Opinion

Top 5: WWE NXT Busts

Published

7 years ago

April 27, 2018

This is an exciting time of year for fans of developing talent. The NFL is currently holding their annual draft. The NBA & NHL will soon be holding their Draft Lotteries. Baseball has a draft at some point, nobody’s really sure when.

Oh, and since this is a wrestling website I should point out that WWE recently called up some of their NXT talent. Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/Zelina Vega), Drew McIntyre, Ember Moon, The Iiconics, SAnitY, No Way Jose & the Authors of Pain have all been assigned to new homes. Time will tell whether or not these individuals will live up to the hype.

As excited as we get about draft picks by our favorite sports team, or new wrestlers called up from developmental, the simple fact is that many of the names we’ll be hearing won’t live up to the hype they’ve been given. As a Cincinnati Bengals fan, I can run down some good names. David Klingler. Ki-Jana Carter. Akili Smith. They were going to be superstars. They didn’t pan out.

Lord knows that WWE has brought in plenty of talent that didn’t live up to the hype. For the purposes of this exercise, we’re going to focus on talent that was called up during the NXT/Performance Center Era. I feel like we can revisit the OVW days at some point, and maybe even FCW. For now, I want to talk about the wrestlers that got so much hype from the NXT crowd that bombed so hard on the main stage.

These are the Top 5 WWE/NXT Busts.

5. Adam Rose

This one is just so weird. Leo Kruger, a game hunter, spent years in developmental as part of FCW & then the early days of NXT. He got repackaged as Adam Rose, a raver kinda guy that came out with his Rosebuds. He had a pretty exciting entrance. Things went downhill from there. He teamed with a bunny for awhile. Then he turned heel on the bunny & stopped partying. We all stopped paying attention at this point. He joined the Social Outcasts, then he got arrested for domestic violence charges which were eventually dropped. He got suspended and then got his release.

This guy had been working the Kruger character for years. A lot of people seemed to like it. They dropped it, he emerged as a new character, it got a pop and he got called up. It’s not hard to see why this didn’t work. It’s especially notable with No Way Jose suddenly working a konga line gimmick for no real reason.

The Rosebuds are back. Adam Rose isn’t.

4. Hideo Itami

I remember back in the early to mid-2000s when KENTA was a pretty big deal. Ring of Honor loved bringing him in for their big shows. He was one of the focal points of Pro Wrestling NOAH. His buzz kind of cooled off at some point around the time NOAH cooled off. We here in the States forgot about him for awhile, until he randomly signed with WWE in June 2014. The hype was renewed. People had high, high hopes for Mr. Itami the second he debuted in NXT. What’s he done since then?

-Was outshined by Finn Balor in a tag team
-Was eliminated by Big Show in the Andre battle royal
-Got hurt
-Got hurt again
-Called up to 205 Live
-Did little of note there

It hasn’t been a great run. People that saw KENTA in his prime surely expected more.

3. Tyler Breeze

Breeze was something of a developmental veteran. He was around for years as Mike Dalton, a good hand that couldn’t make a connection with the audience. He re-packaged himself as Tyler Breeze, a selfie-obsessed male model. It got over huge with the NXT audience. Breeze, who has always been considered an exceptional worker, got to have solid matches. People were really buying in.

Tyler Breeze is the modern incarnation of 1991 HBK. #NXTTakeover

— Gran Akuma (@__AKUMA) September 12, 2014

When you set expectations that high, you’re bound to come up short. Tyler Breeze was never Shawn Michaels. Nobody is. His getting called up was part of the finale of WWE Breaking Point, a series looking at the inner-workings of the Performance Center. By the time it aired, Breeze had already been mis-used to the point where he was irrelevant on the main roster. It made for awkward viewing.

It hasn’t gotten much better since. He’s found a home in a tag team with Fandango that serves as jobbers to whoever is getting pushed at the moment. I see people still holding out hope for a Breeze push once he turns on Fandango, and he is only 30 years old. I just don’t see it happening for him. He’s been around too long and needs to go away. It worked for Drew McIntyre.

2. The Ascension

Konnor, formerly known as Conor O’Brian, had been part of a stable called The Ascension in Florida Championship Wrestling. He kept the name to himself for awhile, because who was going to take it from him? He eventually formed a tag team with Viktor, and they became the greatest tag team in NXT history. They laid waste to everybody in their path. It got to the point where they pretty much had to be called up to the main roster.

Once they were, they did nothing. They squashed some people the first few weeks, but the announcers buried them during the matches as not measuring up to the standards of the Road Warriors & Demolition. Shockingly, beating the middle-aged New Age Outlaws didn’t do anything to help matters. They got transitioned into job duty & are pretty much an afterthought in 2018, if they’re a thought at all.

1. Bo Dallas

Let’s take a look at some of the folks to hold the NXT Championship over the past six years:

Seth Rollins: Grand Slam Champion
Big E: Multi-time Tag Team Champion as one-third of the New Day
Bo Dallas: Member of the Social Outcasts & Miztourage
Adrian Neville: King of the Cruiserweights
Sami Zayn: One-half of the Sami & Kevin Show
Kevin Owens: Universal, Intercontinental & US Champion
Finn Balor: Universal Champion
Samoa Joe: Triple H’s enforcer
Shinsuke Nakamura: 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble Winner
Bobby Roode: US Champion

Granted, Sami’s resume is thin as far as championships go, and Roode’s main roster run has been kinda eh so far. But It can’t be argued that Bo has been the lowest achieving NXT Champion on the WWE main roster. Given his second-generation background, he should have been a natural top-notch performer. His “Bolieve” character that received so much praise from NXT fans flopped on the main stage.

He’s 27 years old, so there’s still time. But like Tyler Breeze, the damage may already be done.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Related Topics:adam rose Bo Dallas Featured Big Hideo Itami NXT The Ascension Tyler Breeze WWE

Up Next

What Does WWE Greatest Royal Rumble Truly Mean?

Don't Miss

How WWE 205 Live Dropped the Ball This Week

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1