5 NXT Superstars that should be in the North American Championship Ladder Match at TakeOver: XXX

#2 Johnny Gargano

Johnny Gargano

Johnny Gargano, like Ciampa and Balor, is one of the biggest stars still in NXT. He lost the North American title to Lee and has been engaged in a huge character shift. While he has had his time with the title, his star power alone in NXT warrants at least a spot in the match.

We all know that he's Johnny TakeOver, so what would it look like if he wasn't in a match next month? He's also one of the top heels of the brand so even though he failed to qualify in the first match, he could still work himself into the match somehow.

If there are three more matches slated to take place on NXT leading up to the event, that will require nine more stars to compete. With a limited slate of the roster available to compete due to COVID-19 restrictions, having a second-chance match with some stars who have already lost would make sense. Gargano could get in that way or attack someone who has qualified and take their spot.

Johnny TakeOver is the kind of star that has carried the brand for the last three years, but this time, we want to see him get smashed in the face instead of kicking out of numerous pin attempts. It would only make sense for the former Champ to be in the match in August.