Times are certainly changing the in WWE. The old guard is slowly winding down and the next generation is clearly stepping up. Although WWE has hit a rough patch over the past couple of years the future appears to be very bright. Whether you’re looking at the fresh stars on the main roster or the guys in NXT there’s plenty to be excited about. Here are the 10 wrestlers we believe the fans will be talking about the most over the next 10 years.
#10 – Roman Reigns
We all know that Roman has been chosen by WWE to be “The Guy” and there’s little doubt that he’ll be a top star for years to come. The fans might not be accepting this idea as quickly as WWE wants them to but one way or another it’s going to happen. Roman will have a top spot in the company for as long as he wants to stick around and we’re willing to bet that he’ll be sticking around for quite a while.
#9 – Rusev
Rusev has come a long way since debuting on the main roster in 2014. His gimmick seemed a little too 80s at first but WWE has done a great job at convincing the fans that they need to take him seriously. The company seems very much invested in Rusev and his undefeated streak has done wonders for his character. Rusev could have very easily turned into a comedy act by now but lucky for him that’s not the case. His character can go in many different directions over the next decade and with Lana by his side the sky is the limit for Rusev.
#8 – Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler has paid his dues time and time again and you’d be hard pressed to find a better in ring performer in the WWE. This man’s dedication to his craft is inspirational to say the least. He’s been with the WWE for almost 10 years now and many still feel like he hasn’t been show the respect he so rightfully deserves by the suits in the back. It’s hard to disagree with that sentiment and Dolph seems to feel the same way as he constantly goes above and beyond to steal the show. From where we’re standing it looks like Dolph Ziggler’s stellar WWE career so far can be considered a warm up on his quest to be “The Man” in WWE. Dolph Ziggler wants to be at the top of the card and he won’t stop stealing the show until he gets there.
#7 – Finn Balor
Finn Balor was already an international superstar long before he made his was to NXT. This man is a seasoned veteran known for his great work inside the ring and his strong sense of theatricality. It just so happens that a strong sense of theatricality is something the main roster desperately needs. Once he gets there it’s not hard to believe that the fans are going to accept him with open arms. This man will win over the WWE Universe in no time at all and his epic entrances are going to be something that the fans look forward to for many years to come.
#6 – Bad News Barrett
Similar to Dolph Ziggler, Bad News Barrett has been the victim of way too many false starts in his WWE career. But timing is everything and sooner or later his time is going to come. Whether it’s on the mic or in the ring, Barrett has proved time and time again that no matter where he is on the card his segment is must see TV. This man has all the tools it takes to make it to the top and he’s going to get there. It’s only a matter of time.
#5 – Kevin Owens
Already a veteran in the wrestling industry long before he came to NXT, the powers that be wasted no time at all when it came to making Kevin Owens NXT Champion. That itself is a strong indication of how much faith they have in this man and that faith is anything but misguided. Kevin already has a huge fanbase which followed him to NXT and they will no doubt follow him to the main roster as well. Kevin Owens has a unique look, a unique in ring style and a whole lot of charisma. The NXT Championship looks like it belongs with him and it’s not hard at all to believe that over the next 10 years this man will capture the WWE Championship multiple times.
#4 – Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt is and has been one of the best characters in all of wrestling for the past 10 years. WWE was in desperate need of a character like this to fill the void that The Undertaker will eventually create when he retires and Bray is just the man for the job. Many fans expressed their displeasure with how he’s been booked so far during his time on the main roster but when it comes to Bray Wyatt there’s really no reason to rush. This man is in it for the long run and although it’s been fun to watch his career so far the best is definitely yet to come.
#3 – Seth Rollins
When The Shield were at their peak many expected Seth Rollins to get lost in the shuffle once they all went their separate ways. That’s ironic now considering the fact that Seth has been without question the most successful member of The Shield since breaking out on his own. Seth Rollins is strongly considered to be the top heel in the entire industry at the moment and for good reason. This man is just gold on the mic and in the ring. He can have a good feud and match with just about anyone. Seth Rollins has already “arrived” in the WWE and it’s only a matter of time before he’s wearing the richest prize in the indsutry around his waist.
#2 – Dean Ambrose
It doesn’t matter if he’s feuding with Seth Rollins or getting his ass kicked by Bray Wyatt for several months in a row, Dean Ambrose just has a way of making everything he does entertaining. Ambrose has that crazy look in his eye that makes you want to see what he’s going to do next.
He got lucky in the fall of 2014 when both Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns were out with injuries and he got his chance to prove what he can do as a top babyface. What did Ambrose do when he stepped up to the plate? He knocked it out of the park. Ambrose doesn’t seem to care about his spot on the card or backstage politics. He takes whatever the WWE gives him and turns it into pure gold. He just wants to make wrestling fun again and that’s the type of attitude that is going to make him a massive success over the next 10 years.
#1 – Daniel Bryan
What a crazy ride the past few years have been for Daniel Bryan. When he made his WWE debut literally no one thought he would be in the spot he’s in at the moment. Not even his biggest fans. But lucky for Daniel Bryan his biggest fans are rabid and they wouldn’t accept anything less than the best for this man.
Although a small portion of the fans try hard to downplay his success and throw around the words “indy darling” like it’s supposed to be some kind of insult, the vast majority of wrestling fans are more than behind him. The truth is Bryan is in the spot he’s in because he’s simply one of the best wrestlers in the world. Bryan’s passion for the business and dedication to it is unmatched and the fans appreciate that. The reaction Bryan can get out of a live audience is something rarely seen these days. WWE has been trying to convince us over the past few years that it’s ok for top babyfaces to get a mixed reaction. But Bryan makes that mentality seem foolish as the positive reaction he gets from the fans has been blowing the roof off of arenas for quite some time now.
The truth is, Bryan could have a good match with a broomstick if that’s what was asked of him. Whether he’s main eventing WrestleMania or opening a pay-per-view, Bryan gives it everything he’s got. You can expect this man to be around for the next 10 years and many more to come because he will just keep going until his body simply won’t let him wrestle anymore.
