WWE: Looking for Roman Reigns’s next title challenger in NXT
WrestleMania season has passed. All the big moments from the weekend will remain etched in wrestling fans’ minds. There was a lot to enjoy now that the big annual event is over. Roman Reigns is at the top as the undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He’s dominated all that has come his way during his near 600-day run of dominance. WWE is in a bleak position to decide who should face him next. These are three names that could fill in that void if properly built by the company.
Tommaso Ciampa
WWE’s main roster viewers are familiar with Tommaso Ciampa. He’s had brief spurts on both Raw and SmackDown, and while they weren’t all filled with success, his presence isn’t completely foreign to them. After what seemed like a sendoff at NXT Stand & Deliver, he could be moved to the main roster and crafted into a title contender in time.
Ciampa is a “veteran’s veteran” and can do everything in the ring. His catalog in WWE alone shows that he can work the microphone and give fans well-crafted, story-filled matches. Unfortunately, his size may be a detriment to his main roster status, but his initial introduction to either SmackDown or Raw would be met with excitement. Ciampa has openly pushed back against the idea of going to the main roster, but times have changed and perhaps the fresh run would be an opportunity to add a new branch of success to his career.
Santos Escobar
Santos Escobar can do it all. It’s amazing that he and Legado del Fantasma have not ruled over all of NXT even at this point. With Elektra Lopez in the fold, this group should have been placed as the top heel faction in the brand, holding all the gold. Unfortunately, WWE has decided to go in another direction multiple times over.
Still, that does not demean what Escobar and the rest of LDF offer as a stable on the main roster. Using this void in contenders would be a great chance to introduce four new opponents into either SmackDown or Raw. Not only would fans get Escobar versus Reigns at the top of the card, but Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde against The Usos should excite any fan of tag team professional wrestling. Plus, Lopez would be a welcome addition to the women’s main roster.
LA Knight
LA Knight’s run in WWE NXT has been good, but perplexing. The performer formerly known as Eli Drake is an experienced member of that roster and rightfully looked at as such. He can hang with any of the individuals in NXT, whether it comes to microphone work or in-ring action. Knight seemingly has all the skills necessary to be a top talent on the main roster but has remained on the 2.0 brand.
After losing to Gunther at WWE NXT Stand & Deliver, now is the time for Knight to be moved up to the main roster for the next phase of his WWE run. He can work the microphone to hang with Reigns and Paul Heyman, plus has the abilities to put on serviceable matches along the way. This is an opportunity to introduce someone into SmackDown that can be looked at as an eventual main event player to stand across from the others on the roster to present some fresh matchups.