5 WWE NXT Championship challengers for Karrion Kross

#1 Former WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Kyle O'Reilly

Kyle O'Reilly has seen a fast rise into the main event scene in recent months, feuding with Finn Balor and Adam Cole

WWE NXT Superstar Kyle O'Reilly has truly had a breakout past 12 months.

The former Undisputed Era member was previously only seen as a tag team competitor on the black and gold brand, regularly teaming with long-time tag team partner Bobby Fish and becoming a three-time NXT Tag Team Champion in the process.

Will these two cross paths again? 👀 #WWENXT @KORcombat @WWEKarrionKross @Lady_Scarlett13 pic.twitter.com/o5LSHF6HJW

— WWE (@WWE) April 21, 2021

However, 2020 saw Kyle O'Reilly transition from a tag team wrestler into a singles competitor as he challenged for the WWE NXT Championship on several occasions against former-champion Finn Balor in some incredibly physical, memorable and critically acclaimed matches.

Despite being unsuccessful in his initial WWE NXT Championship pursuits, Kyle O'Reilly's matches against Finn Balor firmly established the former NXT Tag Team Champion as a major singles wrestler on the black and gold brand.

What's next for @KORcombat? He's got 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 to decide. ⏳ #WWENXT @WWEKarrionKross pic.twitter.com/HZtmmxgCwS

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 21, 2021

Recently, Kyle O'Reilly has concluded an epic rivalry against former Undisputed Era leader Adam Cole, defeating his former friend in the main event of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night Two in an unsanctioned match.

With his feud with Cole seemingly in the rear-view mirror, it appears that O'Reilly has once again turned his attention to the WWE NXT Championship.

During a recent episode of NXT on USA Network, Kyle O'Reilly stated that his goal is to challenge Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship in the future. This was later followed by a staredown between O'Reilly and Kross, hinting that an NXT Championship showdown between the two could happen soon.