The latest edition of NXT notably featured the debut of ‘Rated R Superstar’ Edge.
Only several days ago, fans got to witness Edge make his miraculous return for another year and this time, go the distance.
Edge outlasted 29 other wrestlers, including his arch-nemesis Randy Orton, to win the Royal Rumble and guarantee his WrestleMania 37 championship match.
However, there is still mystery circulating around Edge’s ‘Mania feud as he has a few interesting options to pursue.
We could either see a dream match between Edge and Drew McIntyre, or the highly reported Edge vs Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship could come to fruition.
On the other hand, WWE reminded everyone that Edge could easily challenge the NXT Champion Finn Balor or Pete Dunne – depending on the result of their Vengeance Day clash – at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Edge made his first appearance on the black and gold brand, entangling himself in the confrontation between Balor and Dunne.
In another terrific promo, Edge heightened NXT by stating the passion and motivation on display on Wednesday nights inspired him to return. Plus, he didn’t let you forget that he hasn’t fought for the NXT Championship at all in his tenured career.
The former WWE Champion would be an impressive placement on the NXT roster. Additionally, it would undoubtedly lead to entertaining dream matches to come to Wednesday nights
Therefore, let’s excite ourselves with the possibility that Edge will become a more full-time thing on the “developmental” brand and discuss 10 NXT stars that Edge should face.
10. Finn Balor
If Finn Balor is victorious in his bout with Pete Dunne on Valentine’s Day, that paints a massive target on his back especially in the eyes of this year’s Rumble winner.
The most likely scenario would see Edge battle it out in a ‘Spear vs. Spear’ fight with Roman Reigns, but WWE may be thinking outside the box this year.
There are many reasons why a WrestleMania clash with Finn Balor would be far greater than Reigns or even McIntyre.
Edge was a heartfelt Royal Rumble win but there is one key error with it – Edge will be putting an end to the momentum of McIntyre or Reigns. Both stars have been doing their best wrestling work recently.
And if Edge loses – what was the point?
Whereas, a fight with Balor won’t derail him. Balor hasn’t been hyped up in the ways McIntyre and Reigns have.
He has been emphasised as a force to be reckoned with but never pictured as the face of the company. Balor should easily manage to pick himself up after a defeat from the ‘Rated R Superstar’.
Also, the match would be insane! Unfortunately, since Edge made his mind-blowing return from retirement last year, the only man he has faced one-on-one has been Randy Orton, someone he had countless matches with prior to his neck injury.
This doesn’t seem to be the long-term plan (well, we certainly hope not), as Edge being back at the age of 47 is to search for the newer competition he hasn’t had the chance to square-up with. Balor would be an incredible first pick for a dream encounter at the ‘Showcase of the Immortals’.
Finally, Edge challenging and winning the NXT Championship would add more prestige to a belt held by guys such as Seth Rollins, Shinsuke Nakamura and Keith Lee.
It would further solidify that NXT isn’t being treated as “developmental” any more and rather is WWE’s third brand.
This would be similar to Charlotte Flair beating Rhea Ripley at last year’s WrestleMania, notwithstanding that they didn’t capitalise on this, had Charlotte on all shows and just used the victory as a way to boost her accomplishments rather than the brands.
If Edge wins this underappreciated title, he must solely be on NXT and represent the brand as he did with SmackDown all those years ago.
9. Pete Dunne
Or… ‘NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day’ could see Pete Dunne win the NXT Championship for the first time in his career. If so, someone must tell him that holding the strap with his mouth is not hygiene-friendly.
Dunne as the champion against a legend such as Edge at WrestleMania 37 would not only achieve the same goals an Edge vs Balor match would gain but would also make a new star out of Pete Dunne.
Dunne has been slightly lost in the shuffle on NXT and NXT UK since the pandemic.
He got replaced by Timothy Thatcher as Riddle’s NXT Tag Team Champion partner due to travel restrictions and has only been reclimbing the ladder since joining Pat McAfee’s group with Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan.
If he does shockingly start leading the brand on the road to WrestleMania, a match with Edge would be memorable and in the process, would convey Dunne as one of the brand’s biggest stars going forward.
8. Johnny Gargano
Moving away from ‘Mania speculation and more towards Edge being a full-time member for the black & gold roster, a must-see match would be against current North American Champion Johnny Gargano.
Gargano is now considered an NXT veteran, and some may say he could be on the brand “for life”, which is just more reason why Edge vs Gargano would be engaging.
If Gargano won’t go up to face Edge, then he must chase him on Wednesday nights.
Moreover, imagine the instant classic that would be put on at a TakeOver between the two. This would definitely be one of the most tremendous matches to come from NXT in its history.
On the other hand, a match with another supposed NXT-lifer would be exciting…
