Predicting 3 main roster call-ups from NXT after SummerSlam

Traditionally the RAW after WrestleMania and, since the brand split, the SmackDown Live after 'Mania have provided a wide variety of surprises. In recent years, these surprises have always included call-ups from WWE's developmental brand, NXT.

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While most of these are reserved for the buzz-worthy post-Mania period, a smattering of similar surprises take place after SummerSlam to keep the company's momentum on the upward trajectory as they head into the quieter part of the wrestling calendar.

SummerSlam promises to be a huge event this year, particularly with the prospect of Brock Lesnar finally dropping the Universal Championship and the possibility of a monstrous cash-in.

Many other questions remain unanswered going into the summer extravaganza, including the precarious nature of Daniel Bryan's future with the company, and whether we might see Ronda Rousey get her first taste of gold inside a WWE ring. All of these will be answered at the event itself, but for now, let's focus on who might be wrestling an NXT show for the last time at TakeOver: Brooklyn IV.

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#3 Aleister Black

Aleister Black (image courtesy of WWE.com)

The most likely call-up from NXT following a TakeOver event is a losing champion. And that is probably going to be the case again following Aleister Black's NXT title defence in Brooklyn. The creative team at NXT seem to be building towards adding another chapter to the storied rivalry between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, this time involving the top gold on offer in developmental. If Ciampa faces Black at TakeOver and wins the belt, expect this to be the NXT swansong for the man formerly known as Tommy End.

Black has a huge upside and has long been considered one of the top prospects in NXT. After a stellar 12 months in developmental, it is time for Black's darkly engrossing persona to make its way over to the main roster.

While there is the potential for his gimmick to be ruined on the main roster, he is likely to end up on SmackDown Live, where he is best suited and can enjoy potentially classic rivalries with the likes of Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles and Samoa Joe.

Nikki Cross (Image courtesy of f4wonline.com)

#2 Nikki Cross

While her former Sanity stablemate's recently debuted on SmackDown Live, Nikki Cross has continued to perform as one of the top female superstar's on the NXT brand. Her recent NXT Women's Championship bout with Shayna Baszler at the last TakeOver event was a reminder of the fiery Scottish superstar's talents inside the squared circle. With nothing much left to achieve in NXT short of an unnecessary title run, it appears only a matter of time before Cross makes the jump to the main roster.

She recently wrestled during some SmackDown house shows so her call-up may be even more imminent, but once Sanity have concluded their feud with The New Day, it would make sense for Cross to bolster their ranks. Sanity have already made their presence felt on the main roster, and this will only help her further as she can look forward to feuds with the likes of Asuka, Charlotte and Becky Lynch on the blue brand.

Velveteen Dream (image courtesy of WWE.com)

#1 Velveteen Dream

Since adopting the Velveteen Dream gimmick, Patrick Clark has been nothing short of sensational on the NXT roster. His Prince-inspired persona has allowed the young superstar to finally realise his undoubted potential. After impressing during an eye-catching rivalry with Aleister Black in 2017, rumours have persisted about Dreams' impending promotion to the main roster. While there is an argument for keeping him in developmental a little longer and building the NXT brand around him, Dream is destined for big things, so why wait?

As with Black and Cross, it is likely that Dream ends up on SmackDown, although he could just as easily end up on Raw. Once again there is a very real danger that Dream's gimmick could be destroyed on the main roster, but with Triple H being given more creative control, there is a higher chance of success involved. Of the three potential call-ups, Dream is the most likely to have a long main roster career dripping in finesse!