Ten WWE Superstars That Could Have a Breakout Year in 2019
From WWE to NXT to even the UK, the company is riddled with talent. Which up and coming stars could we see shine like never before in 2019?
Pro wrestling is so hard to predict, especially over the last few years. WWE has started running storylines and signing guys we would have never expected to be in the company. At the start of the year, WWE announced six NXT stars (including one tag team) that would be making their debut in the coming weeks. In addition, the McMahon family had a reunion on RAW to announce themselves the new on- screen authority figures to get a “fresh start” going in WWE.
While WWE continues to add to its already loaded roster, NXT combats these call- ups by signing new wrestlers of their own. Change has been abundant in the WWE lately, with the promise of even more to come. With so many talented guys and girls on all the rosters WWE has, there’s plenty of names to bet on for being huge in 2019. From the already established names like Seth Rollins or AJ Styles to the fresh faces on NXT, there’s a lot of competition in WWE to be at the top. Who will ascend to greatness in 2019? Here’s 10 WWE Superstars who could do just that.
NXT: Some of these guys have already established themselves in WWE, while others are just getting started. Let’s take a look at some of the strongest contenders to be a champion in NXT this year.
Adam Cole
At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2017, Adam Cole debuted with Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish and attacked Drew McIntyre after his NXT title win. Since their arrival on the scene, the Undisputed Era has been the undisputed hottest act in NXT. Nothing seems to get a crowd to their feet like the guitar rifts of his opening theme music and his “Adam Cole, Bay Bay!” taunts.
His ring work is very solid, but where the Panama City Playboy really makes his money is with his unmistakable charisma and his masterful work on the mic. There are few in WWE who can go toe to toe with Adam Cole in a promo, and that is certainly saying a lot considering how many stars WWE has.
The moment we truly new Cole arrived, I believe, was his performance in the 6- man ladder match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans where he became the inaugural NXT North American champion. The raucous ovation he received as he ascended the ladder and hoisted up his new championship was an electric feeling, even by NXT standards. In addition to being apart of that exceptional match, Cole spent most of 2019 in some of the hottest feuds on the brand. From Moustache Mountain to Pete Dunne to Ricochet, he had his share of phenomenal matches. He’s been apart of both War Games matches and was even sent to EVOLVE to defend his North American title against WALTER.
Sure, the NXT championship scene is a little full right now, but it won’t be forever. Aleister Black, Tommaso Ciamapa, and Johnny Gargano will solve their differences soon and Adam Cole will be there to pick up the pieces and take the reigns of NXT through 2019.
Matt Riddle
He’s only been with NXT for a few months, but his ability to capture a crowd’s adoration has been on full display already. It’s hard to picture these next twelve months elapsing without Matt Riddle not having some kind of title reign under his belt. He’s a lovable, charismatic character with a move set more believable than most.
He’s been pushing for a match with Brock Lesnar since he got to WWE, which he obviously likely won’t get in 2019, as he’ll be spending his time in NXT. Nevertheless, the array of incredible matches he could put on is exciting to think about, to say the least. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Riddle could see himself on RAW or SmackDown by the end of the year, but plan on seeing him hold a title for the black and gold brand sometime in the near future.
Keith Lee
For his size, it’s incredible to see how quick and agile Keith Lee is. He rose quickly through the independent wrestling scene with his acrobatic moves and will likely move up the ranks of NXT with the same kind of quickness. Lee could put on some exceptional “big man” bouts with the likes of Kassius Ohno and other like him, sure, but I think where Lee could really shine is when he’s given smaller talent to work with. That’s when he can show that he’s capable of doing anything the smaller guys on the roster can do.
With his first appearance on a TakeOver card likely in the near future, it’s only a matter of time before Lee gets a huge role in NXT.
Bianca Belair
One of WWE’s more impressive homegrown products, Bianca Belair debuted on WWE television in 2017, performing in the Mae Young Classic. Although she lost to eventual winner, Kairi Sane, she proved that she had potential. That untapped potential turning into a push was delayed for about a year after she had to work through a few minor injuries. But, now that she’s healthy and hitting full stride, it seems she’s ready to take over in 2019.
She is still undefeated, as she is more than happy to inform you, but her biggest test will come in just a week’s time when she has her first NXT Women’s title match against Shayna Baszler. Some have argued now is not the right time to push her all the way to the title picture, but she’s there nonetheless and will be looking to prove her doubters wrong.
Io Sharai
Look at that picture. Look at how graceful that moonsault looks. IN JEANS.
Io Sharai caught the eye of a lot of fans when she took herself to the finals of the 2018 Mae Young Classic, though she’s been incredibly talented since her time in the Japanese promotion, Stardom. Her semifinals match with Rhea Rhipley was the specific match that made her look like a star in the making for WWE. That star may be ready to take her moment in 2019.
If she isn’t pushed towards the NXT Women’s title, don’t be shocked to see her and Kairi Sane team up and work towards WWE’s Women’s Tag Team titles. Whatever the case, her path to her first taste of gold in NXT/WWE likely rides with her longtime friend. Not to complain about that, though, as that pairing may be the most exciting pair of performers in the NXT Women’s division.
Main roster: These superstars have already solidified themselves as important figures one way or another, but they’re one big jump away from being a top contender on the red or blue brand.
Drew McIntyre
When Drew McIntyre was released from his WWE contract in 2014, he had ambitions to return. He traveled all over Europe to become a vastly improved version of his WWE self, including a return to ICW. His desire to return to WWE came to fruition in 2017 when he was brought back under an NXT contract. Less than six months after his return he’d become NXT champion. In late 2017 he tore his bicep and had to sit out for about five months, but his intense rehab paid off.
Instead of returning to NXT after his recovery, he was paired with Dolph Ziggler and made his debut on RAW. Since that debut, he has turned on Dolph, but McIntyre has made himself known and shown himself to be a true star for WWE for years to come. On the red brand, standing opposite the likes of Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and even legends like Kurt Angle, McIntyre has shined and never once looked out of place.
His booking may have been puzzling at points, but he destroyed Kurt Angle in November and simply dominated Dolph Ziggler in a steel cage match on New Year’s Eve, cementing his place as a huge deal in the eyes of Vince McMahon.
Coming into 2019, he’s one of the betting favorites to win the Royal Rumble and is one of the few believable opponents for Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Whatever story is told over the next few months, it’s going to be shocking at this point if Drew McIntyre is not a world champion at least once by the end of the year.
Big E
Let’s face it, when you think of Big E, you think of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, too. The three have become synonymous with the entertainment aspect of WWE, as they’re one of the longest tenured stables of recent memory. Why is that? Well, they’re one of the best there is at reinventing themselves. They’re always changing up their gimmicks in the slightest way and tweaking their nuances minimally over time to remain hot with the crowd. And it works. The New Day is has remained one of the top merchandise sellers for the past few years now and they are constantly receiving huge pops.
When it comes to Big E, though, he is special. It’s crazy to think that he’s been with the main roster for over six years. Though he’s spent the majority of his time with The New Day, fans are quick to forget that he’s a fairly decorated superstar during his tenure with WWE. He defeated Seth Rollins in NXT to become only the second NXT champion. On the main roster he’s held tag team gold on five occasions while also being an Intercontinental champion early on in his WWE run.
Predicting Big E’s success does not necessarily mean they have to have an ugly break up with someone turning heel, though. There have been factions and stables before that have recognized the unique talent of a member before and have pushed for him to reach the top of the mountain. Many fans would like it to be Kofi Kingston, as it seems he’s never been rewarded for his efforts with the company, but Big E is five years younger with a lot more time to go than Kofi. With the Money in the Bank seeming like a waste the past couple years, maybe this year is the year they switch it up and give us an actual surprise winner?
Mustafa Ali
Mustafa Ali is one of the only pure babyfaces WWE has left. The former 205 Live star caught the eye of Vince McMahon, who has given him a shot with the SmackDown Live roster. Clearly, he did not disappoint. Ali is one of the best at making his high- risk moves look easy and he’s performed extremely well in numerous high profile matches since his debut with team blue.
Set up against guys like Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Rey Mysterio, Samoa Joe, and Daniel Bryan, not only has he held his own, but thrived with some of the best. He’s even actually pinned Daniel Bryan already. If that doesn’t tell you how high they are on Ali, nothing will.
Much like Daniel Bryan’s WrestleMania 30 run, too, Mustafa Ali has the look and story of an underdog and would make a great focus for a perfect feel good moment. But, Bryan has turned heel. WWE, and specifically SmackDown, is in need of a smaller babyface that the fans can get behind. For that, look no further than Mustafa Ali.
Mandy Rose
Like it or not, Mandy Rose is the most likely to get a push of the women’s division on RAW or SmackDown. And whether people want to admit it or not, Rose has improved immensely and, if she is to keep doing so, would absolutely warrant her inevitable push.
Reports said that Mandy Rose’s character was derived from the failed efforts to repackage Emma into “Emmalina” a couple years ago. At 27 years old, she has plenty of time to work out the kinks in her character and prove that she is a potential cornerstone for WWE for years to come.
Obviously, nothing is guaranteed, especially when booking in the women’s division (sorry, Bayley and Sasha), but Mandy has had her share of bright spots in 2018. She’s been put in spots to succeed this past year and has proved that she can compete with some of the tops stars, and can even exceed their talents given the time and opportunities.
Ruby Riott
It’s simply incredible to think that Ruby Riott has been with WWE for less than two years considering how much she is featured on the show. She had a short stint in NXT and debuted on the main roster in November of 2017. She debuted with Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan in the Riot Squad and tore it up on SmackDown during their first few months.
Once they moved to RAW, Ruby Riott developed a pretty impressive resume. She’s had great matches with nearly everyone she’s been paired with on the main roster and has proved that she has the capability of carrying the RAW women’s division.
I think Ruby’s skill of being able to put on a quality match with nearly everyone that is put in front of her will put her in a good position in 2019. The Money in the Bank match suits her perfectly and would be a great addition to her resume. It’d be a great way to boost her credibility on her way to her first main roster title.
