With WrestleMania 39 just around the corner, we can also look forward to NXT's crescendo, Stand And Deliver. For the past couple years, NXT has undergone a rebranding phase and has went from Triple H's vision to Vince McMahon/Bruce Pritchard's vision, now to Shawn Michaels.
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With the inevitable batch of call-ups to the main roster, there will be room for other members of the roster to ascend to becoming main-eventers and titleholders. In many cases, this will potentially be the first ever championship runs for these still quite young talents. Here's a look at who might be leading the charge for NXT as champions in the new season.
8 The Schism - Tag Team Champions
This pick all boils down to one member of Schism; Ava, the daughter of The Rock. This Saturday marks Ava's in-ring debut, as part of an intergender tag match. In order to keep Ava in the forefront without giving her too much too soon, is to ensure that The Schism is given consistent television time going forward. The best way to do this would be to put the NXT tag titles on them, as after the post WrestleMania call-ups, the tag division might be a little thinner. Aside from that, the Joe Gacy led faction is going to need a significant win to keep them relevant.
7 Sol Ruca - Women's Champion
Sol Ruca has taken the wrestling world by storm, after debuting just a few weeks ago. In particular, it's her jaw dropping finisher that has fans talking. This title run may take a little longer than others on this list to get to, but that's ok. For all of her incredible athleticism, Sol Ruca is still quite green in the ring when it comes to putting a match together. As she puts all the pieces together, look for her to make a major impact by Summer or Fall, and eventually become the NXT Women's Champion.
6 Dragon Lee- North American Championship
Coming into NXT with tremendous fanfare and immediately making an impact, Dragon Lee surprised some by signing with NXT over AEW. With this sort of momentum, it probably won't be long until we call Dragon Lee a champion. That title will most likely be the North American Championship. Dragon Lee was one of the participants in the ladder match for the North American title this Saturday, and while he did not win, it seems just a matter of time until he does. Whatever the case, no one can argue that NXT signing Dragon Lee will prove to be a major coup.
5 Ilja Dragunov- NXT Europe
While this wouldn't be Ilja's first title run as a part of NXT branding, this will be a case of him becoming the face of the newly established NXT Europe. While NXT Europe has yet to get off the ground, it likely will before the end of 2023.
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Talents like Dragunov and JD McDonaugh have been biding their time in NXT until the establishment of NXT Europe. When it does finally get going, look for these two to be focal points of the brand, There really isn't a better choice than the mega talented Dragunov to be the inaugural NXT Europe Champion.
4 Xyon Quinn - NXT Champion
Of all the entries on this list, Xyon Quinn is a clear dark horse to be winning a title anytime soon. However, the word is that management is quite high on the young Aussie. Given his background as a professional rugby player and his marketable look, it's not a surprise that he would be viewed as a top prospect. With room likely to be less crowded at the top after WrestleMania, Quinn is a no-brainer to add into the mix. He may be a bit green, but Xyon Quinn has all the tools to be the face of NXT someday.
3 Tony D'Angelo- North American Championship
At this point it seems as though Tony D'Angelo has been in NXT for ages. He came out of the Bruce Pritchard era of NXT, and thanks to his performances has survived the various personnel changes. It's unlikely that he will be one of the main roster call-ups, but not impossible. If not, it seems that a run with the North American Title is long overdue. D'Angelo already has a gimmick that is hard to take seriously in 2023, and he needs something to validate him.
2 Gigi Dolan- NXT Women's Champion
This one is truly a toss-up between Dolan and her former Toxic Attraction cohort, Jacy Jayne. With the recent blood feud between the two seemingly settled, one of them being called up is almost guaranteed. The rumor circulating is that the company sees Jacy as being ahead of Gigi in terms of progress, so it seems that she would be the one to be called up. This is to Dolan's benefit as it will likely result in her winning her first NXT Women's Championship. Again, this could go either way, but we'll go with Dolan here.
1 Tiffany Stratton- NXT Women's Champion
Once again, we have someone who could fulfill this prophecy in just a few days' time. Tiffany Stratton has progressively shown more and more potential star power over her tenure in NXT. She understands her privileged and petulant character, and delivers well in the ring.
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At this point, it's not a matter of if, but when Stratton will be crowned as the new NXT Women's Champion. That moment might happen before 2023 comes to an end.
