Over the last few weeks, some new rising stars have emerged on WWE programming and they’re a welcome change.
WWE’s status as an essential business following a very different WrestleMania season due to COVID-19 has been an interesting situation, to say the least. Some of the company’s biggest stars haven’t been available on either Raw or SmackDown. On the bright sight, this has given WWE the chance to groom several rising stars.
The day of the NXT call up is essentially over. The “black and gold brand” isn’t developmental anymore as the move to the USA Network positioned it as a legitimate third brand. As such, WWE is in a unique position for the first time in a few years.
In addition, the Monday after WrestleMania understandably wasn’t the place to see new faces set to make their network television debut. The current pandemic crisis may have stopped a host of wrestlers from finding a new home but it’s not like both the Raw and SmackDown rosters aren’t already stacked.
With a few exceptions, WWE has elevated a handful of men and women from obscurity and they have excelled so far. With that said, here are five of the top rising stars on WWE programming.
Bianca Belair
If anything needed a change of scenery after WrestleMania, it was Bianca Belair. “The EST of WWE” honestly upstaged Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in the built-up to their NXT Women’s Championship match. So much so, many fans hoped WWE would add her to their match at “The Showcase of the Immortals.”
Instead, Flair beat Belair decisively and continued to target her leg after their match on the Feb. 26 episode of NXT. This was certainly disappointing but Bianca did make a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 36 when she came out to help The Street Profits. On the following night, she made her Raw debut alongside her real-life husband, Montez Ford, and Angelo Dawkins.
Unfortunately, Belair didn’t participate in the qualifying matches for the 2020 Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. That would’ve pushed her up this ranking, but the move to Raw could give her the shot in the arm she needs.
Bianca Belair has so much potential. WWE just has to invest in making her a star. It was clear that wasn’t going to happen on NXT as she lost every big match. Nevertheless, a record-setting showing in this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match and an appearance at WrestleMania proves they see her as an asset.
Hopefully, she will earn a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship picture sooner than later. She is definitely due for a title reign.
Liv Morgan
There has always been something engaging about Liv Morgan. She initially stood out as a member of the Riott Squad because of her trademark blue tongue and some showstopping bumps.
So, it piqued fans’ interest when she struck out on her own and promised “when I come back I’m going to be real.” on the July 16 episode of SmackDown. Five months later, WWE started airing vignettes to tease her new makeover.
Yes, there wasn’t much of a payoff and Morgan was prematurely inserted into the storyline with Lana and Bobby Lashley for no real reason. However, the fact the WWE Universe was still so invested in her character proves that there’s something special about her.
Liv just picked up a big win over Natalya on the kickoff show before WrestleMania 36 Night Two. Then, she secured two definitive wins over Ruby Riott and showed that she has improved a lot in the ring. She already had a distinct moveset but we didn’t get to see it much. Now, it seems like she’s more well-rounded.
Even more, Morgan looks hungry. No matter what WWE gives her, she seems determined to make it work. They have to put her in a meaningful storyline sooner than later.
Sonya Deville
Sonya Deville was at the center of the hottest WrestleMania storyline when it was revealed that she conspired to ruin Mandy Rose and Otis‘ first date. On the Apr. 10 episode of SmackDown, Deville cut a phenomenal promo where she confessed to trying to ruin her longtime friend and tag team partner’s life.
This week, she interfered in Rose’s qualifying match, costing her a chance to compete in the 2020 Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Afterward, Deville beat her down and left her lying at ringside sporting a bruise and some scratches
This is the most motivated Deville has looked in a long time. Her promos are full of fire. Even more, they’re compelling because there is a lot of truth to what she says about her friendship with Rose.
To tell the truth, Sonya Deville has been due for a big push. Last year, on The Bump, Becky Lynch said she was someone “to look out for.” Around the same time, “The Pride Fighter” cut an excellent promo calling out the biggest stars in the women’s division.
Sadly, the segment didn’t make it on to television, but it was the first hint of what she could do as a single’s competitor. Now that Fire and Desire have split, we can’t wait to see what the company does with her.
As WWE’s first openly gay female superstar, there is a great opportunity to give the LGBTQ+ community positivity representation. She’s continuing to prove she has the mic skill and she has a legitimately hard-hitting in-ring style. All they have to do is give her some big matches to showcase herself in.
Her current midcard feud with Mandy Rose could propel them both as singles competitors.
Angel Garza
Angel Garza made his televised debut in the NXT Breakout Tournament, where he made it to the semi-finals. Straight away, he looked like one of WWE’s rising stars in the making.
He has a great look, smooth in-ring work, and the ability to play up to the crowd and the audience at home. With some fantastic character work, he truly has the full package.
Back in December, the second-generation luchador defeated Lio Rush to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. He only held the title for 44 days before he dropped the title to Jordan Devlin at Worlds Collide in January. During that time, he put on some phenomenal matches with Rush.
In February, he made his debut on Raw as Zelina Vega‘s new associate in Andrade‘s absence. Garza is already charismatic on his own but pairing him with the best manager in the company outside of Paul Heyman couldn’t hurt.
Since, he has challenged the Street Profits at WrestleMania 36 and formed a new stable with Andrade, Austin Theory, and Vega. Garza is the best new addition to Raw in some time and he seems destined to win another title eventually.
One could make a strong case that he should be number one on this list but a certain steak-eating blue-collar tag team wrestler is having a better year so far.
Otis
If you told us a year ago Otis would be one of the hottest babyface characters in the company, most people would’ve lost that bet. Nevertheless, he has quickly become the most lovable, fun, and sympathetic members of the SmackDown roster.
Surprisingly, his budding romance with Mandy Rose was the best storyline heading into WrestleMania 36. The unlikely hero captured the hearts of fans as he landed a date with Rose on the Valentine’s Day episode of SmackDown.
Tragedy struck as Sonya Deville and Dolph Ziggler devised a plan to ruin their first date. But Otis eventually got the girl and his WrestleMania moment on the second night of this year’s “Show of Shows” It’s a real shame that his match with Ziggler didn’t happen in front of a live crowd because the reaction probably would’ve been the highlight of the night.
This week, he defeated the former Money in the Bank winner again to earn his spot in this year’s ladder match. That’s right! Otis of Heavy Machinery will take part in the 2020 Money in the Bank Ladder match. Who would’ve guessed it?
With Tucker out with an injury, it’s a great way for him to keep his momentum going until his tag team partner returns. It’s only a matter of time before Heavy Machinery wins the tag titles though.
What do you think? Drop a comment below and let us know who you think are the top rising stars in WWE.