Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show correspondent Mark Kaboly lists his up-and-coming WWE Superstars that are the most intriguing to him and have the best chance to be a World Champion.
THE SETUP
There are a lot of new faces on the main roster, but not new to the company. Who has the best chance to become the next Gunther or Rhea Ripley? The most difficult aspect of a young wrestler promoted to the main roster is getting a chance. John Cena will help push that along with the recently announced John Cena Classic – something very similar to the Saturday Night’s Main Event (Cena’s last match) in December when we saw the likes of Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater take on current Superstars. (Editor’s note: Oba Femi was not considered for this list because of quick ascent to the top of the company).
1. Trick Williams: If there is one newer face who has “Main Event Superstar” written all over him (besides Oba Femi), it’s Trick Williams. Williams has already made a meteoric rise from NXT to the main roster to the United States Championship. Williams has been thrown in the mix from the onset and has already competed in the Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender Fatal 4-Way Match, the Royal Rumble, the Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania 42 and Backlash. He even owns a victory over Jacob Fatu and two over Sami Zayn. Trick has the entrance, the moxie, the crowd and the talent to be the next great thing. I’d be stunned if we don’t see Trick capture the WWE Title or World Heavyweight Championship.
2. Sol Ruca: Sol Ruca looks the part of a WWE Superstar, and that’s half the battle with an up-and-comer. She’s in her infancy on the big roster (and in wrestling in general), but her acrobatics and agility makes her somewhat of a unicorn. You never know what she might do next. Even though she hasn’t won on this level, the opponents she’s faced in her three matches should tell you all you need to know – Bayley, Liv Morgan and IYO SKY. It’s just a matter of time.
3. Je’Von Evans: Keep this in mind: Je’Von Evans just turned 22 years old. What that means is that we very well could be looking at the next Cena, Orton, Undertaker or Miz in terms of longevity with the company. We might be getting ahead of ourselves comparing Evans to the all-time greats, but he is set on a path that can lead to long-term success. Evans has all the in-ring abilities and the charisma that is necessary to be pushed to the top of the card, and his mic skills are advanced for someone of his age and experience. He appeals to the younger fans, and older ones can’t help but be impressed by his in-ring ability. If you want to get to the top, there’s no better way than dropping some high-level promos. Je’Von can do that.
4. Ethan Page: Ethan Page has been up on the main roster for less than a month, and he’s made an immediate impact. He has experience, but that just makes it a little more challenging for him. WWE can never have too many villains, and Page is a bad guy through and through. Page falls into a different category than most. He’s great on the mic, and you just want to jump through the television and punch him in the mouth, which is a talent that is not learned.
5A. Lash Legend: Lash Legend has been on sort of a deliberate journey since being called up considering some of the others who have been thrown right into the mix, but walking alongside Nia Jax has done nothing but help her. Legend has a great backstory of being a star basketball player at Texas A&M and being drafted in the second round of the WNBA Draft. We saw a glimpse of what she can do at the Royal Rumble where she eliminated more women than anybody else, a list that included Charlotte Flair, IYO SKY, Jordynne Grace and The Bella Twins in her near-40 minutes in the ring.
5B: Joe Hendry: I like to refer to Hendry as a self-made man. He’s not one of those guys who was given anything, and you can’t discount what he may accomplish now, given a chance. Hendry is an underrated as a wrestler only because he is gimmick is so over the top. Hendry is lined up for a rivalry with Logan Paul, which is an excellent opportunity.
Honorable Mentions: Royce Keys, Jordynne Grace, Ricky Saints, Fatal Influence (Jacy Jane, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid), Blake Monroe.
