With the first year of NXT on the WWE Network almost over and done with, Review Fix breaks down the top ten performers this year on the brand.
Honorable Mention: Hideo Itami: Much like Finn Balor, Itami’s arrival in NXT meant the beginning of a new era. One of the most talented performers in Japan, Itami has made a solid transition to American wrestling, even if it has become incredibly apparent that he lacks the charisma needed to get him to the next level. however, with better English skills and more mic time and perhaps even him using the GTS,a move that was originally his, Itami could become the superstar the WWE envisioned when they signed him.
10: Lucha Dragons: Their win over The Ascension for the NXT Tag Team titles was controversial at first, but the team has quickly responded by being amazing in the ring and energetic enough in promo to keep fans interested. While their partnership may ultimately be better for Kalisto, rather than Sin Cara, they are still an excellent team.
9: Sasha Banks: While Charlotte Flair and Paige get the majority of the attention in NXT among the Divas, Banks is a one of a kind talent, oozing with both charisma and in-ring skill. She will be a WWE Diva one day. That’s something you can bet on.
8: Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady: In terms of mic skills, these two, particularly Amore are the best mic workers in NXT and can hold their own with anyone in the WWE. For pure entertainment, these two are hilarious and the late year addition of Carmella bolstered the team even more. With The Ascension now on the RAW roster, expect great things from the trio.
7: The Vaudevillains: Simon Gotch and Aiden English, just like Cassady and Amore, are great on the mic and have excellent gimmicks, but are much more seasoned in the ring and as a result are WWE-ready. But with a slew of other tag teams ahead of them, expect Gotch and English to dominate in NXT in 2015.
6: Finn Balor: The only reason why he ranks this high is because he is the complete package. A great gimmick, an amazing worker and with plenty of fan support, Balor, in just a few months, has made sure he gets plenty of buzz on the internet and has backed it all up every time he steps into the ring.
5: Charlotte Flair: Although he got jobbed out by Natalya Neidhart in her RAW debut, Flair is a future WWE Divas Champion and someone to keep an eye on. Although her and Sasha Banks have feuded for most of the later half of 2014, expect their battles to continue into the new year. Easily one of the best Divas the WWE have seen in years, expect her to make her “official†RAW debut after Wrestlemania 31.
4: The Ascension: Konnor and Viktor are wrecking machines and will be a breath of fresh air in the WWE Tag Team division, but make no mistake, they still need work. The Fall of Man finisher works for NXT, but it may not get over with WWE crowds.
3: Tyler Breeze: Don’t let his looks fool you, “The Prince of Pretty†is a top worker and one who will be a wonderful addition to the WWE mid-card one day. For now though, he’ll serve as a top heel in NXT and someone always a skip away from the NXT title.
2: Sami Zayn: He’s been the best worker in NXT since his first day there and with the addition of Kevin Owns, you’ll see a much darker side of him in the ring. Much like Adrian Neville, you’ll see exactly why the WWE signed him in the first place as he’ll be a wonderful NXT Champion in 2015.
1: Adrian Neville: “The Man That Gravity Forgot†had a banner year in 2014 and with a feud between him and Kevin Owens just getting underway, he’ll have one more big tango before his arrival on the RAW or Smackdown roster. The closest thing to a new Rey Mysterio or Evan Bourne, Neville is loaded with potential.
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