Debate of the Decade: WWE FCW Alumni Ranked

By Phil Cooper

​This year marked the tenth anniversary of Florida Championship Wrestling’s launch. Though the FCW became integrated with the new NXT in 2012, it oversaw the emergence of (seemingly) countless talents while a territorial project. Many of them slid effortlessly into the WWE roster on a full-time basis, and fans are naturally split as to the identity of the best FCW graduate. This review encompasses the top three FCW graduates from both the SmackDown and Raw brands.

3. Sheamus (Raw)

​Sheamus joined WWE (in 2009) already knowing what it took to win silverware, having done so at his native Irish Whip Wrestling by twice winning its International Heavyweight Championship. Sheamus is now reflecting on a hugely successful WWE career, which has seen him win the world title four times.

3. Rusev (SmackDown)

​As the first Bulgarian wrestler on the roster, Rusev had much to prove upon being contracted to the FCW in September 2010. He also overcame serious injuries prior to his debut in January 2014, including a torn ACL, a torn meniscus and a broken neck, which was the Royal Rumble. Though third to be eliminated (after entering sixth), he enjoyed an undefeated streak lasting eighteen months which propelled him to the top of the card.

2. Seth Rollins (Raw)

​Along with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose, he was one-third of a stable known as ‘The Shield.' He is only a marginal outsider to win the 2018 Royal Rumble and a relatively safe way to spend a free bet in that respect. He became a part of the WWE on pure merit, having first risen through the ranks to become a Ring Of Honor world champion in the 2009/10 season.

2. Dolph Ziggler (SmackDown)

​Ziggler was born to win belts. He kicked off his FCW career with two separate reigns as a tag team champion, with Brad Allen and (later) Gavin Spears. Upon his transfer from Raw to SmackDown in April 2009, the two-time world title winner also reigned as the Intercontinental Champion for two years.

1. Roman Reigns (raW)

Though he would be nothing without the presence of his fellow ‘Shield’ members, Reigns is now the face of the entire Federation. A former football player and serial WrestleMania headliner, Reigns is the athlete’s athlete. He is well-known for being one of the most negatively-received ‘faces’ in living memory, but his rise to fame after a poor start to life in the FCW acts as a source of inspiration to those still consigned to the NXT.

1. Kofi Kingston (SmackDown)

​An excellent tag teamer, with thirteen belt wins to date, Kingston was tested to the extreme in his early career through being a significant fixture in the Extreme Championship Wrestling brand. Acting as a foil to Randy Orton in the late 2000s enabled him to become one of the most influential members on the roster in a relatively short space of time.

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