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The WWE card always gets some shuffling after 'Mania. Who will rise to new heights after the biggest show of the year?
Wrestlemania season is in full swing, and the sports entertainment world is buzzing about the title picture for Raw and Smackdown.
Speculation about who will walk away from the biggest wrestling event of the year abounds, but Wrestlemania is more transformative for the mid and lower card than it is for the long-established stars who make up the main events.
Who will rise up on the card, and join the ranks of Roman Reigns and AJ Styles as top-tier WWE talent? We forecast who could be getting that big push to the top with this fun slideshow.
10. Finn Balor
Former Universal champion Balor has seen a lot of ups and downs in his career of late. WWE management hasn't been certain where to put him on the card, or even if they want him to be a heel or a face.
As Prince Dewitt, Balor was a cocky, violent heel who the fans hated. As the Demon in NXT, he was beloved and cheered endlessly. WWE could do a lot worse than to push the young-yet-experienced Balor to the upper card.
His ability to have a great match with almost anyone and fantastic physical condition are definite pluses in his favour. If he remains the unpainted Balor, expect him to go full heel. If the Demon King returns, it will likely be for a face run. In either case, he could be set up as the new face of RAW after Wrestlemania.
9. Braun Strowman
Braun has been bumping his head on the glass ceiling in WWE of late, but that could change after 'Mania.
Unquestionably the king of the mid-card, Braun has been pushed into the tag title picture, a move which gives him something to do at Wrestlemania but does little to increase his stock with the company. After the big event, Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar will need a new challenger for the Universal title. That person could be Braun.
8. Jason Jordan
From his clean-cut good looks to his amateur wrestling pedigree, everything about Jason Jordan screams future world champion.
Jordan has been involved in a major storyline with Raw GM Kurt Angle where the Olympic medalist is his kayfabe father. This has led to something of a heel turn for Jordan as he is given favoured treatment by his 'dad.'
This is a common move by the WWE, who go to great lengths to make fans boo those they want to push as heels. Everyone hates that guy who gets all the breaks while putting in the minimum of work, and that's what Jordan has been portraying with aplomb.
After 'Mania, Jordan could become the top heel on RAW or Smackdown if he gets drafted during the lottery.
7. Dolph Ziggler
Recently, Ziggler signed a contract extension with the WWE, and is now one of their highest-paid talents.
The newly-minted millionaire was returned to the midcard mix up when he was put into the US title picture, but after 'Mania look for WWE to get a return on their investment. If you're paying someone millions of dollars a year to perform, then you expect to get at least twice what you put into them back.
Pushing Ziggler to the top of the card makes business sense, and he could be the new top heel on Smackdown if things fall into place just right.
6. Ronda Rousey
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey still has yet to wrestle a match but is almost certain to get a push to the top of the women's card after 'Mania.
Most telling of all is that Asuka will move to the Smackdown roster and challenge Charlotte for the championship at Wrestlemania. With the top dog in the women's division on Raw out of her way, there's nothing stopping Ronda from being the new irresistible force.
5. The Velveteen Dream
The Velveteen Dream is so brimming with charisma, he carried a feud with a man who never said a word to him!
Much like Chris Jericho in WCW, anyone who opposes the arrogant, talented Dream will be an instant babyface. Once the smoke from 'Mania settles, don't be surprised if Velveteen Dream is either in the NXT title picture or called up to the main roster on Raw or Smackdown for a serious push.
4. Killian Dain
Pro wrestling's answer to King Kong, Dain is another NXT star who the WWE management are very, very high on.
From his breakout performance at NXT Wargames to his fantastic screen presence, Dain is a throwback to a time when big men ruled the ring. Once Wrestlemania 34 is in the past, expect Dain to either be in the main event on NXT or be pushed onto Raw or Smackdown.
3. Bobby Roode
Take new generation technical acumen, merge it with old-school grit, and add a dash of Flair-level charisma and you have Bobby Roode.
The Glorious One has been mired in the midcard, challenging for and holding the US title on Smackdown, but that is a waste of a man of his calibre. After the smoke from Wrestlemania clears, Roode may be the man to challenge either Nakamura or Styles for the title.
2. Tye Dillinger
Perfect Ten Tye Dillinger has legions of fans online. In fact ,his internet wrestling community fanbase is so large they successfully campaigned to have him enter the Royal Rumble last year at number ten.
While Vince McMahon may not be convinced that Dillinger is main event material, the rest of WWE management and the fans disagree. Tye Dillinger hasn't accomplished anything of note since debuting on the main roster, but that could quickly change after Wrestlemania.
1. Rusev
Rusev can thank reality television as well as the IWC for giving his career new life.
After his monster Russian Heel push ended, Rusev sort of twisted in the wind for a time. Even feuds with John Cena couldn't get the big man from Bulgaria over as either heel or face.
That all changed when his wife, Lana, became involved in the Total Divas program on E. Rusev's cheerful nature and sunny sense of humour finally did what years of squash matches couldn't; It got him over.
Now with his "Rusev Day" themed social media posts and interviews, and the backing of millions of fans, Rusev has proven that he has that 'it factor' that endears performers to the fan base. After Wrestlemania, Rusev could become the king of the mountain.
There you have it; Ten superstars who might be the breakout wrestler of the WWE after Wrestlemania 34. Please comment and let us know who you think will be the next big star.
