The term “indie darling” often referred to wrestlers who were big stars on the independent scene, but seemingly never had a shot of being a top-level WWE Superstar. While times have since changed and those same indie stars are now future NXT talents, there was a time when it was unheard of for indie talents to get big shots in WWE.

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Great workers like Low-Ki and Austin Aries who had that label came in and worked for the company, but never managed to get a major match. However, there are some “indie darlings” who got to the promised land and went on to have major matches for the company in the process.

10 Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins was the very definition of an “indie darling.” He was someone who would work the likes of Ring Of Honor and PWG, putting on classics on a consistent basis, but never seemed like the type of wrestler WWE would bring in.

However, not only did WWE sign him, but Rollins has thrived with the company. He has had countless major matches from WrestleMania main events to winning the Royal Rumble and everything in between.

9 Tommaso Ciampa

While he might not have competed on a consistent basis on WWE’s main roster, this “indie darling” has had an amazing WWE career. Tommaso Ciampa has been involved in some of NXT’s biggest ever matches, headlining Takeover events multiple times.

He’s been a lengthy NXT Champion and became one of the greatest stars to ever compete on the black and gold brand. He’s more than proven his ability on the biggest stage, which is why he’s been such a great signing for the company.

8 Johnny Gargano

Much like Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano was seen as an “indie darling” and one of the best wrestlers in the world. But because of his size, a career in WWE was in doubt, even when he first arrived in the company.

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But he worked his way up from just putting over other talents to eventually holding every title in NXT. He’s had more Takeover matches than anybody in history, main eventing the show multiple times and proving what an amazing star he is.

7 Kevin Owens

As Kevin Steen on the independent scene, he shocked the world with his amazing in-ring ability. However, once he got to WWE, Kevin Owens continued changing the game as one of the best WWE Superstars of his generation.

A dominant star in NXT, Owens went on to thrive in WWE as well. From his major matches with John Cena to feuding with Chris Jericho and Goldberg, KO has had countless major matches and always stepped up within them.

6 Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose was a different type of independent star as he often worked quite a hardcore style, especially with CZW. Because of WWE’s PG nature, he was a talent that wasn’t expected to make it, as he simply didn’t fit in.

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However, Ambrose not only made it but he excelled. As a member of The Shield, he had some huge matches for WWE. But alone, he also won the WWE Championship and even gained a WrestleMania match with Brock Lesnar.

5 Becky Lynch

WWE has only just started picking up true “indie darlings” in the women division, with the likes of Candice LeRae and Mia Yim. As many of WWE’s top stars such as Bayley and Charlotte Flair have really been developed in-house.

However, one wrestler who has gone on to achieve massive success that was an independent star is Becky Lynch. She was known around the world but has since gone on to headline WrestleMania, becoming a global name in the process.

4 AJ Styles

AJ Styles was somebody that fans never thought would make it to WWE, simply because he was a big name elsewhere. Whether it was TNA, New Japan, or on the indie scene, AJ had made his name everywhere but the top of the mountain.

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He made up for lost time though, literally debuting in one of the biggest matches of the year in the Royal Rumble. Since then he’s had countless major matches for top titles, becoming a huge sensation.

3 Finn Balor

Finn Balor was someone who broke through the ranks in the UK independent scene, and he was very much an “indie darling.” He was a smaller wrestler but someone who could strike and work a highflying style, proving himself in Japan as a main event-worthy star.

Then when he joined WWE, his career only grew. From being a dominant two-time NXT Champion to arguably his biggest match, winning the Universal Championship at SummerSlam, to become the first man in history to hold the title.

2 CM Punk

CM Punk’s WWE career was such a success that he’s now often just thought of as a WWE guy, rather than an “indie darling.” However, it was certainly on the independent scene where Punk made his name.

He was a talent that hardcore wrestling fans didn’t expect to thrive in WWE, but he upset the odds, becoming an amazing success. From battles with The Rock to John Cena, Punk was able to do it all for the company, having tons of major matches, including a WrestleMania bout with The Undertaker.

1 Daniel Bryan

When it comes to “indie darlings” having big matches with WWE, they don’t get much better than Daniel Bryan. He was the perfect example of an independent star that was deemed too small to be a success in WWE.

Yet he’s gone on to become one of the greatest stars the company has ever had. He’s main evented two WrestleMania’s as well as countless other PPVs along the way, truly becoming a big match type competitor for the company.

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