NXT is set to face-off against their main roster counterparts at this coming weekend’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. Arguably, this has been the best story-arc that WWE has booked in quite some time. Fans that were turned away by the sheer nonsense presented to them on a weekly basis have been tempted back to RAW and SmackDown Live since the black and gold brand have entered the fray.
Despite only a small fraction of the NXT locker room being featured, this storyline has given plenty of up and coming stars the opportunity to start making a name for themselves on the bigger stage. NXT mainstays like Shayna Baszler, Tommaso Ciampa & Adam Cole have all now had their first taste of exposure on the flagship shows, while relative upstarts like Tegan Nox, Rhea Ripley & Keith Lee are now seeing their names improve thanks to their involvement in this interpromotional feud.
There are plenty of guys and girls that deserve to have a fantastic showcase this coming Sunday, but perhaps there’s a few that should standout amongst the crop. Who should NXT rely on to be the shining star of Survivor Series? We’ve come up with 5 that we think could steal the show.
1. Shayna Baszler
Honestly I think in the build to this year’s Survivor Series, the current NXT Women’s Champion has been the standout star in the whole thing. Shayna Baszler has entered herself into the conversation of being the baddest woman in WWE by targeting the two champs of RAW and SmackDown Live. By instigating a hot feud with Becky Lynch and Bayley, all eyes are on Baszler and the show she’s about to put on in the triple threat match at Survivor Series.
Baszler has made a name for herself as one of the most dominant champions in NXT history, almost surpassing Asuka’s legendary reign as Women’s Champion. Having held the title for over a year now, and about to embark on the road to the first ever women’s WarGames match, there’s nothing stopping her from walking away from Survivor Series weekend as one of the most talked about superstars in all of WWE.
Baszler is ready to take her game to the next level, and I think that should start at Survivor Series. Plant the seeds for a big main roster feud with ‘The Man’ and start the build to WrestleMania. I’m sure many would argue that the end goal of this WWE/NXT blood feud shouldn’t be the NXT cohort moving up to either RAW or SmackDown Live, but quite honestly I think Shayna’s ready for it once she eventually drops her title.
2. Keith Lee
We’ve previously covered our thoughts on Keith Lee and how we believe he deserves slightly more than he’s getting in NXT. It seems that ‘Limitless’ Lee is currently on the road to the North American title and days away from competing in both WarGames and the traditional 5-man Survivor Series match, which is an impressive feat for any NXT star. What better time for Keith Lee to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Keith Lee has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to tangle with anyone in that squared circle. Standing toe-to-toe against some of the main roster’s biggest stars is going to go a long way in establishing Lee to any that have yet to bask in his glory.
Just thinking of what Keith Lee could do when standing in the ring with a Braun Strowman or a Ricochet is making me very excited for this Sunday. Perhaps this could even turn a certain billionaire’s head backstage?
3. Pete Dunne
With the line-up for NXT’s Survivor Series team still unannounced, one can only assume that it’s going to shape up with the former United Kingdom champion in the mix. Pete Dunne has slowly been building his reputation as one of WWE’s future headliners, there’s been a couple of occasions where ‘The Bruiserweight’ has made it onto the main roster, but he’s never been around long enough to leave his mark on RAW or SmackDown.
Pete Dunne could easily fit in with the best and brightest of NXT in the 5 on 5 match. It seems that he’s being groomed to become one of NXT’s main eventers, once the feud with Killian Dain and Damien Priest subsides. This could be a huge step in the right direction for the Brit and a massive nod to NXT UK and their ability to generate future stars for the main roster.
As it stands, Dunne is currently not scheduled to compete at TakeOver: WarGames. NXT are going to need a couple of guys who aren’t completely exhausted after putting in yet another phenomenal TakeOver performance.
Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish
I’m singling out the NXT Tag Team Champions as the two members of The Undisputed Era that deserve to stand out at Survivor Series. Sure, everyone expects Adam Cole to be the guy that leads NXT to a potential victory this Sunday, but perhaps he should allow his fellow Era stablemates to make a name for themselves as separate entities.
It’s difficult for WWE to build a faction of credible individuals; usually the minions eat a lot of pinfalls during the build to the leader’s grudge match. Survivor Series is the perfect time for Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish to make a name for themselves as one of the best tag teams in the world today.
I personally think that the triple threat tag team match could steal the show. Putting Undisputed Era in the ring with both The New Day and The Viking Raiders could lead to absolute magic. We already know that Fish and O’Reilly can string together a MOTY candidate against Erik and Ivar, but the inclusion of The New Day adds a whole new layer of intrigue.
Fish and O’Reilly have been an integral part in making The Undisputed Era as big as they are, they deserve their due credit come Survivor Series.
5. Matt Riddle
NXT’s main event scene seems to be divided between Adam Cole, Tommaso Ciampa and Finn Balor. Matt Riddle has flirted with the NXT title picture, but seems to be struggling in getting himself over enough to be considered a top prospect for succeeding Adam Cole, or whoever next takes the NXT Championship.
‘The Original Bro’ is more than capable as the face of the brand and could easily get the fans behind him in the run-up to a big title fight. Survivor Series needs to be the start of a journey for Riddle, a journey to superstardom.
Matt Riddle is one of those likely contenders for the NXT Survivor Series team, honestly it would shock me if he isn’t announced alongside Keith Lee on this Wednesday’s episode of NXT. He doesn’t even need to be the guy that leads NXT to victory this Sunday, they could easily start building the former UFC as the iron-man of NXT, someone that can take a pounding and bring the fight back to his opponent.
Riddle is a star in the making for NXT and definitely someone that deserves to stand out during NXT’s big outing at Survivor Series.
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