WWE Superstars who were instrumental in getting NXT to where it is today

#6 Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa

Both men have been atop NXT for the last few years.

Gargano and Ciampa's legacy in WWE will forever be linked to each other. Both Superstars had a cup of tea on the main roster earlier this year. But when Tomasso Ciampa was forced to undergo neck surgery, Johnny Wrestling was moved back to NXT.

Gargano is still one of the main Superstars on the Yellow and Black brand. He's won every title on the brand and his initial storylines alongside Ciampa were among the better storylines in NXT history.

Through the successes and failures they endured together, it was a no-brainer that the two men would eventually be going head to head. In arguably the best feud in NXT history, Ciampa turned his back on Gargano and embraced the Blackheart persona. He won the NXT Championship, putting Gargano in his shadow.

They didn't really get to explore both men being heels due to Ciampa's unfortunate injury, but that injury allowed Gargano the chance to become NXT Champion.

His win was among the most emotional in history due to his work on the brand. He is an important member of the entire roster and represents the ultimate babyface. In a different time, he might have already been a full-time member of either RAW or SmackDown, but he is NXT.