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As WWE gears up for WrestleMania season, every WWE Superstar will have a chip on their shoulder to step up and prove that they are worthy of a high-profile spot at the Show of Shows. A lot of names will want to impress Vince McMahon on the Road to WrestleMania 37.
And this year, more than others, the card seems as open as ever. WWE has spread WrestleMania over two nights, which allows for more matches to take place and more stories to be told. As a result, there are more opportunities for WWE Superstars to earn their spot at 'Mania.
Since the year began, several WWE Superstars have already elevated themselves. Some of them are on the cusp of career-defining greatness, while others have already been rocket-strapped to the top of the card by Vince McMahon. Royal Rumble has done well in showcasing who he might be high on, heading into WWE's peak season.
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#5 WWE Superstar Sheamus could challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania
While he has remained a steady figure in WWE for years, it has been a long time since Sheamus was at the top of the card. The Celtic Warrior is on the cusp of returning to the main event, following a resurgent run as Drew McIntyre's best friend. McMahon has slowly turned the WWE Superstar into a threat again.
Thanks to a combination of the incredible shape he is in, the quality of his matches, and his current story, Sheamus is set to receive a big push in WWE. He was on the surface for months as a babyface, alongside McIntyre, but he turned heel on his friend on RAW. It was always going to happen, but the timing seems perfect.
The RAW after Royal Rumble is the start of the Road to WrestleMania and often sees quite a few angles begin for the Show of Shows. Sheamus betraying McIntyre might be one of them. He could challenge for the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber or Fastlane, but a match against the Scot at WrestleMania is not out of the question.
And with Edge likely choosing to face Roman Reigns at 'Mania, WWE might find a way to keep the program between the WWE Superstars fresh until then. There may even be an outside chance that the Irishman wins the WWE Championship, only to drop it back to McIntyre. He is certainly being looked at for a big push at the right time.
#4 WWE Superstar Apollo Crews could have a career-defining heel turn on WWE SmackDown
It may be a Paul Heyman thing, but Apollo Crews has never felt this interesting in WWE. The athletic powerhouse has constantly impressed in the ring, with barely any evolution in his character. That is set to change, following the start of a feud with Big E over the Intercontinental Championship and an intense promo from Heyman on Talking Smack.
The biggest sign that Crews might be subject to a push is the fact that he was present in Roman Reigns' locker room a few weeks ago. He could end up turning heel and winning the IC Title after some help from The Tribal Chief.
It's about time WWE put some effort into making Apollo Crews an interesting WWE Superstar and the fact that it is happening on SmackDown lends some belief that it may actually be followed through. Vince McMahon should be impressed by Crews every time he gets enough time to shine in the ring.
A heel turn would be perfect for his WWE career, especially if the WWE Superstar aligns with Roman Reigns. The best-case scenario for Apollo Crews is that he becomes a part of Reigns' group and walks into WrestleMania as the Intercontinental Champion.
#3 WWE Superstar Bianca Belair is set to achieve greatness
This may be an obvious choice at the moment, but WWE Superstar Bianca Belair is the company's newest megastar. Her performance in the Women's Royal Rumble Match was excellent, as she lasted from number three to win the entire match. Belair showed off her incredible power and athleticism over the course of the match, proving why she is known as the EST of WWE.
However, the road ahead determines the level of star WWE and Vince McMahon will be looking to turn Belair into. She is likely to face Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania - a match that is likely to steal the show, no matter what night it is on.
Many fans want to see Banks and Belair main event Night One of WrestleMania - something that isn't entirely out of the question. Either way, the latter has had the rocket strapped to her back. She is ready to show off on WWE's grandest stage and become a main event WWE Superstar by then.
The fact that Bianca Belair was booked to last close to an hour in the Royal Rumble Match, en route to winning it, is a good sign that she will become a huge name by WrestleMania 37. This is a rare case of a recent NXT call-up being a major success on the WWE main roster, among so many great WWE Superstars, and what a success Belair is turning out to be.
#2 WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley's performance at Royal Rumble proves that she's here to stay
Even if it was Bianca Belair who won the Royal Rumble, Rhea Ripley's performance in the match made it seem like WWE has big plans for her. The WWE Superstar is extremely likely to become a permanent part of either RAW or SmackDown on the Road to WrestleMania, with a possible match at the Show of Shows looming.
Ripley has had a difficult year, unable to truly recover from her big defeat to Charlotte Flair at last year's WrestleMania. However, through a series of fantastic in-ring performances and her Royal Rumble showing, the Australian feels like a star again. The final moments in the Rumble match were engrossing, with either Ripley or Belair making for a popular winner.
The fact that Belair won does not change the probability of Ripley becoming a star in WWE. She lasted from number fourteen and eliminated seven WWE Superstars, including Charlotte Flair. Her booking during the build to Survivor Series 2019 was also pretty good, showing that Vince McMahon potentially sees her as a star.
There are several possible matches against notable WWE Superstars Rhea Ripley could have at WrestleMania, whether she debuts on SmackDown or RAW. On the blue brand, she could have a non-title feud against Bayley, someone who deserves to be featured at 'Mania. Meanwhile, on RAW, Ripley could face any combination of Asuka and Charlotte Flair at WWE's Show of Shows.
#1 WWE Superstar Damian Priest had an impressive main roster debut
Speaking of NXT call-ups doing well in WWE, Damian Priest could not have asked for a better introduction to life on RAW. He made his main roster debut at the Royal Rumble and looked particularly impressive. Priest eliminated four WWE Superstars, including surprise entrant, Kane. The WWE legend spoke highly of him in a backstage interview.
From that came Priest's RAW debut. The Archer of Infamy was immediately partnered up with international megastar, Bad Bunny. He defeated The Miz and looks set to remain in a prominent position on the red brand. Priest could even team with Bad Bunny for a WrestleMania match against Miz and John Morrison.
The former NXT North American Champion has the look and presence to go far in WWE, with his entrance being made for the big stage. The exposure that the WWE Superstar is getting, by teaming with the most streamed artist on Spotify, is huge for his career in WWE.
To further confirm that the rocket has been strapped onto the back of Damian Priest, he had a backstage handshake with Edge. This was similar to a moment shared between The Undertaker and a debuting John Cena in 2002. Priest is set to become a huge star in WWE.
