Ranking each superstar in NXT's 'Breakout Tournament'

Over the past year, WWE has been stacking its Performance Center with new, exciting talent, but it's got to the point that there are just too many future stars waiting in the wings. Instead of continuing to introduce these stars one by one on regular NXT TV, the company made a great move to introduce the NXT Breakout Tournament, and so far, it's been great, with the Finals of Cameron Grimes vs. Jordan Myles upcoming.

While not everyone has got over immediately with the NXT Full Sail crowd, it's clear that every man who competed in this tournament has plenty of talent, and the future is very bright for NXT. While this is the case, not everyone can be a big-time star, so without further ado, sit back and read along as we look at the 8 men in the NXT Breakout Tournament, ranking each one on their potential, worst to best.

#8 Boa

Over the past few years, WWE have made it a mission to scour the entire globe for new talent, and although he got eliminated in the first round, Boa represents the very best that China have to offer. While he's very new into wrestling and the WWE, Boa has shown considerable promise early on in his career, and if the PC can continue to develop him, he'll be an inspiration for Chinese wrestlers going forward.

Unlike many others on this list, Boa isn't ready for NXT right now, but given another year or two, he could make a big impact on the Black and Gold brand. Unlike Japan and Mexico, there hasn't been anyone come through the WWE from China, so Boa is blazing a trail all his own, and that will no doubt make him a fan favourite down at Full Sail when he eventually makes TV for good.

#7 Angel Garza

After the success that Andrade had with WWE and NXT, the company clearly wanted to tap into the Latin market further, and they got one of Mexico's brightest in Angel Garza (F.K.A Garza Jr.). Despite being just 26 years old, Garza has been wrestling professionally for over 11 years now, and while he may appear to be quite bland, inside those ropes, he is a spectacular performer.

Garza can utilise the technical style, as well as high-flying and traditional Lucha Libre, and with so many great talents in NXT to work alongside, he'll be a mainstay once he reaches TV. Unlike the following 6 performers, however, Garza lacks the overwhelming character or charisma to be a top star in NXT, and that will no doubt hurt him going forward.

Despite that, Garza is a fantastic, all-around athlete inside the ring, and when he gets the call to NXT TV for good, he'll no doubt wow the NXT Universe at Full Sail.

#6 Joaquin Wilde

Joaquin Wilde (F.K.A DJZ) has had a very interesting career, and while he's not the young performer that he once was, he can still go in the ring and brings a very unique presentation to the ring. In TNA, DJZ was one of the freshest young performers in wrestling, and while he's still got plenty of potential, in amongst all the other independent standouts, he just doesn't stand out as much.

In NXT though, there is so much talent that everyone can shine (as matches with any type of opponent can be special and unique all in their own way), and if Joaquin Wilde is booked the right one, he's no doubt a future North American Champion. His in-ring style is very similar to others on this list, but it's the character work that can get him over, so there will need to be plenty of strides taken in that department for him to get over big time.

#5 Dexter Lumis

Dexter Lumis was once known as Sam Shaw back in TNA, and after he dropped away for several years, he's signed with WWE and has a gimmick that will get over big time down in developmental. While the gimmick is quite close to the TV character he shares his first name with, he looks to be fully immersed in it and combining this with jaw-dropping ability and his size, he's a star in the making.

In NXT, it is often the best characters that get over (especially if they can go in the ring as Dexter can), and with Lumis' commitment to the gimmick, he'll no doubt be on TV very soon. With so many stars currently on the roster, the gimmick will no doubt need to be polished over the next few months, but if NXT go all in on Dexter, he could be very valuable for the company going forward.

#4 Isaiah "Swerve" Scott

The former Shane Strickland is one of the most naturally gifted performers in all of wrestling. And, although he's lost his name, 'Swerve' still stands and as long as he can show that charisma off, he'll be a star. Because of the deep pool of talent in this tournament, he went out in the first round to Cameron Grimes (F.K.A Trevor Lee), but when he gets a true shot in front of Full Sail, there'll be no looking back.

Throughout his career in Evolve, CZW, MLW and Lucha Underground, Swerve showed off incredible athleticism with natural charisma, but also the great ability to be able to wrestle several different styles. That will help him going forward in NXT, but really, all the company needs to do is let him be himself, and we will no doubt be looking at a Takeover main eventer, and future NXT Champion.

#3 Cameron Grimes

In 2019, WWE didn't stop signing elite level independent performers, and the best heel among the group is the former Trevor Lee, now known as Cameron Grimes. While he can do some of the most impressive aerial moves in all of wrestling, it's the character work of Grimes that will get him over, and with heels always being needed in WWE, he'll fill a great void going forward.

The Carolina Caveman was a star in Impact's X-Division for quite some time, as well as doing great work in PWG, and in terms of polish, there are few NXT signings in recent memory that can match him. As we've mentioned, the Breakout Tournament was a way to utilise guys that NXT can't find time for, but as the tournament goes on, it's clear that some competitors need to be on NXT right now, and Grimes is one of those, especially if they are looking for their next big heel.

#2 Bronson Reed

Of all the former independent stars in the tournament, Bronson Reed was the least known by the Full Sail crowd, but after just one match in the tournament, it's clear that they're ready to get behind him. The King of Monsters is very intimidating, yet agile for his size, and given his ability within the ring and his likability, he's a main event player of the future on the Black and Gold brand.

The former Jonah Rock is looking to bring his brand of 'Australian Strong Style' to NXT, and if the impressive victory over Dexter Lumis doesn't make you excited, you're watching NXT wrong. Reed is a very marketable performer too, capable of working several different styles inside the NXT ring, and even though he came up short of the Finals for the Breakout Tournament, he'll have the entire NXT Universe putting their 'claws up' with him forebears to come.

#1 Jordan Myles

The former A.C.H, now going by Jordan Myles has been all around the world, and with his charisma, infectious personality and in-ring work, he's got the potential to be a future NXT Champion. In the first round, Myles went over the relatively unknown Boa, and considering all of the skills that he brings to the table, Jordan makes perfect sense to be the winner of the first ever Breakout Tournament.

The Full Sail crowd have been eating up everything he does, and with people like Johnny Gargano, Matt Riddle, Adam Cole and so many more waiting in NXT, he needs to join TV sooner, rather than later. Myles may not be the most physically gifted performer in the tournament, but he has all the tools to be a top star in NXT, and out of anyone, he is the most TV-ready performer, ready to make an impact with NXT right away.