It tends to be a big deal when WWE poaches a wrestling darling from the independent circuit. As it clashes with the typical WWE formula of molding their own superstars from scratch (Roman Reigns and Charlotte Flair are prime examples of this), it's a momentous occasion when WWE accepts an indie wrestler who has a lot to offer the company. It shows that the promotion has huge hopes for them.
Not all indie wrestlers who signed a contract with WWE prospered, however. Here are five superstars from the independent circuit who truly came into their own with the promotion, and five who floundered.
10 Thrived: Seth Rollins
Before Seth Rollins was known as The Architect of the Shield, long before he became the Beastslayer, the current Universal Champion wrestled on the independent circuit under the name Tyler Black. Debuting in 2005, Rollins would compete initially in the local Iowa scene before moving to Ring Of Honor in 2007.
The Architect thrived in Ring Of Honour, putting on incredible matches that undoubtedly endeared him to WWE executives. He defeated Austin Aries for the ROH Championship before signing his WWE contract in 2010.
9 Flopped: Solomon Crowe
Solomon Crowe - better known as Sami Callahan - had a brief stint in NXT that has, for the most part, been forgotten by WWE and the fans alike. The indie star signed with WWE's developmental in 2013, before the company announced his release two years later.
Despite being a popular and talented wrestler (as well as Jon Moxley's former tag team partner), Crowe mainly wrestled a series of dark matches during his short time with the company. He is currently signed with Impact Wrestling as well as running his own promotion, The Wrestling Revolver.
8 Thrived: Paige
Despite not being cleared to compete in the ring any longer, due to an unfortunate neck injury, Paige remains one of the biggest superstars in WWE. The Anti-Diva dominated NXT during her time there, winning the inaugural NXT Women's Championship after gruelling matches with Emma that changed the course of women's wrestling.
Paige won the Divas Championship after an impromptu match against AJ Lee during her debut appearance. She captured the butterfly belt once more at SummerSlam, before going on to have a series of matches against The Bella Twins that triggered the Divas Revolution. She now works as a manager for WWE, after enjoying a successful stint as SmackDown's General Manager.
7 Flopped: Neville
The Man That Gravity Forgot is an unrivalled, high-flying talent who looked set to prosper in WWE. Neville - formerly Adrian Neville - held the NXT Championship for 287 days, winning the title from Bo Dallas at NXT: Arrival before dropping it to Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution. He later won the Cruiserweight Championship after his ascent to the main roster, though this was the peak of his WWE success.
For some reason, the company seemed reluctant to go all-in with Neville. Although he was a phenomenal wrestler with an arsenal that stunned fans, Neville was kept firmly in the mid-card until he left the company in October 2017.
6 Thrived: A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles could be the greatest wrestler in WWE today, if not the greatest wrestler in the entire industry. His debut during the 2016 Royal Rumble match was easily the hottest and most discussed moment to come out of the PPV, as it wasn't announced or indicated by an NXT stint (unlike other indie wrestlers who migrated to WWE).
Styles, who already dominated the independent circuit with incredible matches in TNA, ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling, has already had an acclaimed WWE career. The Phenomenal One held the WWE Championship for 371 days and is currently in the midst of his third reign with the U.S. title.
5 Flopped: Colt Cabana
It's not surprising that fans struggle to recall Colt Cobana from his time in WWE. The indie star wrestled for Vince McMahon's company under the ring name Scotty Goldman and made a little impact during his tenure.
Cabana, who is well-known for his Art of Wrestling podcast, wrestled a number of matches on SmackDown before being abruptly released in 2009.
4 Thrived: Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan is one of the most successful wrestlers in WWE history, despite being an underdog for most of his career. If anything, his status as WWE's unlikely champion is what propelled him to stardom.
Fans vehemently got behind Bryan during the Yes! Movement in 2016 and supported him through his incredible WrestleMania victory and heroic return from a neck injury. The former ROH Champion is now one of SmackDown's biggest stars and a grand slam champion.
3 Flopped: Hideo Itami
The WWE career of Hideo Itami seemed promising. Formerly known as Kenta during his time with All Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring Of Honour, Itami's addition to NXT's roster was a momentous moment. His main roster ascension didn't reflect this.
A shoulder injury hurt his WWE career, as he spent over a year out of action. Itami now wrestles as Kenta for New Japan Pro Wrestling, after requesting and being allowed his release from WWE in 2018.
2 Thrived: Becky Lynch
The Man, unlike fellow NXT Four Horsewoman Charlotte Flair, is not a WWE homegrown talent. She began her career wrestling in various independent circuits across Europe and North America, before signing a WWE contract in 2013.
It is indisputable that Lynch has thrived in WWE, as she is now potentially the company's biggest babyface and one of the first women to main-event WrestleMania. She currently holds the Raw Women's Championship and looks set to clash with Sasha Banks, another former indie wrestler.
1 Flopped: CJ Parker
Juice Robinson signed a contract with WWE in 2011, wrestling for developmental program Florida Championship Wrestling before it was rebranded as NXT in 2012. He continued wrestling for NXT until 2015, where he competed under the ring name CJ Parker, developing an unfortunate consistent losing streak.
Robinson has found more success outside of WWE following his departure and return to the independent circuit.