Since the start of NXT 2.0 last September, one of the names that has been a focal point nearly every week of the show's existence is the current two-time NXT Champion, Bron Breakker. Despite a number of hiccups beyond his control, firstly losing his championship to Dolph Ziggler and failing to capture it back initially, and then having a not-so-great feud with Joe Gacy, Bron Breakker's time as NXT Champion has been a collection of hits and misses.
Despite this, Breakker remains a very popular name within NXT 2.0, though as many have speculated about and fantasy-booked, his time in NXT may be coming to an end soon, as a call-up to the WWE Main Roster could happen at any time. Likely needing to drop his current title before moving to Raw or Smackdown, there are a number of NXT Superstars that could make for great follow-up champions.
10 Joe Gacy - Should Not
One of the major blemishes on Bron Breakker's NXT run so far is a feud with Joe Gacy that left NXT fans polarized with their opinions on the whole ordeal. Often dealing in heavy doses of camp, but with extremely dissappointing execution, the two men's program for the NXT Championship would lead to some of the worst television NXT 2.0 has done so far.
While Gacy seems like a talented performer inside of the ring, the current gimmick has run its course. What once seemed like a somewhat promising, almost controversial character, quickly devolved into a knockoff Bray Wyatt, that also happened to ruin the Grizzled Young Veterans in the process. Joe Gacy winning the NXT Championship with his current gimmick would be a contender for one of the worst booking decisions in NXT history.
9 Grayson Waller - Should
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Being gifted with one of the strongest moments of NXT 2.0 thus far, Grayson Waller's most memorable moment within NXT remains his attack on Johnny Gargano during his NXT Farewell speech. Having yet to truly capitalize on his momentum after that, Waller has felt a bit directionless in WWE NXT 2.0 in recent months.
Having a brief program with AJ Styles earlier in 2022, Waller has proven that he is deserving of something more. Stil being a very impressive in-ring performer and a talented, easily hateable heel character, Grayson Waller should at least be considered to be the man that dethrones Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship.
8 Roderick Strong - Should Not
Being one of the last remaining pillars of the Black and Gold Era of NXT, Roderick Strong remains as the last member of the Undisputed Era within the WWE System. Still the leader of Diamond Mine, Strong is still positioned as one of the top names within WWE NXT.
While Strong is arguably the best wrestler in NXT, alongside the likes of Santos Escobar and Sarray, his time for chasing the NXT Championship likely have come and gone. One could argue that Strong should have dethroned Bobby Roode during their title feud years back, but now in 2022, Roderick Strong should not be the one to end Breakker's second reign.
7 Xyon Quinn - Should
One of the best-looking prospects in NXT 2.0 currently, everything about Xyon Quinn's presentation screams main eventer. From his physique, to his gear, to his music, it all just works for the former Rugby player, and within the next few years, Xyon could be one of the top names in the company.
Quinn still looks to be a future major player within both NXT and WWE as a whole, so him rising up the card in the next few months to eventually end Bron Breakker's NXT Championship reign should not be ruled out.
6 Tony D'Angelo - Should Not
Beginning as a laughably stupid Sopranos-knockoff gimmick, Tony D'Angelo has turned his Mafia gimmick into gold, becoming one of the standout stars of NXT 2.0 with some genuinely good comedy and commitment to the bit. While that is true, D'Angelo still has some work to do in-ring before he can be a top champion.
Given a few more years, Tony D'Angelo and his Family could easily be a top act, but as it stands currently in 2022, there is much room for improvement, which means that he should not defeat Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship.
5 Trent Seven - Should
An outside-of-the-box name, Trent Seven has recently turned heel on longtime tag-team partner, Tyler Bate, becoming the top heel of NXT UK. With reports of NXT UK talents making their way onto NXT 2.0 TV, and with Seven's new top-heel act, there is a case to be made for having the veteran dethrone Bron Breakker, and in turn, bringing a new level of legitimacy back to NXT.
At 40 years old, Seven is obviously on the older side compared to the current crop of NXT wrestlers, though he remains one of the best wrestlers within the NXT UK promotion. Seven arriving in NXT and scoring his first singles gold in WWE could lead to a great heel champion leading the brand.
4 Von Wagner - Should Not
Being one of the most disliked acts on a wrestling show is never a fun thing, especially when you are supposed to be a babyface. That was the case for Von Wagner in the early days of NXT 2.0, before they would course correct by having him turn on Kyle O'Reilly before his departure for AEW. In the months since, Von Wagner has failed to improve much at all.
While it is unfair to say that Wagner will ever be a star, it is unlikely that his time should or will come while Bron Breakker is still NXT Champion. Putting the title on Von Wagner in his current state would be a massive mistake for NXT 2.0.
3 JD McDonagh - Should
Currently embroiled in a feud over the NXT Championship with Bron Breakker, JD McDonagh has been a significant step-up from Breakker's last major feud, in the wildly polarizing program with Joe Gacy. While fans have taken some time to get adjusted to the new character for the former Jordan Devlin, things are starting to come together for the act and he could very well be a decent heel champion for NXT 2.0 in the next era of the brand.
With HHH now in charge, and Raw & Smackdown feeling different already, it feels fair to assume that NXT 2.0 will be facing some adjustments over the coming months, likely with good wrestling taking a bigger priority once more. For that reason, a shocking title change at NXT Heatwave could see the Patrick Bateman-like character score the win over Bron Breakker.
2 Santos Escobar - Should Not
Despite being the most complete package superstar within WWE NXT 2.0 currently, and while he would have made a heck on an NXT Champion in the past, at this point, Santos Escobar deserves more than being the one to dethrone Bron Breakker. With the champion having already lost to Dolph Ziggler earlier in 2022, something that remains a booking blunder for NXT, an Escobar victory would not be nearly as special nowdays, especially with how main roster-ready the Mexican star feels.
Instead, a call-up to Raw or Smackdown would be much more in line with what the leader of Legado Del Fantasma is deserving of. With rumors swirling about a potential WWE Draft in the air, the time for an ascension to a bigger spotlight could be in line for Santos Escobar.
1 Carmelo Hayes - Should
Still under 30 years old, Carmelo Hayes has been one of the most consistently great wrestlers of the NXT 2.0 Era, featuring prominently as one of the top stars of the brand since the show got its new coat of paint in the latter half of 2021. Currently holding the NXT North American Championship, Hayes is already on quite the run, though should he drop his current gold, seeking a shot at the top prize could be a strong move for the future main eventer.
Whenever the time comes for Carmelo Hayes to lose his North American Championship, should Bron Breakker still be the reigning NXT Champion, a match between the two biggest male stars of the brand would be a huge moment for NXT 2.0, with Hayes being the one who should walk out as the new top champion in NXT.