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WWE NXT 2.0 has been in search of its identity since their rebrand. They have established a crop of new talent that has slowly been gaining traction and making a name for themselves. This has been essential to helping the brand take shape following the dawning of a new era.
NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa has become a standard bearer for the roster and has been working to create his final boss image. With these brand new competitors trying to find their place, it becomes a question of who will step up and be the next to claim the top prize. Whether it be the new superstars or established superstars who have been in the waiting, the pool is deep.
NXT WarGames is on the horizon this coming Sunday. This should mark a landscape shift for the entire brand. It will separate which superstars are on the rise and which will fall by the wayside. In this article, let's take a look at the five superstars who could be the next NXT Champion.
#5. Solo Sikoa - NXT 2.0
NXT 2.0 has a few gifted athletes that just so happen to be second-generation superstars or from wrestling families. Solo Sikoa made his debut for the brand and has quickly become one of the more intimidating forces on the roster. The Samoan street fighter has made short work of any opposition ahead of him and is on an impressive undefeated streak.
Sikoa is the brother of the reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions Jimmy and Jey Uso. Like the Bloodline members, he is also cousin to Universal Champion Roman Reigns. With the blood of WWE royalty running through his veins, one has to expect greatness from this second-generation competitor.
Solo Sikoa is just getting his career started, but fans have to think that he could be in the running for the top spot on the developmental brand. Since it is still early in his run, he can't rank higher on this list. Just don't be surprised when Sikoa has the NXT Championship wrapped around his waist.
#4. Tony D'Angelo - NXT 2.0
No other new character on NXT 2.0 has jumped off the screen quite like Tony D'Angelo. From his introductory vignettes to his Italian accent, D'Angelo is a larger-than-life character who oozes charisma. Many fans believed that he would simply be a caricature from the New Generation era, but he has proven to have so much more to offer.
Tony D'Angelo has been dominant in his in-ring appearances, showing that he has a grappling background and can hold his own against anyone inside the squared circle. D'Angelo hasn't shied away from the top stars and has even challenged some. He will be in the main event for years to come. However, it just might not be his time now.
#3. Carmelo Hayes - NXT 2.0
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes has quickly become the fastest star on the developmental brand and possibly in all of WWE. He signed with the company this year. Hayes stepped up to some of the best competitors on the roster in KUSHIDA and Adam Cole before the brand made its transition to 2.0.
Hayes scored his first huge win, beating Odyssey Jones to win the Breakout Tournament. With Trick Williams by his side, Carmelo Hayes cashed in his title opportunity to defeat Isaiah Swerve Scott for the North American Championship. He has made no secret of believing that he is the "A Champion" and better than Tommaso Ciampa. There just might be a few others ahead of him right now.
#2. Pete Dunne - NXT 2.0
Pete Dunne has become an anchor for the NXT 2.0 roster. The Bruiserweight was introduced through NXT UK and had a record-breaking championship run. Upon moving to the North American version, he teamed with Riddle to win the NXT Tag Team Championships as The Broserweights. The pandemic put an end to their team before Dunne returned to the United States late last year.
Dunne has frequently been at the top of the card since his return. He headlined TakeOver: WarGames and TakeOver: Vengeance Day. He has taken Finn Balor to the limit for the NXT Championship in the past and has felt on the brink of that title victory for the past few months.
The Bruiserweight has so much going for him. He is still young at just 28 years old and just signed a new contract with WWE. Dunne is a premier in-ring worker and has greatly improved on the microphone. It feels like just a matter of time before he achieves his ultimate goal of winning the NXT Championship. It just seems like the likely next step in his evolution.
#1. Bron Breakker - NXT 2.0
It is exactly who most readers thought would be number one on this list. Since the beginning of the NXT 2.0 era, a massive spotlight has shone bright on Bron Breakker. Rick Steiner's son has been a jolt of energy. He is huge and has a powerful presence.
His extraordinary strength and unique promo style makes him a phenomenal prospect that should be in the main event of WrestleMania in the future.
Breakker almost immediately found himself in the line of fire with Tommaso Ciampa. He came up short to Ciampa at Halloween Havoc, but he has tried multiple times to insert himself back into the fold to get another title shot.
Many fans and pundits feel that the next time that Bron Breakker has a shot at the title he will walk out with the gold. He has remarkable speed, athleticism and an 'IT' factor that cannot be taught. That's why Breakker is the superstar who is most likely to be the next NXT Champion.
