5 signs that Vince McMahon is finally pushing Buddy Murphy

Buddy Murphy, when introduced to 205 Live, was given the nickname of "WWE's best-kept secret". Indeed, that appeared to be the case as his NXT run wasn't particularly impressive. When looking back, he still achieved more than most on the yellow brand, having a reasonably long reign as NXT Tag Team Champion along with Wesley Blake.

However, a lot of things have changed since then and his time in NXT after his tag team run wasn't anything noteworthy. This was, of course, when NXT was still transitioning out of the "developmental brand" phase and nobody knew what his potential was until he joined the "main roster".

No one can be blamed, of course. After all, he didn't have the best look or ability in the ring and it was only when he appeared on 205 Live that a smaller part of the audience began to understand his potential.

After the second RAW of 2020, we believe that the WWE brass is finally giving the Australian the push he deserves. Here are five signs.

#5. He was always viewed as a big prospect even on SmackDown

Some may forget that it was only last year when Buddy Murphy got a clean victory over the WWE Champion at the time - Daniel Bryan. Surprisingly, he didn't get as much screen time on SmackDown as he should have.

Despite this, he was involved in some big spots, including great matches with Bryan, Roman Reigns, and Mustafa Ali. The match against Roman Reigns was an important one since he was the suspected attacker in the storyline that took place before and over the summer of 2019.

It was clear even then that Murphy is a big prospect for the company and those were part of the big steps he's taken.

#4. He's been rumored as a "Paul Heyman guy" for a while now

Paul Heyman taking over as the Executive Director of RAW in July last year has made a big difference to the quality of the show on Monday nights. His arrival marked a change in the direction and a bigger push for fresh faces rather than relying on part-timers.

There have been rumors from various sources such as the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and Sportskeeda's own Tom Colohue about a "list" of superstars that Paul Heyman has who he wants to push and feature heavily on RAW programming.

Some of those names include Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Aleister Black, Ricochet, Charlotte Flair, and Buddy Murphy. While there were a couple of other names as well, they have fallen off the radar after losing momentum.

These rumors have proven to be more than just that as it's these superstars who have benefited greatly from being on RAW. It's clear that the rumors have truth in them and Murphy will be benefiting in the long-run.

#3. He's gotten over in three consecutive defeats

Just like Buddy Murphy, many were surprised that Aleister Black couldn't get the screen-time that he deserved on SmackDown Live. He was still fresh on the brand and he had one rivalry that lasted a couple of weeks.

It was clear right off the bat that Black would benefit from a move to RAW and being a part of "Paul Heyman's list" of superstars has made him a regular feature on the show as well. He had a great trilogy of matches with Buddy Murphy, who was drafted to RAW in 2019 as well.

Despite losing all three contests to Aleister Black, Murphy has gotten over. Look at the third match of their trilogy, for instance. When you have the crowd chanting "This is awesome!" multiple times and giving two superstars a standing ovation - you know they're doing something right.

Murphy has had the rare ability to look good in defeat - which is something we saw when he had a match against Roman Reigns as well. He got over despite losing thrice to Black and he could be in a position to leapfrog him on the card.

#2. The addition to Seth Rollins' faction

After losing to Aleister Black, Murphy would sit ringside distraught - refusing an interview from Charly Caruso. He sat until the end - where there was a Fist Fight match between Seth Rollins & AoP against Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, and Big Show.

Rollins asked him for help and the Australian obliged, hitting Big Show with a low blow and helping Rollins and AoP to win the match. After that, Rollins embraced him and it was official - Murphy joined the trio - making them a faction.

The best way to give a superstar guaranteed screen-time is by pairing them up with the biggest full-time star on the brand - and that's exactly what Seth Rollins is.

Joining his faction is perhaps the biggest push that Murphy could get and this should ideally turn into a long-term story - one that has an endgame of benefiting Murphy.

It's the perfect catalyst for him to become a main event star and if WWE plays their cards right - they'll have a new top superstar in a year or so.

#1. He's improved faster than most of the roster

This goes back to what we said in the beginning - when he was at NXT, it was hard to judge his ceiling. He didn't look as good as he does now and he didn't wrestle as good either. The fruits of his labor are seemingly paying off for him now and since his arrival at 205 Live, he has become one of the best in-ring performers in the company.

He has an edge to his character as well that prevents him from being a stale superstar like many babyfaces are currently suffering from. Being a great in-ring performer isn't enough to make it in the big time and Buddy Murphy has proven in the last few years that he's one of the most rapidly-improving superstars in the company.

It's only now that people are beginning to realize that and given the spot that he's being thrust into - WWE seems to recognize that as well. It's going to be a huge few years for Buddy Murphy and we're hopeful that he gets the push he deserves.

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