How WWE NXT Transformed Wrestling Stars into Millionaires: From Roman Reigns to Charlotte Flair

Bayley (Via WWE/Twitter)

NXT has evolved into one of the most influential wrestling promotions globally, far beyond its initial role as WWE’s developmental brand. Initially, NXT wrestlers viewed the main roster as the ultimate goal, but today, many are choosing to remain within the brand due to its increasing prominence and success. Over the years, NXT has produced a series of wrestlers who have not only moved to WWE’s Raw and SmackDown but have also achieved major career milestones. These stars have claimed world championships, tag team titles, and various other accolades, substantially contributing to their financial success.

For example, Dean Ambrose, now known as Jon Moxley in AEW, transitioned from a relatively unknown figure in NXT to one of the most prominent wrestlers in the world. During his WWE career, Ambrose secured a WWE Championship, three Intercontinental Titles, a U.S. Title, and two Tag Team Titles. His later success in AEW, including his championship win, further boosted his net worth.

Kevin Owens, who debuted in WWE after making a name for himself as Kevin Steen in Ring of Honor, had a remarkable run in NXT. He went on to defeat his best friend, Sami Zayn, and win the NXT Championship in a highly memorable storyline. Owens became the second man to hold the WWE Universal Championship and later captured the Intercontinental and U.S. Championships, significantly increasing his earnings over the years.

Bray Wyatt, originally known as Husky Harris in NXT, was later rebranded and became the enigmatic Bray Wyatt, leading the Wyatt Family to success. His career exploded after moving to the main roster, where he became a three-time World Champion and two-time Tag Team Champion, multiplying his financial success along the way.

Bayley (Image via Getty)

Bayley, who was part of NXT’s groundbreaking women’s division, has become one of the most successful female wrestlers in WWE history. She is a multi-time Women’s Grand Slam Champion and the longest-reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion. These accolades contributed greatly to her wealth, securing her place as a major WWE star.

Becky Lynch, despite never capturing the NXT Women’s Championship, became WWE’s most popular star, securing multiple title reigns, including holding both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships simultaneously. Her rise to fame and success has been a key factor in her impressive financial portfolio.

Roman Reigns and Charlotte Flair stand out as two of the highest-paid stars from NXT, with their record-breaking championship wins and main event status. Reigns, who has held both the WWE and Universal Championships, is considered one of the most financially successful wrestlers of his generation, with multiple WrestleMania headlining matches and various endorsement deals. Charlotte, with her record number of title wins, has cemented her status as one of the wealthiest and most influential female wrestlers in WWE history.

The journey from NXT to global wrestling stardom has proven to be financially lucrative for many wrestlers, with multiple championships and major career milestones significantly boosting their net worth.

 

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Categorized as Net Worth

By Julien D'alessandro

Julien is a wrestling news writer for Pro Wrestling Wire. He was the recipient of the JGW Memorial Scholarship at TSN and has had the privilege of working with and writing for several prominent sports media hosts, analysts, and reporters, including Jay Onrait, Craig Button, and Luke Willson. In addition to his writing career, Julien created a successful professional wrestling TikTok account, @shadesdaily, which has amassed over 150,000 followers, showcasing his expertise and passion for the industry. He brings this same enthusiasm and knowledge to his work at Pro Wrestling Wire. You can reach out to him at julienalessandro@prowrestlingwire.com.

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