NXT has been through a bit of a lull in early 2020, but in the past few months, it’s become abundantly clear that the best brand in WWE is set to blaze the trail once again. Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Undisputed Era still play a big role within the company, but NXT is all about developing talent, and there some future champions in the making, ready to make their big impression on the WWE Universe. It may be too early to say who’ll be the ones to take the developmental brand into a new era, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating the wealth of talent in the NXT pool. So, with that in mind, here are five Superstars I believe will be the future of NXT, from creepy serial killer-inspired psychopaths to green-haired banshees.
El Hijo Del Fantasma
If you’re not familiar with El Hijo Del Fantasma, I suggest you jump on YouTube and see exactly why everyone in NXT is raving about him. He paved the way in CMLL and AAA, and was a Gift of the Gods Champion as King Cuerno in Lucha Underground, so with him joining NXT in 2020, it’s an exciting time for The Son of Phantom. His father was the legendary El Fantasma, and it’s clear why NXT acquired him. There’s a limited amount of Lucha-style wrestling in NXT, and already we’ve seen his style blend with others well. Jack Gallagher and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott were just the first two to tussle with the Mexican magician, but there’re many other dream matches for Del Fantasma to have in NXT. Jordan Devlin, Finn Balor, and Johnny Gargano are just some of the guys I’d love to see him go up against, and with him only just signing, the future is looking bright for him. He’s already involved in a storyline which has seen two masked men kidnap two other Superstars in Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde, meaning we’ll be seeing much more of him as the weeks progress.
Dexter Lumis
I can’t stop watching Dexter Lumis. From the way he slides across the ring to the way he tenderly strokes his victims head after destroying them with the Anaconda Vice, everything he does is captivating. He may not say a lot (in fact, he says absolutely nothing), but his actions speak a lot louder. He can destroy his opponents in a heartbeat with his signature spinebuster, and those huge arms are capable of choking out everyone that stands in his way. He was recently involved in the main event on NXT, teaming with Velveteen Dream against Undisputed Era, and with that story still in its infancy, who knows what is planned next for the maniacal mannequin? Adam Cole hasn’t fought anyone with the power and savagery of Lumis, however, it may be too early for him to be in the title picture. The thing is, Dexter Lumis doesn’t care. Hopefully, that’s what he wants with the UE, and it may only be a matter of time before he’s wearing gold around his waist.
Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux
In IMPACT, Killer Kross made one hell on an impression, but the way his slow-boiled introduction to NXT has been done so far has been excellent. Short vignettes teasing the arrival of something sinister started, gradually introducing more information until it was made clear Kross was behind them. Then, at the end of NXT three weeks ago, he attacked Tommaso Ciampa in horrifying fashion. His real-life partner Scarlett Bordeaux was brought into NXT a short while before him, but she hasn’t been used yet. She’s equally as impressive both in the ring and on the mic, and she does a great job of complementing Kross from what we’ve seen. In their time on the indies, the power couple showed up together, and it’s quite clear how perfect they are for one another. They are set to make their debut this Wednesday, and I for one cannot wait to see them start their journey in NXT. Kross could be the man behind the attack on Finn Balor, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is how he shows up on Wednesday. Either way, time is almost up and they are ready to dominate the black and gold brand.
Shotzi Blackheart
There’s something so exciting about Shotzi Blackheart. For starters, she looks the part. Her bright green hair, punk rock attitude, and the mini tank she arrives in show off her devil may care attitude to perfection. Then you see her in the ring and notice there’s something special about her. She’s quick, strong for her size, and has a vast array of moves in her arsenal. She’s already proved her worth in NXT by going up against Shayna Baszler and falling short in the women’s gauntlet match that almost had her compete for a number one contender spot for the NXT Women’s Championship, but it’s only just the beginning. It won’t be long before Blackheart gets a shot at Charlotte Flair, and I for one can’t wait to see it. She may have her hands full with Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez, but with her in-ring ability, she’ll leave them in her wake soon enough.
Timothy Thatcher
Before NXT, Timothy Thatcher was already a big name on the indie wrestling scene, picking up multiple championship titles in the likes of Evolve, APW, and wXw. He’s as tough as they come, harnessing the best of the old school generation, and brandishing a bare-bones yet effective approach in the ring. His unlikely start in NXT alongside Matt Riddle couldn’t have been any better, but this is only the start. There’s not a doubt in my mind Thatcher will one day be in line for the NXT World Championship, and with every week that passes, the NXT fans will start to understand why everyone loves Timothy Thatcher. When Pete Dunne returns, I’d love to see these two go at it at an NXT TakeOver, and with Riddle becoming more and more fond of Tim, it could very well lay the groundwork for the two powerhouses to come to blows.
All images courtesy of WWE