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#3 Isaiah "Swerve" Scott could break out with a performance at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott is in a strange position in NXT. He doesn't have a match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver at the moment but has been feuding with Leon Ruff. While a win over Ruff won't necessarily propel Scott into the main event, it could be the first step towards moving up the card.
Swerve will hopefully experience more success as a heel than he has had as a face in NXT. He's also in a strange spot on the black-and-gold brand as he technically qualifies as a cruiserweight. His matches, however, haven't been restricted to that division.
Like Daniel Bryan, Finn Balor, and Ricochet, Scott is a talent that transcends weight classes. He unsuccessfully challenged Santos Escobar for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship and has been in random feuds since that loss. That's why he must have a match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
A brief angle with Jake Atlas led to a pairing in the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They lost in the first round and went their separate ways soon after. At the moment, neither has a match booked for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Scott's whole character presentation seemed like it would be better suited for a heel since "Swerve" meant confidence. Confidence is good for any superstar, but that type of swagger usually suits an arrogant heel like The Miz or Carmella much better.
Someone like Swerve, who is extremely talented in the ring, needs a feud or two to truly get over as a big deal in NXT. That can start with a meaningful match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
A showdown with Leon Ruff is all well and good but it won't make a dent in the hierarchy of NXT. A big win over someone like Roderick Strong or Kushida would mean a big deal for Swerve.
Dexter Lumis might take the NXT North American Championship from Johnny Gargano at the pay-per-view. Scott would be a perfect opponent for Lumis whether he wins the belt or not.
He's too talented to be sitting in a recording studio each week. The former scenario might be to sell his new character, but Swerve needs a big match - and a big win - at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
