WWE NXT: Ranking the 10 best wrestlers in the Black and Gold brand’s history

WWE NXT has helped showcase and develop some of the best wrestlers in the world. Who are the top 10 wrestlers in the Black and Gold brand’s history?

When WWE NXT first started, it was nothing more a reality TV show that gifted wrestling fans with some of the most outrageous moments in the company’s recent history (Michael McGuillicutty, the “mustache” promo, everything about Derrick Bateman).

It then evolved into a true developmental brand for wrestlers, with the first two champions, Seth Rollins and Big E, going on to become multi-time champions and major stars in WWE.

Thereafter, NXT started airing its own TakeOver specials, became a touring brand, added live events, and then went mainstream in Fall 2019 on the USA Network each Wednesday night.

Throughout all these changes, NXT has become a go-to brand for the so-called “hardcore” WWE fan. TakeOver Specials have become well-known for their high-quality storytelling and wrestling, as the Black and Gold brand has never shied away from being a wrestling program at its heart.

Over the years, WWE fans have seen countless impressive wrestlers come through the brand. Some were homegrown standouts, but many others were already recognized as among the best wrestlers in the world on the independent scene or with another promotion like Impact Wrestling or NJPW. In WWE NXT, they either took their games to the next level, or they showed a wider audience why they are one of the world’s best.

Here are the top 10 wrestlers in the history of the Black and Gold brand, based solely on their influence to the brand and what they accomplished in NXT.