Why WWE is Actually Doing a Good Job Building the Stars of Tomorrow
For all the problems plaguing WWE's product creatively at the moment, one thing they've undoubtedly done right is building the talent of tomorrow.
NXT and the company's state-of-the-art developmental system on the whole were created to ensure a stable influx of new blood on the main roster. Not every call-up has panned out, but a vast majority of the current SmackDown and Raw rosters coming from NXT is a testament to its success.
WWE's current creative direction is certainly questionable, but the stacked roster is far from the issue. Even with an alarming amount of injuries in recent months, the wrestlers themselves have made the most of every opportunity they're presented.
Plenty of promising prospects are being showcased heading into WrestleMania 42, where they will hopefully continue to climb the card and emerge bigger stars.
WWE's future is in good hands with the following fresh faces leading the charge.
Bron Breakker Should Be a World Champion Imminently
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It was clear from the moment he debuted on NXT five years ago that Bron Breakker was a future franchise player for WWE.
It didn't take long for him to find his footing there, quickly capturing the NXT Championship twice and dominating the brand through early 2024.
His last two years on the main roster have seen him rise through the ranks at a rapid pace and seize a spot toward the top of the card.
Truthfully, he should have been a world champion sooner after betraying mentor Seth Rollins in October, but WWE decided to hold off and now he's injured.
It would be booking malpractice for Breakker not to be holding gold before 2026 comes to a close.
Trick Williams Has Excelled on SmackDown
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You would be hard-pressed to find a more perfect fit for WWE's main roster right now than Williams, who debuted on SmackDown in grand fashion at the onset of 2026 and hasn't looked back.
The 31-year-old has a certain charisma and charm about him that allows his average in-ring ability to be seamlessly masked by his silver tongue on the mic. He's shown he can hold his own against everyone from Sami Zayn and Randy Orton to Damian Priest and Cody Rhodes.
WWE could have easily slotted him into the midcard upon his arrival but instead opted to aggressively push him to the top. He won't be a world champion as quickly as some of his peers, but the United States Championship would be a welcome addition to his already-impressive collection of drip.
Jacob Fatu Is on the Verge of Headlining WrestleMania
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Fatu being factored into The Bloodline straight out of the gate in mid-2024 positioned him as someone fans should see as a world champion-caliber competitor. His strong booking led to him becoming a fan favorite and breaking away from his family to carve his own path to super stardom.
His momentum was unfortunately stalled when he was sidelined with a storyline injury late last year, but he's managed to pick up right where he left off in the main-event mix on SmackDown. All signs point to him being involved in the Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42.
There's no telling if he'll walk out of the event as champ, but it is a significant step forward for him to be potentially closing out Night 1 of 'Mania. If not there, he's guaranteed to win a world title sometime in the not-too-distant future.
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Je'Von Evans Has a Bright Future Ahead of Him
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Evans signed with WWE at 19 years of age and has been an absolute marvel to watch work on any brand he's appeared on.
He's challenged for countless championships and has yet to win a single one, but that's bound to change now he's officially joined Raw.
WWE has done a nice job of spotlighting his skills since the start of the year. Being the awe-inspiring aerial artist that he is, Evans is the ultimate "viral moment" wrestler as well as genuinely likable.
At only 21, he has his entire career ahead of him, but that isn't to say WWE should take its time with him. If he is ready to move into main events (as seen at Elimination Chamber), the company has to strike while the iron is hot.
Evans is an outstanding underdog who can inject new life into the product at a time when it's desperately needed.
Oba Femi Is Already Over with the Masses
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Femi could be headlining premium live events tomorrow and he wouldn't look out of place. It won't take much effort to make him more of a star than he already is.
Saving his main roster debut for the Royal Rumble sent the message that he'd be a big deal. The only upside to him being eliminated by Brock Lesnar is that he could avenge that by decisively defeating The Beast Incarnate one-on-one, ideally at WrestleMania 42.
Either way, Raw and SmackDown scouting and seeking his services is an encouraging sign for how he'll be handled going forward.
Femi's raw intensity and unmistakable aura make him a bright spot on the shows each week and have set him up for considerable success.
The Women's Division Will Carry the Company for Years to Come
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Names to watch: Rhea Ripley (29), Stephanie Vaquer (32), Jade Cargill (33), Roxanne Perez (24), Lyra Valkyria (29), Tiffany Stratton (26), Jordynne Grace (29), Giulia (32)
It's almost an embarrassment of riches within WWE's women's division at the moment. Raw and SmackDown were already stockpiled with star power on the female side and the recent call-ups from NXT only added to it.
Ripley has been around for five years on the main roster, and even with everything she's already accomplished, she will continue to be a cornerstone of the company for at least the next decade. She's simply that popular and that talented.
Perez, Vaquer, Giulia and Grace are all newcomers to the main roster but have done exceptionally well so far. If they can be supported by the booking and can further flesh out their characters, they'll be what the Four Horsewomen were to the women's division a decade ago.
Stratton has cemented her status as a star and has proven she can flourish as both a babyface and a heel. Meanwhile, Cargill is gradually putting the pieces together and is coming into her own as the unstoppable force WWE wants her to be.
In many ways, the women outshine the men on a near-weekly basis on Raw and SmackDown, and with many more still waiting in the wings in NXT, it's safe to say WWE's future is female.
Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.
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