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WWE NXT TakeOver: In Your House this weekend saw an incredible array of talent competing in some fantastic match ups.
The show was main evented by an outstanding Fatal 5-Way NXT Championship match in which NXT Champion Karrion Kross successfully defended the title against NXT stalwarts Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Pete Dunne and Kyle O'Reilly.
TakeOver: In Your House also saw incredible matches such as LA Knight defeating Cameron Grimes to win the vacant Million Dollar Championship in a breathtaking ladder match.
As is the case after any NXT TakeOver event, many are now questioning which NXT talents will soon be headed to Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown.
WWE's return to touring in July is growing increasingly close. Therefore, the speculation as to which members of the NXT roster will soon move to WWE's main roster has certainly ramped up in recent weeks.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at five stars who could have wrestled their last match for NXT at TakeOver: In Your House.
#5 Former WWE NXT UK Champion Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne was one of the four challengers to Karrion Kross' NXT Championship throne this past weekend at NXT TakeOver: In Your House. Unfortunately for Dunne, The Bruiserweight wasn't able to prize the NXT Championship away from Kross.
In recent months, Pete Dunne has referred to himself as the "best wrestler in the world" during episodes of WWE NXT on USA Network. Dunne has achieved a significant amount during his tenure on both NXT UK and NXT.
The Bruiserweight was the second ever NXT United Kingdom Champion. Previously holding the record of the longest NXT United Kingdom Championship reign in WWE history. That was until it was surpassed by the current NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER.
Dunne is also a former WWE NXT Tag Team Champion from his time teaming with Matt Riddle as part of the tag team known as The Bruiserweights. However, given that Pete Dunne is seemingly no longer in the WWE NXT Championship picture, one must question what is next for Pete Dunne in WWE NXT?
Dunne has been part of the black and gold brand since 2017. Perhaps now is the time for Dunne to finally move to Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown.
#4 Former WWE NXT Champion Johnny Gargano
Former WWE NXT Champion Johnny Gargano is considered by many to be on the Mount Rushmore of NXT.
Gargano has achieved every accolade there is to achieve during his tenure on the black and gold brand. The leader of The Way is a former NXT Champion, a three-time NXT North American Champion and a former NXT Tag Team Champion too.
Johnny Gargano also holds the distinction of being the first ever Triple Crown Champion in NXT history. It has been speculated on several occasions that Johnny Gargano could be headed to the WWE main roster. Gargano even briefly made appearances on RAW and SmackDown with former tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa in 2019.
However, whenever the discussion to move to the main roster has arisen, Gargano has always opted to stay in WWE NXT. But, perhaps now is the time for the former NXT Champion to finally move to the main roster.
Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown are in desperate need of a "refresh" ahead of their respective returns to touring in July. Johnny Gargano's move to either show would certainly give any roster he lands on a massive boost ahead of the live fans returning.
#3 WWE NXT Superstar Mercedes Martinez
Current WWE NXT Superstar Mercedes Martinez is one of the most experienced competitors on the black and gold brand.
Martinez is a 21 year veteran of professional wrestling and has a substantial history of competing for a variety of independent promotions during her wrestling career. Such promotions include Ring of Honor and Shimmer to name but a few.
Numerous female WWE Superstars have been released by WWE in 2021 due to ongoing "budget cuts" within the company. Names such as Mickie James, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Ruby Riott and Lana have all seen their contracts surprisingly terminated.
These recent releases have led to a shallow depth of bodies in the respective women's divisions of Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown. Calling up a vastly experienced talent such as Mercedes Martinez would be incredibly beneficial to either show right now.
Mercedes Martinez was briefly called up to Monday Night RAW in 2020 as part of the RETRIBUTION faction. After only making a handful of appearances, Martinez was moved back to WWE NXT.
Nevertheless, perhaps now is the perfect time for Mercedes Martinez to once again be called up to the main roster and make an impact on Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown.
#2 Former WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar
Former WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar is seen by many to have one of the brightest futures of any talents on the black and gold brand.
Since making his WWE NXT debut in 2020, Santos Escobar has quickly established himself as one of the premiere superstars on the brand. This has been achieved by surrounding himself with Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde. Collectively known as Legado Del Fantasma, the faction has feuded with the likes of MSK, Bronson Reed, Drake Maverick and Isiah "Swerve" Scott.
Legado Del Fantasma challenged NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed and NXT Tag Team Champions MSK in a Winners Take All 6-Man Tag Team match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House. Unfortunately for Santos Escobar, Bronson Reed was able to pin Raul Mendoza after a top rope splash, winning the match and retaining all the championships for his team in the process.
After this loss, Santos Escobar is seemingly at the back of the line for any championship opportunities in NXT. Perhaps now is the time for the former Cruiserweight Champion to move to Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown?
#1 Former WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole
Former WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole has long been earmarked for a move to Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown.
Rumors about the former leader of The Undisputed Era's future on the black and gold brand seemingly continue to swirl with every passing NXT TakeOver event.
This largely stems from Adam Cole's numerous achievements during his WWE NXT career. Since making his debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2017, Adam Cole has become one of the greatest NXT Superstars in WWE history.
Cole is a former NXT Champion, the inaugural NXT North American Champion and also a former NXT Tag Team Champion. He is the second Triple Crown Champion in NXT history and also holds the record for the longest single NXT Championship reign in WWE history.
Given all he has achieved, what is realistically left for Adam Cole to accomplish in WWE NXT? The answer is nothing. There are no hurdles left to overcome, there is no opponent left to defeat, Adam Cole has done it all on the black and gold brand.
With WWE's return to touring on the horizon in July, it feels inevitable that Adam Cole will finally land on Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown.
