5 challengers for the WWE NXT North American championship

NXT's newest championship is the North American championship, and its current champion is ‘The One and Only,' Ricochet.

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Since his arrival, it has been the goal of Ricochet to show the NXT fanbase that he is everything that he says he is. The NXT North American championship seems to be intended to be the equivalent of the Intercontinental and United States championships on Raw and Smackdown Live respectively.

Bearing that in mind, Ricochet's potential challengers may be those that are not necessarily considered a threat to the NXT championship just yet but are of such quality that it is impossible to deny them a championship match.

Who currently stands to contend for the championship, or even win the title from Ricochet? Here are five challengers for Ricochet's NXT North American Championship.

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#5 Pete Dunne

We saw a title versus title match between them but what would happen if only the NXT North American championship was on the line?

This addition may surprise some, but after some consideration, it makes sense why the champion of the United Kingdom would contend for a title that represents a different continent.

A major factor is that there have been a number of altercations between Dunne and the other members of the Undisputed Era, including his former teammate Roderick Strong.

So there is a clear reason for him to pursue Ricochet and his title. Fans have seen just how talented Dunne is and how competitive his matches are.

Whether he plays by the rules or not, he has made it clear that he doesn't care who stands in his way and will do just about anything to win.

A Dunne/Ricochet match would be an impressive display of striking and submission maneuvers, with anything being possible.

Dunne's scowl and tough as nails persona clearly clashes with the brash and confident nature of Ricochet, leading to not just a great match but an incredible lead up to their contest with one another.

#4 Velveteen Dream

These two are no strangers to one another but what would happen if the championship was on the line?

Since re-emerging in NXT after his initial debut as Patrick Clark, Velveteen Dream has had many people saying his name. He burst onto the scene in 2017, and his notable matches have allowed him to rise through the ranks.

What has remained the key thing about the Dream is that he wants to have the respect of his opposition, something that came to the forefront during his feud with former NXT champion Aleister Black.

However, rather than have Dream continue to challenge for the NXT championship, he could be challenging for a different title. He certainly fits the criteria of a title contender, given how much promise he has shown.

How will he fare in a one-on-one encounter with Ricochet? One would think it would be a rather interesting blend of styles and characters in this type of match.

#3 Matt Riddle

They faced one another outside the WWE but what would happen on this stage

A recent addition to the NXT roster, it will be interesting to see how the King of Bros' popularity translates to the NXT audience.

Anyone that has seen him on the independent circuit can attest that his growth and improvement since his transition from MMA has been incredible. He walks to the ring with swagger and style, always assured that regardless of what happens everything will be alright.

His ring outfits consist of bicycle shorts, flip-flops, a baseball cap, and a light jacket. That's it. When he steps into the ring he is a completely different character from what we normally see but showcases a fighting style that earned him a great deal of popularity prior to joining the WWE.

He can immediately be considered a threat for the NXT North American championship, and someone Ricochet will need to fear.

#2 Keith Lee

They are no strangers to one another before joining NXT but what happens when the stakes are raised?

He asks fans to bask in his glory, and wants everyone to know that he is limitless. And Keith Lee's size and agility immediately make him a threat to capture any championship he is contending for.

Though he is just a recent arrival, he will contend for a title sooner rather than later. A match against Ricochet for the NXT North American championship could certainly feature some interesting exchanges. Lee has been a champion, or at least contended for titles, nearly everywhere he has been.

His arrival is another welcome addition to the brand. He has a move set that in a number of ways mirrors that of Ricochet, with one big difference:

Lee's size will immediately make any move he hits that much more devastating, and leave a lasting impression of his opposition. His stiff punches combined with a fierce and menacing tope suicido suggest that Ricochet would be in for a tough time against the limitless one.

#1 Adam Cole

As the champion, how will he fair, as the hunted against the former champion? Photo / Biggoldgroup.com

Often referred to as the Panama City Playboy, Cole is still a threat to recapture the NXT North American Championship.

A former champion with something to prove, he will not relent until he once again has a title around his waist.

His charm and charisma are only matched by his skill set in the ring. His allies in the Undisputed Era are always a threat to get involved, and he is just as cagey now as he ever was.

The loss of a championship will only make him that much hungrier to reclaim his status as champion.

Fans can anticipate a match that will be much like their NXT Takeover: Brooklyn IV match, a hard-fought battle between the two which that time, led to a win by Ricochet. Could Cole once again claim to be the NXT North American Champion?