What to Do with Karrion Kross
The current NXT Champion, Karrion Kross officially made his main roster debut last night, in a losing effort to Jeff Hardy. Although he lost the match, Kross looked incredible in defeat, as Hardy pulled off the win by using the ropes on a roll-up pin technique.
Despite not being victorious in his first Monday Night Raw match, things are looking up for The Walking Doomsday Clock.
On Monday Night’s showing, Kross was not flanked by his valet, and real-life girlfriend Scarlett Bordeaux, which means all of the focus is on the violence that Kross dishes out. So how exactly should Kross be featured on Monday Night Raw?
Special Event Superstar
Kevin Owens makes his Monday Night Raw debut, attacking John Cena in 2015. (via WWE)
Let’s get the least likely outcome out of the way first. Being the current NXT Champion opens the possibility for Kross to be featured both on NXT and Raw as a competitor, which should make him a more successful box-office draw. If his main event experience is anything like Kevin Owens’, he will likely be feuding concurrently with both the main event superstars and an NXT superstar at the same time, as his momentum builds two-fold on the way to only competing on WWE PPV’s and NXT Takeovers.
Main Event Superstar
Seth Rollins debuts on the main roster at Survivor Series, along with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. (via WWE)
The Seth Rollins method of main roster introduction, in my opinion, would be the best method of beginning Kross’ main roster run. If you remember, Rollins, as a member of The Shield, was immediately entered into the main event rivalry between CM Punk and Ryback in 2012 and developed into a singles star following his run with The Shield. I’m not implying Kross should be muddled into a faction, or given a slow build, but he was mixing it up with the best of the best early during his main roster run.
Mid Card Superstar
Big E Langston makes his WWE debut as Dolph Ziggler’s bodyguard. (via WWE)
This is where most NXT wrestlers begin their main roster run. This has worked with plenty of superstars but has also been the downfall of possibly even more.
In the case of current superstars who debuted as NXT Champion, think about Big E (Langston), who is finally entering the main event singles scene after nearly a decade of tag teamwork with both Dolph Ziggler, and more prominently, The New Day. This is a slow burn, but it gives plenty of time for the WWE Universe to buy into Karrion Kross as a WWE mainstay.
Just a Taste
NXT Champion Karrion Kross, alongside Scarlett Bordeaux, asserting his dominance on Tuesday Nights. (via WWE)
I can’t stress enough how interesting Kross is as NXT Champion competing on Monday Night Raw. Kross is one of the most important players on Tuesday nights, whether he has the championship or not. That means NXT may not be able to afford to lose him just yet, despite the strength of NXT’s current roster, as well as the Performance Center’s talent-in-waiting.
It certainly should be on WWE’s radar that a full-time main event run may not be in the benefit of Kross or NXT.
If they play their cards right, WWE could have an absolute megastar on their hands when it comes to Kross. He has the look, the believability, the NXT Championship and most of all his vicious in-ring style. It’s going to be hard to drop the ball with Kross. Whichever direction WWE decides to go, there’s no question that Kross is set to turn heads and make his opposition Fall and Pray.