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Over the years, NXT has become a massive part of WWE programming, rising from being the so-called "developmental brand" of WWE to establishing itself as WWE's third brand alongside RAW and SmackDown.
Being introduced in 2010, NXT moved to USA Network in 2019 and is considered by fans to be one of the best wrestling brands across the globe. WWE Hall of Famer Triple H is the senior producer of NXT and has been a huge force behind the success of the brand.
There have been several Superstars who have had an immense impact on NXT and have helped to put the Black and Gold brand of WWE on the map. While "Mount Rushmore of WWE" has been a massive topic of debate among fans for many years, in this article, we will take a look at ten Superstars who are top contenders to be in the "Mount Rushmore of NXT".
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Honorable Mentions: There are a few Superstars who have marginally missed out on this list. These are Charlotte Flair, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Samoa Joe.
#10 Asuka (Former NXT Women's Champion)
WWE Superstar Asuka is arguably one of the most dominant performers in NXT history. Asuka signed with WWE in 2015 and joined the developmental brand. At NXT TakeOver: Dallas in April 2016, Asuka defeated Bayley to become the new NXT Women's Champion and start a historic reign.
She held the title for a record 510 days and defended it successfully against several Superstars. She was never pinned or submitted in NXT and even surpassed Goldberg's winning streak. She had to relinquish her title in August 2017 due to injury, following which she moved on to the main roster. She went on to win the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble match in 2018. Currently, she is the RAW Women's Champion and one of the pillars of WWE's women's division.
#9 Sami Zayn (Former NXT Champion)
After making a name for himself on the independent circuit and several other promotions, Sami Zayn signed with WWE in 2013 and joined NXT. He had several feuds on the brand and tried to get his hands on the NXT Championship on multiple occasions but was unable to do so.
Finally, he defeated Neville at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution in December 2014 to become the NXT Champion in a match where he vowed to quit the brand if he lost. He then had an amazing feud with Kevin Owens, ultimately dropping the title to him. One of the biggest babyfaces that NXT has ever seen, Sami Zayn has been part of some of the best matches, moments, and feuds in the brand's history.
#8 Sasha Banks (Former NXT Women's Champion)
Sasha Banks signed with WWE in 2012 and was assigned to NXT. Being one of the Four Horsewomen of WWE, Sasha Banks is considered to be a pioneer in bringing the women's revolution to the company. She competed in the tournament to crown the inaugural NXT Women's Champion but lost in the first round to Summer Rae. She later formed a team with Rae called BFFs.
Sasha Banks won the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Rival in February 2015 in a fatal four-way match between the Four Horsewomen. She went to hold the title for 192 days before dropping it to Bayley. She wrestled her last match in NXT against Bayley in the first-ever women's Iron Man match in WWE history, after which she moved to the main roster.
#7 Bayley (Former NXT Women's Champion)
Bayley's WWE career also started around the same time as that of her "best friend" Sasha Banks, as she signed with WWE in 2012 and joined NXT. During her early days on the brand, she formed alliances with several Superstars like Natalya, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair.
After being unable to capture the NXT Women's Championship on multiple occasions, she finally defeated Sasha Banks at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in August 2015. Her title reign was ended by Asuka after 223 days at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. She wrestled her final match for the brand in August 2016 in an unsuccessful attempt to regain the title and then moved to the main roster of WWE.
#6 Johnny Gargano (First NXT Triple Crown Champion)
Johnny Gargano is one of the most senior Superstars in NXT currently. Making his WWE debut in 2015, he started teaming up with Tommaso Ciampa known as DIY. The two previously competed in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. DIY became hugely popular among fans and had several amazing matches and feuds. They even won the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Later, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa got into a highly personal feud against each other, considered by many to be one of the best feuds in NXT history. Throughout his five-year-long career with the brand, Gargano became the first NXT Triple Crown Champion, winning all the top titles of the brand. It is to be seen how long does he stay on the brand before moving on to the main roster.
#5 Tommaso Ciampa (Former NXT Champion)
Speaking of Johnny Gargano's tag-team partner in DIY, Tommaso Ciampa has been one of the most fierce competitors in NXT history. Ciampa made brief appearances for WWE from 2005-2007 and returned to the company in 2015, joining NXT. He initially competed as a tag-team with Gargano and won the NXT Tag Team titles. The two had exceptional matches against The Revival and The Authors of Pain.
At NXT TakeOver: Chicago in May 2017, Ciampa turned on Gargano starting their amazing rivalry. He then won the NXT Championship by defeating Aleister Black in 2018 and held the title for 237 days. Ciampa was forced to relinquish it due to a neck injury. His career has unfortunately been filled with injuries, due to which Ciampa has mentioned that he does not want to take-up the grueling schedule of the main roster.
#4 Paige (First NXT Women's Champion)
After making a name for herself in the European independent circuit, Paige signed with WWE in 2011 and joined FCW, which later became NXT. With huge fan support, she went on a winning streak. Paige entered the tournament to determine the inaugural NXT Women's Championship and defeated Emma in the finals to become the first women's champion of the brand.
On the night after WrestleMania 30, Paige made her main roster debut as she appeared on RAW and confronted AJ Lee. She went on to defeat her, thus winning the Divas Championship on her first night. She is the only woman in history to simultaneously hold both the Divas and NXT Women's Championships. Being moved to the main roster, she was forced to vacate her NXT title ending her reign at 274 days.
#3 Kevin Owens (Former NXT Champion)
Kevin Owens (fka Kevin Steen) was a huge name even before joining WWE, thanks to his work in promotions like Ring of Honor, CZW, and others. He signed with WWE in 2014 and joined NXT. After Sami Zayn won the NXT Championship at TakeOver: R Evolution, Owens appeared and attacked him, turning heel and renewing their rivalry.
At NXT TakeOver: Rival, Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn to become the NXT Champion after referees stopped the match due to Zayn being unable to defend himself from the vicious attack of Owens. During his time as the NXT Champion, KO appeared on RAW and attacked John Cena in 2015. He went on to defeat Cena clean at Elimination Chamber, thus establishing himself as a top star.
#2 Finn Balor (Former NXT Champion)
Before joining WWE in 2014, Finn Balor (fka Prince Devitt) was famous for forming the Bullet Club in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He then left NJPW and joined NXT. After almost a year, Finn Balor defeated Kevin Owens at The Beast in the East in Japan to win the NXT Championship. Being considered as one of the greatest champions of the brand, he held on to the title for a massive 292 days before losing it to Samoa Joe. Earlier, Balor and Joe teamed up to win the first-ever Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Finn Balor moved to RAW as part of the 2016 WWE draft and within a month, became the inaugural Universal Champion. Unfortunately, he got injured and had to vacate the title the very next day. After over three years on the main roster, Finn Balor returned to NXT in October 2019 and turned heel. He has since been one of the top players for the brand and is in pursuit to win the NXT title for the second time. He also holds the record for the most victories on NXT TakeOvers.
#1 Adam Cole (Former NXT Champion)
The longest reigning NXT Champion of all time, Adam Cole has pretty much done it all on the brand. Already a huge name before WWE, Adam Cole signed with the company in 2017. He made his debut for NXT at TakeOver Brooklyn: III, attacking Drew McIntyre. He went on to form one of the greatest factions in modern WWE The Undisputed Era with Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish, who were later joined by Roderick Strong.
Adam Cole became the inaugural North American Champion and later won the NXT Championship at TakeOver: XXV by defeating Johnny Gargano. Cole is only the second Superstar to have won the NXT Triple Crown, winning all top championships on the brand. His title reign was ended at a record 403 days by Keith Lee in July 2020.
It is an extremely tough task to pick any four of these to include in the Mount Rushmore of NXT. But be sure to comment down and let us know your picks.
