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2018 has been a rollercoaster of a year for WWE. Over the past ten months, several stars have re-imagined themselves, to help turn their careers around.
Look at Becky Lynch for instance. At the start of this year, she was one of several happy, smiley babyfaces in the WWE's women's division, and despite being touted by many as the best woman on the roster, she was far removed from the SmackDown Live Women's Championship.
Since turning heel at Summerslam, Lynch has become one of the focus points on the Blue brand, capturing the women's championship at Hell In a Cell, defeating former friend Charlotte Flair.
However, not every star has had the success that the Lass Kicker has had this year. Some superstars, who once were major stars, have seen themselves fall further and further down the totem pole in 2018.
Here are 5 superstars who need to shine in 2019.
Chad Gable
One of the most technically gifted wrestlers in WWE, Chad Gable has had major success as a tag team star.
Winning the SmackDown Live and NXT Tag Titles with Jason Jordan, the former Olympian has continued his tag team mentality on RAW with new partner Bobby Roode.
However, whilst Gable is a continuous sight on RAW, his matches are often forgettable, and his team with Roode have not made any motions towards the RAW Tag Team Championship.
In 2019, it could be more interesting to see Gable go it alone as a singles star, maybe capturing the Intercontinental or the United States Championship along the way.
Gable could quickly establish himself as a solid, dependable mid-carder in 2019, and whilst his success as a tag team Superstar is admirable, it has definitely set a glass ceiling for the Superstar who in 2019, should be Ready, Willing, and Gable.
Jinder Mahal
When Jinder Mahal won the WWE Championship at Backlash 2017, many fans were absolutely shocked by the decision.
Whilst some saw the decision as a terrible choice, some saw it as a truly shocking moment, and the establishment of a new star.
But after losing the championship in November 2017, Mahal very quickly lost all momentum, though did regain the United States title for a few days in 2018.
Mahal has not been helped by being drafted to RAW, where the much larger roster has left to Mahal seemingly being overlooked, despite being featured prominently on the show.
Now with a peaceful gimmick, Mahal needs to shine more in 2019, possibly trying to enter the Universal title picture against former nemesis Roman Reigns.
If not, the Modern Day Maharaja may see himself be released from the company, for the second and presumably final time.
Nia Jax
It's incredible to see the journey that Nia Jax has had in 2018. At the start of the year, she was still Alexa Bliss' henchwoman, doing the dirty work for the Petite Powerhouse.
By WrestleMania, the two had split, with Nia capturing the RAW Women's Championship, in a body positive movement by the company.
Yet, mere weeks after her big face victory, Nia once again went to the dark side, showing random heel tendencies in her feud with 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey, though no real reason was established.
After losing the title, Nia has been off TV resting an injury, with no real answers being given to whether the Australian-born star is a heel or a face.
A shock return next year would be a great way for Jax to re-establish herself, whether that be as a body positive role model or the evil destroyer of opponents. Either way, the company needs to pick a side and stick to it.
Zack Ryder
Despite being one of the WWE's self-made stars, the career of Zack Ryder has been a difficult one, to say the least.
After getting himself over thanks to his Z: True Long Island Story series, Ryder entered a brief time as United States Champion, but lost the title months later.
After falling (again) into obscurity, Ryder won the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 32, but lost the title one day later, falling into obscurity, once again.
Now in 2018, Ryder is rarely seen on WWE TV, though his new behind the scenes video with Curt Hawkins was released recently, as the pair share their love of old toys is proving popular with fans.
Next year, the Woo Woo Wonder needs to shine, and regain some championship gold of any kind, whether it be mid-card, Tag Team, or even back in NXT.
Finn Balor
Arguably the biggest star in NXT history, Finn Balor made his debut on the WWE main roster in the 2016 Brand Extension, becoming the first NXT Superstar signed to Monday Night RAW.
Continuing his success as the longest reigning NXT Champion in the developmental brand's history, Balor became the inaugural Universal Champion but surrendered the title a day later due to injury.
Since returning from injury, Balor has remained a mid-carder at best on the red brand, having feuds with the likes of Bray Wyatt and the Constable, Baron Corbin.
Though the Irishman has impressed in these bouts, something needs to change in 2019, to allow one of the company's most popular stars to regain his spot as the top dog.
Perhaps a move to SmackDown Live would be suitable for Balor, as the brand has seen fellow stars from Japan thrive, including Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles.
