Most wrestlers come into the WWE looking to perform on the biggest stage, and that’s Raw and SmackDown Live weekly, with WrestleMania being the ultimate goal, so NXT presents an odd option. Performers are given better stories, given more time and often put on better matches, but at the end of the day, it’s developmental, it’s WWE priming them to be the next big stars on the main roster. So, while some of these people may be ready for the main roster, we need to see them remain with NXT for the entirety of 2018, so read on and find out why.

5. Lars Sullivan

Via Last Word on Pro Wrestling

Lars Sullivan looks like a prototypical star in the WWE, but he is nowhere near ready for the big stage, and if the WWE can be patient with his development, he could be a huge star on the main roster. On the surface, Sullivan looks like a typical monster in the wrestling industry, but from what we’ve heard, he’s a unique guy, so if the WWE can capitalize on that, a 2019 call-up could be huge. Expect Sullivan to become an even bigger part of NXT throughout 2018, but if WWE are smart, they’ll keep him down there for the next 12 months.

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4. Roderick Strong

Roderick Strong has been in NXT for about 12 months now, and despite the fact that he is incredibly over with Full Sail and the NXT Universe, and despite the fact that he constantly has amazing matches, he’d get lost on the main roster in 2018. A heel turn or freshening up of the character would certainly help him stand out if he was promoted, but he needs time to tell those stories, and that will only happen in NXT. Adam Cole, Aleister Black, and Johnny Gargano all seem to be ahead of him in the race for NXT Championship gold, but if the WWE continue to tell great stories with him, he’ll be pushed very hard on the main roster when the time comes.

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3. The Velveteen Dream

Via Pittsburgh City Paper

The Velveteen Dream just became a star after his incredible match with Aleister Black at NXT Takeover: War Games, but he still has so much to do before he is ready for the main roster, and hopefully, WWE doesn't prematurely pull the trigger on him. We’ve seen it with guys like Jason Jordan and it never works out, so NXT needs to try him in different rivalries and situations before he’s truly ready, and that won’t be until 2019 at the earliest. He is still a fairly young performer, so he doesn’t need to be rushed, and if he is allowed to be as his Dreamy best when he arrives on Raw or SmackDown, he could be a key player in the mid-card.

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2. Ember Moon

Via Sky Sports

Ember Moon just became NXT Women’s Champion, but her coronation fell flat as it probably just a bit too late. While she’s an incredible performer, she still needs to continue to develop her character, and that development only comes in NXT. The division was also just severely depleted by the loss of five performers that just debuted on the main roster, so while they build up some more stars, Moon needs to be there to lead the division. Thankfully, there are still so many fresh matchups for her in NXT, and by the time 2019 arrives, her arrival on the main roster will be greeted by plenty of incredible and fresh matchups.

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1. The Undisputed Era

Via Sportskeeda.com

The trio of Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish could have just as easily debuted on the main roster and fit in perfectly, but thankfully they came to NXT, and while WWE must be tempted to bring them up, the heel group are perfect for NXT. All three of them were made for WWE, but if Adam Cole is kept in NXT and allowed to be the heel he has been in ROH for a number of years, he could be the best NXT Champion in history. All three men still have plenty of mileage left on their bodies, and if they are built up the way they should be, their debut on the main roster in 2019 could be as impactful as The Shield way back in 2012.

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