10 WWE superstars whose 2018 second halves will be better than their first

At the halfway point of 2018, we already have a slew of performers who have notched their names into the "best superstar of the year" conversation. Other superstars, however, had a quieter first half, but there's every reason to expect that they'll have a scorching second half, punching their tickets to join their peers on the "superstar of the year" lists that will be populated in December.

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Some Superstars on this list have been injured. Others have been patiently biding their time. A couple haven't even debuted yet, but their arrivals are sure to shake things up in a major way!

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#1 Alexa Bliss

Yes, like many of you, I'm sick of Alexa Bliss too. Her championship reigns have heavily damaged the momentum of WWE's so-called "women's revolution." Like many of you, I rolled my eyes when I saw her win and cash in the contract, only two months after dropping the title. The prospect of continuing the Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax feud, which has left a lot to be desired, to say the least, is more than unwelcome.

But then it became pretty obvious where this thing was headed. Color me intrigued.

Alexa Bliss is going to be involved in the best rivalry of her career because for once, she's going to be used properly. She'll serve as a perfect foil for Ronda Rousey, who will be the badass babyface that she thus far hasn't met and will have no answer for.

This feud should be a great one unless booking messes it up, which, to be fair, is always a real possibility.

Nevertheless, it's safe to say that Alexa Bliss is going to be much, much more entertaining opposite Ronda Rousey than she was opposite Nia Jax. 2018's second half will be kinder to her than its first.

#2 Braun Strowman

2017's breakout star has meandered through most of the first half of 2018, but he won the biggest victory of his career last Sunday. As the new Mr. Money (or Monster) in the Bank, a Universal Championship reign is all but guaranteed, and it could come very soon.

The prevailing theory is that Roman Reigns is set to clash with Brock Lesnar one more time at SummerSlam. Obviously, the Brooklyn crowd won't take too kindly to that match, so Braun Strowman might be waiting in the wings as a safety valve. Fans suspect he'll cash in after Roman beats Brock and become Universal Champion then and there to send the crowd home happy.

It might not happen that way. We'll have to wait and see, but a reign is coming soon.

It's worth noting that Braun Strowman's feud with Roman Reigns last year was 2017's best. Renewing it in the back half of 2018 won't exactly be a bad idea for a Raw brand that's been without a champion for so long.

Drew McIntyre is also rising through the ranks and a rivalry between him and Strowman has already been teased, to an electric response.

#3 Dean Ambrose

It was at this time last year that Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins began their reunion story. Well received, it led to some great wrestling, but we, unfortunately, weren't able to see the conclusion because of an injury. That conclusion was rumored as a WrestleMania match and an Ambrose heel turn.

Since then, Seth Rollins has had a stellar year. It's the perfect foundation for a jealousy angle between them. While he's no longer the Intercontinental Champion, the title arguably isn't needed for a feud between them, even if it would be helpful.

While there's no guarantee that it will go down this way or that Ambrose will have a great second half of 2018, his return from injury will surely give him a better time than he's had so far.

#4 lo Shirai

The best female wrestler on the planet is almost here. Expect her signing to be officially announced when WWE returns to Japan this week.

Coinciding with her arrival will be the second Mae Young Classic, tickets for which are on sale now. She was slated to win the tournament last year before injury intervened, and even if she doesn't win it this year, she'll certainly be the star of the show. WWE is reportedly bringing in Meiko Satomura for the tournament so they can eventually make Io look as good as possible (a wise decision, considering they're dynamite in the ring together).

Io is set to take the NXT women's division by storm in the second half of 2018 and I can't wait to see it!

#5 Jason Jordan

Seth Rollins' tag team partners have bad luck.

Like Dean Ambrose, Jason Jordan was injured in the middle of a hot angle. At the start of 2018, he was the most hated man in the company this side of Roman Reigns, but he was being booked like the babyface that just didn't realize he was supposed to be a heel.

Watching the slow turn was a rare bit of ingenious booking on the main roster. Injury intervened.

Seth Rollins went on to have a great first half as soon as Jason Jordan was out of the picture. Far more than Ambrose, Jason Jordan was already on the way to turning against his partner.

Jason Jordan's return is reportedly set for July, and while it's still up in the air what they'll do with him and how hot he'll be when he gets back, a blood feud with Seth Rollins is a distinct possibility.

6 Kairi Sane

Kairi Sane has been patiently biding her time in the NXT women's division, but her moment is arriving soon. As most expected, she'll be challenging Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver: Brooklyn. It's probable that she wins the title there, and that probability was before the news came about the arrival of Io Shirai.

Kairi was likely to have a good run with the title before, but with the Mae Young Classic coming, and with it, Io Shirai, her reign should prove to be even more memorable. Sane and Shirai have a long history together which resembles the love/hate relationship of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

With the story of Io Shirai being devastated that Kairi Sane got the call to WWE last year but she ultimately didn't, there's abundant material to work with to spin what should be the best NXT Women's Championship feud since Sasha Banks and Bayley, and which will be certain to make the division and its champion must-see.

#7 Keith Lee

Keith Lee is here! Bask in his glory!

Keith Lee is one of the most unique superstars in the industry. A monster at over 300 pounds, he can still move around almost like a cruiserweight. In many ways, he resembles a Samoa Joe in his prime, and he's set to shake up NXT's main event scene as soon as he gets to TV.

A number of potential feuds await him on his arrival - Ricochet, with whom he has history, Velveteen Dream, and perhaps most intriguing out of the gate, Lars Sullivan.

No matter the route, I trust NXT to give us great TV with Keith Lee right out of the gate.

#8 Pete Dunne

After starting 2017 on fire, Pete Dunne has lingered mostly on the sidelines since the UK division was in limbo, but he always impressed no matter what he did.

Now that the UK division is starting up, expect the current champion to be at the forefront, even if he winds up losing his title. The UK division is going to be a thrilling wild west for the time being, and no matter what Pete Dunne does in it, he's going to be one of the major players in it for the foreseeable future.

We already know his talent. Now he'll get to show it on a far more consistent basis.

#9 Ricochet

Ricochet hasn't quite etched his name into the list of top superstars of 2018 yet, but he's already close and barring a freak occurrence, his second half should fully solidify his place. Current indications are that he'll be feuding with Adam Cole for the North American Championship headed into TakeOver: Brooklyn IV. That match should be one to see.

Ricochet could very conceivably win the North American Championship in Brooklyn, especially with Adam Cole likely to transition into the NXT title scene in the late days of 2018.

Where he goes from there is up in the air, but with Keith Lee now here, one has to think that's a rivalry NXT will want to visit.

#10 Samoa Joe

After the way Samoa Joe was protected in that gauntlet match last week, it seems fairly obvious where we're going from here.

AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe at SummerSlam.

At the Brooklyn spectacular, it is well within the realm of possibility that Samoa Joe captures his maiden WWE Championship. It would certainly be a remarkable achievement for someone who spent the first three months of the year on the injury shelf.

A champion Samoa Joe would also have a number of thrilling feuds awaiting him - Daniel Bryan, Jeff Hardy, and possibly even Aleister Black all spring to mind.

Regardless, Joe is going to get hotter with the summer. No one carries himself with more authenticity than he does, and the most remarkable thing about him is that authenticity remains no matter his wins or losses.