On the latest episode NXT 2.0 Apollo Crews became the latest member of the main roster to make an appearance on Tuesday nights.
Crews followed in the footsteps of a slew of recent crossovers from Raw and SmackDown that have appeared on NXT 2.0 to give a rub to the stars of tomorrow. Including AJ Styles’ rivalry with Grayson Waller, Natalya taking on Cora Jade and Dolph Ziggler’s short reign as NXT Champion during his feud with Bron Breakker.
GiveMeSport lists eight more WWE names that could experience mutual benefits in having a run on NXT 2.0.
Dominic and Rey Mysterio
The Mysterios have already dipped their toes in the NXT waters, having made an appearance on the brand back in March. On that occasion the father and son duo crossed paths with Legado Del Fantasma and saw Dominic defeat Raul Mendoza. Building on that victory, a stint in NXT could offer the Mysterios a number of interesting avenues.
They could continue their dealings with Fantasma – once he’s finished being part of Tony D’Angelo’s staff – or they could go down the tag team route and repeat their main roster success. Or, and most interestingly, would NXT be the perfect platform for Dom to go it alone? Maybe even have Rey leave him on the brand and see how this Mysterio could fly solo.
Jinder Mahal
With his world championship days way behind him and stuck with very little to do on SmackDown, Jinder could be another sensible foe for current champ Bron Breakker.
With Mahal you are getting the credibility of a former WWE Champion and someone with some NXT history. After all, it was Mahal who competed to be the first-ever NXT Champion in 2012 and was only a Seth Rollins defeat from being the brands inaugural champ. Seeing the Modern Day Maharaja coming back to finally claim what should have been his could be a nice story for him to tell, and for Breakker another credible obstacle to overcome.
The Street Profits
The Usos are currently holders of both tag team titles across the main roster and so it leaves Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins very little to aim for in the current landscape. As popular NXT alumni’s, a short trip across to Tuesday nights would offer them and the brand some interesting matchups.
With possible dealings with current NXT Champs The Creed Brothers, Grizzled Young Veterans and most exciting Pretty Deadly. We’d pay good money to see a programme between the British stars and the Street Profits if the Sultans of Swag ever bounced their way over to NXT.
Rhea Ripley
Fuelled by her recent ascension into The Judgement Day and now seen as more of an equal third alongside Finn Balor and Damian Priest, Ripley’s mission in NXT would be twofold.
Firstly, to show her dominance as one the biggest female stars in the company on her old stomping ground, and additionally on a recruitment mission for her new crew. The plan for The Judgement Day is a little less clear following Edge’s removal, but if they are on the lookout for additions, then a quick scouting mission to NXT would be a wise move from Ripley and her boys.
Carmella
We haven’t seen too much of Carmella since WrestleMania and the end of her tag team with Queen Zelina, and while she’s been busy with all manner of activities with Corey Graves, we could see a fun run in NXT for the former women’s champion.
Mella’s current ‘most beautiful women in WWE’ schtick is not too dissimilar to the act that Mandy Rose and her Toxic Attraction gals are currently peddling on NXT – if maybe in a ‘cooler’ way. Having Carmella come over and laud it over the NXT Women’s champion’s claims and throwing her own credentials – both in and out the ring – in her face, would be a believable and enjoyable prospect all round.
Sheamus
In the same vein as AJ Styles did for Waller earlier this year, Sheamus would be an excellent choice as the wily veteran looking to mix it up with the young stars of NXT 2.0. Only this time, given the Celtic Warriors current heel persona, you’d be able to make it as though he’s there to put these kids in their place and show them how it’s really done.
NXT is uncharted territory for the Irishman but just one look at the roster opens up various names he could run a short programme with. Whether that’s at the very top against Breakker or to put over some of the mid-card babyfaces like Cameron Grimes and Nathan Frazer. Either way we’re a winner.
The Usos
Want more Usos and The Bloodline? Of course, you do? And the key factor in our idea of having The Usos rock up in NXT is Solo Sikoa. Solo is already a popular member of the NXT 2.0 roster, so it’s only a matter of time before WWE connect the dots that fans already know and have him appear on screen with his older brothers.
Where, magic will no doubt follow as Jimmy and Jey could aide their little bro in winning NXT gold or could WWE flip the switch and have Sikoa refuse to stand alongside the tag team champions because he wants to stand on his own? Both would make for excellent TV that’s for sure.
Shayna Baszler
Title opportunities have been in short supply for Shayna since moving to the main roster, so now could be the perfect time for a greatest hits tour of NXT. The surroundings maybe different, but Baszler remains the same kick-ass machine and would pose a huge threat to current NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose.
It might even make sense to put the belt on Baszler for a short spell, just so it presents the Queen of Spades as world title material again and gives Mandy her crew some big-time jeopardy they’ve been lacking thus far in their reign at the top.