'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With WWE Summerslam now behind us, we can look forward to what the future holds. New champions have been crowned particularly in the Raw brand as all the top 3 titles switched hands.
As every Summerslam is followed up with exciting new debuts, we can expect the same tomorrow on Raw and day after tomorrow on Smackdown Live. So without further ado, let us take a look at the 5 best possible WWE NXT call-ups who might make their debut this week.
#5 Lars Sullivan
Among all the superstars on this list, Sullivan is the most likely to debut on the main roster this week. He played no part in TakeOver a couple days ago and is unlikely to be involved in NXT's main event scene again. His last PPV appearance was a loss to Aleister Black at TakeOver Chicago II where an unfortunate botch laid a black mark on a good match.
Lars Sullivan has been described as the Braun Strowman of NXT. But at this given time, it will be unwise of throwing a newcomer into the hands of Braun Strowman. Braun Strowman is primed to be the next WWE Universal Champion and it will not make sense for either him or the debuting Lars Sullivan losing a feud. So, WWE Smackdown is the likelier choice. We would love to see Lars Sullivan and Samoa Joe have a real hard-hitting match or even Shinsuke Nakamura and Lars Sullivan just batter each other.
Wherever he ends up, with the correct booking WWE can turn him into a valuable asset who will always have a great presence no matter what. He has the size and the skill in the ring to make it. Maybe a mouthpiece is required but they can just make him talk less.
#4 Adam Cole
Adam Cole is one of the most over performers in NXT. His crowd connection is impeccable and even though he is a heel, he gets some of the best reactions during every show. His entrance has become somewhat of an iconic thing with active crowd participation anywhere in the world. If he debuts on Raw or Smackdown he will surely receive one of the biggest pops of the year. The reason they are ranked so low is that I think they are the least likely to be called up in this entire list, although it's possible.
While it is unlikely that his Undisputed Era buddies, Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong, will follow him as they are the current NXT Tag Team Champions, Cole should do just fine all by himself. He will be a valuable addition to either brand and has already proved that he is well known to the main roster crowd with an amazing appearance at the Royal Rumble match this year. He is championship material and possesses the talking skills and looks to succeed in the main roster. Given time, he might even become the face of his brand given his strong connection to the fans.
In my opinion, it is highly unlikely that Undisputed Era will be making their main roster debut so early given that TakeOver War Games is coming up. Undisputed Era will surely be a part of War Games as they are THE faction in NXT today, but they can work up an angle between Roderick Strong and Adam Cole to allow Cole to come up to the main roster.
An angle in which Roderick Strong kicks Cole out of UE reminiscent of Kenny Omega kicking him out of the Bullet Club. UE can still participate in War Games as Bobby Fish would be returning from injury by then.
#3 Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler has been one of the more dominating NXT Champions in recent times. Her run has been well appreciated by all fans and pundits alike with her heel work garnering much praise. She fell to Kairi Sane last night much like their Cruiserweight Classic Finale a year ago. Her loss has ended her title reign which lasted 133 days.
This is one of the more sensible call-ups as several superstars found their way into the main roster right after losing their titles in NXT. Bobby Roode and Ember Moon came up in this way. We might see Baszler on the main roster as soon as tonight or tomorrow. Her call-up to Raw is more sensible however as Smackdown's Women's title picture is already crowded with Charlotte, Becky and Carmella all involved. She should rather head to Raw and start a program with Ronda Rousey. Rousey and Baszler are part of MMA's Four Horsewomen and WWE can create a good storyline around this fact.
The ideal feud for Baszler should be with Ronda Rousey, eventually leading to both becoming heels or babyfaces and forming a team. She can also go to Smackdown and if WWE can book it right, a Baszler vs Asuka feud will be worth watching. Baszler will be called up soon enough and she will be a part of Evolution. It's just a matter of time.
#2 Aleister Black
Aleister Black was essentially removed from the main event scene of NXT to make room for Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano. Although he does have unresolved issues with both of them, it is in everybody's best interest to leave those two alone in their amazing feud. Black lost his NXT Championship to Ciampa on NXT and was removed from TakeOver Brooklyn by giving him a kayfabe injury.
His injury angle where he got attacked is still unresolved but we have seen the likes of Sami Zayn finish NXT feuds while working in the main roster so Black can easily do that. His addition to Raw or Smackdown will be intriguing as Black's feuds are usually intense and personal. A feud with Demon Finn Balor on Raw or against AJ Styles on Smackdown is mouthwatering indeed. My choice would be Smackdown as the brand lacks singles stars. Having a mid-card feud with the likes of Randy Orton where Orton goes full Legend Killer against Black is also an amazing prospect.
With Dream being removed from the NXT Main Event scene it is a matter of time before he makes it to the main roster and we can't wait. The former Tommy End has achieved incredible success within a very short time in NXT and given his looks and talent he can do so on the main roster as well.
#1 Velveteen Dream
If his shorts are to be considered, The Dream is ready to come up to the main roster. Easily the best character in the whole of wrestling today, Velveteen Dream is awesome. His gimmick work is something we haven't seen in a long time and he is mad over with the crowd. Velveteen beat EC3 in a great match at TakeOver a couple days ago and looks to carry the momentum into the main roster.
The only person in the list who basically asked to be called up to the main roster, Velveteen will be the highlight of any Raw or Smackdown episode he is on. Unmatched in charisma and flair he should thrive on any brand he goes to. My choice is Smackdown Live though. Smackdown handles superstars like Velveteen much better than Raw and he will be used properly in the Blue brand. A debut feud with the likes of Shelton Benjamin can slowly nurture him for the main event spot. He can also go to Raw and feud with people with similar over the top gimmicks like Bray Wyatt or Matt Hardy.
Whether he goes to Smackdown or Raw, Dream will be a huge addition to either brand. His charisma can bring a much-needed excitement to either brand. Whether he does come up or not, we can't be more excited to think about all the things he would do once he does make it to the main roster.
