10 Former NXT Stars Who Missed the WWE Main Roster but Found Success in AEW
Adam Cole
10. 2.0 (Daddy Magic Matt Menard & Cool Hand Angelo Parker)
Formerly known as Ever-Rise in NXT, Matt Menard and Angelo Parker spent years stuck in WWE developmental without ever receiving a true main roster call-up. Although they appeared sporadically on 205 Live, they never escaped the NXT system. Kevin Owens, however, saw something WWE didn’t. After their 2021 release, Owens personally recommended them to Chris Jericho, believing their charisma and chemistry were being wasted. Less than a year later, they landed in AEW and became key members of the Jericho Appreciation Society, where their loud-mouthed energy and comedic timing finally found a national stage.
9. Stokely Hathaway
A naturally gifted talker, Stokely Hathaway was widely regarded as one of the best promo minds in wrestling long before AEW fans embraced him. Signed by WWE in 2019, he spent his entire run in NXT under the names Court Moore and Malcolm Bivens, most notably managing the Diamond Mine faction. Despite consistently stealing scenes, WWE never promoted him to the main roster. When his contract expired, Hathaway chose not to re-sign and debuted in AEW just a month later. There, his sharp wit and expressive delivery made him an instant standout as a manager for top names like Jade Cargill, Willow Nightingale, and FTR.
8. Juice Robinson
During his NXT run as CJ Parker, Juice Robinson hadn’t yet evolved into the unhinged personality fans know today. From 2011 to 2015, he portrayed an eco-conscious agitator and was better remembered for accidentally breaking Kevin Owens’ nose than for winning matches. Robinson requested his WWE release before AEW even existed, betting on himself elsewhere. That gamble paid off in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he became a three-time United States Champion and a core Bullet Club member. By the time he arrived in AEW in 2022, he was fully formed — chaotic, intense, and instantly memorable.
7. Tay Melo (Tay Conti)
In NXT, Tay Conti was largely positioned as enhancement talent, often losing quickly on television. Frustrated by creative direction, she briefly walked out in early 2020 and was later released during WWE’s mass roster cuts. AEW offered her a fresh start, and she took it. Debuting just months later, Tay Melo steadily improved, forming a popular partnership with Anna Jay and later aligning with Sammy Guevara. Her growth in AEW was undeniable, transforming her from an overlooked NXT performer into a credible and confident presence.
6. Marina Shafir
Marina Shafir’s WWE run never reflected her real-world credentials. Signed in 2018 as part of MMA’s Four Horsewomen, she spent most of her NXT tenure wrestling untelevised matches or acting as backup for Shayna Baszler. WWE released her in 2021, seemingly unconvinced of her progress. Her early AEW appearances drew mixed reactions, but things changed dramatically after she aligned with the Death Riders. With a clearer role and stronger presentation, Shafir’s in-ring timing and confidence improved, reshaping her perception into a genuine AEW success story.
5. Roderick Strong
Few wrestlers are as universally respected as Roderick Strong. While he won championships in NXT, his skillset never felt like a natural fit for WWE’s main roster direction. After a quiet exit in 2022, Strong shocked fans with his AEW debut, complete with his iconic “End of Heartache” theme. Since then, he’s been featured prominently, capturing the International Championship and competing in marquee events like Blood & Guts and the Continental Classic. Even years into his career, Strong continues to perform at an elite level.
4. Kyle O’Reilly
Kyle O’Reilly thrived in NXT as part of the Undisputed Era, collecting tag team gold and building a reputation as a submission specialist. Still, a true main roster path never materialized. After letting his WWE contract expire in late 2021, O’Reilly appeared in AEW just weeks later. There, he blended brutal technical wrestling with unexpected humor, earning major wins before a serious neck injury sidelined him. His 2024 return reaffirmed his status as one of AEW’s most unique and dangerous competitors.
3. Luchasaurus
Before becoming one of AEW’s most recognizable big men, Luchasaurus wrestled in NXT under the name Judas Devlin. His WWE career was derailed by injury and overshadowed by serious allegations made against WWE trainers. After stepping away from wrestling, Austin Matelson reinvented himself entirely. The Luchasaurus character debuted in AEW in 2019 and quickly became a fixture, first alongside Jungle Boy and later under Christian Cage’s manipulation. Multiple championship reigns later, his AEW legacy has far surpassed anything possible in NXT.
2. Adam Cole
Adam Cole once appeared destined to be WWE’s next breakout star. As the leader of the Undisputed Era, he was one of NXT’s most popular acts. That momentum stalled during WWE’s 2021 restructuring, with reports suggesting plans to radically repackage him. Cole chose to let his contract expire and debuted in AEW at All Out 2021. Despite injury setbacks, he remained a top-tier figure, co-headlining All In at Wembley Stadium. Even without multiple title reigns, his AEW run eclipsed what likely awaited him on WWE’s main roster.
1. Swerve Strickland
Swerve Strickland’s WWE main roster stint barely lasted long enough to register. Drafted to SmackDown in 2021, he was released after just one televised win. AEW wasted no time capitalizing. After debuting in 2022, Swerve climbed steadily, first as a tag champion with Keith Lee and later as a ruthless singles star. His violent feud with Hangman Page cemented his credibility, and a world title victory soon followed. WWE may have been a brief stop, but AEW became his house.
