Amid the lack of top credible names on the main roster, specifically on Smackdown, two top WWE NXT superstars could be added to the fray. Tommaso Ciampa and Pete Dunne are these two names who were present, backstage at this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to PWInsider.
On this past week’s WWE NXT New Year’s Evil special, Ciampa lost the NXT Championship to Bron Breakker and thereby put over the latter name as the new face of the NXT brand. Ciampa then went on to face fellow NXT wrestler Pete Dunne in a dark match before Friday’s SmackDown from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and won.
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WWE generally uses WWE NXT superstars for main roster tapings or dark matches to see their potential for future perspectives in the big league which is why the belief is that both these two former champions will eventually arrive on either Raw or Smackdown.
Here’s the video! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HpSlhxQgLa
— Graham "GSM" Matthews (@WrestleRant) January 8, 2022
WWE NXt Superstars could debut at Royal Rumble?
The 2022 edition of Men’s Royal Rumble match will take place on January 29 that sets up a perfect place and time for the 36-year-old Cimapa to make his official WWE main roster debut, as a surprise entrant in the Rumble. Dunne can also be used in the same capacity given that he’s not involved in any title feuds on the WWE NXT brand. There’s no update is available on what exact purpose these two were called on Raw, this week.
Ciampa and Dunne have made main roster appearances in the past. He tagged with former partner Johnny Gargano in a one-off appearance on Raw in early 2019, defeating the then-RAW Tag Team Champions, The Revival. Ciampa also made appearances on SmackDown during the build to Survivor Series 2019 as he would go on to represent WWE NXT brand in the men’s traditional tag team match at that pay-per-view.
Pete Dunne made his main roster debut in November 2017 as he defeated the then-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore by pinfall in a Raw episode from the UK. The Bruiserweight was also a part of Survivor Series 2019 as he unsuccessfully challenged the then-NXT Champion Adam Cole in a singles contest.
