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So far 2017 has been an incredible year for professional wrestling. Not just in WWE either but around the world in a variety of different promotions. The business is thriving from the top of the business all the way to the bottom.
That is being demonstrated by the likes of Cody Rhodes and the rest of the Bullet Club. They and so many others are proving that in the present day you don't necessarily need the backing of WWE to be able to make it in the business.
That being said, most wrestlers' ultimate goal is to make it to WWE. You might be having a great time on the independent circuit but no matter what people say, they've always got half an eye on being a WWE Superstar. Here are 5 people who will likely achieve that dream at some point in the next five years.
#5 The Young Bucks
Matt and Nick Jackson, more commonly known as The Young Bucks, are maybe the biggest act in pro wrestling outside of WWE right now. They truly are the epitome of the notion that there is big money to be made for performers who aren't on the big show.
A lot of their most recent notoriety has actually been with the help of WWE. The Bucks love poking the bear and were recently issued with a cease and desist by the big dogs in an attempt to stop them using the Too Sweet hand gesture.
Make no bones about it though, one way or another The Young Bucks will compete under the WWE banner. No one is too big for Vince McMahon and just imagine the pop when these guys walk out at Full Sail sometime in the not so distant future.
#4 Ricochet
Ricochet is one of the most talented Superstars on the planet right now, WWE or otherwise. He currently competes for New Japan Pro Wrestling and is also the masked performer known as Prince Puma on Lucha Underground.
Ricochet shot to worldwide fame when a match he had with British star Will Ospreay went viral in 2016. The two men put on a terrific showcase, unlike anything mainstream fans had ever seen before.
Ricochet may be a WWE Superstar sooner than you might think. The Lucha star is rumoured to be with the company by early 2018, although what role he will fill when he arrives is still unclear. He could feasibly join any of WWE's brands.
#3 Cody Rhodes
While The Young Bucks have been busy proving that pro wrestlers don't necessarily need WWE in order to make it in the business, Cody Rhodes has been actively showing people that they may actually be better off away from the industry's juggernaut.
Cody, sick of portraying mediocre gimmicks in WWE, left the company in 2016 and has taken the independent circuit by storm. Rhodes has ticked off almost everybody that was on his list of dream opponents and has even picked up the Ring Of Honor World Championship along the way.
You only have to look at Cody though to see that he's a WWE guy. He has proven to Vince McMahon and Triple H in a very novel way that he is better than they believed him to be. Now just imagine the impact he could have if he were to show up on NXT.
We won't be surprised to see the 6-time WWE Tag Team Champion return to the WWE at the end of 2018 itself, which would be 2 years after his departure.
Considering
#2 Will Ospreay
On to a man that has briefly featured on this list already, Will Ospreay. Much like Ricochet, this man shot to stardom after his match with the star also known as Prince Puma caught the eye of almost the entire wrestling world.
Considering WWE have staged a cruiserweight tournament and a weekend showcasing some of Britain's best wrestlers right now, it's a head-scratcher as to why he hasn't already featured for WWE.
Rest assured though one of these days WWE will get their man. Whether Ospreay joins up to be a part of their incoming UK show or is the latest addition to 205 Live, he will be a great asset to the company once he signs.
#1 Kenny Omega
Since NXT really started gaining some momentum WWE have very much been in the business of signing almost all of the world's finest wrestlers. One man they just can't seem to get their hands on is Kenny Omega.
It's not for want of trying either. According to the Canadian himself, he has actually been approached by WWE a number of times. Clearly, though something about those offers hasn't been quite right for The Cleaner as he continues to shun them.
Just like his friends The Young Bucks though, Omega in WWE really does feel like an inevitability. The fun part is the longer Kenny dismisses their offers, the more valuable he becomes to them. It's a smart move and when he eventually caves, it will be a huge moment, to say the least.
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