WWE NXT: Three Main Roster Breakout Superstars in 2021

WWE NXT continues to produce some of the best talents in the wrestling world. Who will be the next breakout stars from the yellow brand?

This past year we have been treated with some great talents moving up from WWE NXT to the main roster. Keith Lee made the move to the main roster and has continued to shine ever since.  Then there are the “mystery” members of Retribution, all from NXT.

You can expect great things from Lee and the others like the NXT standouts before them. You can look at the WWE roster today and see how much NXT has done to create the future of the WWE and the present that we see today. Almost every single champion on the roster has some sort of roots in NXT. Before ruling as WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre showed his dominance in NXT, like a certain “Tribal Chief”.

The yellow brand has never had an issue with being overlooked. NXT forces head to turn and pay attention to the immense amount of talent on the roster. Now that 2021 approaches, we are looking forward to seeing who will be the next star to step up from NXT. You could draw any name out of a hat from the roster for a call-up and bet on them being able to shine. However, there are a few superstars you can bet on being undisputed on the main roster.

3. Damian Priest

2020 has been a break out year for the “The Archer of Infamy” Damian Priest. Over the past year, Priest has showcased his talent inside of the ring and on the microphone. He was rewarded for all of his hard work by winning the North American Championship at NXT TakeOver: XXX in a five-way ladder match. Priest was just beginning to break out as champion whenever Johnny Gargano would get involved.

Damian would have Gargano’s number in their first encounter at NXT TakeOver: 31. However, Johnny Gargano relentlessly continued after him leading to a rematch between them at NXT Halloween Havoc. Thanks to the help of Indi Hartwell, Gargano was able to defeat Priest to become the first-ever two-time North American Champion.

However, Damian Priest is far from done with the championship or Johnny Gargano. Priest has the opportunity to get back the North American Championship, but how long before he wants more? Priest could find his way to the main roster to cause his own brand of chaos. If I was Sami Zayn, I would hold on to that Intercontinental Championship tightly.

2. Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley is far from the woman who first stepped into a WWE ring in the inaugural Mae Young Classic. Since then, Rhea has transformed into one of the most dominant forces in the company. Since officially moving to NXT in August 2019, Rhea Ripley has dominated everyone in her way on the brand. She went on to end Shayna Baszler’s 410-day reign as NXT Women’s Champion.

She went on to be the first to defend an NXT championship at WrestleMania. Although she came up short against Charlotte Flair, she made her name known in the entire WWE. However, she continues to dominate in NXT. She was the leader of the winning team in the first-ever women’s WarGames match a year ago. This year, she looks to step back into WarGames as a member of Shotzi Blackheart’s team.

However, her path after WarGames is still unclear. Ripley, who is no stranger to the bright lights the main roster brings, could make her way to dominate either Raw or SmackDown. She could instantly be a threat to the title reigns of Asuka or Sasha Banks. Or perhaps she could be the one to team with Lana against her old rival Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax? No matter what her next step is, keep your eyes on Rhea Ripley.

1. The Undisputed Era

In the words of Bobby Fish himself, the best is yet to come for The Undisputed Era. As of this moment, the members of The Undisputed Era are set to end off the year against Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, and the NXT Tag Team Champions. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch, inside of WarGames, for the fourth time for the undisputed boys. However, could the final NXT TakeOver event of the year-end up being the last one for Undisputed Era?

Since arriving together at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III over three years ago, The Undisputed Era has been a nearly unstoppable force in NXT. Once they added Roderick Strong into their ranks almost a year into their run, the four men were really off to take over the brand. At one time during their reign of dominance, the members of the group held every championship offered for them to hold.

With all their accomplishments behind them, there is, unfortunately, there is nothing left for NXT to offer. All the other teams they have fought and beat have moved on to bigger things. It may be time for The Undisputed Era to join them on the main roster. If they continue to be pushed as babyfaces moving forward, they would be a perfect foil to both The Hurt Business and Retribution.

Perhaps The Undisputed Era move to SmackDown to take down Roman Reigns and his family. Adam Cole is no stranger to SmackDown himself, facing Daniel Bryan in 2019. No matter which direction the Undisputed Era goes in, I believe Bobby Fish is right. They have only scratched the surface of what they could accomplish together. 2021 make be the year that the boys show the main roster what being undisputed is all about.