King: Is NXT About To Explode On A New Network? 

Chris King breaks down how two huge dream feuds and the arrival of a WWE veteran can capture more exposure for the black and yellow brand! 

It’s fair to say that for the majority of the past two years, NXT has fixated on two superstars-Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. Ever since that dreaded night at NXT TakeOver: Chicago the former DIY partners and friends, have been destroying each other in every way possible.

On March 6th WWE announced that then-NXT Champion Ciampa would need serious neck surgery, and would be forced to relinquish the title. Unfortunately for the WWE Universe, the fairytale ending for the Ciampa/Gargano was placed on the back burner.

Instead, we were treated to back-to-back fantastic NXT Championship matches between Gargano and Adam Cole. In a few weeks, the leader of The Undisputed Era and NXT Champion Cole will face Gargano in a Three Stages of Hell match for the NXT title at TakeOver: Toronto, but I’m predicting that it won’t be a clean finish.

No, I’m not talking about the rest of Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish), I’m speaking of a certain hero to the planet “The New” Daniel Bryan. For the past few weeks, Bryan has been advertised on SmackDown Live for a  career-altering announcement, but we’ve been left with no answers to his future as a professional wrestler.

I believe that WWE has been secretive about Bryan’s impending decision, in order to create buzz for another shocking moment at a magnificent TakeOver. If you think about it it’s brilliant for WWE to keep us guessing on what Bryan’s future holds, then finally have him cost “Johnny Wrestling” his last shot at the NXT Championship.

On his first night in NXT Bryan can make the biggest impact on the brands’ biggest stage, by obliterating a weakened Gargano and locking in the dangerous Heel Hook to a chorus of boos.

On July 28th Fightful Select shared incredible news that Ciampa’s timetable for his triumphant return is for mid-August. If that indeed is the case, why not have Cole trash-talking Gargano on his failure in back-to-back championship opportunities.

Cole is celebrating with The Undisputed Era, (Strong the new North American Champion & Fish and O’Reilly the new NXT Tag Team Champions). When all of a sudden “No One Will Survive” blares through the arena and the roof blows off as “The Greatest Sports Entertainer of All Time”, makes his triumphant return and stares a hole through the NXT Champion to close out the show!

.@AdamColePro

pic.twitter.com/iw0U0IBYjU

— CIAMPA (@ProjectCiampa) June 2, 2019

At NXT TakeOver: New York Ciampa cemented his status as a babyface when he met his best-friend Gargano and his wife Candace LeRae to celebrate Gargano’s NXT Championship victory. Briefly earlier in the year, DIY was called up to the main roster, prior to Ciampa needing surgery.

The Best Wrestler Alive.

The Greatest Sports Entertainer of All Time.

We. Are. DIY.

We. Are. NXT.

And one of us is the real NXT Champion 🖤 pic.twitter.com/N1ictrKDH5

— CIAMPA (@ProjectCiampa) April 6, 2019

After Cole retains the NXT title at TakeOver: Toronto he’s going to need another top babyface to clash with–in comes The Psycho Killer to reclaim “Goldy!”

With Bryan vs. Gargano and Cole vs. Ciampa the central focus for the black and yellow brand for the foreseeable future, WWE would be extremely wise to transition NXT to FS1 in October. Utilizing a recognizable name as Bryan to help elevate the brand, and will gain a massive amount of viewership!