WWE: Every NXT Champion Ranked

#1 Finn Balor

Balor is the greatest in NXT history

This will come as no surprise to the yellow brand faithful. Finn Balor is the man that made NXT the third brand. The founder of Japan's Bullet Club, Prince Devitt debuted in NXT under the name Finn Balor. Initially teaming with Hideo Itami in his rivalry with the Ascension, Balor would pave his own path in NXT, a path that led to an NXT Championship match against Kevin Owens in Tokyo, Japan.

Essentially a home game for a man that accomplished so much in the Land of the Rising Sun, Balor defeated Owens and became the man in NXT. Balor held the championship for 292 days, making him the longest reigning champion in NXT history.

Armed with a secret weapon, Balor was untouchable in NXT. The Demon, Balor's alter ego, his dark side, the Mr. Hyde to Balor's Dr. Jekyll. When Balor put the war paint on and became the Demon, he was unstoppable.

The Demon took many forms as Balor traveled the world defending his championship. At TakeOver: London the Demon appeared as Jack the Ripper, coming out to screams and with the face of the murderer painted on his back. At TakeOver: Dallas Balor drew inspiration from Texas Chainsaw, emerging in a cloak and waiving a chainsaw around on his way to the ring.

There is no undermining the importance of Finn Balor to the legacy of NXT, arguably the brand's biggest draw ever. Bullet Club may have started in Japan, but Balor Club started in NXT.