{Credit: WWE}
There is no doubt that ever since it was rebranded from being a reality competition show, NXT has week in and week out been providing some of the best wrestling in the entire WWE.
Thanks to the rebranded developmental territory, we have seen the likes of Kevin Owens, Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor grace our screens with their in-ring talent.
But now they are on the main roster and are providing memorable moments every week on Raw and SmackDown Live. And with 2018 beginning, it is time for a new set of wrestlers to make their way up and debut on the main roster.
Whether it be the day after WrestleMania, or the day after SummerSlam, here are 5 potential NXT call-ups that must happen in 2018.
#5. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
For the longest time, it was wondered if Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas would find any success in NXT. After losing to the likes of Aleister Black and Kassius Ohno, it seemed that Almas would find himself as a jobber in NXT.
However, that all changed after winning the NXT Championship from an injured Drew McIntyre back at NXT Takeover:War Games. While it was initially only meant to write McIntyre out of action due to his injury, it was exact push that Almas needed to place him where he needed to be.
Now at the top of NXT, he is set to defend his championship against Johnny Gargano at NXT Takeover:Philadelphia. While it is still unknown who will win this bout, one thing is for sure. Eventually, Almas will have to give up the title. But when he does, it means he can finally make his long-awaited main roster debut.
As for where he should debut, that is still up in the air. On one hand, he could go to Raw, and have matches with the likes of Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, or Samoa Joe. Or, he could go to SmackDown Live, and go up against AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, or Sami Zayn. Wherever he goes, we can’t wait to see what he does.
{Credit: WWE}
#4. Drew McIntyre
Once a part of the infamous jobber trio 3MB, McIntyre went away back in 2014 and started wrestling on the independent scene. Rebranding himself Drew Galloway, he found great success before making his debut in NXT back last year. In NXT, he won the NXT Championship off of Bobby Roode at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III. And then, fate struck.
As mentioned up above, McIntyre was set to defend his title against Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas at NXT Takeover: War Games. During the end of the match, it was revealed that McIntyre suffered a torn bicep, causing him to not be able to compete for the time being.
While it is still unsure when he is set to make his in-ring return, one thing is for sure. Whenever it happens, it needs to be on the main roster. As for where he should go, the only logical place would be SmackDown Live. There, he can feud with former 3MB member Jinder Mahal, who also reached great success in 2017, winning the WWE Title from Randy Orton.
While they don’t necessarily need to feud over the WWE Championship, or any championship for that matter, it would be interesting to see the two together after they have come so far. It would even be interesting to see them form as a tag team again.
{Credit: WWE}
#3. SAnitY
One thing is for sure about SAnitY, they have certainly made an impact on NXT since they debuted. For a time in NXT, the team of Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain and Nikki Cross were unstoppable and untouchable.
Not only was SAnitY one of the most popular groups in NXT, they were also one of the fastest growing. But they haven’t just been successful as a team. Cross has been in the NXT Womens Championship picture on several occasions. But it would all culminate when they would win the NXT Tag Team Championship at NXT Takeover:Brooklyn III.
Since then, while they have lost their titles, they still play a big part in the Tag Team Division. Young, Wolfe and Dain took part in the epic War Games match along with the Undisputed Era, Authors of Pain and Roderick Strong.
As of right now, it is unsure how SAnitY will be used going into Wrestlemania season. None of the members have a match slated for NXT Takeover: Philadelphia yet. However, it is rumored that Dain might be taking on Lars Sullivan at the event. Regardless of how they are used though, it is undeniable that they must debut after Wrestlemania and be put into the tag title picture.
{Credit:WWE}
#2. Aleister Black
Most of the time, when a wrestler comes into NXT, they don’t get as much spotlight as the wrestlers who come from other promotions like TNA or NJPW. This hasn’t been the case for Aleister Black.
Debuting last year at NXT Takeover: Orlando, Black had a stellar match with Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas. From there, his popularity grew. Since his debut, Black has not had a dull storyline during his time in NXT. Not only has he been one of the more interesting characters as of lately, he is also very talented in the ring.
Probably the highlight of his NXT career so far has been his feud with the Velveteen Dream going into NXT Takeover: War Games, where the two put on one of the best NXT matches in 2018.
While it is not very likely that he will hold the NXT Championship in 2018, it doesn’t mean that is set to be in developmental for much longer. By the time Wrestlemania rolls around, Black will only have been in WWE for about a year, so he may not make his main roster debut there. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to show up sometime after SummerSlam, and show Raw or SmackDown Live who Aleister Black truly is.
{Credit: WWE}
#1. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
This one is technically a cheat since it features two people. However, this section involves them as a tag team as well. In 2016, Gargano and Ciampa, at the time part of the tag team #DIY, were a part of the incredible Best 2 Out of 3 Match against The Revival at NXT Takeover: Toronto, where they eventually won the NXT Tag Team Championship. Fast forward a little over a year later and the picture is slightly altered.
After failing to regain their Tag Team Championships from the Authors of Pain at NXT Takeover: Chicago, things turned south as Ciampa snapped and turned on his partner. Since then, we haven’t seen him, as he has been out with injury. However, the same can’t be said for Gargano. It turns out that the breakup was exactly what Gargano needed. Since then he has found success for himself, even ending up as the #1 Contender for Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas’ NXT Championship. Their matchup is set for NXT Takeover: Philadelphia, where all eyes are on Gargano to get the happy ending to his story and win the NXT Championship.
This would then perfectly set up an eventual feud between the two former teammates down the road. For those who don’t remember, the two have already had a stellar match together during the Cruiserweight Classic back in 2016. However, this time there would be more of a story involved, as this has been brewing for almost a year. And by that time, the NXT Championship could be on the line where everything culminates.
This feud could easily take work its way until Summerslam weekend, where everything comes together full circle. After that, it will be time for the two to make their way up to the main roster and continue their feud, possibly making it better than the feud between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Next: Ranking The Top 20 WWE Matches Of 2017
As we start rolling into WrestleMania season, and eventually Summerslam season, NXT is set to be packed with incredible wrestling in 2018. However, it will soon be time for some of these wrestlers to finally make their main roster debuts. When they do happen, they will surely be, as Triple H would say, “whats best for business.”