10 Challengers For NXT Championship After TakeOver: Chicago

Roderick Strong defeated Eric Young in the opening match of the TakeOver: Chicago event. Undercard singles matches at TakeOver events often give a good indication of who NXT is grooming for that elusive main event push. Strong has racked up a few of these wins, meaning he may be in line for a title shot sooner rather than later.

The recently-signed Strong has made a decent enough impact in NXT, though not to the extent of former NXT Champions like Joe and Nakamura. Because of this, I would advocate for a slower build with Roddy as he connects with the fans. The vignettes displaying his turbulent upbringing have helped the fans understand his motivations, a key component for an NXT Championship push. That said, the talent NXT currently has means there's no need to rush things.

Whether or not Roddy gets an NXT Championship shot in the near future ultimately comes down to what NXT think of him. If they believe he is the future face of the brand, they'll likely hold off on his ascent. However, Strong could also provide another credible victory to help legitimise Bobby Roode as champ. We'll likely find out how NXT views Roderick Strong in the next few months.