In the world of professional wrestling, the WWE Draft is a pivotal event that can shape the careers of many up-and-coming talents. Night One of the WWE Draft 2024 saw two NXT stars make the leap to the bigger stage. Former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes was notably picked as the third selection in the first round. Meanwhile, Kiana James secured her spot as RAW’s final pick of the evening. Both Hayes and James appeared poised and ready to take on the new challenges that await them on the main roster, with the potential for more NXT stars to join them as the Draft continues into Night Two.
However, not all NXT talent is deemed ready for the immediate jump to the limelight of SmackDown or RAW. The focus here is on those stars who are still in need of further development before they can truly shine on the main stage. This includes a number of wrestlers who, while featured prominently on NXT, require additional refinement in various aspects of their performance.
Among them is the group known as Meta-Four, with Noam Dar at its helm. The group is known for its entertaining segments and frequent in-ring shenanigans. While Noam Dar appears to be ready for a return to the main roster, his cohorts still have some way to go. Oro Mensah shows promise in the ring but needs to hone his promo skills. Lash Legend has shown improvement since her debut but could use further polishing. Jakara Jackson, though talented, has yet to truly distinguish herself. With more experience, the group could either individually or collectively make their mark on the main roster.
Thea Hail represents the youth movement in WWE, having been pushed since her debut two years prior. With WWE’s focus on recruiting young talent and building them from the ground up, Hail’s background in gymnastics provides a solid foundation for her development in the WWE style. Despite being involved in prominent storylines, Hail’s character still needs refinement. Her time with Chase University and alongside veterans like Jacy Jayne has been instrumental, but she will need to venture out on her own to fully prepare for the transition to the main roster.
Newer to the NXT scene is OTM (Out The Mud), which includes Jaida Parker, who has been gaining attention since her appearance in the Breakout Tournament. Scrypts, a veteran of over four years, lends his experience to the group, which benefits everyone involved. Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, while showing potential, need to work on their promo delivery. Jaida Parker, despite being positioned for bigger things, is still relatively new to the ring and would benefit from more time to develop her skills before moving up.
Sol Ruca is another female talent with a bright future in NXT. Her gymnastics background and eye-catching finisher, the Sol Snatcher, make her a standout athlete. However, she still needs to refine her in-ring storytelling and promo skills, as evidenced by her performance in the Beach Brawl with Blair Davenport at Spring Breakin’. Her physical prowess is undeniable, but she requires further experience to fully realize her potential.
Lola Vice, with her MMA background, has demonstrated her striking and submission skills in NXT. Yet, her transition to wrestling requires a deeper understanding of in-ring transitions and counters. Additionally, her mic work needs improvement; her delivery is often inconsistent and could benefit from a more measured approach.
Lastly, Trick Williams, the current NXT Champion, has rapidly risen to become one of the most popular stars in NXT. His transition from football to professional wrestling has showcased his natural athleticism and charisma, particularly on the mic. However, his in-ring technique still requires fine-tuning. WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has even noted that Williams could use more time to develop his wrestling skills. With the NXT title, Williams has the opportunity to grow as a performer while continuing to learn and improve within the brand, much like Bron Breakker did before his main roster debut earlier this year.
