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Well, RAW is in the middle of their "mystery group" angle that features five NXT talents showing up and cleaning house. The Black and Gold brand decided to give the fans their own version of the angle a week before TakeOver.
The difference this time around is that nobody knows who is showing up at TakeOver. A vignette aired on NXT this week, showing someone breaking into what we can assume is a storage bunker. That person said that they were "coming back" to "take what was theirs."
Their silouette then chucked a pipe into a display and stole an NXT Title. So, the only things we know about this mystery person are the following.
- They are a former NXT Superstar who has left, either leaving the company or going to RAW or SmackDown.
- They've been in the NXT Title scene before.
That last one is important, because while it would be fair for someone to assume it's a former champion, that might not be the case. It may just be someone that had fought for a title before and, for some reason or another, was unable to win it.
That's the criteria we have to work with. It's definitely not enough to narrow it down too much, but we can make some educated guesses. What man or woman is on their way back to NXT? Let's take a look.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article belong to the writer and doesn't necessarily represent Sportskeeda's stand.
#5 Former NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon
The Shenom was one of the most exciting WWE Superstars to ever come out from the Black and Gold Brand. Sporting an awe-inspiring entrance, a unique look, and a devastating finisher in The Eclipse, she quickly rose to the top.
Unfortunately, once Ember Moon moved onto the main roster, she went through some serious injury issues. Every time Moon began to build steam, she was derailed by another injury.
Back in 2019, Moon appeared on WWE Backstage and stated she'd be out of action for quite a long time following a serious injury. It's been nearly a year since then, and hopefully she's close to returning.
It was, of course, a possibility that she might not return, which would be a real shame considering just how fantastic a wrestler she really is. We here at Sportskeeda are positive thinkers, so we're hoping for a return, and maybe one at NXT TakeOver.
#4 Bo Dallas returns to takeover NXT
His brother is the king of creepy and weird gimmicks, so why not try this mystery Superstar angle with Bo Dallas? After all, the former NXT Champion has an incredible mean streak that many in the WWE Universe may not have gotten a chance to see.
After dethroning Big E and capturing the NXT Championship, Bo Dallas went on a strong 260-day reign, defeating the likes of Sami Zayn, Leo Kruger, Rusev, and even Neville, who would ultimately take the belt from Dallas at the end of his reign.
While Dallas has largely played a comic character on the main roster, it's important to remember that the guy was one of the longest reigning NXT Champions of all time, and helped to put the show on the map. He's also held his own against some big names on the main roster, and isn't a name that folks should take lightly.
Bo Dallas has recently stated on Twitter that he's on a "life changing expedition" and the next time we see him, it'll be a Bo we've never seen. Take that for what you will, but it's possible that it has to do with what's in store for him when he returns to WWE.
Maybe he's tired of being not taken seriously? If that's the case, a revamped Bo Dallas could bring an exciting new story to NXT.
#3 Charlotte Flair wants the NXT Women's Title back
The former two-time NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair has a legitimate gripe when it comes to NXT, folks. Charlotte lost the title at TakeOver: In Your House but wasn't the one who took the pin.
She had Rhea Ripley locked in the Figure-4 Leglock, but Ripley also took a big moonsault from Io Shirai, who picked up her first NXT Title that night.
Flair quickly moved back to the main roster, not even getting a rematch against Shirai. Soon after she was injured by Nia Jax. Reports have come out from all over, ranging from Flair being out of action until the Royal Rumble to her being ready to return at a moment's notice.
If NXT is looking to build up some excitement with the return of a former champion, why not bring in arguably the greatest women's wrestler on the planet? Let's face it, Flair going after Shirai for the title would definitely be worth a watch.
#2 Samoa Joe returns to NXT to dominate once again
The former two-time NXT Champion may be looking to follow in the footsteps of one of his greatest rivals in the Black and Gold brand, Finn Balor. After all, Samoa Joe was the man who took the NXT Title away from The Prince.
If Joe believes he can still put The Prince of NXT to sleep, what's stopping him from showing up at NXT TakeOver and laying out Balor? We haven't seen Samoa Joe on commentary in two weeks now, and there's been no mention of when he may return.
Maybe that's because he's not coming back to the commentary desk or even RAW for that matter.
Samoa Joe is a destroyer. As great as that roster is on NXT at the moment, The Samoan Submission Machine can give many Superstars a run for their money. His return would truly change the landscape of the brand as well.
#1 A Glorious return to NXT for Robert Roode
There are very few WWE Superstars, regardless of the brand, that can keep up with someone like Robert Roode. The former NXT Champion is nearly in a league of his own when it comes to that in-ring presence and tactical thinking. After all, it's what earned him the title in the first place when he defeated Shinsuke Nakamura years ago.
Shortly after losing the NXT Championship to Drew McIntyre, Robert Roode was moved to the main roster. There, he bounced around a bit between RAW and SmackDown, capturing the RAW Tag Team Titles and the United States Championship, along with being the second ever 24/7 Champion.
At 43, Robert Roode still has a lot in the tank, and could be an incredibly valued member of the NXT roster. With not much happening with him on Monday Night RAW at the moment, why not bring him back to the Black and Gold Brand to help out the next generation and put on the matches that fans know he's capable of? It seems like a no-brainer.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
