5 NXT challengers for Isaiah "Swerve" Scott

#4 NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida

A hard-fought classic beetween @KORCombat & #WWENXT Cruiserweight Champion @KUSHIDA_0904 proved to be must-see! pic.twitter.com/yCYtAFuuEY

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 24, 2021

Last week, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida was attacked by Roderick Strong and Diamond Mine. It seems that Kushida will be losing the title to the Messiah of the Backbreaker in the near future. If that's the case, Kushida shouldn't be put on the backburner.

Instead, Kushida should move onto another title, namely the NXT North American Championship. The Time Splitter could very well be one of the most challenging opponents Isaiah "Swerve" Scott would find on the brand.

A master technician, Kushida is someone that's faced off against the best the roster has to offer. His most recent match-up with Kyle O'Reilly was one of the best matches of the year, and one that Kushida could've won on any other day. He's also impressed with his matches against Timothy Thatcher, WALTER, Johnny Gargano and more.

Don't underestimate @KUSHIDA_0904... This match is INTENSE as @WalterAUT and @KUSHIDA_0904 CLASH on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/xs4czz5rDj

— WWE (@WWE) October 10, 2019

Of course, we could see Kushida and Swerve clash while both are champions. It would set up both men with a chance to become the latest NXT dual champion since Keith Lee. Either way, this would be a must-watch match worthy of the main event of any show.

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#3 Timothy Thatcher

Can @NXTCiampa & Timothy Thatcher go from bitter rivals to #WWENXT #TagTeamChampions when they challenge @NashCarterWWE & @WesLee_WWE at #NXTGAB? https://t.co/dSE17y2HVZ pic.twitter.com/HVLNzyuqUJ

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 23, 2021

Toothless Timmy has yet to win any gold since joining NXT. He helped defend the tag titles with Matt Riddle, of course, but he wasn't an official champion. Heading into the Great American Bash, Timothy Thatcher will team up with Tommaso Ciampa to challenge for the NXT Tag Team Titles.

Another group that's looked at MSK and their gold has been Hit Row. No matter who walks out of the Great American Bash, they'll more than likely be targeted by Top Dollah and Asante "Thee" Adonis.

With a firm grasp on @NXTCiampa's surgically-repaired knee locked in, Timothy Thatcher forces The #Blackheart to tap. #WWENXT #FightPit pic.twitter.com/8ABf6Lr1vz

— WWE (@WWE) January 21, 2021

With Swerve holding the title already, this sets up for some interesting matches. Both Ciampa and Thatcher could want a piece of Swerve. It's the only title that Ciampa's yet to win, but more importantly, it would be the first singles title for Thatcher if he were to win it.

The Thatch-as-Thatch-Can instructor could be a tough opponent for Swerve, as he'd be able to keep the NXT North American Champion grounded. With a series of nasty submission holds, he'd cut the legs out from under Swerve, forcing the champion to change up his game or rely a bit more on Hit Row.

That in itself would set up for a tag title match should Thatcher and Ciampa emerge victorious next week.