PWG is one of the best independent promotions in the world, and is a place that always brings together some fantastic wrestlers to the product. Because of that, it is no surprise that many former roster members are now thriving at a higher level, with many of them being in WWE.
With the company having changed how it recruits talent across the past 10 years, focusing on in-ring ability, many former top PWG stars have found their way to WWE. But while they might have thrived in PWG, there are mixed levels of success for them when it comes to WWE.
10 Akira Tozawa
Akira Tozawa is an excellent professional wrestler, therefore it is no surprise that he was pushed a lot by PWG during his time with the promotion. However, his in-ring skills haven't been truly tapped into by WWE outside his spell on the 205 Live roster.
During that time he got to put on some great matches, but that show was never pushed heavily by the company itself. For the most part, Tozawa has been seen as a comedic star, mainly used in 24/7 Championship segments which haven't gotten the best out of him as a talent.
9 Candice LeRae
Candice LeRae was given a lot of opportunities by PWG, often competing in intergender matches to the point where she held the PWG Tag Team Championships. She's a fantastic wrestler, and that is something that came across on the independent scene, and has been obvious during her WWE career as well.
LeRae put together some great matches in NXT with major storylines that helped to develop her character. However, WWE has yet to truly commit to LeRae when it comes to a championship storyline or a major singles storyline, which she deserves.
8 Ricochet
Ricochet was one of the biggest names on the independent scene during that portion of his career, with his style thriving in that environment. It was clear to see fans loved his work, and that led to him getting a run as the PWG World Champion during his spell with that promotion.
In WWE, his booking has been hit-and-miss to this point. In NXT he enjoyed a lot of success, holding the North American Championship as he was made to be a top star. Yet on the main roster, he has had spells of barely being used, but on the flip side, he has been an Intercontinental and United States Champion as well.
7 Roderick Strong
Roderick Strong may not be on WWE's main roster yet, but he has had an incredible career with the company because he has been protected through his booking. As a member of the Undisputed Era, Strong enjoyed a lot of success being pushed as a top star with his in-ring abilities shining through.
That was the case in PWG as well, where he got a lot of focus, and he held the PWG World Championship once and the tag team titles on three different occasions. He may not have been the main guy in WWE, but his career has certainly been an enjoyable one to this point.
6 Johnny Gargano
Much like his wife, Johnny Gargano also spent several years working for PWG, which was the ideal promotion for his style and size. He got to put on some great matches for the promotion, and that helped to build his name in the business to the point where other promotions wanted to hire him.
In WWE he has enjoyed a lot of success as well, mainly as part of NXT. He's held every title available on the black and gold brand, and he was the true face of the product at one point. Now he's on the main roster, and there will no doubt be further opportunities for him to climb the ranks.
5 Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa put together some enjoyable matches during his time in PWG, but it is through his WWE career that he has truly stepped up to the next level. Alongside Johnny Gargano the two of them were able to enjoy a lot of success as #DIY, holding the NXT Tag Team Championships.
However, it was his heel run as the NXT Champion that truly got him over with fans, as he became one of the biggest characters in professional wrestling. Ciampa has also been pushed to the main roster alongside The Miz, as he continues to develop in WWE.
4 Sami Zayn
PWG played a huge role in Sami Zayn's career before he made it to WWE, working for the promotion under his previous gimmick El Generico. During his time there he held the PWG World Championship twice, while being a five-time PWG Tag Team Champion and a BOLA winner.
He hasn't had quite as much success in WWE when it comes to titles, but he has had a fantastic career. Having held the NXT Championship and the Intercontinental Title, WWE has shown faith in him, while his recent work with The Bloodline has been a career-best for him.
3 Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens is one of the most successful PWG stars of all time, having won the PWG World Title three times, as well as the PWG Tag Team Titles the same number. In WWE he has been able to enjoy a lot of success as well, from his days in NXT to the main roster, Owens has always been positioned as a top star.
He's held countless titles, and has been involved in some major storylines throughout his time. Whether it be the incredible angle with Chris Jericho or getting to face Steve Austin at WrestleMania, Owens has had a fantastic career to this point.
2 AJ Styles
AJ Styles is a former PWG World Champion, and that level of success is something that has followed him throughout his career. Whether he has been in TNA, New Japan Pro-Wrestling or WWE, Styles has always been a major star with each promotion clearly seeing the talent that he has.
Styles has had such a great run in WWE that he is now best known for that now, as a former WWE Champion he has shown great qualities as a performer. He adapted to WWE's style perfectly, and that has led to him having a solid run.
1 Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has been one of the most successful wrestlers of his generation, and no matter where he has worked that is something that he's enjoyed, such as PWG. He is a former PWG Tag Team Champion, but fans now see him as a true WWE Superstar because of what he has been able to achieve.
Whether it was being part of The Shield or The Authority, WWE has pushed him as a major star in the company. As a singles star, he has also enjoyed great success, with Rollins holding countless titles and putting together a future Hall Of Fame career.