SUMMARY
- Trick Williams is the brand new NXT champion.
- Williams defeated Ilja Dragunov at the April 23 episode of NXT and he is set to be the face of the brand for the foreseeable future.
Trick Williams finally vanquished a recurring ghost of his career on the latest episode of WWE NXT on April 23, 2024. After putting Carmelo Hayes down in a steel cage match last week, Williams finally overcame Ilja Dragunov seven days later. With this massive victory, Trick now sits at the top of the roster as the new NXT Champion.
Trick Williams’ crowning as the new team captain of WWE NXT brings several changes to the brand’s landscape. With the WWE Draft set to include NXT this year, Williams seems the perfect guy to lead the Tuesday night show into a new era. In this article, let’s take a look at three reasons why Trick Williams’ coronation as NXT Champion is best for business.
A sweet payoff for the NXT Universe’s support for Trick Williams
Trick Williams’ rise from being Carmelo Hayes’ sidekick to NXT’s top megastar has been remarkable. Initially, Mr. Whoop that Trick was considered inferior to his charismatic ally.
Congratulations Trick!
The connection that you have with those fans is rare and will take you to places you never dreamt of. But having dat GOLD to share with them is icing on da cake!
This is that perfect combo #wwenxt https://t.co/FuzCsZAqH8
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) April 24, 2024
However, as time went by, Williams improved his game to a significant extent. The NXT Universe also acknowledged Trick’s hard work, resulting in the massive fan support he has today. With Trick’s sweet victory, all the fans who had supported him for this long got their validation.
It seems the perfect reward for Trick Williams as well for sustaining a genuine connection with the fans as a babyface.
Perfect choice to succeed the NXT departees, Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes
As mentioned earlier, WWE NXT will be heavily involved in this year’s WWE Draft. During their official announcement, WWE specifically stated that Ilja Dragunov would also be available for a call-up. With his NXT call-up, chances of The Mad Dragon swapping brands have become even more likely.
For the past few months, Dragunov has carried WWE’s developmental brand with his amazing in-ring classics.
It is now up to Trick Williams to uphold the lineage of the NXT title now that The Tsar is moving out. As Carmelo Hayes supposedly also headed to the main roster, Trick Williams is the best choice to fill up the void they will leave behind.
Incomparable.
pc: @kimberlasskick pic.twitter.com/lMtiK91wcI
— 𝙄𝙡𝙟𝙖 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙤𝙫 (@UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR) April 21, 2024
With Tony D’Angelo, Dijak, Baron Corbin, and many other main-roster stars eyeing the NXT Championship, Trick Williams has a very entertaining title reign ahead. If the 29-year-old star replicates the success of the previous NXT Champions, his own main-roster prospects will look very bright.
Trick Williams is capable of being the face of NXT in the New Era
WWE is reportedly looking to shift some main-roster stars to NXT during the upcoming edition of the WWE Draft. Names like Shinsuke Nakamura, Sheamus, and Cedric Alexander, who are not involved in any major program, might be headed to WWE’s developmental brand.
With so many popular stars arriving on Tuesday nights, NXT will need their own gatekeeper. As the new NXT Champion, Trick Williams can defend the honor of NXT originals against the main-roster megastars.
That was beautifully done!
Congratulations @_trickwilliams @WWENXT
— PRIME Alexander (@CedricAlexander) April 24, 2024
Just as the WWE Women’s Champion Bayley suggested, Mr. Whoop that Trick now has an immense responsibility on his shoulders. In his few main roster appearances, Williams has received an amazing crowd response, which outshined several main-roster stars.
If Trick can retain his popularity after the arrival of stars from RAW and SmackDown, he will truly establish himself as the face of NXT. Do you think WWE made the right choice by crowning Trick William, or Should Ilja Dragunov have retained his title? Sound off in the comments below.