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The WWE is well and truly on the Road to WrestleMania 35 in New York, and with all the bouts that have already been set up or rumored for the show, fans are understandably excited, as we will likely see new champions and some incredible bouts.
Unfortunately, WWE do this every year, and following WrestleMania and the string of NXT promotions, the RAW and SmackDown Live brands struggle to book entertaining content until they have to build SummerSlam and then Survivor Series, but in 2019, we are remaining optimistic that that might change.
The talent within the WWE is at an all-time high, and with the competition that is seemingly looming with the ever-improving NJPW and All Elite Wrestling, the WWE creative team is going to have to step up, and if they can, we may be moving into another golden age in professional wrestling.
With so many stars walking away from the company or becoming part-time, the WWE certainly have some voids at the top of their two shows, so building legitimate future stars and main event talents should be their focus in 2019, and there are plenty of candidates out there.
Winning a top Championship may not mean what it used to in wrestling because of the inconsistent and downright nonsensical booking from the WWE at some points, but it's still a big deal. We think that these stars have what it takes to win their first in the coming calendar year:
#1 Andrade
After leaving his career in Mexico where he was known as 'La Sombra', there was plenty of hype around Andrade 'Cien' Almas, and after a rocky start, he is now looking like a big part of WWE's future. Since debuting on SmackDown Live, the WWE haven't done too much with him, but he has had a series of incredible bouts with Rey Mysterio that have made him one of the companies hottest properties.
With Zelina Vega by his side, Andrade has the potential to be a WWE Champion, having the in-ring work, the charisma and the character that it takes to be a top star. There are plenty of people ahead of him in the line on SmackDown (Joe, Bryan, Styles, Orton), but if he keeps putting on fantastic performances like his bouts with Rey Mysterio, it's only a matter of time until the WWE strap the rocket to him and push him to the moon.
#2 Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman has been one of RAW's top stars ever since the recent brand split in 2016, but for some reason, the company has been hesitant in going all in on him becoming 'the' star, but in 2019, that has to change.
His booking has been quite strange as of late, and there are rumours that he is lazy backstage and that has drawn some heat in his direction. Despite that, Braun has a lot of popularity with the WWE Universe, and his great gimmick will always allow him to be over with the crowd, so don't expect that to hurt him too much.
In terms of monsters, Strowman is the best athlete that the WWE has ever seen, and he has a great connection with the WWE Universe, and if they can turn him back into the monster heel that he once was, things could again be looking up.
Rollins, Balor, McIntyre and others all are likely going to feature in the main event on RAW in 2019, but if booked properly, there may no longer be a way to keep the Monster Among Men away from the top title.
#3 Samoa Joe
Ever since debuting right before WrestleMania 33, Samoa Joe has been one of the best workers on the entire main roster, and his promo work is arguably the best of anyone in the company. It's about time he is rewarded for this consistency.
Joe combines amazing work with fantastic character work outside of the ring, and with Daniel Bryan on top on Smackdown Live, it's only a matter of time until Joe finally gets that big push.
Many have been disappointed with the way Joe has been booked on Smackdown, as he's constantly been in the title picture, while never winning the big one. Due to the dominant character he plays, this needs to change, and it looks like they're beginning to build him again.
The WWE struggles to book people in a believable manner with consistency, and that worries us with Joe, but the cream always rises to the top, and that's what will happen with Joe in 2019.
#4 Mustafa Ali
A year ago, Mustafa Ali was on the losing end of the pre-show bout at WrestleMania to determine the new Cruiserweight Champion, and at Elimination Chamber, he'll be wrestling for the WWE title inside the Chamber, and that's an amazing turnaround.
It may be easy for us to look back and say that Ali has done a great job in making it to the main roster, and that's true, but he's got so much further to go. Since Daniel Bryan, the WWE have struggled to book a true underdog, but Ali's work is so great that the fans can't help but cheer for him, making him arguably the best face in WWE right now.
His promo work, particularly on social media has been impeccable, and when you see him in the ring, you can't help but root for him, and that's a rare quality in the WWE these days. Ali has been calling himself the Heart and Soul for a while now, and that's never been truer. With several heels at the top of the pack on Smackdown, we may see him rise to the top in 2019, and if not, it will happen at WrestleMania 36 at the latest.
#5 Ember Moon
A lot is made of how great NXT is, and it is amazing, but for some reason, the performers coming from NXT have struggled on the main roster, and Ember Moon is no different, but if the WWE do indeed get behind her, she could be one of the companies top female stars.
Moon is arguably the most athletic female that has ever featured on RAW or Smackdown Live, and if the company can give her a storyline to sink her teeth into, her true potential will be unlocked.
Sure, she has just gone down with an elbow injury that will see her miss a few months, but the WWE Universe is crying out for someone in the main event that isn't Charlotte, so when Moon returns, she will be a prime candidate.
It won't be a quick story to tell to get her to the top, but with time and patience, the WWE should be able to build Moon up into a top star. There have also been rumours swirling that Ronda Rousey could be leaving the WWE for a period of time and if that's the case, Ember is a great candidate to take that spot.
