Grading Every NXT Main Roster Call Up from 2018-2019
Oscar Wilde once brilliantly stated, There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
The reason why there is validity in reports of NXT talent being nervous to be called up to the main roster is due to the long list of awful booking decisions that kill any momentum.
I’m going to grade every NXT star that has been called up to the main roster over the past year and a bit.
In an effort to remain fair and unbiased, I’m determining the grade based on these various categories:
The amount of television time received
How well they have been booked (this includes matches/storylines/promos)
Have they connected with the audience? So essentially, do the fans even care?
Timeframe: Spring of 2018 - Now (Not featuring anyone beyond spring 2018)
Aleister Black
Aleister Black, debuted on Feb. 18, 2019 in a tag-team with Ricochet. He’s a former NXT Champion and the mystic surrounding him makes his character particularly intriguing. He also leverages a very effective and unique kickboxing style.
But ever since breaking away from Ricochet, Black has been trapped in a promo room demanding that someone challenge him.
Current Grade: C + (But that will likely change over the next couple of months for the better)
Andrade and Zelina Vega
Andrade and Zelina Vega debuted onApril 17, 2018
The former NXT Champion and his manager were both drafted to Smackdown Live. Hs matches against the likes of Rey Mysterio Jr and Finn Balor have been noteworthy.
I don’t want to play politics, but I can’t imagine Andrade’s career will suffer being in a serious relationship with Charlotte Flair. As for Zelina, her spot seems secure too.
I would imagine they both become more prominently featured throughout the year with Andrade eventually capturing the IC Title.
Grade: B
The Authors of Pain
The Authors of Pain Rezar, Akam debuted on April 9, 2018.
After losing Paul Ellering, I was worried it would start going downhill.
While they defeated Seth Rollins alone in a handicap match to capture the Raw Tag-Team Championship, they lost them about a month later to Roode and Gable.
Unfortunately, Akam was on the shelf after having knee surgery in January of 2019.
Grade: D
EC3
EC3, debuted on February 4, 2019.
He started off by trading meaningless wins against Dean Ambrose and then was suddenly removed from television and became a mute.
He’s now a fixture in corny backstage segments where recently, he has been seen holding a red solo cup. Recently, his most prominent screen me was on the previous episode of Raw where he was viciously beaten down with a chair by Seth Rollins.
Grade: F
Ember Moon
Ember Moon debuted on April 9, 2018.
During her time on the main roster, she lost a bit of time due to an injury that has fully healed. While there was a moment in time where she was featured during Raw on a weekly basis, she has been undeniably lost in the shuffle, which is tragic. Ember is easily one of the most talented female wrestlers on the roster and chock-full of potential.
Currently, she’s engaged in a storyline where Mandy Rose and Soyna continually pick on her backstage.
Grade: C +
Heavy Machinery
Debuted on January 14, 2019.
Otis is apparently wild ladies man while Tucker is the voice of reason. Either way, they haven’t really been positioned heavily on the main roster, though their luck may turn around now that they are expected to have an angle against Smackdown Tag-Team Champions Daniel Bryan and Rowan.
Grade: D
The IIconics
The IIconics (Billie Kay, Peyton Royce), debuted on April 10, 2018.
What’s odd to me is the fact the IIconics were much more heavily featured prior to winning the Women’s Tag-Team Titles at Wrestlemania. Since then, we haven’t seen much of them.
Although on Raw, they defended their championships for the first time in what felt like months.
Grade: B -
Kairi Sane
Kairi Sane debuted on April 16th, 2019 as part of Paige’s new tag-team, the Kabuki Warriors with Asuka.
Since that point, they have won a few matches as a tag-matches, but haven’t been featured much of television. Paige announced on Smackdown the Kabuki Warriors will face the IIconics next week in Japan. If they win, they earn a championship match.
Grade: Incomplete (We haven’t seen enough of her to fully judge)
Lacey Evans
Lacey Evans debuted on Jan. 21, 2019
After simply walking down the ramp and waving to the audience week after week, Lacey has since been feuding with Raw Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch.
Even when Lacey briefly clashed with Charlotte, she was still heavily featured.
Her promos fail to resonate with me as they are hokey and while her character is uniquely refreshing, it has been mishandled. “The Sassy Southern Belle” nickname is all sorts of awful.
That said, based on how she has been featured along with the fact she has held her own against Becky Lynch I’m giving her the following grade:
Grade: B +
Lars Sullivan
Lars Sullivan debuted on April 8th, 2019 after attacking Kurt Angle on Raw. That’s how you make a statement. Since then, he has also run through the Hardy Boyz, Rey Mysterio and Lucha House Party.
While his promos are overly scripted and devoid of logic, he has been positioned very well as a monster.
Note: Lars will be out of action for 6-9 months with an injury.
Grade: B +
Lio Rush
Lio Rush, debuted June 26, 2018 — At that point, he was featured on both 205 Live and Raw.
He then became the voice behind Bobby Lashley, but was quickly removed from television after reported backstage heat.
Since then, he has just been posting on Twitter.
Grade: Incomplete
Nikki Cross
Nikki Cross, debuted November 6, 2018
Up until recently, she barely had any camera time, but recently has filled the role of Alexa Bliss’ lackey.
Grade: C +
No Way Jose
No Way Jose, debuted April 9, 2018
Without being highly critical, when was the last time No Way Jose received any semblance of a reaction?
Sadly, the gimmick was already struggling in NXT and it was clearly dead in the water, much like Adam Rose on the main roster.
Grade: F
Ricochet
Ricochet, debuted Feb. 18, 2019 in a tag-team with Aleister Black.
There was a point in time where the former North American Champion meant to be kept undefeated, but that went out the window very quickly. That being said, he has been heavily featured on Monday Night Raw and his series of matches against Cesaro have been the undeniable highlight of the show. He also recently earned the right to face Samoa Joe for the United States Championship.
His reaction grows stronger every week and it’s clear that Ricochet is an extremely special talent. They just need to feature him as one, but they might be starting to following Raw.
Grade: B
Sanity (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dian)
Sanity, debuted June 19, 2018 where they attacked the Usos. Following their big debut, they defeated the New Day. How could this possibly go wrong? Well, they were kept off television for the vast majority of the year. Fans forgot they were even employed.
Eric Young was drafted to Raw on April 15, 2019, which spelt the end of Sanity. Wolfe now appears on NXT UK and SPOILER Killian Dain is back with NXT in Orlando
