Photo Credit – Wrestling Inc
Last night at NXT Takeover: In Your House we witnessed an absolute classic ‘Fatal 5 Way.’ Adam Cole, KOR, Johnny Gargano, and Pete Dunne attempted to pry the NXT championship from Kross… to no avail.
With this successful championship defense by Kross, it begs the question.. who can beat him?
Since capturing the NXT Championship from Finn Balor at Stand & Deliver, Kross has seemed more unstoppable than ever.
Capturing the championship from Finn Balor in it self is an accolade. Finn took out each of Kross’s 5 way challengers in separate, respective, one on ones. He was NXT’s top guy since reappearing, and Kross beat him twice.
The biggest threat to Kross and his championship appeared to be this Fatal 5 Way. You would think that having 4 different people to defend against would be enough to decide that the reign may be over. However, we must take into account the reputations of these 4 people.
You have the longest reigning NXT Champion of all time in Adam Cole. The first North American Champion. One of this world’s best professional wrestlers. A man who has defeated nearly everyone NXT has to offer, including Johnny Gargano & Pete Dunne.
Speaking of Johnny Gargano, “Mr. Takeover” himself was also apart of this match. A man with some of the best performances in Takeover history. Not just two or three either, you can literally create a top 10 list of Takeover matches, with only Gargano matches. Former North American Champion, Tag Team Champion, and NXT Champion.
Next we have Pete Dunne. One of the longest reigning UK Champions, second to only WALTER. One of the most technically sound wrestlers on the planet. He won’t shy from letting you know all the ways he can twist and turn your joints, pop anything out of its socket and much more.
Last but not least, Kyle O’ Reilly. A man who isn’t nearly enough credited for how insane he is. When we think of the greatest technical wrestlers, we think Daniel Bryan, Bret Hart, ZSJ and plenty more. What people don’t always do though, is add O’ Reilly to this list. Whether it’s because he’s more known for his tag team history, or whatever it is, Kyle just isn’t credited for being one of the best to lace the boots.
The fact that none of these men, let alone all 4 at the same time could dethrone Kross is scary. It leaves no one left to believably challenge Kross.
When you have the best of the best, that the brand have to offer, all at the same time attempt and fail, you have officially created a monster.
There’s no telling who will step up next, or who will make a believable case to take Kross out.. but to quote the man himself, “Tick Tock.”
Written by: Joseph Rivera
