WWE NXT: Ranking Every Performer to Hold the NXT Championship

Credit: WWE.com

4. Kevin Owens

During his time in NXT, Kevin Owens was portrayed as one of the most compelling characters in all of wrestling. His vendetta against best friend Sami Zayn was driven not by hatred, but from jealousy; while Owens had continued to work on the independent circuit to provide for his family, Zayn had left him behind to achieve glory on WWE’s grand stage.

What ensued was a constant battle of oneupsmanship, with Owens continually trying to surpass Zayn’s every accomplishment, even as he claimed that he bore him no personal ill will.

When Zayn won the NXT Championship, Owens came out to congratulate him, only to immediately betray him. When “The Prizefighter” finally got his title shot, it wasn’t enough for him to defeat Zayn; he had to obliterate him, continuing a beatdown until the referee awarded him the Championship via stoppage.

When Sami Zayn debuted on the main roster to answer John Cena’s open challenge for the United States Championship, Owens was not far behind. In Zayn’s rematch, Owens beat him so badly that he was written off the show for the better part of a year.

As Champion, Owens played his role of an insecure bully to perfection, boasting victories over not only Sami Zayn and Finn Balor, but main roster talents like Zack Ryder, Heath Slater, and Neville.

In addition, it was during Owens’ reign that NXT was truly recognized by WWE as a brand worth paying attention to, with Owens making frequent appearances on Monday Night Raw and engaging in a multi-month feud with John Cena while still Champion.

The genuine forward progress NXT experienced during this time alone is enough to cement Kevin Owens as one of NXT’s very best champions.