Who Else Should Step Into The NXT Fight Pit?

On this past week’s episode of NXT TV, Matt Riddle got back in touch with his MMA roots as he stepped into the first ever NXT Fight Pit match against his latest rival Timothy Thatcher. NXT writers aren’t afraid of booking their talent into some unique stipulation matches.

I mean, heck, they brought back the age-old WarGames match and re-trialled the Barbed Wire Steel Cage in the conclusion of the NXT Championship feud between Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano. This take on the UFC-style cage fight instantly turned heads when it was first revealed on social media and the match itself was equally exciting.

With wrestling alumni Kurt Angle serving as the special guest referee, Riddle and Thatcher put on a brutal ‘fight’ that featured a lot of stuff that would typically be seen on various MMA highlight reels. Thatcher walked away with the win, seemingly sending Riddle off to the main roster on a low and losing a few more teeth in the process. It made for a fantastic main event and suitable end to their hard-hitting feud.

Now that Riddle is setting sail to SmackDown Live, there’s a few credible names that would best fit in the NXT Fight Pit. Thatcher’s currently undefeated in the not-octagon and in need of a few more straight shooters to help make this stipulation something worth getting hyped over. This could be something very special for WWE, finally getting to tap into that MMA market that they’re desperate to attract to the product.

With this in mind, let’s have a think of a few superstars that could make a seamless transition into a Fight Pit match. Perhaps they’ve had some previous experience in cage fighting, or someone that you could see holding their own with some of the most legitimate badasses in the world today.

Make sure you throw down your own takes in the comments below.

 

1. Brock Lesnar

I’m sure it goes without saying that ‘The Beast Incarnate’ would be a great shout to have appear in the Fight Pit. A former UFC champion and headlining attraction, Brock Lesnar would get the world’s attention if he were to step back into an environment where he can absolutely let loose on someone. His return to the UFC octagon in 2016 garnered global media coverage, and even if WWE’s attempt is very minor in comparison, it would still be a big deal to see Lesnar tap into the fighting game once again.

Maybe if Brock happens to bump into Matt Riddle after his main roster debut and they start setting up the anticipated ‘retirement’ match, then the Fight Pit would quite possibly be the most appropriate place for them to settle the score. Lesnar is more than capable of beating someone silly, even after spending so long away from UFC and the fighting game. It’s about time for us to have a little reminder of how scary Lesnar can be when inside that cage.

 

2. Bobby Lashley

Having a professional MMA record of 15-1-0, Bobby Lashley is one of the most legit fighters in the wrestling business today. It’s a shame that Bobby was never able to transition into a run in UFC, at least then he would have been taken a little more seriously upon his return to wrestling. Lashley hasn’t had many opportunities to display his versatility as both a wrestler and a cage-fighting beast, but there’s still plenty of time left for ‘The All Mighty’ to run riot in the Fight Pit.

With Bobby Lashley now under the tutelage of Montel Vontavious Porter and stepping up into the WWE title picture, there’s no better time for Lashley to adapt his in-ring style to feature a lot more of an aggressive edge. Using more MMA-based grapples and submissions would help his evolution from being a generic muscle man to that of a terrifying shoot-brawler, similar to a Vader or Stan Hansen. Maybe a trip to the Fight Pit would go a long way in redefining his character and kickstart a new chapter of his career.

 

3. Jack Gallagher

A little known fact about ‘The Extraordinary Gentlemen’ Jack Gallagher is that he’s undefeated in Mixed Martial Arts. With a record of 2-0 from his brief flirtations with the sport, Gallagher has more of a shot than most at being considered one of the toughest dudes in the locker room, in spire of his stature. Currently floundering in the Cruiserweight division with a gimmick that mildly echoes one of the biggest MMA stars of all time, Conor McGregor, Gallagher could easily redefine his entire persona by picking up a win or two in the Fight Pit.

Jack Gallagher has forever remained one of the more interesting and popular stars of 205 Live, starting with his breakout performances in the CWC and eccentric gimmick that even Americans have been able to get behind. Gallagher has managed to change up his game enough over the past few years to keep himself relevant within the division, but now that NXT has this new Fight Pit in play, what better time for him to get in touch with MMA once again and start breaking bones in the cage.

 

4. Baron Corbin

WWE like to remind everyone that Baron Corbin is a former Golden Gloves boxing champion, which is a pretty impressive feat among the rest of the King’s accomplishments. MMA can be a great sport for those that have a penchant for striking, meaning that Corbin could easily become a threat to any person he happens to step into the Fight Pit against. King Corbin might be on the receiving end of a few laughs from the crowd, but as soon as he steps into the cage and the gloves come off, I’m sure people would see him in a very different light.

Baron Corbin has constantly teetered on the edge of becoming a massive star in WWE, putting him in a Fight Pit match against someone that could take a few punches and go the distance against an experienced boxer would go a long way in winning over a few fans. Corbin needs to remind people that he can be a legitimate threat to all superstars and the Fight Pit could be a great place for him to start.

 

5. Chad Gable

Still refusing to call him Shorty G. Chad Gable is legitimately one of the greatest wrestlers of our time, he could run circles around most of the roster with his ground-based style and toss them around with incredible feats of strength. It’s a shame that, outside of NXT, Gable has never been given the opportunity to put together a show-stealer or ten.

Putting Gable in the Fight Pit might not be everyone’s first choice for his future, after all he has no experience in cage fighting, but he is a former Olympian and I’m sure that his grappling repertoire would be enough to see him succeed in between the steel. Gable needs a big break in WWE and maybe a few matches in the Fight Pit against fellow legitimate athletes could do him the world of good.

 

6. CM Punk

My final suggestion for the Fight Pit is none other than CM Punk himself. A man that unfortunately never got off the ground in UFC but was so determined to become well-versed in MMA that he truly applied his all. Punk was soon pushed to the side by Dana White and has now returned to the world of pro wrestling via WWE’s Backstage show. Of course, fans are forever waiting for Punk to one day make an appearance on a major WWE event, giving us what we’ve been craving to see since his departure in 2014.

Now that WWE are tapping into the MMA market, maybe this is CM Punk’s best chance at becoming a star in that regard. Punk obviously wasn’t destined to be on the level as the rest of the UFC roster, but he definitely soaked in enough knowledge and experience to help make him a cage fighter. With several people throwing jabs at Punk for his two losses, perhaps he’d be looking to prove the doubters wrong by stepping into the Fight Pit and going a few rounds with some of WWE’s hardest hitters.