I spent the first half of this project talking about the old guard — the guys who have occupied the main event scene for the better part of the last ten years, or have made such a big statements in the short term that they aren’t leaving the space anytime soon. Here are some folks that are a bit newer. That have hovered around the top, but maybe haven’t cracked that permanent level just yet. Some haven’t even experienced a WrestleMania, but based on what they’ve done and how they’re presented, they seem primed and prepped to take over if the chance presents itself.
The Fresh Faces
Jey Uso
Jey’s late rise to superstardom was one of those happy accidents to come out of the pandemic. As he developed his own look, a fiery, yet funny attitude, and brought “yeet” back into the lexicon, he worked his way to the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 41.
He’s once again a tag team champion with his brother Jimmy, and the two figure to play into the Reigns/Punk main event world title match. He’s absolutely someone they can return to if necessary, but he’s in the sweet spot of being a big deal that’s probably in his most effective state. Being able to play off of the always in control Jimmy accentuates the “crazy” Jey’s willing to put out, so any “omission” from a big singles match never feels like a step down for him.
LA Knight
I don’t know. He’s been touching the main event scene and he’s had world title matches, but he seems to be stuck between making it and missing it. And it’s not anything he’s done — he’s been every bit the fan favorite, he’s had good matches, and he’s one of the new faces of Slim Jim. The tough part is what’s changed around him. He lost his WWE United States Championship to Jacob Fatu at last year’s WrestleMania and seemed to be in the world title mix this year with Punk and Rollins, but The Vision and injuries adjusted what may have been. Now, he’s ally-ish with The Usos, making it look like he may be one half of whoever challenges them for their tag titles at WrestleMania. Hopefully, he ends the year with that first world championship, but as pieces continue to move, so does the outlook on that happening.
Logan Paul
The fans absolutely hate the guy, he’s dedicated to the craft of maintaining it week in and week out, and he’s doing all he can to keep The Vision together after losing Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed in succession. The thing with Paul that remains to be seen is whether he can he get in there with a guy, or guys, that haven’t been world champions — ‘Mania main eventers and the like, and show that he’s more than a really athletic guy who oozes smarm and can make moments.
It’s absolutely an ask for someone so new to wrestling, but there’s too much time invested into someone who is independently infamous for them to just be a name on the roster. He’s been US Champion, but I’m not sure if a tag run with Austin Theory is maximizing what you can get out of him and maintaining someone with options’ interest in the short term. I’m not advocating for a Logan Paul world title run, or even a big-time WrestleMania singles match, but I am saying that you run the risk of defining someone down early.
The New Challengers
Oba Femi
I was at Monday Night Raw in San Antonio this past week and the people WANT Oba Femi. The power bomb to Brock Lesnar is one of those rare feats that not only shows there’s a new power wrestler on the block, but one that already has the people behind him. His dominance of NXT, both in the ring and when it was time to hype up a match or feud on the mic, and his inclusion on John Cena’s farewell show across from Cody Rhodes were great precursors to what’s being hyped up as a passing of the torch match. Oba Femi is a star in any era and if done correctly, he may be the biggest of his generation.
Trick Williams
Some people are just born stars. Williams is this really interesting case of being homegrown, but just barely — having spent time in CZW prior to catching on with WWE on his second attempt. He waited in the wings, backing Carmelo Hayes during his ascent, and found his own lane as top dog when NXT moved over to The CW.
His TNA title run may not have been super advantageous for TNA itself, but it helped birth the all white wearing, lemon pepper stepping southern slugger that the people can’t help but cheer. It was a pleasant surprise seeing him immediately shoot for the WWE Championship and its contenders and that Elimination Chamber reaction shows that the people are already supremely invested.
Dominik Mysterio.
We’re there, right? He’s the man over in AAA, he’s hated everywhere else, and now he’s the de facto frontman for Raw’s enduring Judgement Day faction. He’s shown he’s got the in-ring acumen and is developing the size to fit right in at the top of the card. Whether he’s cheered or booed, a Dominik Mysterio world title win would get one of the biggest reactions of the last few years — both in person and online. He’s likely a WWE lifer as well, so he’s one of the people you can start planning long-term feuds for and you’ll know he’s going to be around. He’s a layup in a way most never will be, being the son of an all-time great that can still go, while also finding ways to move out of that shadow.
You can check out part one of this project HERE.
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