Top Dream Matches for Aleister Black and Andrade Almas After NXT TakeOver

Aleister Black and Andrade "Cien" Almas locked horns in a bout for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans on Saturday, and it resulted in Black winning the title for the first time.

Zelina Vega has helped revive Almas' NXT career and make him the NXT champion, but she had a hand in his downfall Saturday. Vega attempted to hit a crossbody from the top rope on Black but missed and landed in the arms of Almas.

That left Almas unable to defend the Black Mass kick from Black, which was all the challenger needed to claim the title. WWE showed the new NXT champion:

Both Black and Almas turned in memorable performances, and they have quickly developed into two of the best all-around Superstars to ever compete on the yellow brand.

Black's dark character and no-nonsense style of fighting have resonated with the WWE Universe, while Almas has grown by leaps and bounds in all areas, especially from an outside-the-ring perspective with Vega by his side.

On the heels of Saturday's hard-hitting affair, here is a look at some potential dream matches for both Superstars that could become a reality in the near future.

Aleister Black vs. Ricochet

If Black is going to remain in NXT for the foreseeable future, then there are some intriguing matchups available to him that have never taken place under the WWE umbrella.

Chief among them is a clash with Ricochet, who made his televised NXT debut at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans on Saturday in the ladder match for the NXT North American Championship.

Ricochet made a huge impression as expected, and every indication is that he will be a major player for the yellow brand moving forward.

While both Black and Ricochet are fan favorites, NXT has a way of making face vs. face and heel vs. heel matches work. Also, Black has an obvious dark side that would allow him to lean in a villainous direction against Ricochet if need be.

They also have contrasting styles that could make for a memorable match that would leave the WWE Universe buzzing.

Although Black is supremely athletic, he is primarily a striker capable of putting down his opponents in the blink of an eye. Conversely, Ricochet is a high-flyer, and he has accomplished some of the most remarkable athletic feats ever seen in a wrestling ring.

If Black and Ricochet ever lock horns, it will be among the most highly anticipated matches in NXT history.

Andrade Almas vs. Seth Rollins

With Almas making huge strides in recent months, it is likely only a matter of time before he receives a call-up to the main roster.

When that day comes, Seth Rollins stands out as a Superstar who could be the perfect fit for his first major feud and match.

Rollins and Almas are similar stylistically in that they both have elements of high-flying and technical wrestling. Simply put, they are all-around performers who can do a little bit of everything in the ring.

On top of that, Rollins has extensive experience being a top guy on the main roster.

Although he has been in more of a midcard role recently, Rollins closed WrestleMania 31 by winning the WWE Championship, and he had a lengthy run in the main event after that.

Being in the ring with a Superstar of that caliber would be great for Almas' development, and Rollins' popularity would help Almas garner natural heat as well.

Rollins is also solid on the mic, and if Vega remains in place as Almas' mouthpiece, the promo work leading up to their matches should succeed in telling a quality story.

Aleister Black vs. Drew McIntyre

While Black and Ricochet are virtual opposites, it can be argued that Black and Drew McIntyre are close to being equals in terms of their in-ring styles.

McIntyre is a big, burly Scot who is extremely physical with his opponents. He likes to brawl, and he wouldn't hesitate to get into a striking battle with Black.

After losing the NXT Championship to Almas at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in November, McIntyre landed on the shelf with an injury.

Workout videos on social media suggest he is on the verge of a return, and he would undoubtedly be a fantastic challenge for Black.

There aren't many Superstars in WWE who can match the brand of offense that Black brings to the table, but with McIntyre being an even bigger and thicker athlete, it can be argued that he would have the physical advantage in the match.

McIntyre is ready to make the leap to the main roster at any time, but spending a bit more time in NXT could be beneficial as he continues to work his way back from injury.

If that happens, then he is exactly the type of opponent who can realistically pose a threat to Black.

Andrade Almas vs. AJ Styles

WWE's main roster is stacked with some of the best in-ring workers in the world, but few would argue against the notion that AJ Styles tops them all.

Almas could soon approach that level, which makes a match against The Phenomenal One a spectacle that fans would undoubtedly love to see.

While Almas and Styles have never faced off in a singles match, they did do battle in a tag team bout for New Japan. Along with Tetsuya Naito, Almas beat Styles and Yujiro Takahashi in that contest.

Both Almas and Styles are different competitors now than they were then, and there is little doubt that they could work magic if put in a one-on-one situation.

Almas may not quite yet be at the level needed to face someone like Styles, but if he continues on the upward trajectory he is currently experiencing, then it is a match that could realistically happen in the near future.

In much the same way as Rollins, Styles would have a ton of fan support in the feud, and that would allow Almas and Vega to be as dastardly as possible.

Almas seemingly has a limitless ceiling, and that will become even more apparent if he gets to a point where he can clash with Styles.

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