5 Most Successful NXT Stars in WWE
By Teddy Couch
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f0fc7249f1b461e5c4bef4c60b69c12e68091a347f71ce510881190a716ae044.jpg)
WWE.com
No. 5 Rusev (One-time United States champion)
Unlike the other four former NXT stars on this list, Rusev seems to be on the decline.
That doesn’t mean that his United States title run shouldn’t earn him a spot at No. 5. Rusev’s run in WWE started out solid, as he squashed every competitor he faced.
He got his hands on the United States title after defeating Sheamus on November 3, 2014 on a post-Raw show.
His reign included successfully retaining the United States title against John Cena at WWE Fastlane, but Cena ended Rusev’s 146-run as champ at WrestleMania 31.
Cena went on to beat Rusev at the next two pay-per-views, and Rusev has yet to recover.
Rusev went from never being pinned or submitted to now losing on Raw or Smackdown. It will not take too long for someone to take Rusev’s spot on this list.
Next: No. 4 Big E