WWE: Three first-time title holders to occur in 2021

Holding a title in the WWE is an accolade that should be a moment of high praise for a career. While not all title reigns are treated the same, it can still be seen as a launching pad into the next phase of a wrestler’s career, hopefully building them close to becoming a main event talent. These three individuals have yet to hold gold across any of the brands in the WWE, but before 2021 is over fans should expect to see gold placed around their waist, kicking off a potential build to something bigger and better.

Candice LeRae

Candice LeRae is a not-so-hidden gem in the NXT women’s division. She is an individual this group counts on to not only help build up women for the main event but also put on excellent matches whenever called upon. She is frequently delivered, both as a face and as a heel. It is telling that the WWE could not build her into a title challenger when she was a babyface, as the story and opportunity were there. It seemed like the company was going to pull the trigger with LeRae taking the belt off Io Shirai, but that did not occur as well.

Now, she and Indi Hartwell are poised to challenge Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon for the NXT women’s tag team titles once again. The women’s NXT tag team division is not as fleshed out as many would hope, leaving some wondering why it was created, to begin with. Still, LeRae and Hartwell winning the titles would be a positive step, finally putting a well-deserved title around LeRae’s waist and helping set the course for that division to be built in a better direction than it is currently experiencing.

Dexter Lumis

Dexter Lumis has been wrapped in an angle with Johnny Gargano and The Way for months. He was even inserted into the storyline before Kushida’s title shot at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day. Now, Bronson Reed has emerged as the next contender, but Lumis is still there – taking part in the “InDex” love story, but it is easy to predict that he is going to end up facing Gargano for the North American title at some point soon.

Lumis is an intriguing character on the NXT roster. There is something there that has fans interested in him, but it seems like the creative team still has not fleshed out exactly how he will be used as a main event competitor. The silent, dangerous protagonist could be seen as a viable threat to any top-level heel, like Karrion Kross. However, WWE continues to lean into the comedy narrative with Lumis that can hurt his long-term interest with viewers. Still, one should expect to see Lumis eventually facing Gargano in a singles match for that North American title, winning it for his first title win in the promotion.

Sonya Deville

Sonya Deville is a wildcard on the main roster within the women’s division. She is currently placed as the second-in-command to Adam Pearce, but that does not mean her time as an in-ring performer is over. With her ability to insert herself in any match as she would see fit, Deville could step into a top-level feud. However, there is one upcoming PPV where she could have the biggest impact, Money in the Bank.

Deville would be the perfect winner for Money in the Bank, especially after how the briefcase was used in 2020. Fans would want to see her overcome either individual as champion, putting her into the position to build a career-long feud that would elevate the entire division. The quest would have to begin with Deville entering and winning the MITB briefcase, which is a very possible angle with the PPV nearing in the coming weeks.