5 Possible NXT Call-Ups In 2019

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With 2019 upon us, January starts the road to WrestleMania. Each year, the WWE calls up several talents from NXT to the main roster and adds them to either Raw or SmackDown. With that in mind, who will top everyone else and receive the call-up?

5. Undisputed ERA

Since arriving in NXT, the trio of Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly have made quite the impact. After adding Roderick Strong last year at NXT Takeover New Orleans, the stable has been as dominant as ever. In result, Fish, O’Reilly, and Strong have held the NXT Tag Team Championship under the free bird rule, and Adam Cole became the first ever NXT North American Champion before losing it to Ricochet at NXT Takeover Brooklyn.

With the Undisputed ERA being NXT’s most dominant faction since The Shield, it’s easy to believe they are ready for a main roster call-up in 2019.

With all the success the Undisputed ERA has accomplished in NXT, why would they be #5? With unfinished business at hand, staying in NXT for the start of 2019 is the smartest route. Leading up to Summer Slam 2019 would be the perfect time to bring the Undisputed ERA up.

4. Shayna Baszler

Shayna Bazler has been an elite talent in the NXT Women’s Division, having become a two-time champion in the process. With a previous MMA background, some have called her a better all-around wrestler than Ronda Rousey.

With the potential that a Bazler vs Rousey feud could produce, it’s enough of a reason to call her up to the main roster in 2019. Both Bazler and Rousey have a similar style, which could generate great matches.

Although Shayna Bazler is impressive, she is the current NXT Women’s Champion, which will prevent her from transitioning to the WWE. Until that reign ends, the WWE is unlikely to call her up to the main roster.

When Bazler finally gets called up to the main roster, the reaction for her is going to be electric. In the distant future, I see Bazler entering RAW, considering Rousey is there as well. It would be smart to call up Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir alongside her.

3. Velveteen Dream

Debuting in 2017, the Velveteen Dream has become one of the most popular personalities among the NXT crowd. Despite not winning any titles, Dream has impressed, and has produced great matches against Alister Black, Tommaso Ciampa, and Ricochet.

With his run in 2018, it’s obvious to see why Dream would be a serious candidate to get a call-up to the WWE main roster in 2019. In NXT, Dream was never a legitimate contender for the NXT Championship until his match with Ciampa months ago.

The WWE has called up several NXT Talent for the Royal Rumble match, including Adam Cole, Andrade Cien Almas, and Rusev. The Royal Rumble is the perfect time to give Dream a chance at the main roster.

Dream does not have the typical gimmick that Vince McMahon loves, but that’s what makes him great. If he is not called upon at the Royal Rumble, the night after WrestleMania would be another smart time to call him up. I expect Dream to become a full-time WWE main roster member after the Royal Rumble.

2. EC3

After getting fired in 2013, EC3 revived his career in Impact Wrestling and spent 6 years working on his craft. From there, the company brought him back, and he became more established in result.

Having not accomplished much to this point, why did the WWE call him up?

When looking at EC3, he is 6’2″ and is previously experienced with the WWE system. If he can uphold Vince McMahon’s standards, then the expectations for EC3 could be at an all-time high.

Before suffering a concussion against the Velveteen Dream at NXT Takeover Brooklyn 4, there was speculation that EC3 was going to get called up to the WWE main roster after SummerSlam.

EC3 is a talented performer, and the WWE will take advantage of that in 2019. After already being announced as a call-up to the main roster, the Royal Rumble match is the perfect time to debut him to the public.

1. Aleister Black

Aleister Black has been one of the biggest names on the NXT roster, and his unique gimmick has received a positive reaction among the fans. During his reign as NXT Champion, he put a quality match against Andrade Almas. He eventually lost the title to Tommaso Ciampa in July.

When Black lost the belt, speculation began that his time with NXT was coming to an end. Currently, Black has a scheduled rematch against Ciampa at NXT Takeover Phoenix, which may be his last match in NXT if he loses.

Over the past few years, NXT superstars have managed working both the NXT Takeover and a WWE Pay Per View event the following night. If the WWE plugs Black into the Royal Rumble, it wouldn’t be unheard of.

Photo Credit: PWTorch