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NXT has truly emerged as WWE's most beloved brand. While ostensibly the developmental territory of the world's largest sports entertainment company, NXT has collected some of the finest professional wrestling talents in their totally stacked roster.
Sitting at the top of the NXT heap is Tommaso Ciampa, the current--though probably not for much longer given his injury--NXT champion. Ever since he captured the NXT title, the sight of Ciampa carrying around "Goldie" has become synonymous with the yellow brand. However, in light of his neck fusion surgery, he will probably have to vacate his beloved title while he recovers.
No return date has been announced as of yet, as it is too early to tell, but most patients who receive the same surgery are out of action for at least three months. This is three times as long as the mandatory thirty days that a champion must defend their title.
It remains unclear what the WWE will do with the NXT championship, though having Ciampa vacate is almost a given. Will they hold a tournament for the title? A wild six-man ladder match as they did to crown the first ever North American champion?
Whatever the means used to crown a new champion, here are ten men who might fit the bill as NXT's standard bearer.
Possible NXT Champion #1: Limitless Keith Lee
Years in the pro wrestling business: 13 (veteran.)
Height and Weight: 6'3" 320 lbs
Wrestling style: Power wrestling with striking and high flying.
Keith Lee made his debut way back in 2005 when he was announced as The Prince of all Saiyans with a power level of well over 9000. Anime references aside, if you were going to make a real-life Dragon Ball Z character he would probably look--and fight--a lot like Keith Lee.
Much like Kevin Owens, Keith Lee's grace and agility belie his bulk. Lee can sail over the top rope with ease and has all the speed and stamina required to match up against any opponent.
Why he might be the next NXT champion: Power, speed, agility, and over ten years of experience put Keith Lee at or near the top of the contenders' list. His mike skills and charisma are above average and improving almost daily.
Possible NXT Champion #2: Jaxson Ryker
Years in the pro wrestling business: 18 (veteran.)
Height and Weight: 6'1" 245 lbs
Wrestling style: US standard worker.
Sharp-eyed NXT viewers who also watch TNA/Impact wrestling will recognize Ryker. Under the ring name Gunner--chosen because he was a machine gunner in the Marine corps--he was a force to reckoned with in TNA and even captured their Television title.
Since joining NXT, Ryker had been flying under the radar, so to speak--until he hooked up with the Forgotten Sons. The trio is enjoying a push that sees them wrestle on NXT almost every week.
Why he might be the new NXT Champion: Jaxson Ryker is one of the most experienced men on the NXT roster, and has been pushed as a potential main event star in TNA before. Given that WWE seems intent on establishing the Forgotten Sons as a force to be reckoned with, a title reign by Ryker might be in order to fully legitimize the group.
Possible NXT Champion #3: Ricochet
Years in the pro wrestling business: 14 (veteran.)
Height and Weight: 5'9" 188 lbs.
Wrestling style: Lucha Libre and high flying.
Though his NXT career is just beginning, Ricochet is an international star who has wrestled for Evolve, Dragon Gate, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Lucha Underground. During his career he has amassed over thirty different championships and tournament wins, making him one of the most highly decorated NXT stars in history.
Many fans were both surprised and delighted when the One and Only was signed to the NXT brand, and even more so when he quickly made his television debut. He has already tasted gold in NXT, capturing the North American championship.
Why he could be the next NXT Champion: The former Prince Puma has excellent poise, a dazzling ring style, and already has the hearts and minds of the WWE Universe squarely behind him.
Possible NXT Champion #4: Matt Riddle
Years in the pro wrestling business: 5 years (journeyman--just barely out of the rookie phase, making his success even more impressive.)
Height and Weight: 6'2" 210 lbs.
Wrestling style: Striking and submissions.
While pro wrestlers like Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, and CM Punk have all jumped from pro wrestling to MMA, Matt Riddle did the exact opposite. He was a contestant on the Ultimate Fighter reality series, and though he did not win was impressive enough to earn a UFC contract.
Riddle joined the world of pro wrestling after his MMA career ended. He left the UFC as their number three best in takedown defence and their number eight top striker overall. Riddle quickly adapted to the world of pro wrestling and became a force in the independent leagues before joining NXT last year.
Why he might be the next NXT champion: The King of Bros has a ton of charisma, and mainstream media appeal, and in terms of wrestling his skill belies his short stint in sports entertainment. Big things are in store for Riddle in the future, and that could include a reign as NXT champion.
Possible NXT Champion #5: Eric Bugenhagen
Years in the pro wrestling business: 2 (Rookie)
Height and Weight: 6'1" 233 lbs
Wrestling style: Power wrestling with technical acumen.
Eric Bugenhagen was a college wrestling standout, earning his letters four years in a row and also serving as his team's strength and conditioning coach. An avid weight lifter, Bugenhagen has also dabbled in the world of powerlifting competitions.
He was recruited by the WWE with no professional wrestling experience, and made his debut in 2017, only to be derailed by a devastating knee injury. After nearly a year on the shelf, the Bug is back, and he brought his air guitar with him.
Why he could be the next NXT champion: Bugenhagen is a 'just add water' sensation, a man who is already over with the NXT audience just on a few performances. His amateur wrestling background gives him legitimacy, and he is pound for pound one of the strongest men not only in NXT but all of WWE.
Possible NXT Champion #6: Pete Dunne the Bruiserweight.
Years in the pro wrestling business: 14 (veteran.)
Height and Weight: 5'10" 205 lbs.
Wrestling style: Mat technician, submissions, striking.
Pete Dunne has already been NXT UK champion and is recognized as an international junior heavyweight superstar despite his relative youth. Not only has Pete Dunne strongly influenced pro wrestling, but he has also dabbled with being a promoter.
His clashes with Tyler Bate have already made him a legend among NXT fans, and it's not that far fetched that he might be transferred over to the US brand of NXT from the UK.
Why he might be the next NXT champion: In terms of technical wrestling ability, Pete Dunne is probably in the top ten wrestlers in the world--if not the absolute top, with all respect to Kenny Omega Dunne is less spotty than the Best Bout Machine. NXT fans already know and love him, and he has a ton of charisma.
Possible NXT champion #7: WALTER
Years in the pro wrestling business: 12 (veteran.)
Height and Weight: 6'4" 297 lbs.
Wrestling style: Power wrestling and striking.
WALTER is one of those rare breeds; A super heavyweight wrestler who can move quickly enough to keep up with much smaller athletes like Zack Sabre Jr, with whom he has had five-star matches.
His power wrestling game is almost as famous as his propensity to chopping his opponent's chests into raw hamburger. Many have compared him, favourably so, to a young Big Van Vader, and indeed Walter was once known by the ring name Big Van Walter.
Why he might be the next NXT champion: While WALTER is cutting his WWE teeth in NXT UK, his size and standing in the wrestling community mean that he would be an excellent candidate for a transfer to the 'main' NXT brand. One could easily see him feuding with Keith Lee, and the main roster spot would probably be almost guaranteed after a reign as NXT champion.
Possible NXT champion #8: Johnny "Wrestling" Gargano
Years in the pro wrestling business: 14 (veteran.)
Height and Weight: 5'10" 199 lbs.
Wrestling style: Technical wrestler with striking.
Many fans and critics were convinced that Johnny Gargano was 'too small' to ever make it in the WWE, but he has definitely proved them wrong. From his popular tag team with Ciampa as DIY to his reign as North American champion, Johnny Wrestling has tasted gold on multiple occasions in the WWE.
Recently he teased a main roster call up by appearing on Raw and Smackdown, but given Ciampa's injury, he might be staying with the NXT brand for a while longer to fill in Ciampa's spot.
Why he might be the next NXT champion: With supreme technical acumen, the support of the fans, and plenty of poise and experience, there aren't many others more credible to be NXT champion than Gargano.
Possible NXT Champion #9: Adam Cole
Years in the pro wrestling business: 11 (veteran.)
Height and Weight: 6'0" 210 lbs.
Wrestling style: Technical wrestling and striking.
Adam Cole has wrestled all over the world, including a stint as the leader of Bullet Club in the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. He was also the leader of his own stable in Ring of Honor, the Kingdom, and reigned as both tag team and World Heavyweight champion in ROH.
Once he joined NXT, he quickly established himself as one of the best pure wrestlers on the brand. His leadership skills again come to the fore as he is the commander of the Undisputed Era faction, who are possibly the closest anyone has come to replicating the Four Horsemen in the modern era.
Why he might be the next NXT champion: When Ciampa had to go on medical leave, it was Adam Cole who replaced him in his upcoming matches. This speaks volumes on how the WWE views Adam Cole. On top of that, he's a great wrestler and is a bad guy who still seems to have a strong following with the NXT universe.
Possible NXT champion #10: The Velveteen Dream
Years in the pro wrestling business: 4 (rookie.)
Height and Weight: 6'2" 227
Wrestling style: Technical wrestling.
Patrick Clark was one of the more impressive contestants on the 2014 edition of Tough Enough but was removed from the program for perceived arrogance. Obviously, that has not changed about the Dream.
What has changed is his approach to wrestling, which has earned him a great deal of support from the NXT Universe despite being ostensibly a heel character. His obvious allusions to Prince and Liberace only endear him further to the audience, and fans are still talking about his match against Ricochet at NXT Takeover.
Why he might be the next NXT champion: Velveteen Dream is probably the most popular wrestler on the NXT roster at present time. His poise and skill belie his brief stint in sports entertainment, and big things are in his future, including a possible NXT championship reign.
There you have it; Ten wrestlers who could be the next NXT champion. Questions or comments? Please leave them below the article and as always thanks for reading!
