5 NXT Superstars that should have been a part of Men's Money in the Bank ladder match

On Sunday, May 10th, WWE presents its annual Money in the Bank event. With that event comes opportunities for six men and women to enter into those respective ladder matches. The problem, however, is at it stands, only members of the RAW and SmackDown roster will have an opportunity at the briefcase. After NXT's recent push as part of Survivor Series and in events such as Royal Rumble, the decision not to include them is quite peculiar.

Therefore, we believe it is important to explore potential options to have been included in the match that were a part of the NXT brand. Who among the NXT roster should have had an opportunity at the Money in the Bank briefcase?

#5 Velveteen Dream

After an injury that kept Velveteen Dream out of a number of different matches for the brand, he appears to be back. Unfortunately, he missed fairly significant matches towards the end of 2019, including TakeOver: WarGames and Royal Rumble.

Armed with a new sense of purpose and direction, the Velveteen Dream has engaged in several matches or confrontations with various talents in NXT. His recent feud with Adam Cole, along with his crossing paths with Finn Balor recently signal that he is being viewed as more than simply a persona.

His match quality and in-ring persona continue to evolve. Fans' admiration for him also continues to grow. With Money in the Bank, his inclusion would have helped those unfamiliar with him to see just what the hype is about. How would he fare against a smaller Daniel Bryan or someone larger in the match? It is an interesting option that could have been explored had he been included in the match.

#4 Tommaso Ciampa

The return of the Tommaso Ciampa has meant a shift in the direction of the talent in NXT. With all the focus being put on Adam Cole and his NXT Championship reign, where does that leave the Blackheart? Ciampa's loss to Johnny Gargano, signaling the end of their feud left another option for the former champion. Despite a recent attack by Karrion Kross, Ciampa could still have played a pivotal role in the Money in the Bank ladder match. He has the edge this match needs to make it stand out from another other in the past.

Under the direction of him feeling he is at a crossroads could be exactly what is needed to move him in that spot in the match. While several RAW and SmackDown talent fill the match, it also sets up some never before seen altercations take place between Ciampa and others. The Blackheart's inclusion in the men's Money in the Bank Ladder match also offers a fresh face to an already familiar group of talent to fans of RAW or SmackDown.

#3 Finn Balor

An all too familiar face to the RAW and SmackDown brand, Finn Balor's new (old) persona would have been a welcome addition to this matchup. Despite his altercations in NXT and with NXT UK Champion, WALTER. Finn Balor's inclusion in this match should have been a consideration. Fans that have seen his match against Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver have seen the depths he will stoop to in order to achieve. This sets a different precedence here. While he will likely have the option to cash in against anyone, it also leaves those already in his sights on notice. WALTER has to have eyes in the back of his head, knowing that Balor is lying in wake.

The same could be said about Adam Cole (although the two don't appear on a collision course with one another at the moment). He is no stranger to Money in the Bank ladder matches and involving him once again offers another potential title in play here if he was to win.

#2 Johnny Gargano

He may come into this match as a Rebel Heart but Johnny Gargano could have left Money in the Bank as the Defiant Heart. Gargano has shown what he is willing to do to ensure he captures his moment. The battle and win with Ciampa set them apart. Gargano walks away as the winner with the intention of taking over NXT. He is NXT's Grand Slam Champion having held all three titles in the promotion's history. Only Adam Cole could safely make that claim as having held all three titles during his career.

To include Johnny Gargano in this match would do more than simply signify a sense of purpose; it is cemented with a rationale of being as well. Gargano has continued to show that he bleeds NXT, but having him in this match would show how he belongs in the same ring as a Daniel Bryan. The inclusion of the Rebel Heart also helps to involve easily one of the top faces of the brand in a match of great importance.

#1 Keith Lee

Fans can recall when Keith Lee was introduced at this past year's Royal Rumble, the look on Brock Lesnar's face was priceless. The Limitless One came to the ring and with that came a great deal of fanfare. As part of the 2019 Survivor Series weekend, those watching and in attendance could see that he has a very special quality about him. Despite losing to Roman Reigns as part of the traditional elimination match, he earned the respect of all those he stood in the ring with.

Some may wonder what the rationale is behind including a current champion into a match to win a briefcase for another title. The answer is simple really -- having Lee hold both the NXT North American Championship and the Money in the Bank briefcase would set a precedence. Too often, titles or accolades are delegated to separate people at one time or another. However, to have the man that asks others to bask in his glory be included in the Money in the Bank ladder match would certainly change all of that.