5 Current NXT Wrestlers Who Are Older Than You Think (& 5 Who Are Younger)

NXT is considered the developmental brand and not on par with the main roster brands of Raw and SmackDown. NXT was introduced 2010. Since that inception, NXT has gone through many changes to become the popular developmental home of tomorrow's WWE superstars. NXT has been the proving ground to such popular main roster acts such as Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair, Sami Zayn, Becky Lynch, Kevin Owens, Alexa Bliss, Finn Balor, and even the Head of the Table Roman Reigns.

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Not every NXT star sticks on the main roster, as many former NXT alumni have had terrible main roster runs. Yet, NXT has proven itself as a valuable commodity to the entire WWE product. Currently NXT is booked by WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels. The developmental brand has seen an increase in collegiate athletes and a decrease in independent wrestlers. With NXT being the developmental system that produces stars of tomorrow, you may be surprised by some of the ages on the roster.

10 Older: Ivy Nile (31)

While 31 isn't anywhere near old, Nile is a little older than many of the women competing in NXT. Nile of course is part of the Diamond Mine with Julius and Brutus Creed. Nile is older than both the Creed Brothers. Nile participated in Mixed Martial Arts before committing to WWE. Nile was a contestant on the Titan Games hosted by Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Nile's in ring work suggests that she would be ready for the main roster. While her time isn't running out, it is nearing the time for WWE to move her up and let her matchup on the main roster.

9 Younger: Tiffany Stratton (24)

Tiffany Stratton just turned 24 on May 1st. The Buff Barbie has been on NXT screens since 2021 and has made a huge impact in the mind of fans. Stratton's athleticism and character work make her seem like a veteran in the ring.

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She most definitely has the makings of a future WWE superstar, but has plenty of time before that becomes a priority. Currently, the 24-year-old is one of the favorites to win the vacant NXT Women's Championship. She is young enough to continue to develop in NXT.

8 Older: Andre Chase (34)

Andre Chase would compete in Ring of Honor as Harlem Bravado in 2009. Chase would have a one off with TNA Wrestling in 2016. Chase did not sign with WWE until 2021. In September 2021 he launched Chase University. While his gimmick is of a "college professor", you think of Chase in the same light as his contemporaries in NXT Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. Hayes and Williams are only 28 years old. Chase spent most of his pre NXT career in a tag team, and may be suited as a tag team specialist on the main roster.

7 Younger: Sol Ruca (23)

Sol Ruca's athleticism is almost unbelievable in the ring. The former Oregon Duck gymnast debuted in NXT at only 22 years of age. The laid back Californian has jumped off NXT screens in 2023. Even receiving praise from former WWE World Champion Kofi Kingston. Ruca's finisher, the Sol Snatcher looks like one of the most devastating and athletic moves in wrestling today. The front flipping cutter that Ruca compares to a Russian gymnastic move Shaposhnikova. While Ruca is currently out of NXT due to injurt, she is so young that she has time to come back and snatch some more Sols.

6 Older: Joe Gacy (36)

Joe Gacy debuted in professional wrestling in 2006, The Schism member Ava Raine would have been 6 years old. Gacy started out wrestling in Combat Zone and moved to Evolve in 2018. Gacy would team with now AEW star Eddie Kingston to win the Evolve Tag Team Titles from the Street Profits. Gacy would debut in NXT in July 2021. Gacy's NXT character would then be a spokesperson for making NXT a safe space. Today, Gacy is the leader of the heel faction The Schism, yet the 36-year-old has to be looking for an opportunity on the main roster.

5 Younger: Cora Jade (23)

Much is made of the age of Cora Jade's former friend and current rival Roxanne Perez. Yet, Jade at 23 is only a year older than the former NXT Woman's Champion. Jade would debut in 2021 as tag team partner of Gigi Dolin. Originally Jade would play the lovable underdog in her matches. Yet, in the summer of 2022 we would see Jade turn heel and truly shine as a wrestling antagonist. Jade being a successful face and heel during her run in NXT makes her seem older than her age. Plus, Jade's character work is on par with any performer on the WWE main roster.

4 Older: Wolfgang (36)

Wolfgang currently teams with Mark Coffey as the NXT World Tag Team Champions. While Coffey is also a surprising 33, Wolfgang is the elder statesman at 36. The tag team champions combine with Joe Coffey (34) to create Gallus. Wolfgang actually started wrestling in Europe in 2003. Most notably Wolfgang competed for Scottish wrestling promotion Insane Championship Wrestling, where he is a former Heavyweight Champion. It seems like only a matter of time before Gallus has a main roster moment.

3 Younger: Brooks Jensen (21)

Brooks Jensen would make his NXT debut in 2021 teaming with fellow rookie Josh Briggs. Briggs is 30 years old and that would lead many to believe Jensen would be comparable in age to his rookie tag team partner. Jensen is the son of former WWE star Bull Buchanan and at only 21 has future star written all over him, Jensen has great size at 6'5 and with so much experience and success (former NXTUK Tag Team Champion) at only 21 years old the future is very bright for the second generation talent.

2 Older: Meiko Satomura: (43)

Meiko Satomura has been wrestling since 1995. Her nearly 30 year career started in Japan's women's promotion Gaea. In 1996 Satomura would wrestle in World Championship Wrestling. Satomura is the only talent to date that wrestled in WCW and NXT.

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Satomura would be the final NXTUK Women's champion before moving to NXT in 2022. Satomura may be slower than she was in 1995, but her character work and combat skills make her a dangerous competitor. Her in ring skills most definitely make Satomura seem younger than 43 years of age.

1 Younger: Thea Hail (19)

Thea Hail is still a teenager, who now has more than a year's worth of experience on NXT television. Hail debuted on NXT Level Up in April 2021, losing to the aforementioned Ivy Nile. Hail was a state competitor in gymnastics in high school. Hail embodies the athletic background that NXT has embraced post pandemic. At only 19 years of age, Hail has a bright future in NXT and most likely eventually on the WWE main roster. As Nikita Knight, the teenager also performed on AEW Dark before signing with WWE. So much experience for a performer that graduated from high school two years ago.