5 Released WWE Superstars who would’ve benefited from moving to NXT

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With this in mind, let’s take a close look at five recently released WWE superstars who would have benefited immensely from a move to NXT.

#5. Alba Fyre might have adopted her Kay Lee Ray moniker again

Alba Fyre is perhaps one of the most misused former champions in modern history. As Kay Lee Ray, she held the NXT UK Women’s Championship for a record-breaking 649 days, establishing herself as one of the most dominant and technically sound performers in the world.

When Alba Fyre moved up to the main roster, her persona lost the intimidating aura that it previously had. Recently, she was in a supporting role in Chelsea Green’s The Green Regime on WWE Friday Night SmackDown. Although she demonstrated her comedic talent in these segments, it seems her true skill is in wrestling.

Fyre should have been featured in the ring rather than just standing in the background. Returning to NXT as a seasoned veteran gatekeeper, dropping the “Alba Fyre” character, and reestablishing herself as the ruthless Kay Lee Ray would have revitalized her career. It would also have allowed younger talent to learn from a world-class veteran.

#4. Nikki Cross could have returned to her original gimmick from NXT

The release of Nikki Cross marked the end of a decade-long journey that saw her play everything from a superhero to a member of the haunting Wyatt Sicks on WWE SmackDown. As part of The Wyatt Sicks, Nikki unfortunately spent the better part of the last year in a non-wrestling role.

The Nikki ASH character was a commercial success. However, it appears that the WWE Universe always clamored for the unhinged Nikki Cross from the Sanity days in NXT. The developmental brand has always been a place where character-driven performers thrive.

Had Nikki Cross moved back to Orlando, she could have dropped the masks and the capes to become the chaotic wild card that made her a star in 2016. In an environment that prioritizes character work, Nikki could have been the veteran anchor for a new generation of eerie characters.

#3. & #2. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin of Motor City Machine Guns could’ve helped younger stars in NXT

When the Motor City Machine Guns signed with the Stamford-based promotion in 2024, the wrestling world was quite happy. They captured the WWE Tag Team Championship almost immediately, proving they hadn’t lost a step. However, as the 2026 cuts showed, the main roster tag team division can be a volatile place, where even legends can lose momentum.

Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin are widely considered the blueprints for the modern tag team style. If they had moved to the WWE developmental brand, they wouldn’t have just been another team. They would have been the ultimate coaches on camera.

The NXT tag team division, currently filled with high-flying but raw talent, could have greatly benefited from MCMG’s expertise in tag team psychology and technique.

Many believe that the Triple H era-style on the main roster didn’t suit them as well as the more work-rate-focused environment of NXT would have. If the creative team had considered this, Shelley and Sabin could have helped spice up the storylines of the black-and-silver brand.

#1. Former WWE United States Champion Apollo Crews could’ve been a good addition to the NXT mid-card

It is genuinely heartbreaking to see Apollo Crews depart from WWE after 11 years. Crews is the definition of a complete package. He has the look, the incredible athleticism, and he proved with his “Nigerian Royalty” gimmick that he could handle complex character work.

Fans saw a glimpse of what could have been during his brief 2022 return to NXT, where he put on clinics against stars like Carmelo Hayes. Apollo is a superstar who never quite found a permanent home on RAW or SmackDown despite multiple mid-card title reigns.

In NXT, Apollo Crews could have occupied the Finn Bálor role: a former main roster champion who returns to become the measuring stick for the brand. His presence in the WWE developmental brand’s mid-card would have elevated the North American Championship to main-event status every single week.