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The Royal Rumble is one of the most exciting events of the year and now comprises of not one but two of the biggest matches in the world of wrestling. The event which usually comprised of only one 30-man battle royale to determine the number one contender to either one of the top men’s championships in the company now also has a 30-woman battle royale which has made the event more prestigious.
Last year, we saw Shinsuke Nakamura win the men’s match, while the women’s match main-evented the PPV and had Asuka as the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble match winner. While the focus of the winner is on one of the two main championships of the main roster, we seldom see the involvement of NXT superstars in the match too.
Last year, Andrade and Adam Cole made their Royal Rumble match debut for the NXT brand, while the women’s saw Kairi Sane and Ember Moon take part from the developmental brand. Similarly, we expect to see at least two superstars in each one of the two matches which will make the event more exciting and give the developmental brand superstars a chance to also be in the mix to win a chance to become number one contenders.
With that said, we have made a list of 4 NXT superstars who should be a part of the Royal Rumble matches. Take a look at our list below, and share your favorites from NXT who should be a part of these two prestigious matches.
#4 Bianca Belair
Bianca found her way into wrestling in a rather interesting way. She entered her information into the WWE prospects database after her CrossFit career came to an end. Surprisingly, she was contacted by none other than Mark Henry through social media offering her to get a tryout with the company if she was willing to work hard.
After just two tryouts, Belair won her WWE contract in 2016 and has since made her presence felt in NXT in some different ways.
Her long hair, which she uses as a weapon, has not gone unnoticed and her style of wrestling has received much praise. She made her WrestleMania debut when she participated in the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania 34, which has provided her with big league exposure and experience.
Being one of the biggest talents emerging from the developmental brand, WWE will try to push her sometime sooner than later, and the Royal Rumble is another platform where she can be mixed with the women of the main roster for the WWE Universe to take notice.
#3 Johnny Gargano
The Royal Rumble is empty without a man who holds grudges against multiple superstars, and Johnny Gargano is a man who can fill that position. A veteran of NXT, Gargano has feuded with numerous men in both singles and tag team action and has chemistry with almost all of them.
An A-lister in the world of NXT matches, Gargano can pull off stellar performances under any stipulation. A number of men who have moved on to the main roster from NXT have had feuds with Gargano, and his surprise entrance into the match could see some interesting spots come out of the match.
Gargano does not need the spotlight to get ahead in his career, but the match could use some of Gargano’s star power to pull some eyes on it. If Johnny Gargano does enter the Royal Rumble match, then expect the roof of the arena to explode!
#2 Candice LeRae
One of the more experienced female campaigners of NXT, Candice LeRae is still new to the WWE crowd.
She made her debut with the company in May 2017 even though she has been wrestling since 2002. LeRae was officially signed by the company in 2018 with a full-time contract and has been a regular fixture on the yellow brand still.
While Bianca Belair appeals to the newer crowd of wrestling, LeRae is a well-known competitor much like Kairi Sane who appeals too almost all the wrestling fans around the world.
While LeRae has largely been used to further her husband Johnny Gargano’s feuds in NXT, she should get a chance to be a Royal Rumble participant to be in the spotlight herself and get noticed by the WWE Universe.
Even though there are many other deserving women on the NXT roster who should get a place in the Royal Rumble match, LeRae has the potential to move up to the main roster soon much like Ember Moon did last year, and this could prove to be her stepping stone.
#1 Velveteen Dream
Every Royal Rumble needs a masterclass entertainer, and this year we could see Velveteen Dream playing that role.
At just 23 years of age, Dream has an extremely large fanbase who support him simply due to his unparalleled entertainment and wrestling abilities which are second to none.
He made his debut in 2014 for the brand and has slowly become one of the faces of the brand at such a young age.
He had an extremely good rivalry with Aleister Black in 2017 and has left no stone unturned in his pursuit for the NXT Championship. Playing a heel, Dream uses his mic-work and theatrics to great effect and sells every single segment like a professional.
Becoming a part of the Royal Rumble will not only allow him to get more notice with the WWE Universe, but it could also help him become a bigger star on NXT which will surely bolster the entire brand.
Dream would be an extremely good and diverse inclusion to the Royal Rumble match if he is made part of the match.
