WWE: It’s Time For The Challengers To Become Champions

On March 3rd, both sets of tag titles must change hands on the NXT brand to build new names in tag wrestling.

Everyone loves good counter booking, and March 3rd will provide just that. WWE is set to have two major tag-team title matches on NXT to compete against Kazaam (Shaq). The culmination of the Dusty cup saw MSK crowned in the men’s division, while Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez made history winning the first women’s tournament. As a result, both teams get their rightful shot at gold. Standing in their way are Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch, Shayna Baszler, and Nia Jax respectfully.

The tag-team contenders need to leave NXT as tag-team champions.

If tag-team wrestling still means anything to WWE (we know it doesn’t) the company should shake things up and crown new champs. MSK debuted and ran the table in the Dusty Cup and has brought something the NXT tag division has lacked, excitement. Yes, it’s great that Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch finally got over the mountain for their first taste of gold, but their run as champs has been forgetful. They’ve become henchmen for Pete Dunne and without Pat Mcafee, their heel turn doesn’t have the same impact.

The division is starting to gain more depth with the Grizzled Young Veterans, Imperium, Breezango, Drake Maverick, and Killian Dane, Legado Del Fantasma, and the improbable duo of Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher. All capable of exciting matchups for MSK. Burch and Lorcan can also regain credibility by chasing the titles again and using their heel persona to linger around title contention. There are more options through MSK winning their first titles and fewer options by Burch and Lorcan retaining.

As for the women’s tag-team titles, it’s about damn time. Kai and Gonzalez seemed destined to be women’s tag champs from the very start of their pairing. A throwback to Shawn Michaels and Diesel, placing gold around their waists would elevate the titles that get put in the rearview so much. The titles were created to travel to all three brands, and with them on NXT superstars, it would ensure they’re featured on Wednesday nights more than ever before.

The long-term storytelling is a fun aspect as well with Shayna Baszler returning to NXT as a tag-team champion. Dakota Kai is far from a babyface, but a moment where she gets her comeuppance over Baszler’s past bullying should not be overlooked. Plus she now has new muscle watching her back. Gonzalez going toe-to-toe with Jax will be money and another way the company can flex inklings of Gonzalez being a megastar down the road. The Jax and Baszler pairing has had its fun and dominant moments, but both could be viable contenders for the Raw women’s championship held by Asuka. A champion that hasn’t been presented with viable challengers during her run.

With the impending Rhea Ripley debut on Monday Night Raw, the division is only getting deeper. Jax and Baszler are better served as antagonists to whoever is the champion. With your new champions, Kai and Gonzalez, on NXT the competition is already there. Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart, Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter, and Aliyah and Jessica Kamea are all challengers in waiting. Plus the occasional appearance from teams from Raw and Smackdown is sure to help in the weekly ratings war.

Once the bell rings on both matches the decision should be easy, and two teams should get their first taste of gold. The booking opportunities that present themselves with new champs only help the company and elevates both titles. If Bruce Buffer were in WWE instead of UFC, by the end of NXT you should hear “AND NEW.”