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Bronson Reed is a former NXT North American Champion and was reportedly getting prepped for a main roster callup after several dark matches before RAW and SmackDown tapings. This is why it surprised many when he was the first name to be apart of WWE's latest batch of releases made on August 6th, 2021.
The former WWE superstar was a hit on the independent scene known as J Rock. He debuted in NXT during the first Breakout Tournament in the summer of 2019. Bronson Reed defeated Dexter Lumis in the first round before losing to Cameron Grimes in the following round.
The Colossal defeated Johnny Gargano to win the NXT North American Championship on the May 18th, 2021 NXT episode. While being champion, Bronson Reed and NXT Champion Karrion Kross had main roster tryouts in dark matches before RAW and SmackDown tapings. Isaiah "Swerve" Scott beat Reed to win the North American Title on the June 29th episode of NXT.
His loss of the title so soon after winning it was seen as a move to prepare for his eventual arrival on the WWE main roster. With his shocking release, The Colossal seems ready to explore what is next in his career. In this article, let's take a look at five dream matches for Bronson Reed outside of WWE.
#5 Bronson Reed vs. Josh Alexander (IMPACT Wrestling)
In his first official tweet following his WWE release, Bronson Reed tagged many promotions, teasing where he will head next. IMPACT Wrestling was among the companies tagged in this post and has a number of stars who would make tantalizing encounters for the former NXT North American Champion.
The current IMPACT X-Division Champion, Josh Alexander, has been on a spectacular run. The Walking Weapon has been in several showstealing matches against the likes of Ace Austin, El Phantasmo and Black Taurus. He has also been in a Match of the Year candidate against TJP in an Iron Man Match.
With Bronson Reed potentially arriving at IMPACT Wrestling, Alexander could find his next challenger in The Colossal. The X-Division is known for having no limits and has featured competitors of larger sizes. Samoa Joe was famously one of the most memorable X-Division Champions in company history. Reed could follow in his footsteps.
Josh Alexander would find a formidable obstacle in Bronson Reed, but it would be one that he is fully prepared for. Alexander's versatile style has shown that he can beat any opponent with his expert technical prowess and suplex even the bigger challengers. He can also take to the air to beat an individual. With the abilities of both men, this would be a great contest worthy of X-Division greatness.
#4 Bronson Reed vs. Shingo Takagi (NJPW)
From one champion to another, Bronson Reed finds another opponent that can more than bang or deal with his size in Shingo Takagi. The current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is arguably the best wrestler of the year so far. He has been in Match of the Year candidates against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay and Jeff Cobb.
The latter encounter with Jeff Cobb was a heavyweight slugfest that lived up to the legacy of past NEVER Openweight Championship matches at the Tokyo Dome. This is what Shingo would surely deliver against Bronson Reed. The Colossal would have a distinct size advantage, but this is truly nothing new for The Dragon.
Although many of the best wrestlers in the world reside in NXT, there weren't many who were the size or could handle Bronson Reed. Shingo Takagi has plenty of experience against larger men and has more than proven that he can come out a winner. Reed has shown that he can bring a hard-hitting arsenal, but Takagi might just outdo him in that case.
Bronson Reed will have to use his athleticism and surprising agility to keep Shingo Takagi off guard. With a man his size, Reed got the victory just based on his breathtaking Tsunami splash. That might just be the difference maker in a match against Shingo. Could Takagi even lift Bronson for his Last of the Dragon finisher? It creates an intriguing situation that could drive a captivating story here.
#3 Bronson Reed vs. Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW)
Just based on his exceptional ability in the ring along with unspectacular charisma, Bronson Reed seems like an ideal fit for New Japan Pro Wrestling. His character doesn't jump off the page, but he has proven to be a good worker who can produce quality bouts against an array of performers.
Tomohiro Ishii is among the best wrestlers in the world and has been for quite some time. The Stone Pitbull is very underrated, but he has proven time after time why he is an excellent in-ring performer. Whether it was against Kenny Omega or Minoru Suzuki, Ishii shows that he can achieve greatness against any type of opponent.
With two men with larger frames, this has all the makings to be a banger of a bout. Ishii is known for stiff strikes and an impeccable appetite for pain, while Bronson Reed has more than stood his own against other heavyweights on the independent scene and in NXT.
This is yet another contest where Bronson Reed's agility may be his key to victory, but Tomohiro Ishii will look to withstand anything and everything that The Colossal has to offer and keep moving forward. This will surely come down to who has the biggest threshold for punishment. Could Reed go strike-for-strike with Ishii? It makes for a battle of wills between these two beasts.
#2 Bronson Reed vs. Rey Fenix (AEW)
When looking back on Bronson Reed's best matches during his time in NXT, fans will remember that his better opponents were of smaller bodies and have diverse athleticism. His bouts with Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and Cameron Grimes were among his most memorable contests. There are quite a few competitors who could achieve that level of quality with The Colossal outside of WWE.
All Elite Wrestling has plenty of smaller stars with athleticism and agility. From Darby Allin to Sammy Guevara, there is plentiful stock of competitors who fit that bill, but no one is as awe-inspiring of a high flyer as Rey Fenix. One half of the Lucha Brothers and Death Triangle member, Fenix is absolutely brilliant when flying through the air or displaying his breathtaking arsenal.
Rey Fenix has made a name for himself for having a total disregard for his own safety and pulling off stunning maneuvers that bring the fans to their feet. He has shown that he does well at using larger stars as bases for his out-of-this-world style. Bronson Reed would make for a perfect base for what Fenix does and could surprise him with his own agility.
Fenix possesses one of the best suicide dives in the business today, but fans have seen that Bronson Reed can match that himself. The big man trying to outdo Fenix at what he does best would make for a fun dynamic. These two would surely create magic with one another and steal the show if given time to operate.
#1 Bronson Reed vs. Jeff Cobb (NJPW)
Bronson Reed has been compared to many stars of the past and present. His size and aglity is akin to Bam Bam Bigelow. This is a comparison that he has fully embraced in his attire and entrance. He has also drawn parallels with Vader and Samoa Joe. However, there is a current star that he has crossed paths with that he has similarities to for his look.
Jeff Cobb has been a star on the independent scene and in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Since becoming a full-time competitor for NJPW, he has joined Will Ospreay's United Empire and put on fantastic matches against Shingo Takagi and Kota Ibushi. The 2004 Guam Olympian has come a long way from his formative years behind a mask on the Lucha Underground.
Jeff Cobb and Bronson Reed stood across the ring from one another at PWG and across the independent scene, but both men have grown and learned a lot over the past few years. The experience from his time in WWE has beneficial for Reed in showing him how to work with different performers under a more structured style.
Jeff Cobb has gotten into tremendous shape over the past two years. He has turned into an absolute beast that has a look that strikes fear into most opponents. Cobb still has an unmatched strength that has overwhelmed men such as Kazuchika Okada and Minoru Suzuki in the past. It would be interesting to see if he can handle the size of Bronson Reed.
The Colossal has athleticism and agility, but Jeff Cobb is one man who can match that while still possess comparable size. Although Cobb has slimmed down a lot, he has more than enough stature to still be able to bang on with Bronson Reed. The former NXT North American Champion may have to use his frame more than ever to counteract what Cobb has to offer.
This is a heavyweight slugfest that would have to be seen to be believed. Not only can both men trade the strikes, but they can also try to fly in and out of the ring. This makes for a one-of-a-kind battle of big men that any fan would want to see. That is why Jeff Cobb has to be considered the biggest and best dream match for Bronson Reed outside of WWE.
