5 NXT wrestlers who can be WWE champion in 2018

WWE NXT is the number one wrestling show for most die-hard pro wrestling fans around the world. While this can be attributed to the quality of writing that the NXT creative is capable of, it cannot be denied that WWE's developmental show houses some of the best wrestlers in the world today.

Some of the most notable NXT alumni who have held championship gold on the main roster include the likes of Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and many more. The WWE programming is getting more and more focused on them with every passing week and it seems evident that this will be the case for the next decade or so.

With the Royal Rumble coming up with so many new superstars pegged to win it, will it be someone from NXT who would surprise us? So, without further ado, let's take a look at 5 NXT 'Rookies' who could be joining the elite club of WWE champions in 2018.

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#5 Adam Cole

Will it be Adam Cole Bay Bay!

Adam Cole made one hell of an impact on his very first night on NXT when he attacked and laid out the then NXT champions Drew McIntyre. This made it very clear that the WWE management thinks highly of him and is ready to invest in him from the get-go.

Adam Cole has a very impressive resume which contains a list of accomplishments like being the first ever 3-time Ring of Honor champion and competing in NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom PPV.

Although Cole's size can be a concern for those who think he may get lost in the land of giants, his pairing with Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly guarantees that it won't be the case. Add to that his loads of natural charisma and in-ring prowess, he could be WWE's top star in no time.

#4 Drew McIntyre

Will Drew's time finally come in 2018?

Drew McIntyre started with WWE way back in 2007. Being called 'The Chosen One' and projected as Vince McMahon's next big star, the future looked bright for the kid. But, as time passed his brightness kept on diminishing and he was finally released by the WWE after a run as a jobber in the 3MB stable.

But, the bane soon turned out to be a boon for McIntyre as he had one hell of a time in the independent circuit where he improved himself dramatically and became one of the hottest free agents in the pro wrestling industry. WWE soon took notice and came calling again.

Since then, Drew hasn't looked back and has continued to grow as a performer both in the ring and on the mic. His hard work was soon rewarded with an NXT championship run, which abruptly came to an end due to an untimely injury.

On the plus side, if anything Drew has learned in the last couple of years, it is how to get back up when knocked down. Don't be surprised to see him compete for championship gold against WWE's current golden boy Roman Reigns in the very near future.

#3 Lars Sullivan

Will Lars Sullivan be the Jinder Mahal of 2018?

Many of you might be surprised to see Lars Sullivan in this list. But, consider this - Kane and Big Show are on their last legs, Brock Lesnar's contract is expiring this year and Braun Strowman (who will definitely become champion in 2018) can't keep on fighting Roman Reign's forever.

With Big Cass being out indefinitely, Rusev and Big E are the only names that come to mind when we talk of big men. But, their credibility is also in question due to the way they have been booked in the past. This leaves the WWE in a fix as there will be no one left believable enough to be challenging Strowman. Enter Lars Sullivan and the problem is solved.

Sullivan is a powerhouse who is capable of destroying anyone in his path and if booked properly as a monster, his matches with megastars like Cena, Reigns, Strowman and even Lesnar could be money makers for WWE. After witnessing Jinder Mahal as the WWE champion for almost half of 2017, we can certainly admit that WWE is open to experimenting and Lars could be its biggest benefactor.

#2 Aleister Black

Will Black be sitting on WWE's throne?

Aleister Black, better known as Johnny End in the indies, is one of the absolute best pro wrestlers in NXT and at 32 years of age, don't expect him to be sitting in between the yellow ropes for too long.

Aleister Black arguably has a unique look in WWE and what compounds it is the fact that he is amazing in the ring. From unsettling taunts to an absolutely brutal finisher, you can can't take your eyes off Black as long as he is on TV. An exceptional entrance and satanic tattoos only add to his aura and there you have a megastar in the making.

His matches with Bray Wyatt and Woken Matt Hardy will propel him to the top of the card and from there he will be challenging the likes of AJ Styles, Roman Reigns and Finn Balor for WWE championship gold.

But, with all these terrific qualities, if Black is only second on my list, then who is number one?

#1 Johnny Gargano

Is Johnny Wrestling the next Daniel Bryan?

A few years ago, when Daniel Bryan was at the peak of his career, WWE realized that a guy who looks like just another guy from the audience can be your next megastar if booked correctly.

At 199 lbs and just standing just below 6 feet, with a range of offensive maneuvers and painful submissions, Johnny Gargano could be the next Daniel Bryan. With the persona of a lovable loser and one who never backs down from a fight, NXT has already created a fan favorite who seems destined for big things.

In spite of a string of losses, Gargano has momentum on his side with the NXT crowd fully behind him because of his stellar in-ring performances. He will be challenging for the NXT championship very soon and if he continues to perform in the same way, he could win over a larger audience in the main roster that would propel him to the WWE championship picture in no time.

Don't agree with me? Do share your opinion in the comments section below.