WWE NXT: 5 wrestlers with massive breakout potential

1) Jake Atlas

Atlas may already be in the process of his star-making breakout.

Though his debut was inauspicious, Atlas seems poised for a major run in the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship round robin tournament. He defeated proverbial fan favorite (and recently released) Drake Maverick in their first match with what may be my new favorite finisher. I mean, did you see that cartwheel into a DDT from the top rope?

I think it’s called the LGB-DDT.

Beyond being a skilled wrestler trained in gymnastics and cheerleading, Atlas is openly gay. He came to fame for many through an episode of Undercover Boss involving Stephanie McMahon where he made his mission known: “To become the first openly gay WWE World Champion.”

Even WWE acknowledged this fact when they announced him as part of the same Performance Center class as Mercedes Martinez

As discussed in the linked article earlier, WWE has a checkered past (at best) with LGBTIQA+ wrestlers (kayfabe and non-kayfabe), and their recent attempt at a non-hetero storyline was poorly executed.

It also doesn’t help instill confidence to viewers, particularly LGBTIQA+ identifying individuals, when Atlas’ pre-match promo indicated he wanted to “break barriers” and “make history” without any mention of exactly what barriers and history he trying to achieve. Again, even WWE was specific about his goals when they announced his signing, but for some reason they are intentionally and notoriously vague here.

Atlas has the potential to change this history not just because he is openly gay, but because he is talented. He needs a bit more work on the mic, but many wrestlers do once entering WWE. He makes up for this using his body and movements to display his charisma to fans.

That DDT is only something safely performed by someone with supreme body control, balance, strength, and agility, the exact skills he honed as a gymnast and cheerleader.

That experience also makes him much more comfortable in using his body (and eventually, voice) to elicit reactions from the crowd. You can almost feel his pain, anguish, intensity, joy, and excitement as you watch him in a match.

I would assume (maybe incorrectly) that having an openly gay wrestler in a prominent role would help attract more non-hetero viewers/fans to WWE, help repair the damage they’ve done to these communities, and possibly help create cultural change in regards to the betterment of LGBTIQA+ identities.

Further, it’s not like Atlas can only be a draw in these communities because he’s gay. He can be a draw to every demographic since we pretty much hold that expectation for other wrestlers, particularly White male wrestlers. Don’t pigeonhole him just because of one of his identities.

I foresee Atlas in the finals of his side of the round robin, probably falling in that match. However, if he advances to the overall finals, don’t be surprised if he becomes the Interim NXT Crusierweight Champion.

Those are my five using my criteria. Do you agree? What would be your criteria? More importantly, who would comprise your list?