds with the likes of Bobby Roode, Eddie Edwards, Lashley, James Storm and the Hardys. He practically feuded with everyone in his five years in Impact. Like Eli Drake, he stuck around during the messy change in ownership of the company, being one of the reliable wrestlers like Edwards and Drake to smooth the transition.

EC3 was so well known that WWE re-signed him. He debuted in April 2018 and competed in the inaugural 6-man ladder match for the NXT North American Championship. He's currently a face but might turn heel depending on who stays in NXT and who is promoted to the main roster. He'll be cheered regardless of his character status.

He wasn't on the latest Takeover special, but he will certainly be a featured player going forward in 2019. A lot of turnover is expected in the early-to-mid part of the years and EC3 will be in the NXT title picture sooner rather than later.

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