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The episode of WWE Monday Night RAW after WrestleMania has become iconic for debuts, returns, and surprises. The WWE Universe will be expecting no less this year as the fallout from WrestleMania 37 takes over the red brand in just four days.
Whilst Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest only recently made their way over to RAW following their Royal Rumble debuts, it's likely that several NXT stars will be sent to SmackDown when they are eventually called up, to even out the rosters.
The events of NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver have teased that many current NXT stars could now be done with the black and gold brand and could be heading to the main roster instead.
The following list looks at just five current NXT Superstars who could make their debut on the main roster as part of the RAW after WrestleMania next week.
#5. Io Shirai could be heading to WWE's main roster after WrestleMania
The landscape of Monday Night RAW could have completely changed following WWE's WrestleMania event in a few days' time, since Rhea Ripley could be the new RAW Women's Champion.
Ripley and Io Shirai know each other well from their time in NXT and The Genius of The Sky could easily make her debut by making a statement against the new Champion.
Shirai held the NXT Women's Championship for more than 300 days, but lost the title to Raquel González as part of Takeover: Stand & Deliver Night One. This loss has since led to rumors that Shirai could finally be heading up to WWE's main roster, since she has nothing left to accomplish in NXT.
There is no Women's WrestleMania Battle Royal this year, which means it's not likely there will be any WrestleMania debuts from NXT stars. It is likely that Shirai will wait until the RAW after WrestleMania and make the same kind of statement that Paige once did against AJ Lee.
The RAW Women's Division is currently full of talent just waiting for an opportunity. The former Women's Champion has proved over the past year she can get an incredible match out of whoever she steps into the ring with.
#4. Pete Dunne could be heading to WWE's main roster after WrestleMania
Former WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne was able to defeat Kushida in the opening match of NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver on Wednesday night, which essentially ended the short feud between the two men.
Dunne was once the longest-reigning United Kingdom Champion before heading to NXT and challenging for their Championship. The Bruiserweight recently came up short against Finn Balor. Even though Dunne was at ringside for the match between Balor and Karrion Kross last night, it's unlikely he will step into the title picture moving forward and could be set to appear on RAW after WrestleMania.
Dunne has made several appearances on WWE's main roster in the past and is already a popular star. Given that Drew McIntyre is currently at the main event level of the company, it could be that Dunne and McIntyre could step into a feud coming out of WrestleMania. The British star and McIntyre could have a feud that could easily be just as intense as the recent feud between Sheamus and The Scottish Warrior.
#3. Velveteen Dream could make his return on WWE's main roster after WrestleMania
Whilst Velveteen Dream could be considered a much bigger stretch for a WWE main roster debut following WrestleMania, it's hard to completely overlook the star.
Dream has been wrapped in some controversy throughout his time on NXT, which could be why he hasn't appeared since December 2020. The most recent updates from Triple H made it clear that Dream was still training and still part of the roster, whilst not actively part of the most recent shows.
Could the company have been preparing Dream for the step up to the main roster? The personal issues surrounding the former North American Champion seem to have settled down in recent months, which would allow him to make the move up to RAW, if this was the plan.
Dream has shown that he is one of the most creative and versatile performers of the current generation and has had some incredible matches on NXT over the years. His feud with Aleister Black could even be recreated on WWE's main roster after WrestleMania, which would allow Black to finally make his return to WWE TV at the same time.
#2. Finn Balor could return/re-debut on WWE's main roster after WrestleMania
Finn Balor was last seen on WWE's main roster back at SummerSlam 2019 when the former Universal Champion became the first man to be defeated by The Fiend.
Balor was then voluntarily moved to NXT where he has since dominated the brand with his new attitude, only recently losing the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross.
Balor and Kross had a fantastic Championship match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver and this could have been The Prince's final showing on the black and gold brand if he is to move back up to the main roster after WrestleMania.
If The Fiend is able to defeat Randy Orton in a squash match at this weekend's WrestleMania event, Finn Balor could make his return to Monday Night RAW in order to get some revenge on Bray Wyatt's alter-ego.
It's unclear if Balor will be given a rematch with Kross following TakeOver or if Balor is now free to return to WWE's red brand.
#1. Adam Cole could finally debut on WWE's main roster after WrestleMania
Anyone who watched Adam Cole's Unsanctioned match against fellow WWE star Kyle O'Reilly last night at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver will attest to the fact that the former Champion may need some time to recover before heading to WWE's main roster post-WrestleMania.
Cole took quite the beating last night, but has recovered in record time before, including when he wrestled in the Royal Rumble match with taped ribs the night after a TakeOver event.
Cole was defeated and seemingly put his former teammate over last night, which could allow O'Reilly to step into the NXT Championship picture against Karrion Kross.
The Panama City Playboy is a former NXT Champion and now has nothing left to accomplish in NXT. This is why he would be the perfect man to call up to RAW next week and shake up the brand after WrestleMania. There is no one like Cole on WWE's main roster and even without The Undisputed Era to back him up, he's easily able to "shock the system."
