1. The Nexus
WWE hit The Nexus storyline out of the ballpark in June 2010. The first season of NXT saw Barrett winning the competition, only for him and the seven other competitors to close RAW in remarkable fashion by taking the company over by storm the next week. That was one of the most shocking endings to RAW in years, and made all eight men Superstars overnight.
As Barrett won the competition, he had not only gained a contract, but an automatic Championship match of his choosing. He cashed that opportunity at Night of Champions in a losing effort. Many believe that Barrett was primed to take the WWE World Heavyweight Championship during his time with the Nexus, solidifying him as a top Superstar, the top heel and closing the chapter in what was an outstanding WWE debut.
For some reason, that didn’t happen. However, to not be deterred, Barrett’s feud with John Cena reached its peak when Cena had to become a member of The Nexus due to a match stipulation with Barrett. After Cena won the feud, The Nexus lost its steam.