AEW and WWE Stars on the Verge of Breaking Out Despite Weak Storylines

As WWE and All Elite Wrestling move into crucial parts of the year—both Revolution and WrestleMania 39 take place within a month—there are several performers in each company looking for their breakout moment.

Whether it is proven commodities, fresh faces or budding stars, names such as Ronda Rousey, Kris Statlander and Montez Ford are ready to shine despite a lack of proper storytelling around their characters.

Here are the names to look out for as potential breakout wrestlers in the second half of 2023.

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Ronda Rousey

There are few performers in the industry with the mainstream clout of Rousey.

With a willingness to learn the trade and respect for the history of the business, the former UFC champion has been unjustifiably maligned.

Regardless of what happens at WrestleMania, Rousey's booking heading into the second half of 2023 needs to be better.

Triple H and WWE Creative will shoehorn the 36-year-old into the marquee pay-per-view on April 1-2, but the fact that there isn't a major storyline surrounding the bona fide box-office draw shows how clueless some people in charge have been.

The company needs to realize how special of a performer they have on their hands and turn her into the vicious mixed martial artist that made her a star in UFC.

The crowds have turned on The Baddest Woman on the Planet because of poor character development and even worse storytelling, but she could be redeemed with a kickass attitude and a take-no-prisoners approach.

After WrestleMania, Rousey should run roughshod over both women's divisions, picking her shots, taking what's hers and leaving the scraps for the rest.

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Kris Statlander

At just 27 years old, Statlander is one of the brightest young stars in the AEW women's division.

Once she returns from a knee injury and escapes the comedic actions of the Best Friends stable, she should be the one to dethrone Jade Cargill and take away her undefeated streak.

From an in-ring perspective, Statlander has everything wanted in a top star in any division. She has the strength, the wrestling prowess and the personality to be a larger-than-life star, and beating someone the magnitude of the AEW TBS champion would cement her spot at the top of the card.

Not only would Statlander help Cargill put on the best match of her short career, but the new champion would also relieve the undefeated star of her streak and her TNT belt, allowing the 30-year-old to turn her attention to the world title.

After missing time with a significant injury and with the crowd firmly behind her return, Statlander can become one of the most popular babyfaces in the entire AEW women's division, which is something it desperately needs right now.

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Montez Ford

What is there to say about Ford that he wouldn't say himself? He is one of the best in-ring workers in WWE and has an incredible personality that translates to his promos, making him one of the brightest young stars in the business.

During his unheralded performance at Elimination Chamber, the 32-year-old took it upon himself to create moments in a secondary championship match that most fans will never forget.

Once WrestleMania is over, and the part-time Superstars go home, the tag team specialist should be given the ball to run with as a singles star.

The Street Profits have a built-in storyline that would instantly catapult Ford into the company's upper echelon. With Angelo Dawkins being cast aside, he should become jealous and attack his former friend, allowing Ford to showcase his skills and range of emotions in a compelling program.

If the plan is to move Gunther to the world title scene eventually, the perfect person to take on the responsibility of the Intercontinental Championship would be Ford.

Add in the fact that his wife, Bianca Belair, and he could take the belts on their media tours, and there are few better representatives of WWE.

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