5 Surprise debuts the WWE Universe would love to see at NXT Takeover XXV

The 25th edition of NXT Takeover is taking place in Bridgeport, Connecticut tonight, and while the card looks a little lighter than the past few shows, it will no doubt do as Takeovers always do -- rise to the occasion to become an incredible show. While all the matches are promising on paper and will no doubt deliver, it has become a Takeover tradition to see the next big Indie star turn up in the crowd, and right now, they've got plenty of them sitting down at the Performance Centre.

While they may not come as too much of a surprise anymore, it's still a fun way to get a pop from the NXT Universe and introduce a new face, and with so much roster turnover in the past year, it's likely we'll see at least one, if not 2 to 3 on this show. So without further ado, sit back and read along as we look to tonight's Takeover event and talk about 5 surprise debuts we'd love to see in the crowd.

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#5 A.C.H

ACH

A.C.H (real name Albert Hardie, which he may go by in NXT) has been connected to WWE for quite some time, and now the former ROH and New Japan star is ready to make an impact. He puts a unique twist on the traditional high-flying style in wrestling, and while nothing he does is groundbreaking, he connects with the crowd in a way that few others can.

He just had some dark match appearances for NXT tapings and it's only a matter of time until he brings his infectious energy to NXT, so a surprise debut at Takeover would be a great way to launch a very promising WWE career. NXT is so stacked on top end talent right now that they may have to hold back on him for a while, but when he does, he'll have plenty of dream matches lined up.

#4 Chelsea Green

Chelsea Green

Chelsea Green was well on her way to making her debut in NXT before a broken wrist set her back, and while that may or may not be fully healed right now, a simple appearance in the crowd will make her feel like a big-time star. Green looks great, has fantastic athleticism and is arguably the best character worker in wrestling (seriously, go look at her work from Impact as Laurel Van Ness) and that all translates to success in WWE.

She may not be as physically imposing as the likes of Io Shirai, Shayna Baszler or Bianca Belair, but she's very athletic, and with the support that she has gathered over the years, it's only a matter of time until Chelsea Green is a big-time star in WWE. There's already a line after Io Shirai to challenge for the NXT Women's title, so they'll have to build Green away from the title for a while, but a surprise appearance in the crowd is a great way to get that started on the right foot.

#3 Jonah Rock

Jonah Rock

Most of the people on this list are best off appearing in the crowd at Takeover, but Jonah Rock (left) would be much better served to make a surprise, physical appearance at the show. The King of Monsters has been managed by Stokely Hathaway at NXT live events in the past few months, and he's been unstoppable, so when the Aussie finally does arrive in NXT proper, this is the best way to make a huge impact.

NXT may look to hold off on this for a while, but Rock has been dominating for quite some time, and with the ever popular Hathaway by his side, it seems that The Breach is destined for greatness in NXT. There's not much happening on the show to give Rock an opportunity, but NXT has been creatively fantastic for years now, and when they want to introduce him, it will be in a great way, and while you shouldn't expect it at Takeover XXV, it would be a great surprise.

#2 Trevor Lee

Trevor Lee

Trevor Lee is one of the best heels in the business today, and he proved that during his time at the Progress Super Strong Style 16 Tournament, but now, it's time that the Carolina Caveman comes to NXT TV. He's a fantastic in-ring performer too, whether competing as a heel or a babyface (more often than not a heel, as NXT needs to fill that void soon), and he will mesh quite well with the roster the way it is currently set up.

His signing to an already stacked NXT roster came as a surprise to some, given the available companies out there, but with his talent, unique look and unique charisma, it's safe to say that NXT is the best place for him. He may not get the pop that our next performer would, but seeing Lee in the crowd at Takeover would be a big moment, and would set him up for a fantastic run through NXT.

#1 Shane 'Swerve' Strickland

Shane Strickland

Shane Strickland is one of the most charismatic and entertaining performers in the world today, and when you combine those two traits with fantastic athleticism, you get a future NXT Champion. Swerve is already endearing himself to the Performance Centre, as reports about him are glowing endorsements of his talent and personality, and after working dark matches at the recent NXT tapings, it makes sense to debut him here.

While there are plenty of performers waiting to break into the main event scene in NXT, Strickland will win the hearts of the NXT Universe immediately, as he has a magnetic charisma that few in the company today posses. While he isn't as big a name right now as people like Matt Riddle and Kushida who have recently made their NXT debut, the hardcore crowd at an NXT show will pop big for Strickland, and he's a safe bet to be appearing in some capacity in Connecticut.