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Kyle O'Reilly recently found himself in the headlines with his WWE contract expiring after NXT War Games. Following weeks of rumors and speculation, the former three-time NXT Tag Team Champion debuted for All Elite Wrestling on the Holiday Bash special of AEW Dynamite this past Wednesday.
The Violent Artist joined his former Undisputed Era stablemates Adam Cole and Bobby Fish in AEW. On Dynamite, the three men mirrored their infamous NXT debut back at TakeOver: Brooklyn III, a late entry for one of the most surreal visuals of 2021.
With his time with WWE in the books and his in-ring career in AEW set to begin on next week's AEW Dynamite: New Year's Smash, it's time to look back on what could've been. O'Reilly achieved a lot in NXT, but there was so much potential for him in the company. In this article, let's look at the five dream matches Kyle O'Reilly could've had on WWE's main roster.
5) Kyle O'Reilly vs. Sheamus
Kyle O'Reilly had fans talking about his prospects on WWE's main roster. Even after the split of his faction, many thought that he was destined for success on NXT and beyond. Whether it be in singles or tag team action, the Undisputed Era stablemate has excelled in a major way. Another superstar that fits the same bill is Sheamus.
The Celtic Warrior is a former four-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He was also in The Bar with Cesaro, one of the best tag teams of the past decade. Sheamus has been one of the most consistent performers since the start of the pandemic, with show-stealers on television and pay-per-view.
O'Reilly has a hard-hitting style that can be unmatched inside the squared circle, but Sheamus is one competitor that can keep up with the strikes. The two men going at it would be something more akin to what fans would see in NJPW. This contest will be physically intense and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
4) Kyle O'Reilly vs. Drew McIntyre
When looking at the WWE roster, Kyle O'Reilly has quite a few superstars who can match strikes and blows with the Violent Artist. Drew McIntyre has to be at the top of the list of competitors fans would love to square off against O'Reilly. They're two men who made a name for themselves on the independent scene but never mixed it up on a big stage.
The level of physicality between O'Reilly and Drew McIntyre could be amazing. The WWE Universe has seen the former Undisputed Era member have bangers with Finn Balor, while McIntyre's series with Sheamus this year was tremendous and unique in how stiff it was. This is what could be possible with O'Reilly and McIntyre.
3) Kyle O'Reilly vs. Ricochet
Kyle O'Reilly wasn't only a top talent on the independent scene but made a name for himself in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion tore it up in singles and tag team competition, including some incredible battles with KUSHIDA.
Another superstar who followed that same path is Ricochet. The former United States Champion won 2014 Best of Super Juniors Tournament. Although he's one of the best high flyers in the business today, Ricochet mixes it up very well with hard-hitting, submission experts like Kyle O'Reilly. The styles clash would make for a phenomenal encounter.
2) Kyle O'Reilly vs. Cesaro
There are several fan-favorite dream matches for an NXT call-up like Kyle O'Reilly. The Violent Artist could be a perfect matchup for headliners and upper mid-carders alike. One competitor who's always been under-appreciated is Cesaro.
The Swiss Superman has worked well in every role in WWE. Cesaro is a former United States Champion, the inaugural winner of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and a seven-time tag team champion. He has delivered quality bouts against a who's who of talent from John Cena to Sami Zayn.
In the ring, Cesaro is a brilliant technician who uses his excellent strength, explosive speed, and awesome agility to produce entertaining contests. O'Reilly would mesh extremely well with Cesaro.
1) Kyle O'Reilly vs. Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has to be regarded as one of the best in-ring performers in WWE since Shawn Michaels. His consistency on major shows has been unreal over the past few years. Rollins has had great matches with Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Edge, and Brock Lesnar. The Visionary of Drip has been incredible in the ring and as a character over the past year.
Kyle O'Reilly offers a different kind of opponent for Seth, but not one he isn't familiar with. In the past, Rollins has faced the likes of Daniel Bryan and Nigel McGuiness. Seth will have to use his vast experience to overcome the former three-time NXT Tag Team Champion.
For Kyle, he's experience against superstars similar to Rollins. His aforementioned clashes against Balor helped show main event potential, while his series against Adam Cole delivered some of WWE's best matches of 2021. Those two men will give him a taste of what he can expect from The Architect.
Rollins has done so well in the past two years against The Mysterios and Edge that there might not be a better introductory rival for an NXT call-up. Based on how tantalizing this matchup is, Seth Rollins vs. Kyle O'Reilly is the biggest dream we never got to see on WWE's main roster.
