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WWE WrestleMania marks the end of a chapter in WWE storytelling. After one year of storylines, matches and segments, many fans view WrestleMania as the "season finale."
Therefore, the first Monday Night RAW after WrestleMania kicks off the new "season" for WWE. As is the case for any television show, the beginning of a new season often involves the introduction of new characters. This patterm can also be seen with WWE.
Historically, once WrestleMania has come and gone, the post-WrestleMania editions of Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown often feature the introduction of NXT Superstars who are being called up to the main roster.
Memorable post-WrestleMania call-ups for NXT Superstars include Shinsuke Nakamura's arrival on SmackDown in 2017 and Paige's debut on Monday Night RAW in 2014.
So, who could be set to move to RAW or SmackDown after the Showcase of the Immortals this year? Let's take a closer look at five possible NXT call-ups after WWE WrestleMania 37.
#5 WWE NXT Superstar Dexter Lumis
WWE has a major star on its hands with Dexter Lumis. The Tortured Artist is one of the most unique and Superstars who has ever come out of NXT. Lumis has a fantastic presentation of a character that rarely speaks. Instead, he often lets his actions, and sometimes his art, do the talking instead.
During his time with NXT, Dexter Lumis has been involved in feuds and storylines against the likes of Roderick Strong, Cameron Grimes and Austin Theory. Lumis' most famous NXT encounter arguably came during the NXT: Halloween Havoc, where he defeated Grimes in a Haunted House of Terror Match.
After he hosted the NXT New Year's Evil special earlier this year, Lumis has continued to feud with Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory of The Way on NXT Television in recent weeks.
WWE's greatest superstars in history have all been distinct characters, and Lumis falls perfectly into that category. While some within the WWE Universe might be concerned that the creative teams for RAW and SmackDown won't "get" Lumis' character, he could become a huge star.
There's no doubt that senior WWE officials such as Vince McMahon and Bruce Prichard would love to have the NXT star on the main roster. Perhaps once WrestleMania is in the rearview mirror, Lumis could be one of the first names called up to Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown.
#4 Former WWE NXT Women's Tag Team Champion Dakota Kai
Since she turned heel at NXT TakeOver: War Games in 2019, Dakota Kai has been a revelation in WWE NXT. The New Zealand superstar has gone from strength to strength on NXT television, as she regularly wows the WWE NXT Universe with exceptional matches and promos.
During her NXT career so far, Kai has competed in memorable feuds against her former best friend Tegan Nox, Io Shirai and former NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon.
That being said, her alliance with Raquel González that has really caught the eye of the WWE Universe. The duo has been quite successful, and they even won the first-ever Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
Kai and González were later named the first NXT Women's Tag Team Champions by General Manager William Regal. But their reign didn't last long, as they lost the titles to Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon on the same night.
In recent weeks, González has focused her attention on NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai. González is set to challenge Shirai for the NXT Women's Championship at the upcoming NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver event. With her partner moving onto her singles aspirations, many fans have speculated that Kai could be bound for the main roster in the near future.
The former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion would certainly be a huge asset RAW or SmackDown. It might just be a matter of time before fans see Kai on the main roster.
#3 Former WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole
Adam Cole's WWE main roster call-up is long overdue. Since he debuted on the NXT brand in 2017, many fans have wondered when Cole would appear on RAW or SmackDown.
Cole is arguably the greatest superstar in NXT history. He is a former NXT Champion, NXT North American Champion, and NXT Tag Team Champion. He also won the 2018 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and he was the second-ever NXT Triple Crown Champion. There is nothing that Cole hasn't achieved in WWE NXT.
Cole has waved the flag and carried the ball for the NXT brand, going from a one-hour taped show on the WWE Network to a two-hour live broadcast on the USA Network every single week. Still, it would appear that Cole's time on the black-and-gold brand is coming to an end.
Previously, the discussion would be centered around whether the entire Undisputed ERA stable will get called up to the main roster. But the faction has broken up recently, as Cole has viciously attacked former friend Kyle O'Reilly on several occasions.
It looks increasingly likely that Cole and O'Reilly will square off at the upcoming NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver event. This match may indeed be Cole's NXT swansong. Now that the Undisputed ERA faction is no more, Cole could easily move to the main roster by himself.
#2 Current WWE NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai
Many within the WWE Universe believe that Io Shirai is one of the best female wrestlers on the planet today. The current NXT Women's Champion continues to amaze television audiences every single week on WWE NXT.
Since she won the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: In Your House last year, Shirai has completed impressive Women's Championship defenses against Toni Storm, Mercedes Martinez, Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae and Dakota Kai.
That being said, Shirai has spoken about her desire to face off against the excellent female WWE Superstars on the main roster. Matches pitting Shirai against Asuka, Becky Lynch, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair are the stuff of dreams for members of the WWE Universe.
One could also argue that there isn't much left for Shirai to achieve in WWE NXT. Shirai has beaten nearly every female superstar currently on the NXT roster. The Genius of the Sky is currently scheduled to defend her NXT Women's Championship at Raquel González at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1 in April.
Many fans have speculated this could be Shirai's final match in NXT, where she could drop the NXT Women's Championship to González. Then, she could move to the main roster.
WWE's women's division is arguably the best in the world. By adding Shirai to the roster on Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown, WWE would certainly bring that brand to the next level.
#1 Former WWE NXT Champion Karrion Kross
WWE is fully aware of Karrion Kross' potential. The former NXT Champion appears to be destined for success on the main roster. He has all the tools that WWE looks for when recruiting and pushing talent on its programming. Kross has a great look, size and a fantastic presentation with Scarlett by his side.
When Kross signed with WWE in 2020, it was reported that his time with the black-and-gold brand would be relatively short. Various outlets suggested that Kross was being "fast-tracked" for the WWE main roster and that his run in NXT was nothing more than a formality.
This perspective looked accurate when Kross captured the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: XXX later that year in just his seventh NXT match. But during the bout, Kross suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to vacate the NXT Championship.
Kross missed several months, but he has since returned to action. He looks better than ever, and he is scheduled to challenge for the NXT Championship once more at the upcoming NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver event. There, he will face current champion Finn Balor.
Kross hasn't tasted defeat in singles action during his NXT career. Perhaps a marquee main event, such as his upcoming TakeOver match against Balor, could be the perfect time for Kross to experience his first loss. This development would nicely write Kross out of NXT storylines and set the former NXT Champion free to move up to the main roster.
