Predicting the next 5 NXT Superstars to get called up to the main roster

During WrestleMania weekend and its aftermath, a bevy of NXT stars moved full-time to the main WWE roster. Sami Zayn had his NXT going-away match with Shinsuke Nakamura, Baron Corbin won the Andre the Giant battle royal, Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady and Apollo Crews all debuted on RAW and the Vaudevillains debuted on SmackDown.

So who will be the next beloved NXT Superstars to make the leap to the main roster? We take our best guess at the top five who are MOST ready to make the move as of right now.

1. Shinsuke Nakamura

This one is the no-brainer, of course. This guy is absolutely ready for the bright lights right this instant. He was ready before he ever signed a WWE contract. It's good that he's spending time in NXT, both because there IS an adjustment period and because it's getting even more people to talk about and watch NXT. He's helping to legitimize the brand ... not that it needs too much help at the moment.

Nakamura will probably spend a few more months in NXT setting the world on fire before he moves to the main roster, but it's going to be glorious when he finally gets there. More than anyone else currently in NXT, it's a question of "when" and not "if" with Nakamura.

2. Bayley

And this is the other no-brainer. Bayley will be the next woman on the NXT roster to get called up, but she still has plenty of unfinished business in NXT. Not just regarding her rematch with Asuka, but also because the next crop of NXT women (excluding Alexa Bliss, of course) still needs that veteran, Four Horsewoman oversight.

Given how crowded the WWE Women's division is right now, I wouldn't be surprised if Bayley doesn't make it to the main roster until after SummerSlam, which is when Sasha Banks will likely capture the gold. But Bayley is absolutely the next woman up.

After these top two no-brainers, however, predicting the next call-ups get a bit dicey.

3. Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe is arguably the NXT performer who is MOST ready to move to the main roster right this second. Will he ever actually make it to WWE? I honestly have no idea. It wouldn't surprise me if Joe spends the remainder of his career in NXT, helping make everyone else look like a billion bucks and wrecking shop whenever asked. But I think the runaway success of AJ Styles on the main roster is helping make the case for Samoa Joe getting a call-up.

There are a whole lot of dream matches on the main roster that can be built around Joe and he can be a legitimate, believable monster opponent for whatever WWE babyface you want to aim him at. The thing that makes a Samoa Joe call-up so difficult to predict is the Samoa Joe paradox: although he might be the performer most prepared to make the move to the main roster, no one NEEDS the move less than he does at this point in his career.

It sure would be nice, though.

4. Finn Bálor

I mean, his Bullet Club buddies are all already on the main roster, right? There's also not a lot more left for Bálor to accomplish in NXT. Recently, Finn has taken a lot of outspoken pride on being THE GUY who is helping to build and grow the NXT brand, but it isn't going to last forever.

Right now, he's the biggest fish in a small pond. We'll have to see where this Gallows/Anderson storyline is leading before we know how Bálor fits into it ... if at all. But if he's going to move to the WWE roster at any point, you'd have to believe it will be sooner, rather than later.

The only tricky question about Finn moving up is ... who the heck do you pick to beat the guy for the title at this point?

5. Nia Jax

Yes, she's still green. But I think she's so unique that WWE would be willing to look past it and bring her to the main roster quickly to be the monster in the division. A seemingly unstoppable force to run up against Sasha, Bayley, or whomever might hold the title at that time.

Asuka's obviously a lot more qualified to move to the main roster sooner, but I believe she'll remain in NXT for some time, being the new standard bearer for the women's division when Bayley leaves and helping cultivate the future of the NXT women. Asuka will be on the main roster at some point, but I believe it will be after Nia moves up.

Those are our best guesses. Which five NXT performers do you think will get the call-up next?