The inevitable NXT call-ups have become a post-WrestleMania tradition. In fact, the Raw and SmackDown after WrestleMania have become two of the most anticipated shows of the year…just because you never know who’s going to show up. Whether that’s because we’re actually looking forward to the shows or if it’s because we’re blowing off steam from a week of non-stop wrestling festivities is up for debate.
Nonetheless, it’s a veritable wrestling holiday. This year, WWE is taking an interesting approach. We’ve seen superstars like Heavy Machinery, Nikki Cross, EC3, Lars Sullivan, and Lacey Evans called up earlier this year, but they’ve yet to be assigned brands. Reports suggested these were a sort of soft call-up to infuse the main roster with some fresh faces. Sullivan has been MIA after being rumored to feud with John Cena heading into WrestleMania 35. The rest have been popping up here and there for matches or backstage segments.
More recently, we’ve seen Aleister Black, Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Ricochet pop up on the main roster. Black and Ricochet have been paired up and even wrestled for the Raw Tag Team Championship at Fastlane.
This could be setting us up for an underwhelming week after WrestleMania with a lack of surprise call-ups. But, surely the WWE has a trick up their sleeve, right? There’s still plenty
Potential NXT Call-ups after WrestleMania 35
Aleister Black – It’s a foregone conclusion at this point that Black is going to say goodbye to the black and yellow brand for good after WrestleMania. With his unique presentation and stellar in-ring work, Black could have the run that Finn Balor never got the chance to because of injury. He’s going to be assigned a brand and officially get the permanent call-up.
Pete Dunne – This one may seem a little out of the box, but after you’ve been the NXT UK brand’s champion for nearly 700 days, what’s left for you to do? Plus, they have a legitimate torch-bearer in WALTER now, who can take the strap and run with it. That match is set for NXT TakeOver: New York, so it’s the perfect time for the Bruiserweight to drop the belt and come to Raw or SmackDown.
Johnny Gargano – Rumor has it that Vince McMahon saw big money in DIY as a tag team. Even though Ciampa’s hurt, I still say you pull the trigger on Johnny Wrestling. He’s still as hot a name as he’s ever been, so the time is right to put him in a big spot and see what happens.
Ricochet – See Black. But, likely on a separate brand. There’s huge money in Ricochet as this generation’s daredevil superstar.
Kairi Sane – The WWE already has Evans and Cross to worry about, but Sane would be a welcome addition to either brand’s women’s division. The NXT women’s division feels a little thin right now, so you’d hate to snatch an established championship-caliber player from that. But, how many more times can they run Sane vs. Shayna Baszler? Seems like Sane has run her course in NXT.
Undisputed Era – These guys have hit their stride. In my opinion, they should’ve been fast tracked to the main roster to begin with. What else can they do at this point? Get Adam Cole a NXT Championship run? I mean, they’re ready to come in and be the next Four Horsemen/Evolution type of stable. I don’t know why we’re wasting time here – give these guys all the belts.
That’s my strategy – you have at least four-six top level acts in this class of 11. You take the established guys who have been sort of languishing in NXT for years and finally give them that run on the main roster. Then, you sit back and usher in an era of Velveteen Dream (finally getting a top run on NXT), Matt Riddle, Keith Lee, and Dominik Dijakovic. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised for WWE to throw us a curveball – Riddle is said to be a guy they really like, so maybe they fast track him to the main roster? Dream sure is ready as well. Who knows?
What do you say, WWE Universe? Who do you want to see on Raw and SmackDown this spring?
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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