WWE NXT: All 26 Champions in Brand’s History, Ranked

14. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins is WWE NXT’s inaugural champion, having claimed the NXT Championship in a tournament over Jinder Mahal. Unexpectedly, both are main eventers in today’s WWE landscape.

Rollins became the Face of NXT upon the brand’s debut. He was featured in the main segments, pushed against the primary heels and built up through vignettes. It was everything being put in his lap to lead the Show of the Future into the future, which he did, for a time.

Unfortunately, for Rollins’ NXT Championship reign, it took place during his call-up to the WWE main roster. That made what would happen next somewhat predictable, similar to others before and after him on this list. It led to Big E Langston getting put over as the new champion, which is a positive, but led to the first-ever NXT Champion’s reign somewhat falling at the end.