The NXT Five...let's revisit this

[Deleted]

Remember this years ago? Remember that WWE article that called them the "NXT Five" in late 2014 and called them the "Leaders of the New School" for everyone to see?

Well, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnn it's wild to see how it is with these stars today. Wow.

[häšhtå.gdālėÿ]

Looking at them now... my biggest disappointment is probably Neville. It’s still one of the stupidest things this company has ever done not to elevate him after he fell on his own sword against Enzo.

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

Man. They had Hogan introduce Itami’s signing. Lol

[Allie Kitsune]

Should we dread where today's "Big Six" will be in 2024?

[blscks]

800+ injury days combined in that pic

[Moppy]

The one that sticks out as a real missed opportunity is Kevin Owens.

Balor... I mean, they're trying, they're really trying. He's about as pushed and as over as anyone is allowed to be, unless that particular 'anyone' gets a freak groundswell of aggressive support a la Daniel Bryan or Becky Lynch.

Neville... I don't blame him for packing up and going home, but he was Cruiserweight Champion and not yet near the tippedy-top.

Itami... injuries. And more injuries.

I love Sami Zayn, but he's never, ever, going to be anything that Vince considers more than an over babyface to play the underdog vs Big Sweaty Men.

But Owens... I mean, they had it right there in their grasp - he went over Cena on his debut, Universal Champion, headbutted the Chairman... and he just ended up jobbing out way, way too much. I suppose he might come back from injury RED HOT, but eh, we all thought that about Dean Ambrose.

[Stu]

Could've sworn the NXT roster also had four women around this time. Wonder whatever happened to them.

[Feargus McReddit]

Jan 30, 2019 12:38:51 GMT -5 Stu said:

Could've sworn the NXT roster also had four women around this time. Wonder whatever happened to them.

Well, Paige is still with the company, Summer Rae and Emma aren’t and Leva Bates never signed a full time contract.

...or did you mean another group?

[Stu]

Jan 30, 2019 12:43:36 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Jan 30, 2019 12:38:51 GMT -5 Stu said:

Could've sworn the NXT roster also had four women around this time. Wonder whatever happened to them.

Well, Paige is still with the company, Summer Rae and Emma aren’t and Leva Bates never signed a full time contract.

...or did you mean another group?

Actually, I was referring to Gail Kim, Angelina Love, Madison Rayne and Taryn Terrell.

[msc]

Well, discounting Hideo, who had lousy injury luck...

Owens and Balor are former World champs.
Owens, Balor and Zayn will all win the WWE or Universal title within the next 5 years.


Neville they dropped the ball on.


3/5 ain't bad?

[Feargus McReddit]

Jan 30, 2019 12:49:22 GMT -5 Stu said:

Jan 30, 2019 12:43:36 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Well, Paige is still with the company, Summer Rae and Emma aren’t and Leva Bates never signed a full time contract.

...or did you mean another group?

Actually, I was referring to Gail Kim, Angelina Love, Madison Rayne and Taryn Terrell.

Oh Them!

...yeah, I have no idea.

[RedSmile]

Do you think any of them are still that happy?

[lildude8218]

Weren't they also part of the Fellowship of the Ring?

[abjordans]

Owens and Balor are former world champs, Owens has won several other titles. Owens, Sami, and Balor have all main evented PPVs and competed at WM. They have all signed multiple contracts and are likely millionaires.

Neville had a good run, competed at WM, and set himself up to where a new national promotion is being built around him as one of their top stars.

Itami has some bad luck for sure, but there were good moments as well.

Yep, some nice success stories that show the benefits of WWE’s developmental brand and their performance center.

[Fade]

Jan 30, 2019 12:25:15 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

Should we dread where today's "Big Six" will be in 2024?

[abjordans]

Itami would have definitely held the NXT Championship if not for the injuries, and would be on one of the A shows at least. Things were supposed to go a lot different.

[Prince Petty]

This just shows how injuries can play a huge part in a wrestler's career trajectory. Itami suffered a long term injury at just the wrong time, as NXT was starting to take off and gain mainstream attention. They clearly had plans for him, but he missed most of the Balor/Owens/Joe era, and by the time he came back there were a load more big name signings down there, filling up the spots.

Even Sami made that appearance, with a great performance against John Cena, but tore his shoulder to bits before even getting into the ring. He lost about a year of his career, where he could have further solidified himself as the equal of those other guys. Then he came to the main roster, and was just a midcarder. Then, when he was starting to get a bit more direction... injured again. Now, Sami is obviously not a WWE Champion type guy, but he is an archetypal multi-time IC or US Championship guy.

Even Balor won the Universal Title but then was out for nine months with an injury, and only now seems to be getting back to where he was.

[Slanted and Enchanted]

Who are the Big Six of NXT again?

If I had to guess, it would be Black, Ciampa, Gargano, Dream, Ricochet, and Cole?

[fw91]

Jan 30, 2019 12:52:17 GMT -5 msc said:

Well, discounting Hideo, who had lousy injury luck...

Owens and Balor are former World champs.
Owens, Balor and Zayn will all win the WWE or Universal title within the next 5 years.


Neville they dropped the ball on.


3/5 ain't bad?

You really think it’ll happen for Sami?

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

Jan 30, 2019 13:43:19 GMT -5 Fade said:

Jan 30, 2019 12:25:15 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

Should we dread where today's "Big Six" will be in 2024?

So....yes?


Can I just say how much I feel like the injury talk should segue into a discussion on NXT and how those guys are taking huge risks for way less pay on a show that a fraction of the WWE audience watches? Ciampa had a torn ACL before even getting into the grind of the main roster. Is it any surprise that these guys drop like flies?