Has the WWE roster ever been this stacked, top to bottom, with title-level talent? The answer is a resounding no. There are plenty of superstars who could viably challenge for world championships as this year’s Elimination Chamber so emphatically showed.
Cast your eyes further down the pecking order and one will find a mid-card stuffed to the brim with future main eventers and decorated veterans. The women’s roster continues to go from strength to strength too.
Chelsea Green’s inaugural US title reign has already given the belt substantial prestige while Lyra Valkyria’s Intercontinental run is finally beginning to pick up steam with WrestleMania beckoning. The women’s world title matches – involving Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton, and most likely Rhea Ripley – indicate an incredibly healthy women’s division.
Sadly, as competition increases and the bar continues to be raised, there’s less room for success for many superstars. In recent years, WWE has opted for longer title reigns as well which makes this an even bigger problem for those seeking glory. It means maximizing minutes and making the most of those potentially viral moments.
Sometimes it also means trusting the creative process and taking the hits until the pendulum swings toward you. Just ask Drew McIntyre. Until then, here are five superstars who deserve their flowers – and just in time for WrestleMania too.
Chad Gable
The many iterations of American Alpha/American Made speak volumes of Chad Gable’s penchant for reinvention. Working well with talents as diverse as Jason Jordan, Bobby Roode, and Otis highlights Gable’s versatility while his much-maligned Shorty G gimmick also demonstrated Gable’s willingness to graft his way to the top.
While yet to be officially confirmed as Gable, the adoption of a new Luchador gimmick (complete with a new high-flying move set) is the latest example of his adaptability. A team player who has selflessly boosted the stock of Sami Zayn, Gunther, and the Wyatt Sicks, it’s about time that Gable got his first taste of singles gold in WWE.
Inserting him into the chaotic Intercontinental title storyline might just be the way to do it heading into WrestleMania.
Michin
As entertaining as Chelsea Green’s US title run has been, the current champion owes a lot of that success to Michin. The Chelsea Green/Michin rivalry continues to draw acclaim. Having played out for much of the second half of 2024, the rivalry still has a lot of life left as WrestleMania approaches.
Last year’s infamous dumpster match and the recent street fight have drawn upon both superstars’ proclivity toward the extreme. Another hardcore-influenced battle between these fierce rivals at WrestleMania could be the perfect opportunity to reward Michin.
It also provides the opportunity to end the rivalry on a high, completing Green and Michin’s hardcore trilogy on the biggest stage of them all.
Kevin Owens
It’s coming up to eight years since Kevin Owens last held singles gold – and even then that US title reign lasted just two days. Since then, it has been close call after close call, taking the likes of Cody Rhodes and Damian Priest to the wire on multiple occasions.
Forever flitting between heel and face, Owens continues to elevate those around him while remaining a must-watch talent in the ring. There are few superstars who can remotely match Owens’ title drought. There are even fewer who can match his back catalogue of acclaimed matches.
Jacob Fatu
The monster vs. monster feud between Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman looks likely to conclude at WrestleMania but it has been very beneficial for both stars. Fatu has scorched the earth since his arrival in WWE last year. However, breaking out from the Bloodline with a feud against Strowman has allowed Fatu to demonstrate his aggression in new, exciting ways.
Emerging victorious from the feud on WWE’s biggest stage could provide the perfect springboard for a title run in late 2025. It’s clear that Fatu is the star of Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline and there have already been hints at a future feud between the Samoan Werewolf and current US Champion LA Knight.
The Megastar has been crying out for a credible challenger on the mid-card for a while and Fatu is clearly the outstanding candidate. A feud here could be a real highlight for both stars in 2025.
Dominik Mysterio
If it’s being measured by boos alone, Dirty Dom can make a strong claim for being WWE’s preeminent heel. Mysterio has tasted singles gold in NXT but he is yet to find similar success on the main roster. However, his role in The Judgment Day and his memorable betrayals of his father Rey and Rhea Ripley have cemented his seriously strong heel status in WWE.
To really take Dirty Dom to the next level, WWE should consider putting some gold around his waist. As well as rewarding his impressive character work, a title run would provide the perfect opportunity to lean into his other major influence – Eddie Guerrero.
A revival of Latino Heat, complete with all the classic underhanded tactics, would provide an excellent base for Dom’s first big title run.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on WWE, WrestleMania 41, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).
