(NEXSTAR) – Ahead of WWE NXT's historic transition to the CW Network on October 1, we're taking on the task of ranking the top wrestling superstars who developed in NXT. Hundreds of elite athletes have been through the system and roughly 90% of this year's WrestleMania roster has ties back to NXT. But who are the greatest to come out of WWE's newest brand? WWE NXT coming to CW Network: But what is it? For this exercise, we're going to try and avoid stars who had extended careers or made a name for themselves prior to NXT. We'll also include only wrestlers who truly developed themselves or their persona during their time in NXT. For that reason, top talent like Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura and Finn Balor will be left off the list. 10. Big E Big E arrives for his match during the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view in the Saudi capital Riyadh on October 21, 2021. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine/AFP via Getty Images) Big E is a former NXT Champion who started his professional wrestling career in NXT. After floundering for a bit after his time in WWE's developmental system, he found his place with The New Day, one of WWE's most successful tag teams. In 2021, Big E won the WWE championship after cashing in his "Money in the Bank" title. Big E is currently sidelined from in-ring action with a major neck injury but contributing as a broadcaster. What exactly is WWE NXT? 9. Bayley Bayley, who started in NXT in 2013, went from being the brand's ultimate underdog and NXT Women's Champion to becoming a WWE Grand Slam Champion (holding every women's title in WWE). After years as a beloved "good guy," Bayley became a villain in 2019, revitalizing her career. Most recently, she won the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 40. 8. Bianca Belair A college standout in track, Belair came to NXT in 2016. Over time, she development her "EST of WWE" persona (the fastEST, the strongEST) and became a top star with her exceptional athleticism. This multi-time WWE Women's Champ actually never won the NXT Women’s Championship. She headlined WrestleMania 37, defeating Sasha Banks and cementing her place as one of WWE's top stars. 7. Gunther WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther answers questions from the media at the post-match press conference following the WWE Bash in Berlin Premium Live Event at Uber Arena on August 31, 2024, in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images) Many will argue this athlete had a celebrated career ahead of NXT and WWE, but we're going to include him for both the physical and character transformations he made. Gunther started in NXT UK, becoming the longest-reigning champion and holding the title for 870 days. He then had a similar run as the Intercontinental Champion. At SummerSlam 2024, Gunther defeated Damian Priest to win his first Word Heavyweight Championship. 6. Bray Wyatt Wyatt transitioned from NXT to WWE, bringing the unique and eerie Wyatt Family along with him. Bray Wyatt quickly developed into one of WWE's top acts — even challenging The Undertaker at a WrestleMania. His evolution into The Fiend in 2019 revitalized his career, creating a dark, dual-persona that captured fan interest and additional championships. 5. Rhea Ripley Currently WWE's top female act, Rhea Ripley came to NXT UK and immediately showed promise. She's slowly evolved over time to one of WWE's most physically dominant female performers. At WrestleMania 40, Ripley retained the RAW Women's Championship with a win over legendary women's competitor Becky Lynch. 4. Seth Rollins After finding success on the independent wrestling circuit, Rollins became a superstar in NXT. He held the NXT Championship and later debuted on WWE's main roster as a founding member of The Shield. Rollins is one of the biggest stars in WWE, holding multiple WWE and Universal Championships, and being part of iconic moments like a WWE title cash-in at WrestleMania 31. 3. Becky Lynch Becky Lynch is introduced prior to her fight during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) Becky Lynch went from being an underdog in NXT to becoming one of WWE’s most popular stars, known as "The Man." She became the first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania in a contest against Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 35. At that point, she became "Becky Two Belts," winning both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships. The NFL’s new dynamic kickoff rule: How does it work? 2. Charlotte Flair A trailblazer for the women’s division, Flair is a multi-time WWE Women’s Champion and one of WWE's headlining acts. Being a main event star is in her family genes; Flair in the daughter of the legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. She got started in NXT without any real wrestling experience and developed into one of the business' top performers. 1. Roman Reigns Roman Reigns returns during SummerSlam at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 3, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images) WWE's top act got started as an up-and-comer in NXT back in 2012. Reigns never won the NXT title and made the transition to WWE's main roster as a secondary figure in The Shield. Years later, Reigns is a multi-time WWE Universal Champion and WWE Champion, and is widely regarded as one of the top stars in WWE. He recently had one of the longest title reigns in modern WWE history before losing to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. Honorable mention: Sami Zayn, Damian Priest, Bron Breakker, Tiffany Stratton In addition to wowing WWE audiences, the wrestlers helped shape the NXT into a legitimate third brand for the company, and clearly demonstrated the NXT's importance in developing future stars. Who will be the next Roman Reigns or Charlotte Flair? To find out, tune in for WWE NXT on CW Network, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.