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2019 is now drawing to a close and it will be seen as a watershed year for Sports Entertainment and professional wrestling.
From new promotions rising, such as AEW, to formerly great promotions fading, such as Ring of Honor, this year has been a tumultuous one that has seen many major shake ups in terms of roster, product, and media attention for the WWE.
But a changing pro wrestling landscape isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not for the fans, who will be treated to some of the best performances ever. And certainly not the WWE, with is massive footprint in pop culture.
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Add to the list the Superstars themselves. It takes something special to not only deal with change, but to thrive in the new environment.
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Here are ten WWE Superstars who could have a fantastic year in 2020 and are worth watching. They run the gamut from new champions to breakout stars to wily veterans to one certain member of royalty whom no one seems to like.
#10 Rhea Ripley
In the world of pro wrestling, there are stars. There are Superstars. And then there are those athletes who just bring something special to the table, so much so that you just know they're going to be future legends.
Rhea Ripley is one such individual who seems poised to reach the next level in sports entertainment. Ripley has power, technical acumen, precision, and toughness to go with her next level charisma.
Rhea Ripley looks like she was born to be in a wrestling ring, and her unique look stands out among the cookie cutter blondes that litter the women's wrestling landscape.
#9 Rusev
Rusev is a man who has already endured many deaths in the WWE, metaphorically speaking.
When he first debuted, the powerful and robust Bulgarian was cast in the role of an evil Russian. Shifting global politics and a more sophisticated fan base meant that his evil Russian character largely fell flat. Fans could plainly see that Rusev had power, stamina, and talent, but he wasn't be used properly.
WWE tried several different times and ways to get Rusev over as an evil foreign heel, but it was by his own hand that he gained social media fame and notoriety. Rusev's cheerful, boisterous "Rusev Day" proclamations proved to be infectious, making him a fan favorite.
Even though fans might be displeased with some of his angles, they still support Rusev. 2020 might be the year he finally enters the big belt title picture.
#8 Lio Rush
Professional Wrestling, or sports entertainment if you prefer, is not an easy industry to be in, especially if you're an in ring performer.
Not only is the road schedule brutal and demanding, but it can be difficult to get along with your peers, particularly if you're young and inexperienced.
Lio Rush is one performer who has undergone a lot of upheaval in his short WWE tenure. The former indie scene and Ring of Honor standout raised a lot of eyebrows when he was signed by WWE. But shortly into his tenure, Rush fired off an ill advised tweet concerning the former Emma (Tenille Dashwood) leaving the WWE.
Rush was lambasted for his lack of sensitivity and professionalism, by everyone from the fans to his fellow Superstars.
He disappeared from WWE television for a while, but then popped up in a managerial role. Then, when the Cruiserweights switched from 205 Live to NXT, he was brought in and now reigns as champion.
Rush has paid for his sins and now looks primed to become not just the Man of the Hour, but the Man of the Year 2020.
#7 AJ Styles
What, you may ask, is an aging veteran performer such as AJ Styles doing on a list of WWE Superstars who look to dominate 2020?
Whatever he damn well pleases! AJ has proven himself time and time again to be one of the most versatile, amazing, athletic, and reliable pro wrestlers in the industry. From day one he's been shoved on television because he has that intangible 'it' factor that makes people want to tune in to him.
AJ Styles has the rare distinction of having wrestled for WCW, TNA/Impact, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and the WWE. He's held the 'big belt' in all but one of those promotions, and we're betting if WCW hadn't been bought out he'd have wound up being their top title holder as well.
Styles is looking to put the exclamation point on his career, and has announced he will retire once his WWE tenure is finished. Look for him to make 2020 truly...phenomenal.
#6 Angel Garza
Angel Garza, the flashy, smiling Latino heartthrob on WWE NXT, bears little resemblance to his first character in sports entertainment.
While wrestling in Mexico, he was known as El Hijo del Ninja--that's son of the Ninja to those who don't speak Espanol. His grandfather was the original El Hijo, and his uncle Hector Garza was a major figure in Lucha Libre and also wrestled for WCW before its demise.
But when he came to WWE, he did so sans the mask which made him famous. Garza is a rarity, a wily veteran who also happens to have youth on his side. Garza was born into the wrestling business, and it shows in his presence and acumen.
Angel even proposed to his girlfriend in a WWE ring, so you know he's the type who's willing to commit. Garza's 2020 could see him ruling the Cruiserweight division with an easy smile and an iron fist.
#5 Big E
The former powerlifter and college football standout had a rare opportunity in sports entertainment; he began his career with the WWE.
Big E was signed to the then-developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling. The former power lifter distinguished himself not only with his strength, but his ability to bump and work matches with technical Superstars.
Big E would eventually transition to NXT when that became WWE's developmental roster. He captured the NXT championship from no less than Seth Rollins and enjoyed several successful title defenses until he moved up to the main roster.
Once on the main roster, Big E floundered until he became involved in the New Day stable. After fans got a glimpse of Big E's boisterous personality, his popularity soared to new heights.
Among Big E's fans are AEW star Kenny Omega, who once said that the power lifter could be a world champion someday.
Will 2020 be the year that Big E steps out of Kofi Kingston's shadow? Only time will tell.
#4 The Bruiserweight Pete Dunne
The stereotype that light-heavyweight wrestlers are just flippy spot monkeys without grit or toughness is rendered invalid by the mere existence of Pete Dunne.
Born Peter Thomas England, Dunne is one of the youngest wrestlers to ever lace up a pair of boots. He lied about his age, claiming to be sixteen--when he was only twelve!
Dunne wrestled his first match at the age of 13 in 2007, and he hit the ground running. Working as both a wrestler and part time promoter, he carved out an excellent reputation on the British pro wrestling scene, and WWE NXT eagerly snapped up his contract.
Dunne is one of the most influential wrestlers working today, and all at just twenty six years old. Now that he's on the 'main' NXT roster rather than NXT UK, look for him to have a very bright 2020.
#3 King Baron Corbin
I know, I know. You clicked on the link to the next slide, still feeling all warm and happy after seeing Pete Dunne's highly skilled personage on our list.
Then, you saw this guy pop up on your screen. Call him Baron, call him King, just don't call him absent from WWE programming. Despite a near universal hatred of Baron Corbin--most industry pundits and fans agree that it's X Pac hate rather than heel heat--you had better get used to seeing him prominently featured on WWE television.
Why, oh why, you may ask? Because Vince McMahon believes in Baron Corbin, that's why. And so long as he's the boss, Corbin will be heavily promoted as a major star. While some of McMahon's faith in Corbin is not necessarily misplaced--the erstwhile King of the Ring rarely injures his opponents for real--it does seem like the CEO of WWE might be out of touch on this matter.
Baron Corbin could have, in his perception, a stellar year, including a reign as either Smackdown or Raw's big belt champion.
#2 Brock Lesnar, the Beast Incarnate
A figure almost as controversial as Baron Corbin, Brock Lesnar seems to polarize the pro wrestling fan base more than any other WWE Superstar right now and its quite understandable.
Many fans appreciate both his contributions to sports entertainment and his reign as UFC Heavyweight Champion, and the fact that he legitimizes the WWE by his mere presence. However, there are just as many fans who don't like Lesnar because of his protected status and part time schedule.
Brock Lesnar is considered by the WWE to be an attraction--in the parlance of the industry, this means he can draw viewers who don't normally watch pro wrestling because of his mainstream media appeal. Because of this, and his protected booking, expect for the current WWE Champion to have a dominant and successful 2020. Love him or hate him, you have to confess it's hard to stop talking about Brock Lesnar.
#1 Keith Lee
Like his theme music suggests, 2020 might be the time to bask in the glory of Keith Lee.
Long an indie scene darling, Keith Lee is one of the most dichotomous athletes to ever step foot in the ring. At six foot three and over three hundred pounds, you might guess that Keith Lee has an excellent power wrestling game--and you'd be right.
But what you might not guess based upon first appearances is that Keith Lee is one of the fastest, most agile, and technically sound pro wrestlers of any weight class. He can brawl, he can use power moves, he can strike, and if he wants to he can spring off the turnbuckle like a man one third his size.
His star making performance at the Royal Rumble put his name on everyone's lips. Look for Keith Lee to truly break out in 2020, and don't forget to bask in his glory!
There you have it: 10 WWE Superstars to watch in 2020. Who do YOU think will rule the WWE in 2020? Please comment and let us know, and as always thanks for reading!
