The NXT title picture changed in a shocking way after Oba Femi placed the NXT Championship in the middle of the ring following his win against Leon Slater at New Year’s Evil. The move surprised many fans, especially since Femi had only regained the title a few weeks earlier.
With the championship now vacant, WWE NXT has a rare reset moment. Several stars are in line to step up and lead the brand. Here are four WWE names who could realistically become the next NXT Champion.
4. Ricky Saints steps back into the spotlight
Ricky Saints has unfinished business in NXT. His previous title reign ended too quickly, and many fans felt he never got a fair run as the face of the brand.
Right now, NXT lacks strong babyfaces who feel ready to carry the division. Saints has already shown he can handle that pressure. If WWE wants stability after Oba Femi’s exit, putting the title back on Saints would be a safe and logical move.
A singles title win could finally give him the long reign he missed before.
3. Joe Hendry earns the crowd’s trust
Joe Hendry has something many others do not. Natural connection with the crowd. His promos may follow a familiar pattern, but fans still react every time he walks out.
Hendry feels like a short-term champion who could carry NXT through a transition period. WWE may even use a title reign to build him before a quick move to the main roster.
If he wins the belt later this year, he could drop it with momentum still intact.
2. Tony D’Angelo completes his transformation
Tony D’Angelo returned to NXT recently with a very different presence. Silent. Focused. Less cartoonish than before
His old character had limits, especially when thinking about RAW or SmackDown. This new version needs time to breathe, but once it clicks, he could feel like a real main-event player.
When WWE feels confident in the change, D’Angelo winning the NXT title would make sense. It would signal that his evolution is complete.
1. Tavion Heights rises in 2027
Tavion Heights is still early in his singles journey, but the long-term signs are strong. His amateur wrestling background gives him credibility, and his mic skills are improving steadily.
While a title win may not happen immediately, Heights feels like a future NXT Champion rather than a temporary one. A breakthrough reign in 2027 could establish him as the next big homegrown star from the Performance Center.
Patience with his development could pay off in a big way.
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