NXT UK’s Spanish Sensation A-Kid Has The Potential To Be WWE’s Next Daniel Bryan

By Andy More Last updated Mar 9, 2022

NXT UK’s Spanish Sensation has been announced for an appearance for NXT 2.0 next week, no word on if the move will be permanent or not, so ahead of that appearance I thought should get my Ass in gear and finish this editorial about the potential of A-Kid.

First of all I want to point out one fact, I do not believe A-Kid will be next Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) I believe he will be their first A-Kid, I typically hate it when people say he could be the next so and so, it puts unnecessary pressure on a performer. What I mean is he has the ability to be an undersized underdog who via his will and in ring ability can become someone the fans will get behind and support.

If you look at the overall aesthetics of each performer the similarities are too numerous to ignore and this article I will address these similarities whilst also looking at what makes the performers different.

I feel should start by going into who A-Kid is, as if you have not being paying attention to NXT UK or the European independent scene you’re likely thinking who the hell is A-Kid and no way could he be as good or half as good as the Bryan Danielson. In a way you would be right, right now at this time A-Kid is not as good as Bryan Danielson that’s not the argument I am trying to make here but A-Kid does have the potential to be just as good if not better in the long run.

At 24 years old A-Kid is one of, if not the hottest prospect in NXT UK currently which is saying a lot when you look at the fact NXT UK plays home to performers such as Tyler Bate, Jordan Devlin and Nathan Frazer among others on their roster. If you need any proof that A-Kid is as good as I say go watch his matches against Bate, Devlin and Frazer, as well as his NXT UK championship matches against Walter and Ilja Dragunov.

So what are these similarities I talked about, first off the obvious the size of competitors is very similar, A-Kid may be a little taller but is also a little slimmer and yet despite his size and due to ability in the ring he is able to be seen as true threat, much like Bryan Danielson. Proof of this would be the match he had against Walter for the NXT UK Championship on the 14^th of January 2021, shortly after he won the NXT UK Heritage Cup.

When the match was first announced even I questioned the decision, I was big fan of A-Kid and I thought the match was too soon and Walter would kill him and that A-Kid couldn’t possibly be a threat. Boy was I wrong not only did A-Kid prove a real threat against Walter, during the match he made you believe that he could possibly go on to cause an upset and defeat Water, of course that did not happen but his heart, determination and fighting spirit during that match took A-Kid to the next level.

The reason he was able to establish himself as threat against Walter was similarity number two to Bryan Danielson and that is fighting style, A-Kid trained in MMA from a young age learning both Jiu Jitsu and striking. A-Kid has transitioned his MMA background seamlessly with his wrestling style, working a mix of traditional European style wrestling in with his MMA he is able to mix up his grappling, striking and submissions very similar to Danielson.

This leads us to reason three, due to his wrestling style being much like Danielson’s in AEW he has a variety of ways he can finish his opponent in a match. A-Kid has used an incredible spring board flipping DDT, a flying super kick, an Armbar, a double armbar and a crossface to pick up wins during his time in NXT UK as well as variety of technical roll up pinfalls.

Again leading on to the next similarity, A-Kid is able to change his in ring style depending on the opponent matching up with all the top technical wrestlers, he can keep up any high flyer or use his striking to take an opponent apart, A-Kid can have great match no matter the opponent. This leads to the Final similarity, as mentioned very early on he has been able to garner a similar connection with the fans at home and in the crowd, due to his heart, will and fighting spirit, much like Danielson did.

Again I am not saying that A-Kid right now is as good as Danielson but I do believe not only does A-Kid have potential to become as big a star as Danielson I also believe he has the potential to become a better in ring performer.

To back up my arguments before you @ me on Twitter or whatever, I would urge you to at least watch these 5 A-Kid matches.

1) A-Kid vs Trent Seven, NXT UK Cup Heritage Final, NXT UK 26/11/2020

2) Walter vs A-kid, NXT UK Championship Match, NXT UK 14/01/22

3) A-Kid vs Jordan Devlin, 30 Minute Iron Match, NXT UK 05/08/21

4) Ilja Dragunov vs A-Kid, NXT UK Championship, NXT UK Match 06/10/21

5) A-Kid vs Natahn Frazer, NXT UK Hertitage Cup No. 1 Contender Match, NXT UK 17/11/21

So What’s next for A-Kid, as great as the last year and half has been for A-Kid on NXT UK I cannot help but worry if WWE will pull the trigger on him due to being on the smaller side. I feel for now he needs to continue on with A-Kid in NXT UK, maybe they can bring in Carlos Roma in, A-Kids former White Wolves tag team partner on the independents to maybe give him a tag team run before picking up the NXT UK Championship.

I honestly I think it would’ve been in A-Kid’s best interest to stay away from NXT under its new format unless as a tag team, again I would look to his former White Wolves tag team partner, this will give him a chance to get over along side his tag team partner similar to how Gargano and Ciampa got over with D.I.Y. There’s even more trepidation regarding a full roster call up, just look at most of recent call ups in WWE, there are a few success stories, we can only hope that he is presented in the right way, that showcases his technical ability.

You can keep up to date with everything British and Euro Wrestling with our Tea and Tights: A Great British Podcast and their weekly Brit Wres Round Up;

However if WWE choose not to capitalise on A-Kid’s natural charisma and ability in the ring A-Kid will have a successful career in other promotions such as AEW, with A-Kid’s in ring ability he would fit in perfectly in AEW. The other option is working the independent promotions in Europe and the UK such as wXw Germany, Progress, Rev Pro UK and many more incredible independent promotions around the world.