NXT: 5 Possible Opponents For Johnny Gargano

Matt Riddle

Despite losing to the Velveteen Dream at NXT TakeOver: New York, Matt Riddle still belongs near the top of the list for a future NXT Title shot.

Remember, the NXT creative team made sure to protect Riddle in that match with Dream — giving him most of the offense before getting rolled up and pinned — but even if he lost more definitively, it wouldn’t take much to heat “The King of Bros” back up with a few wins on the weekly show before getting an NXT title shot.

Chances are you don’t need me to tell you how good Riddle between the ropes, but if you still haven’t been convinced that Riddle’s MMA-influenced style can work under the WWE umbrella, then give his matches with Dream, Drew Gulak, and Kassius Ohno another look.

Those respective tangos should be enough to sway your opinion.

A match between Gargano and Riddle — two former EVOLVE alumni — has probably occupied space on a lot of fans’ dream match lists.

While both men are babyfaces right now, the NXT writers have shown no aversion to occasionally eschewing the traditional “good guy vs. bad guy” structure in favor of promoting the biggest matches possible and at this moment, Riddle vs. Gargano stands out as one of those marquee bouts.

Of course, Riddle and Gargano could also face off on the weekly show as a teaser for a future showdown. Either way, don’t be surprised if they headline a TakeOver show sometime in the next year.