As many expected, Becky Lynch added more hardware to her collection by defeating one of NXT’s most impressive rising stars, Tiffany Stratton, to become the brand’s new champion. Becky has now won all three of the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Championships, entrenching her as a living legend in the industry.
What’s next for Becky? More specifically, who is next? Let’s take a look at five opponents who would all be worthy challengers for “The Man” as the new champion of the division.
Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez has done just about everything there is to accomplish in NXT, but now that Becky Lynch is the champion, defeating a megastar is indeed a remaining checkbox to tick. The former NXT Women’s Champion has been money since joining the brand on Tuesday nights, entrenching herself as one of the best babyfaces in not just NXT but in the company as a whole.
A perfect “chasing” wrestler in the championship scene, Perez seems destined for a big WrestleMania moment in the future, like Becky. Roxanne is one of the best in the ring in NXT and can get the opportunity to show it. She could very well beat Becky, then quickly drop the title to a menacing heel rising on the NXT roster before making her way to Raw or SmackDown.
Blair Davenport
That menacing heel could be Blair Davenport. WWE have been pushing Davenport by placing her at the center of a storyline in which she was revealed as the mystery attacker of several wrestlers in the NXT Women’s Division. Davenport still has some ground to make, and while it is unlikely she will be the one to dethrone Becky, it isn’t out of the question. At the very least, a feud with Lynch would put Davenport in the spotlight and challenge her to bring her “A” game on the mic against a babyface who is willing – and more than capable of – to eat a heel alive in a promo.
Cora Jade
Cora Jade is another wrestler destined for the main roster in the near future, because she has outgrown NXT. Solid in the ring and capable of absolutely brilliant character work outside of it, Jade is a multi-faceted performer who understands how to do the little things to get a crowd to react, especially when it comes to being a heel.
A match between Cora and Becky could be one of the best in NXT this year, particularly when you think of all the heat that can be added in the build-up when these two go on the mic. Neither likes to hold back in the ring or in promos, so this could be an exciting, volatile feud that NXT needs to continue to generate interest in its programming.
Lyra Valkyrie
Although Lyra Valkyrie is a babyface, her unique character suits a babyface matchup against Becky Lynch, whose strong character can suit any kind of matchup. Valkyrie has earned plenty of respect from wrestling fans for her work in the ring, and she is a bad-ass babyface whom the crowd can easily get behind.
There should be plenty of dueling chants when Valkyrie and Lynch go at it, and because Valkyrie is a prime upset candidate and one of NXT’s own, it would not be surprising at all to see her get the cheers over Becky with the latter working as the de facto heel. Valkyrie vs. Lynch has the opportunity to be one of the best matches of the year in WWE if Shawn Michaels and Co. give these two enough time to work with.
Kiana James
Finally, Kiana James is another strong opponent for new NXT Champion Becky Lynch. James has impressed in and out of the ring of late, with her character work being the most impressive aspect of her performances. She is another wrestler who can have great promos with Becky, as NXT have wisely put an emphasis on the entertainment aspect of the wrestling business so as to ensure their up-and-coming stars are equipped for the spotlight of the main roster.
She still has plenty to go, but James already looks like someone who can be a fixture on Raw and SmackDown in the future, especially if she keeps this trajectory going. A feud with Becky could be a great barometer for her, particularly in the ring.
