I went back and found an old ranking I did, the background pretty much being that I had only been watching NXT for a short while. I'll be quoting my old rankings with my new rankings to see how much my opinions have changed. The numbers will be a bit off from the old to the new because I added 3 divas, but I'll be ranking based on: in-ring ability, mic skills, and overall potential star appeal. The divas aren't in a position to put asses in seats but they are in a position to potentially keep them there instead of taking a piss break.
1. Sasha Banks
Original Ranking - 5:
Ok not going to lie, Im not as impressed with Banks as some others are. Ive only been watching NXT for a short while and I can only vouch for her in-ring ability. I was expecting a little more personality wise given the hype around the boss, again Ive only been watching for a short time (and I'm a few episodes behind as is) so I probably missed most of her character development, but I do feel like she'd struggle to command a large crowd's attention.
New Reasoning: Clearly I'm one of the newer additions on the Banks bandwagon, but like I said in my original post I handn't really seen much of her. It was her match against Becky at TakeOver that really put me firmly on her side and she's been shining ever since even in defeat. I couldn't have been more wrong about about her potentially not having the ability to command a larger crowd's attention, their damn near begging for her every night.
There's really no topping that.
2. Paige
Original Ranking - 2:
It took me a while to warm up to Paige, she was another NXT diva I knew nothing about from actually seeing her, I just took what people had to say about her as truth and felt that for all the hype she was kind on meh. Though her feud with AJ wasn't done as well as it couldve been thats when I really started digging her. She was getting much more comfortable both in the ring and on the mic and it showed greatly. I still dont truly feel Ive seen the anti-diva persona that put her on the map so thats also something to look forward.
New Reasoning: Pretty much the same, I've seen more of her anti-diva side and she continues to be at the top of the pack as far as in-ring abilities go. She didn't completely loose herself joining Total Divas but instead used the new audience for better exposure and it all worked out. She's fine on the mic though there is still a little bit of a language barrier where her accent comes off thick as molasses sometimes, but she more than makes up for it in character and in the ring.
3. Bayley
Original Ranking - 6:
I feel like the crowd would eat her up. Theyd be sad for her when they needed to be then happy again when she needed them to be. Then shed get in the ring and jaws might drop. Imagine a less attractive but more adorable Maria whose not stupid just oozes innocence. If handled properly she could be big.
New Reasoning: Again pretty much the same, where now she's taken that innocence and turned it into a triumph story and it could work the same way on the main roster. Imagine a build just like how they did Daniel Bryan's Wrestle-mania win. Unlike most of the other women on this list she doesn't really have that sex appeal and I doubt she ever will, but a character like Bayley doesn't need it. She'll inspire your kids and will only hand someone their ass on a silver platter if absolutely necessary.
4. Charlotte
Original Ranking - 1:
I feel like with a little time and effort the crowd will take anything she has to offer simply because shes Flairs daughter. Not to mention she knows her way inside and out of the ring so thats even more reason to root for her. The only downside is, I honestly dont think shes that attractive, which has the potential to be a huge downside. Unless were ready to see her ugly duckling to Mickie James miss piggy".
New Reasoning: While her looks were a non factor, I'm in the camp that believes her only character standing being that she Flair's daughter was a mistake. She's the champion right now, and I just don't care. There's no doubt that she can go in the ring (though apparently there is) but it just proves that being a good or great wrestler just isn't enough on the main stage. I don't believe her star is falling, just dimming. If it takes turning her heel to wipe those tears out of her eyes and have her flaunting around that she's genetically superior, then so be it.
5. Nikki Bella
Original Ranking - 4:
I blame 99.9% of Nikki Bellas problem since shes improved on WWE creative. Shes made strides in the ring (anyone who says otherwise can kiss her perfectly tanned ass) and I believe that if given programs that arent completely shallow and/or a character that didn't change whenever the wind blew shed be an even better diva. Considering she's had this faulty handling and shes still improving and entertaining says a lot.
New Reasoning: I've come to believe that Nikki's childish taunting isn't just bad writing, I honestly believe creative thinks their appealing to a younger audience. Just like any other segment that I might find dimwitted, it's not supposed to appeal to me. With that being said, it still doesn't make it easier to watch, but she's still improving in the ring and always get a reaction from the crowd and that's what makes her one of the total divas (all puns intended). Though with many other stars rising she needs something to give her an edge, and I honestly believe dropping Team Bella is the answer. Unlike some others I don't despise the teams, but it is getting a bit tired. Though I understand the teams makes the juggling of all of the divas easier with just one title and a not so split brand. However they've done fine with making mini feuds outside of the title picture, and they should continue with that. Rotating the winners and losers into and out of the title picture.
6. Becky Lynch
Original Ranking - 12:
From the very little that Ive seen she can go in the ring and has a personality I feel most fans would enjoy. I just feel like shed be the current day Katie Lee if not handled properly though.
New Reasoning: I've seen a lot more of Becky Lynch since this post and I've enjoyed pretty much all of it. She has some work to do on the mic but she's very entertaining in the ring. It's not hard to see she's kind of being lost in the shuffle right now, but I do feel that there are worse places to be than beside the the champ's side. She has a great personality and I think that if given a little singles time she could really get over.
7. Asuka
This may be a little high considering she's only been in NXT for such a short time, but I think the main roster would love her sort of eerie character. She's talented in the ring and doesn't mind to play to the crowd's ear, she could be very versatile and I believe that's a huge bonus.
8. Alexa Bliss
Original Ranking - 15:
Might as well call her Kelly Kelly
Kelly. Shes what K2 improved to be by the time she left, so she has plenty of room to grow and seems at least comfortable being interviewed backstage. Ive only seen two of her matches, both with Sasha, one better than the other, but the second seemed like it was nerves more than anything else. With some concentration she could be a good baby face diva. Or at least a good face valet.
New Reasoning: Well no wonder everyone wants to be a heel!
It was an odd switch at first but it's definitely working. She's improved a lot in the ring from my last post as working a heel style really allows her to show off and develop some character in the ring. Some more time practicing on the mic down in NXT and she could really be a big deal when she comes to the main roster. She somehow manages to be cute and sexy at the same time, which never hurts. She has a good finisher and though she's a good foot under some of the other divas she could definitely hold her own on the main roster.
9. Emma
Original Ranking - 7:
Another diva who knows her way all the way around a ring, but Im just not feeling her. They, apparently, took a small crowd gimmick and tried it on the main stage to a big fat flop, and I havent seen any damage control for me to take her seriously. No, Santino didnt help. That being said whenever the recovery begins I still feel like they could do a lot with her.
New Reasoning: I believe Emma can be a very versatile character for the division. They made a mistake with assuming that the main roster crowds were just going to automatically accept her with open arms (which is instead what happened to Sasha), but I believe she could still be a main player on the main stage if handled properly. She's good in the ring, she's attractive, she has an accent but it's not too thick and she's now played both a heel and a face character. I feel like I was being a bit too harsh at first with Emma, she's talented and if given something to sink her teeth into I believe she could be very entertaining.
10. Naomi
Original Ranking - 8:
I feel like Naomi has a good personality, but up until a few weeks ago it was very one dimensional. Shes doing alright with her heel turn, nothing spectacular but its watchable. Shes the most athletic diva on the roster, but at times would get ahead of herself, especially with divas who couldnt keep up as is, and it made for very awkward spots. Her match with Nikki at Extreme Rules though was very enjoyable which leads me to believe my earlier assumptions that if she just slowed down a bit (as most heels do) she would do just fine.
New Reasoning: Like I mentioned above, Naomi's awkward timing during matches during her initial push led to a missed opportunity. Which was probably for the best because she really wasn't ready. However, like I assumed above she slowed herself down a lot after turning heel and it's led to her having much better matches. The only thing going against her now is that terrible finisher and being so closely associated to Banks. If they let her though, I do believe she could be a fun face and entertaining heel.
11. Natalya
Original Ranking - 10:
No one can take away from what she has to offer in the ring, but that really doesnt change the fact that she has the personality of a brown paper bag. Even on Total Divas I found myself being bored to tears with her and her woe is me storyline. Is what shes complaining about true? Yes, for the most part, but that doesnt make her any less of a drag to listen to. I do fault creative for years of mishandling with few and far between glimpses of hope, and I still believe she should have been the first Divas Champion, because for the most past shes been lost ever since she lost all those years ago.
New Reasoning: Though it could have been more surprise for the fact that they were actually doing it, I did enjoy Natalya's insertion into the teams and her mini feud going on with Paige. She's just as good as she's ever been in the ring but like mentioned above creative is at fault for a large part of her lack of luster, and her entertaining interactions with Paige are proof that she can be a good hand to have around.
12. Dana Brooke
Original Ranking - 20:
N/A. I couldnt tell you what she looks like.
New Reasoning: Well I certainly know what she looks like now. She's not the best on the mic or in the ring but I do believe she's in a good place to still be relatively new in NXT. Give her half a year, maybe a full one, and she'd fit right in on the main roster as the former body builder turned wrestler.
13. Alicia Fox
Original Ranking - 9:
She seems to be the go-to beta diva in most cases. Shes good in the ring, and if they would giver her a different character
or any character for that matter, besides the chick that goes a little wacko sometimes and then is fine and then goes a little crazy again but then is fine
you get where Im going with this. Shes a bit uncomfortable on the mic but with some more exposure I think shed do fine. She also has one of the best diva finishers.
New Reasoning: I like Alicia, but being relegated to third wheel in Team Bella is the worst thing to happen to her, while still being the best. She was going nowhere fast without them, and she's now featured prominently in tag matches. One of her pluses is that she has one of the better finishers in the division but I don't recall the last time I saw it. With that being said if she were given her own character her chances at the championship would still be next to zero, but she'd still be a solid and entertaining hand to have around.
14. Summer Rae
Original Ranking - 11:
When you think of a WWE diva some Summer Rae-ish type of woman should be one of the first things to pop up in your head. She has charisma and the look, and shes decent in the ring given how little experience she has.
New Reasoning: Again we're getting further and further away from the title picture here, but everyone needs a ray of sunshine.
She's unfortunately been involved in one of the worst angles of the year and has had no ring time to make up for it. Being the hot blonde unfortunately makes you easy picking for love pairs, but if they were to let her be a wrestler there's still some potential there.
15. Carmella
Original Ranking - 17:
I dont know why the crowd is all the way down her back but I like her. Her personality is on 10 without looking cheesy and she oozes charisma, hopefully she can match it up in the ring. Given the crowds approvals I feel like she can be a successful face or heel.
New Reasoning: She's shown a few moves in the ring, and while she has a lot of ground to makeup for if she wants be in the title picture one day, she still has the potential to be a good heel or face diva on the main roster.
16. Billie Kay/Peyton Royce
The two new Aussies in NXT with long legs, that's basically all we know about them as of now. But much like the Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch who walked into NXT are a far cry from the stars who walked out, I believe these two have the potential to make similar transitions.
17. Tamina
Original Ranking - 13:
She has a great look, I honestly expected her to be the next Beth Phoenix. Really cant remember much about her in-ring ability besides a power kick (which, granted, was impressive), and shes also a little stiff on the mic from what tidbits Ive heard.
New Reasoning: Much like Alicia Fox she's the third wheel in her group, but she's still a decent power diva to have around if you need to make someone look good.
18. Nia Jax
She had a typical monster debut so there's not too much to say as of now, but it was ok and she has lots of time to continue to improve.
19. Brie Bella
Original Ranking - 14:
If they showed her for the down to earth hippie she is maybe all would be well, but having her behave like a teenage bully (complete with the holding a giant L to her forehead) just shows how much shes acting
and how bad she is at it. Following her on Instagram and seeing her on TV at times makes me feel like theres a 3rd twin running around.
New Reasoning: Brie can range from decent to bad in the ring, which isn't a good thing. It shows inconsistency in how much effort she puts in her matches, like she picks and chooses when to care enough to give her best. Like I mentioned above the mean girls act is tired, but also like I mentioned earlier maybe it's just not aimed at me.
20. Eva Marie
Original Ranking - 16:
Shes trying guys. You can see videos of her training and it didnt take years for her to get that she has a golden opportunity so why not make the most of it and do as best you can while youre at it. I commend her for her efforts. Her look is Maximum Hot 100 worthy, need I say more? I feel like she has a personality that can easily rub people the wrong way but with a few teaks that can be worked to her advantage.
New Reasoning: I know her star is rising with a lot of people while she's in NXT and I'm surprised I don't agree. Yeah, she's improved from awkward headlocks but that's not saying too much. The match where she forgot to kick out was a huge face palm, they cleaned it up pretty nicely with the referee vouching for her but I don't believe that was the original plan. Apparently she's had her best match to date recently, I look forward to seeing it when it airs. She still has the look and personality that they're working in her favor, but she still has a very long way to go with the plans creative has for her.
21. Cameron
Original Ranking - 17:
Cameron Cameron Cameron Cameron Cameron. I know shes on just about everyones sh!t list and shes embarrassed herself far too many times to forget
but I feel like she could at least be a good heel valet. At most? From what Ive seen, shes actually decent in the ring if you forgive her erm, pinning error. But unlike Eva I dont see her doing anything to improver herself so, eh.
New Reasoning: Apparently Cameron's working down in NXT so hopefully she can work to improve herself as well. I wasn't kidding when I said that besides her pinning error I had seen her work decent matches, lets see her get back to that.
