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The future is now in NXT, and it belongs to the Undisputed Era. Upon arriving in NXT, the trio of Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O'Reilly immediately made names for themselves by attacking NXT Champion Drew McIntyre. Since making their impactful arrival they have run roughshod over everybody, assaulting singles stars, tag teams, champions, and even UK wrestlers.
The trio seems to be looking to expand though, as they have repeatedly tried to recruit Roderick Strong to their group. Their first efforts were met with respectful decline as Strong refused a t-shirt, but last week on NXT, Strong accepted the armband offered by Adam Cole. However, it is still unclear if family man "The Messiah of the Backbreaker", Roderick Strong, has turned heel and joined the villainous faction.
Aligning Strong with the Undisputed Era makes little sense. As far as faces and heels go, Strong and Undisputed Era are on polar opposite ends of the spectrum since Strong's character is built around being a hard-working new father who wants to do right by his mother, wife, and baby girl.
Will Cole, Fish, and O'Reilly stop at Strong, or will they continue to expand their army of renegades? Here are the five best superstars for them to recruit after or instead of Strong.
#5 Buddy Murphy
Buddy Murphy has not been on TV for quite a while. His matches are few and are at long intervals. His wins are even scarcer. It is sometimes hard to remember how good Murphy is and everything he has going for him; he is an exceptional athlete, a former NXT Tag Team Champion, and is dating the current Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss.
Murphy has not broken out as a singles star. He was randomly teamed up with other NXT superstars since breaking up with his former tag team partner Wesley Blake. Blake has struggled just as much as Murphy has in order to make a name for himself outside of the tag team division, but both men have a lot of potential.
Murphy deserves the rub though. He is arguably the better wrestler, he is a former champion, and he is considered as an underrated wrestler by many. His relationship with Bliss might also have a significant role to play. It has been said that his relationship with Bliss will either help or hinder him, as officials don't believe he deserves Bliss (much like with Rusev and Lana). His talents, resume, and connection to Bliss may be rewarded with a spot in Undisputed Era. After all, Murphy works better in tag team action.
#4 Andrade "Cien" Almas
Andrade "Cien" Almas has finally left the party. Almas has ditched the playboy gimmick and has evolved into a focussed killer with the help of his business associate Zelina Vega. Almas' career is back on track as he is racking up wins in an impressive fashion. His bout with Johnny Gargano at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III is a 'match of the year' candidate, and Almas is just getting started.
Zelina Vega has been badgering the NXT Champion Drew McIntyre to give Almas a shot at the title, but this seems to spell trouble for Almas. While Almas is deserving of a title shot, there is, as Vince McMahon would say, "no chance in hell" of Almas winning. What is there for Almas to do once his momentum is stonewalled by McIntyre? Everything he and Vega have worked for is one Claymore kick away from vanishing?
While Vega is an excellent manager and mouthpiece, Almas will need more than the sharp-tongued underhanded business associate to help him recover. Enter Undisputed Era. Cole, Fish, and O'Reilly would hit a home run by reeling in a ringer like Andrade "Cien" Almas. Now that Vega has whipped Almas into one of the best workers in NXT, he would make for a valuable member of the Undisputed Era.
#3 Hideo Itami
Here is something that is hard to digest; Hideo Itami has been with NXT for over three years. The injury-plagued Japanese superstar has had a rough run down in Florida. Itami has been a fan favourite, honourable babyface for most of his career, but after losing an NXT Championship match to Bobby Roode, Itami turned heel. At first, it seemed to be a great change of pace for his character for the man formerly known as Kenta.
Itami brutalized his opponents, once hitting Oney Lorcan three times in succession with his patented G.T.S. finisher, causing him to lose by disqualification rather than win by TKO. Itami also utilized heel tactics such as low blows and spitting in the face of his former friend, Kassius Ohno. His rivalry with Ohno ended in a victory for NXT's resident Knockout Artist, Kassius Ohno, so now what does Itami do?
Turning heel rejuvenated his character, but not his career, but aligning with the Undisputed Era might do the honours. A heel Itami will fit in perfectly with Cole, Fish, and O'Reilly as they come out of the shadows to pillage and plunder NXT, leaving a trail of bodies wherever they go.
The Undisputed Era posed the question, "how has NXT survived without us?". Well, Itami's career might not survive without them.
#2 Lars Sullivan
Many great factions have a big man, an enforcer, a superstar that acts as the muscle. The Shield had Roman Reigns, Evolution had Batista and Undisputed Era couldn't ask for a better man to fill that role than Lars Sullivan. The man that many are deeming to be the next Brock Lesnar could make the Undisputed Era the most feared army in all of McMahon's empire.
While it is easy to see Sullivan laying waste to Cole, Fish, and O'Reilly for squandering his time with an invitation to join their club; clotheslines, running body presses, and his devastating waist lift side slam. The reason Sullivan could use Undisputed Era, however, is because those three moves are nearly half of his arsenal. Sullivan is as green as he can be, and while quick squash matches can hide his limited abilities to an extent, a spot in Undisputed Era would hide his weaknesses better than officials trying to hide him from McMahon (who is dying for him to develop asap so that he can be called up).
Lars Sullivan, the "Undisputed Monster" would be a force of nature that nobody in NXT or WWE could contain. This faction would be a launching pad for Sullivan's career to take off. Lars Sullivan is the next big thing, and so is the Undisputed Era.
#1 Pete Dunne
The last time the WWE United Kingdom Champion was on NXT, the Undisputed Era jumped at him after his match against Wolfgang. Dunne fled with his title, leaving Wolfgang alone at the mercy of the merciless Undisputed Era until Tyler Bate and Trent Seven came to his aid. Why would Dunne join the group that targeted him not too long ago? The answer is protection.
Dunne cares only for himself and his title, which was made evident by his decision to flee the scene when Undisputed Era turned their attention from him to his fellow UK wrestler, Wolfgang. Dunne is a fearless competitor from the start of the match to the sound of the final bell, then he goes into survival mode.
Dunne is the self-proclaimed "Bruiserweight" who loves beating people up, and the Undisputed Era wants to beat up the best NXT has to offer. It is easy to see Dunne coming out of the woodwork with the established trio of plunderers. With Cole, Fish, and O'Reilly setting their sights on the NXT Championship and Tag Team titles respectively, Dunne's championship pedigree makes him an obvious choice to join the faction.
