With WrestleMania season now in the rear-view mirror, WWE looks ahead to a new season, a season of change. We all heard it from the mouth of the boss man himself last week when Mr McMahon promised to “shake up” RAW and Smackdown Live. However, there was another brand left out of that discussion: NXT.Mr McMahon promised to “shake up” RAW and Smackdown Live. However, there was another brand left out of that discussion: NXT.
Now that Shinsuke Nakamura and Tye Dillinger are both members of the main roster, there is a tremendous void on the NXT roster, one that will need to be filled. The question now is just exactly who will step up to the challenge and make an attempt to fill the shoes of an athlete of Nakamura’s stature.
At first glance, a common fan would assume that NXT will struggle without the likes of Nakamura and whoever else that may get swooped up by the main rosters. However, when you take the time to pull back the layers and dig a little deeper, you will find that NXT is not in any sort of creative danger. In fact, the talent level in Orlando is in fantastic shape moving forward.
There are so many great wrestlers who have been patiently waiting in the wings, setting up rings at house shows until their time comes and now, their time is rapidly approaching.
What we are about to witness with NXT, is not some sort of rebuilding project. NXT is simply reloading with fresh talent, eager talent and talent more than capable of taking on the challenge of carrying NXT according to the standard they have grown to expect.
Looking at the current NXT roster, the Championships are in very worthy hands. The Authors of Pain are still a little rough around the edges, but Paul Ellering has these monsters poised, determined and consistently improving on a weekly basis.
Of course the veteran, Bobby Roode has the NXT Championship at the highest level, just as the women's Champion Asuka has done with her respective title. All-in-all, the top half of the NXT roster is incredibly solid. There is no need to be concerned with guys like Roode and Asuka, these two leaders will carry the brand with ease.
But, who else has the potential to step up and make a difference? The talent pool is deep, now it's time to see which of the NXT Superstars make the most of an interesting opportunity.
After studying the current NXT roster for several days, I have come up with the following list of 10 stars that I seriously believe will make a major impact in the coming weeks. These are the NXT Superstars who will prove to you in the coming weeks and months that things at Full Sail are perfectly fine.
#10 Roderick Strong
Don't be fooled by his mild, somewhat calm demeanour. Roderick Strong is a serious contender for the NXT Championship. Once he gets the right opportunity, Roddy will show the NXT faithful that he is indeed worth his weight in gold.demeanour. Roderick Strong is a serious contender for the NXT Championship. Once he gets the right opportunity, Roddy will show the NXT faithful that he is indeed worth his weight in gold.
Strong is not a rookie by any stretch. In fact, Roderick came to NXT with over 15 years of professional wrestling experience, along with a few top-tier title reigns under his belt as well. Prior to signing a WWE contract, Roderick Strong had already been a World Champion with Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, as well as Ring of Honor.
#9 Eric Young
Coming in at number nine, we meet yet another veteran in Eric Young. EY comes to NXT with nearly 20 years of professional wrestling experience, along with a laundry list of title reigns, from several top independent promotions across the United States.
Not to mention his accolades he has achieved with TNA. While with Impact Wrestling, Eric Young won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, as well as several other TNA titles, which resulted in Young becoming the seventh TNA Triple Crown Champion and the fourth to win the TNA Grand Slam Championship.
Eric is in a unique situation as he leads the destructive faction known as SAnitY as well as remaining focused on his singles career. Things are about to get very interesting at the top of the NXT food chain and Eric Young will be right there, waiting his turn.
#8 Authors of Pain
As mentioned earlier, Rezar and Akam are not as fundamentally fluid as some of their opponents, but these guys make up for any and everything they lack, with pure brute power. Not to worry, because these guys are young, highly intelligent and improving by leaps and bound consistently.
Not to mention they are privileged to have one of the greatest managers of all time in their corner with Paul Ellering.
Some fans and critics are sceptical about how high the ceiling will be for The Authors of Pain. But, I would strongly suggest that we just sit back and watch as these monsters continue to improve. They won't be jumping to the main roster anytime soon, but they will prove to be worth their weight in gold, once they successfully hone their craft.
#7 Nikki Cross
Yes, I am aware this list is a little heavy with members of SAnitY. Honestly, I debated whether or not I should simply list them as a faction and move on, but as much as I like this stable, I seriously doubt they will have longevity as a cohesive unit.
Reason being, there is a lot of singles talent within this group. Each of the members will probably be on RAW or Smackdown within a year. With that said, I just think there is more money on the table individually, rather than collectively.
Nikki Cross is a rare talent, with nearly a decade of in-ring experience and a laundry list of accolades to her credit. Whether SAnitY sticks it out for the long haul, or she goes solo, Nikki will be just fine and in no time, she will be chasing the main roster’s women's titles.
#6 Kassius Ohno
Kassius Ohno is such a rare and interesting story. Most fans will always see this guy as Chris Hero, the indie darling. However, he has been given something that not very many people get....a second chance. From released for being overweight and the original member of the Shield to being given another chance; things have come full circle.
Ohno isn't built like the cookie-cutter “sports entertainer,” BUT, he is definitely a great wrestler. Ohno has been accused in the past of lacking discipline, which is possibly why he has a typical “dad bod.” But, make no mistake about it, this veteran of nearly 20 years is more than capable of not only being a valuable asset but actually carrying the Yellow Brand if need be.
#5 #DIY
When I think of this incredible tag team, it reminds me of a mixture of The Brain Busters and The New Age Outlaws. Gargano and Ciampa are two of the most exciting, technically sound stars in NXT. Prior to signing with the WWE, both men took similar routes to get where they are today.
It’s almost as if they were cut from the same cloth, so to speak. Together in the ring, they are as flawless as you'll find anywhere, as well as being extremely exciting to watch.
Both Gargano and Ciampa started their careers about a dozen years ago and competed against some of the toughest stars in Evolve, Dragon Gate USA, and Ring of Honor just to name a few. Needless to say, they are as sharp as you’ll find and more than eager to regain the NXT Tag Team Titles.
#4 Oney Lorcan
If you're looking for a colourful, animated Superstar with some flashy gimmick to please all the little kiddos, keep looking. However, if you are searching for an in-your-face, no-nonsense, blood-thirsty brawler...I have just the guy for you.
Some of you guys probably remember this guy as Biff Busick, which is the name that gained him the most notoriety on the independent scene. Trained by Lance Storm, Oney sort of reminds you a little of Storm, as far as his stellar mat work.
The ceiling could be very high for this up and coming NXT Superstar.
#3 Ember Moon
When you think about the NXT Women's Division, you probably struggle to come up with many names beyond Asuka. While Asuka is a dynamite performer and definitely worthy of the title she carries, I still believe the company made a bad judgment call, creatively, by making Asuka appear like she is the only female talent on the roster.
This could have been catastrophic had Asuka suffered even a minor injury. As the fans would have been left with a group of strangers.
Nonetheless, Asuka is a top-tier athlete and has been a tremendous Champion. But, the clock is ticking and there will soon be a need for a new leader of Women’s wrestling in NXT. That leader is going to be Ember Moon.
I first saw Ember several years ago at an event in Tampa when she went by Athena. While she comes in a compact frame, Ember Moon is a relentless, skilled wrestler who is prepared to lead the next wave of women's wrestling.
#2 Aleister Black
Start getting excited right now, this is going to be a fun ride.
Aleister Black, or “Tommy End”, as he was formerly known, is one of the greatest Dutch products wrestling fans have seen in many years. At first glance, Black just screams out “pain!” This is actually a pretty good mental image to maintain about this Superstar because he has been known to relentlessly inflict more than his fair share of pain throughout his 15 years of being a total wrestling badass.
Black has succeeded in some of the very best UK based promotions, such as Progress and Insane Championship Wrestling. Now armed with a new identity, but the same head-hunting style, Aleister Black, billed as the next CM Punk for his charisma and mic skills – is poised to leave his mark in the WWE.
#1 Drew McIntyre
First things first, get rid of any memories you may have of 3MB. While Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre, and Jinder Mahal may have provided wrestling fans with quite a bit of comedic relief, the stable also saw great talent being squandered for nothing.
If you recall, Drew McIntyre was once dubbed “The Chosen One,” but wasn't necessarily booked accordingly. Since being released by the WWE in 2014, Drew has been on a quest to prove to the world that WWE made a grave mistake by mismanaging his talent.
That mission was certainly accomplished as he racked up numerous World Championship wins and became the face of TNA and ICW. Now that he is back, there is no way that Vince and his minions will waste another opportunity to allow Drew McIntyre live out that moniker of the Chosen One.
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