Karrion Kross' First WWE NXT Title Challenger Revealed?

A fresh contender for Karrion Kross' NXT Title emerged last night...

by Andy H Murray
Karrion Kross Scarlett
WWE.com

Last night's episode of WWE NXT saw Kyle O'Reilly emerge as a potential contender for Karrion Kross' NXT Championship.

Making his first appearance since TakeOver: Stand & Deliver over WrestleMania 37 week, O'Reilly opened the show, setting his targets at Kross before a Cameron Grimes interruption set up the night's main event.

O'Reilly claimed that he had found his killer instinct during his wars with Adam Cole. Now, he wants to take it into a fresh war against the most dominant force in NXT history, saying he's "got time," which is a clear Kross reference.

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Kross and O'Reilly engaged in a brief backstage staredown later in the evening. The NXT Champion tweeted the following during the opening segment:-

Elsewhere, the official NXT account is already teasing the bout:-

WWE hasn't officially put the bout together yet, but it makes sense. Kross and O'Reilly were among the biggest winners at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, with Karrion regaining the NXT Championship for the first time since last August, and Kyle felling Cole, his former stablemate, in a 40-minute battle.

No date has been confirmed for the next TakeOver event, though last year saw WWE book In Your House for June. Perhaps that's where Kross vs. KOR could go down.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.