The NXT Championship is a symbol of excellence. Over the past few years, due to the consistent quality of Superstar that has been entrusted with the strap, audiences have been conditioned to realise that whoever holds the NXT Title is primed to become a massive star, sooner or later.
Of the 10 Superstars to have held the belt since its inception back in 2012, only Bo Dallas has failed to establish himself as a standout talent on the main roster, while the rest have gone on to excel.
Currently, Canada’s Bobby Roode is the NXT Champion, a position which he obtained by defeating Shinsuke Nakamura and has now held for 170 days. This makes him the man with the fourth longest reign as NXT Champion in the history of the yellow brand, as well as the man that the entire NXT locker room wants to fight.
Also read: 5 WWE Superstars who were never expected to leave NXT
With so many talented, hungry Superstars around in NXT and the wrestling scene in general, it’s absolutely a foregone conclusion that the title has not found itself a permanent residence around the waist of Bobby Roode. But who will be the next person, to take the step up from challenger to champion? And what does the future have in store for the NXT Championship itself?
The next couple of years will undoubtedly see the WWE Universe treated to some absolutely incredible NXT Champions if the history of the brand is anything to go by. But who exactly will rise to the top of NXT? The following 5 names, are men that undoubtedly have the ability and potential to become the NXT Champion, not too far down the line.
#1 Drew McIntyre
In all likelihood, Drew McIntyre will be the man to dethrone Bobby Roode as NXT Champion. Since his return to WWE, he’s been somewhat treading water, but everything about the Scotsman simply screams “money”, which is something the company cannot and will not want to overlook for much longer.
Immeasurably improved since his last spell in WWE, during which he was involved with the dreadful comedy jobber act 3MB, McIntyre has honed his skills on the independent scene to the point where he is virtually unrecognisable as a performer. His look, which previously was nothing special, has also dramatically improved, and he is now perceived by many as a simple badass Scotsman.
He now appears much stronger, far more athletic and infinitely more imposing than his pre-2014 WWE days. His time spent in ICW, Impact Wrestling and Evolve allowed McIntyre to explore areas of his character that were previously untapped, and this has enabled him to develop as a performer.
It’s already clear to see that he’s one of the most well-rounded performers on the NXT roster, more than capable of going toe-to-toe with Bobby Roode, and sooner or later this prospect will become a reality. Before 2017 is replaced by 2018, Drew McIntyre will defeat the “Glorious” Bobby Roode and become the NXT Champion.
#2 Aleister Black
Aleister Black, the man formerly known as Tommy End on the independent scene, looked like a big deal from the moment he stepped inside a WWE ring. His televised debut came in an impromptu battle with the “King of the Cruiserweights”, Neville, at the WWE UK Championship tournament back in January.
He was greeted with a thunderous ovation by the fans in attendance, and that excitement has followed him throughout the duration of his NXT career to date. The hard-hitting striker from Amsterdam, Netherlands, brings an aura of legitimacy to his matches, successfully portraying himself to the crowd like a man who could very easily kick his opponents’ head off, whoever they may be.
Black has also carved himself a niche as the most “metal” performer in all of WWE. Yes, Baron Corbin, that’s you included. Everything from his entrance music, to his hair and his wrestling gear project his self-confessed love for metal.
Aside from his look, WWE clearly has faith in him. Already, he’s made his main roster debut against Curt Hawkins on Main Event. WWE doesn’t give spots like that to just any random NXT Superstar. Watch out for Black rising to the very top of NXT, as a ruthless face or a merciless heel, sooner rather than later.
#3 Johnny Gargano
One of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire history of NXT, came when Tomasso Ciampa shocked the world and turned on his DIY partner, Johnny Gargano, at NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
Already, Gargano was massively over as a babyface, with DIY rapidly ascending the ranks to become arguably the most popular tag team in NXT in a very short space of time. Following the unforeseen betrayal by Ciampa, however, fan sympathy for Gargano has been at an all time high. WWE would be extremely unwise not to capitalise on this momentum, and catapult “Johnny Wrestling” up the card to the status of NXT’s main event babyface.
Gargano seems to appeal to hardcore and casual fans alike. He has a decent look, can cut a good promo and is absolutely stellar in the ring, making him an easy character for the audience to emotionally invest in.
There can be no doubting the fact that Gargano has excelled in every scenario that the NXT world has thrust him into, something that should put him quite high up on the list of potential future champions, particularly in the eyes of the office.
From his time on the independents, Gargano has always been massively popular, and it’s highly possible that his electric, entertaining performances will translate into holding NXT Championship gold.
#4 Adam Cole
For those of you who aren’t up to speed with the world of pro wrestling that exists outside of WWE, Adam Cole is very big news. Making his in-ring debut in 2008, Cole is incredibly experienced for a man that’s still only 28 years old and has wrestled in some of the most notorious and respected independent wrestling promotions on the planet.
The list of accomplishments and titles that Cole has secured himself over the years is nearly endless, but the most impressive of these would be building his reputation to the point where he was able to become the first man ever to win the ROH World Title 3 times.
Cole has recently finished up with both ROH and PWG, ensuring that rumours are running rampant that he will be WWE-bound very soon. This is highly likely to be the case, given that Cole has been on the radar of WWE for a very long time now. The chances are, Adam Cole will be seen in an NXT ring by the time 2017 is out.
Once that has happened, we can all expect a rapid elevation into the NXT Title picture, right where he belongs. Make no mistake, if there’s one man not currently employed by WWE that can still be seen as a likely winner of the NXT Championship, it’s definitely Adam Cole “Bay-Bay”.
#5 Will Ospreay
Ospreay was the talk of the wrestling world roughly a year ago. 2016’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament, hosted by NJPW, played host to one of the most innovative matches ever seen in wrestling.
The match in question was Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet, and the attention and publicity drawn by the performance of both men allowed their careers to skyrocket, particularly in the case of Ospreay.
One of the most talented high-fliers in the world, Ospreay has proven his ability to get over with a difficult crowd during his stints in NJPW and ROH and has shown insane amounts of talent while doing so.
Of all the British talents to be excluded from the WWE UK Championship Tournament, Ospreay was the biggest star. Regardless, his omission from the tournament may turn out to be a blessing.
While everybody involved in that competition has ended up being somewhat separated from the rest of the roster, Ospreay has avoided that fate. When he inevitably does sign with WWE, such will be the hype surrounding him that there will be no option but to throw him straight in at the top of NXT.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Will Ospreay is playing a major role in the evolution of the industry, and his unique array of talents will eventually reward him with an NXT Title reign.
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