NXT: 3 Call-Ups We Would Like To See After SummerSlam

There are three unwavering certainties in this madcap world: death, taxes and NXT stars being called up to the main roster after SummerSlam.

The ‘Biggest Event of the Summer’ marks the midway point of the calendar year and is usually viewed as an opportunity to inject some fresh blood into the Raw and Smackdown Live rosters.

This time last year, for instance, marked the main roster debut of Bobby Roode. Within a few weeks, he was joined by Asuka, Absolution and… god, I’m losing the will to live here… The Riott Squad. The year before saw Bayley getting the post-SummerSlam call-up.

Each of these debuts were accompanied by waves of optimism and excitement. And yet, barely a year removed, it’s clear that optimism has sadly given way to frustration. The excitement to indifference.

It doesn’t have to be that way though. As we approach SummerSlam on Sunday, I feel that familiar kernel of hope that maybe this year WWE will get an NXT call-up right. Like the spurned female lead in a bad teenage rom-com, I defiantly yell “things will be different this time!” into my pillow, while I sloppily comfort eat a pint of rocky road ice cream.

Except, is it actually possible that this time things really COULD be different? Given the current state of NXT, dare we dream? The developmental brand arguably boasts some of the most talented individuals we’ve seen in its short history. Perhaps even talented enough that one or two of them could make the jump to the main roster and, crucially, thrive.

A few short explanatory notes before we get into it. You will not find any women on this list (sorry Shayna Baszler fans!). As talented as they are, I simply cannot justify adding any more women to the creative black hole that is the Raw and Smackdown Live women’s scene. Not until WWE either figures out a way to develop multiple storylines simultaneously and/or pulls the trigger on the long-rumoured women’s tag team division. Similarly, I haven’t bothered to look at potential tag team call ups. Why? Just look at who’s currently sitting atop the Raw tag team division and you tell me why.

With the ground rules laid out, here are the three NXT stars who I believe should get the call after SummerSlam.

3. Ricochet

One of the most decorated members of the NXT roster, Ricochet would bring an immediate injection of raw energy to either Raw or Smackdown Live.

A former winner of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, PWG World Champion and two-time Battle of Los Angeles winner, the ‘One and Only’ is more main roster ready than almost anyone else NXT has on its books.

His unique, high octane in-ring style separates him from the herd and simply can’t be ignored. Every move seems borderline superhuman, each flip death-defying and each moment electric. Simply put, you just can’t take your eyes off him.

So confident am I in Ricochet’s talent that I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that not even tepid feuds, cringe-worthy dialogue or three beautiful sisters could derail his call up. The man is just too damn good in the ring. Ricochet’s combination of experience, pedigree and ability make him a surefire main roster success.

Scheduled to face Adam Cole for the NXT North American Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV this Saturday, a victory would surely mean that Ricochet stays on the developmental brand a little while longer. But if he loses, all bets are off.

And speaking of that match on Saturday…

2. Adam Cole

Bay bay!

Adam Cole is everything you want in a top level heel. His arrogance, charisma and viciousness quickly elevated him to the top of the NXT card and made him the inaugural NXT North American champion.

In his relatively short NXT tenure, the leader of the Undisputed Era’s resume includes winning championship gold, putting on a 5-star match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans and resurrecting War Games – a match type we hadn’t seen since 2000! Plus, who could forget the reception he received during his surprise Royal Rumble appearance earlier this year…

A move up to one of the featured brands would also free up the other members of the Undisputed Era to take on a more featured role in NXT. Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong are phenomenal performers in their own right and would greatly benefit from being given more of the spotlight following the departure of their charismatic leader.

If there’s one concern about Adam Cole (from a WWE perspective), it’s his size – or rather the lack thereof. We’ve all seen how badly things could go for someone of Cole’s stature. The obvious worst case scenario is Baron Corbin deciding to measure his height backstage and immediately challenging him to a match at Hell In A Cell.

But if that doesn’t happen… could you imagine this man with the Intercontinental Championship around his waist?! Excuse me while I take a cold shower.

1. EC3

How many months overdue is his move to the main roster already? How many pay-per-view events could he have headlined by now? What’s the ideal number of successive rhetorical questions to place in an opening paragraph? The answer to all those questions and more is three. As in EC3.

The former Derick Bateman is technically a WWE veteran at this point, having first appeared under its NXT banner in 2010 (back when it was a quasi reality competition). A five-year Impact Wrestling hiatus between 2013 and 2017 allowed him to hone his skills and resulted in multiple impressive World Heavyweight title reigns.

That experience clearly prompted WWE to lure EC3 back to the promotion. However, instead of being sent directly to Monday or Tuesday nights (as happened with Bobby Lashley, who signed around the same time), EC3 was told to take the scenic route through NXT.

Don’t get me wrong, I could easily watch him star in another month’s worth of Miami Vice inspired, homo-erotic pool side vignettes with The Velveteen Dream. Those things are pure gold. But at this point, it’s just not clear what EC3 could possibly accomplish in NXT outside of elevating some of the younger, less experienced talent. And at 35 years old, that just seems like a waste of everyone’s time.

His promos are insanely entertaining, his in-ring work is outstanding and his connection with the fans is undeniable. A win this Saturday against The Velveteen Dream would be the perfect send-off for a man who is primed to take over the main roster. A man who is rightfully referred to as ‘the Top 1%’.

 

Related Content:

• BREAKING: NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV Main Event Changed!

• NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV Confirms Three More Matches!

• NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV Gets New Start Time

 

But who would you most like to see make the leap from NXT to Raw and Smackdown? Do you still have faith in WWE’s ability to build stars? Give us a shout in the comments below. And, as always, you can follow us Twitter here. Once you’ve done that, remember to join the entire WrestleTalk team on Discord for chats about all things wrestling (and some occasional nonsense).