10 Challengers For NXT Championship After TakeOver: Chicago
Who is next in line for a shot at The Glorious One and his NXT Championship?
Bobby Roode is in the process of reinventing NXT in his own image. Seeing off Shinsuke Nakamura and Hideo Itami, Roode is in need of a new challenge. Fortunately for him, the NXT roster has seen an influx of talent akin to the days of Bálor, Neville, Itami, and Kevin Owens.
This list is comprised of NXT competitors who we may see making an NXT Championship push in the coming months. Some are ideal adversaries for our smarmy heel champion. Others are lurking in the shadows, waiting for Roode to be toppled before making their ascent. A few have unfinished business with their current foes, but are more than ready to step into the main-event spotlight when the time is right. Finally there is the Japanese sensation who I believe deserves one more shot at the gold.
NXT is experiencing a return to the glory days of 2015. While some may argue that developments in the Tag Team picture are leading this surge, it all comes down to a credible main event scene. Bobby Roode needs to continue his stellar work atop the yellow brand, and there are plenty of excellent dance partners to choose from.
10. Hideo Itami
Hideo Itami lost in his first shot at the NXT Championship during the TakeOver: Chicago show. That this was his first attempt at the top belt emphasises just how much time Itami has missed. One of NXT's first marquee signings, the man formerly known as KENTA surely had a different idea of how his NXT run would go. He seemed to be on a conveyor belt taking him in and out of the hospital, suffering from working with less experienced talent.
Many would argue that with the loss to Roode, Itami finally needs to cut his losses and move on in order to salvage his WWE career. I, however, hope for one more shot at Roode and his title. That is because the build to this match was rather lacklustre, evidenced by them not even main-eventing TakeOver. NXT could do much better the second time around.
NXT have put together vignettes in the past that show the true stories behind wrestlers like Finn Bálor, Apollo Crews, and recently Roderick Strong. Itami has a storied career in professional wrestling, but NXT have done little to showcase that. Helping us understand the hardships in his move from Japan and his subsequent injuries would galvanise support behind him, leading to a more engaging rematch with the NXT Champion.