Here's my take:
1. Daniel Bryan - The only NXT contestant to win any world titles. Not to mention, the most over superstar in the entire company.
2. Wade Barrett - Being the winner of the show puts him at an advantage. He was #1 for a while until Yes-mania kicked in for Bryan. The Nexus angle was much more high-profile than any of Bryan's angles, but since he hasn't won any world titles, he can't reclaim the #1.
3. Skip Sheffield/Ryback - The only other NXT guy to have reached main-event level. He could've taken over #1 had he not fizzled out so quickly.
4. AJ Lee - Her Divas title reign has already surpassed Kaitlyn's, but it's her involvement with male superstars' angles that really puts her ahead of her rival.
5. Kaitlyn - She may have won, but she hasn't been as successful as A.J.
6. Michael McGillicutty/Curtis Axel - Aside from Nexus, he has had an IC title reign and association with Paul Heyman that boosts his stock.
7. Husky Harris/Bray Wyatt - Wyatt and his Family are being pushed hard right now, it's only a matter of time before he passes McAxel.
8. Brodus Clay - His role as one of WWE's resident midcard faces puts him high on the list. His recent heel turn could help push him past some of the guys above him.
9. Johnny Curtis/Fandango - Aside from being a main midcard heel on the roster, the Fandango-ing phenomenon's mainstream breakthrough puts him in the top tier. Had it really gone viral, he could've topped the list.
10. David Otunga - First of all, he got the biggest push when NXT season 1 started. Even after Nexus broke up, he remained relevant though many angles (The Walkout, Johnny's legal advisor, Brogue Kick, etc.)
11. Darren Young - Nexus is the main reason he is ranked above his tag team parter.
12. Titus O'Neil - Not only did Titus not have Nexus credibility when the PTPs formed, but he had his horrible season 2 run.
13. Naomi - Although she was Brodus Clay's co-valet, it's Total Divas that keeps her relevant.
14. Heath Slater - The Legends angle and 3MB puts him ahead of his former tag team partner.
15. Justin Gabriel - Aside from his 450 splash still being over, he hasn't really done much after the Corre broke up.
16. Alex Riley - He got exposure from being Miz's apprentice, not to mention his short lived face push.
17. Aksana - Let's see: the Goldust wedding angle; Teddy Long's lover; Cesaro's girlfriend; she has plenty of TV time, but nothing special stands out.
18. Conor O'Brian - He's having solid success with the Ascension down in the new NXT.
19. Kaval - As badly as he flopped, he still did win the 2nd season of NXT.
20. Michael Tarver - Would've ranked near the bottom had it not been for Nexus.
21. Maxine - She's probably remembered for her involvement in the BateMax angle more than anything else. Then there was that feud with Hornswoggle...
22. Byron Saxton - Didn't do anything special on NXT itself, but he at least has the ECW commentator gig in his resume.
23. Percy Watson - Hasn't accomplished anything notable since Season 2 ended. He was one of the most over guys that season.
24. Derrick Bateman - All people may remember about him is having Daniel Bryan as a pro and BateMax. And no, EC3 doesn't count, otherwise I'd have to skyrocket Kaval up the list as well.
25. Eli Cottonwood - Remembered for his mustache promo and his early role with Bray Wyatt, but nothing else.
26. Lucky Cannon - At least he had the Maryse love triangle to keep him relevant. It didn't work out, though.
27. Jamie - Her short-lived ring announcing gig during Season 2 at least stands out from an otherwise unremarkable run on season 3.
28. Jacob Novak - Dud.
