5 Ways Killer Kross could debut in WWE

Killer Kross was revealed as one of the latest signings by WWE on the February 4th episode of WWE Backstage. Along with Timothy Thatcher, Kross reported to the WWE Performance Center last week in order to acclimate to the WWE and its product.

Since he was a highly coveted free agent throughout the industry, it was thought by some that he could either skip NXT altogether and go right to RAW or SmackDown (like AJ Styles and John Morrison). It was also a possibility that he had a short run in NXT (like Ricochet).

Whatever the plan may be for him, it should certainly be a debut that shocks the world in some capacity. Will he merely show up in the crowd at a TakeOver like previous stars have? Will he stake his claim right away by attacking someone popular or a major Champion? Is he going to debut alongside Scarlett Bordeaux?

The fact is that due to his size, character and aura, he could feasibly debut in any number of ways. Which would be the most impactful is up for debate, but when he does bring his Kross Cult to the WWE, it will be something that puts all Superstars on notice. Here are five ways that Killer Kross could debut with WWE.

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#5 Showing up at TakeOver: Portland

Could he show up as soon as this weekend?

This is the first spot and soonest that Kross could possibly debut for the WWE. If you watched the latest SmackDown, there were a few moments of static across the screen that the announcers did not acknowledge. Were they merely brief technical glitches or pre-planned spots that will lead up until a possible debut?

We'll only really know next week. Showing up at TakeOver: Portland would make plenty of sense since he might debut sooner than most stars. He's a big name and could simply show up in the crowd like past stars have. It could even be with or without Scarlett Bordeaux as she did briefly appear on camera but hasn't been acknowledged on screen yet. He could also show up after one of the matches to attack the winner or both participants.

If he did show up, it would make sense for him to attack the winner of either the NXT or North American Championship matches. Those two matches may be won by faces (Tommaso Ciampa and Keith Lee/Dominik Dijakovic) and any of those three men would be a feasible opponent for Kross. For proof of that happening, look no further then when Adam Cole debuted right after Drew McIntyre won the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Brooklyn III.

#4 On the Road to WrestleMania

If he skips NXT, Kross could grace either RAW or SmackDown before the Show of Shows.

As often the case, stars often return in the Royal Rumble match itself (Naomi, Edge) or on the ensuing episodes of RAW (Ruby Riott) or SmackDown after the Rumble. A lot of those returns depend on potential plans/storylines for returning stars and/or the severity of injuries that the stars might have suffered from.

Ruby Riott had been out of action for almost eight months after having surgery on both of her shoulders. She came back to attack Liv Morgan on the RAW after the Rumble, but has yet to have a match.

Both before and after the 2019 Royal Rumble, stars like Lacey Evans, Nikki Cross, Ricochet and Aleister Black all debuted on the main roster. Black and Ricochet were eventually a part of the SmackDown title match at WrestleMania 35.

If Kross skips NXT, then he could debut after Elimination Chamber or Super Showdown. There are plenty of stars that may be without dance partners at the Show of Shows, so Kross showing up to target someone like Daniel Bryan or Ricochet would be an interesting way to debut. Attacking a beloved face always gets great heat for a debuting heel or for someone turning to the dark side.

#3 Showing up in some capacity at TakeOver: Tampa

TakeOver: Tampa takes place on the day before WrestleMania 36.

Obviously, this scenario is very similar to if he shows up in some fashion at TakeOver: Portland. The card is stacked itself with six matches instead of the usual five matches. In order to have an impactful debut, his emergence could be a part of the aftermath of one of the matches.

Again, he could also show up in the crowd. That, however, wouldn't have the same effect as attacking someone backstage or after a match would have. Someone with Kross' character needs to debut in a violent manner. With TakeOver: Tampa being the last show before Mania, his WWE tenure could easily begin by taking someone down the day before WrestleMania.

There could also be some sore of scenario where a performer has an open challenge or a match with a mystery opponent. It all boils down to how and when they want Kross to debut. Since he's been off of TV since last summer, I think it would have the most impact in an adversarial way. The manner in which Keith Lee has risen over the last year would seem to make him the perfect target for Kross should he start out in NXT. Will his potential debut be one of the memorable moments from WrestleMania weekend 2020?

#2 At WrestleMania 36

WrestleMania 36

This could be the boldest spot to debut the daring and violent Superstar. WrestleMania has run between five to seven hours over the last few years, so it's not like there isn't enough time to make a lot of memories. In between some matches, there could be a segment with a returning legend to slow things down a bit. Or Elias could have his usual "big stage" performance get interrupted as they always do. John Cena has stated that he would be involved with the PPV this year, so why not have him attack the man who was the face of the company for the last 15 years?

Debuting stars at Mania isn't something that normally happens, but the Hardyz did return to action at WrestleMania 33 in 2018. Matt and Jeff were already familiar with the WWE style and its expectations, so they were an easy act to bring back at a show like Mania.

In past years at both WrestleMania 35 and SummerSlam 2019, someone has shown up to attack Elias. A the Showcase of the Immortals last year, it was John Cena. At SummerSlam, it was Edge. An attack is easier to pull of than a debut match, but if WWE really wants to bring Kross in with a huge bang, doing so in some manner at the Show of Shows would be huge. Will he show up before then or will WWE do something outside of their normal box?

#1 On the RAW or SmackDown after Mania

New Champions Kingston and Rollins faced off with each other on the RAW after WrestleMania 35.

The most standard way to debut the prize free agent would be to do so on the episodes of RAW or SmackDown immediately following WrestleMania 36. Those nights have become some of the most anticipated episodes of the shows all year due to the prospect of a big name returning or debuting for the company.

Paige, The Revival, and Ember Moon have all debuted following Mania within the last few years. NXT stars primed for call ups also debut post-WrestleMania so that would also be a landing spot for a big debut. One of the most memorable returns/debuts on the RAWs after the Show of Shows was when Brock Lesnar came back to WWE in 2012 after a near-decade hiatus from the company. He blasted golden boy John Cena and the rest is history.

Should Kross bypass NXT completely, he could easily show up the night after the big PPV to attack a newly minted face champion. With Drew McIntyre poised to battle Lesnar for the WWE Championship, that could be his target. If they want him to start off with a mid-card feud first, he could target a potentially new US Champion.

If he is saved for SmackDown, he could do the same against Braun Strowman (if he retains the Intercontinental title past Mania) or another face like Roman Reigns, Kofi Kingston or Daniel Bryan. It all comes down to their plans for the performer and how ambitious they are. There are no shortage of spots where he could debut and leave a striking impression on the WWE/NXT Universe.