'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The brand split has been a success in the sense that a fresh crop of superstars have had the chance to rise to the top.
It is hard to imagine that superstars like Becky Lynch, Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor would have become Champions had there been no brand split.
The brand split has allowed WWE to give more opportunities to a larger pool of superstars. This is not to say that any of these superstars are not talented.
They are in fact, few of the best in WWE. But the brand split helped WWE in realizing the true potential of all these superstars, who would've otherwise been relegated to the mid-card.
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However, there is a whole bunch of superstars who are still being ignored by the management, irrespective of their abilities.
WWE will put these superstars in featured segments and matches, but won't get behind them completely as they do with certain other superstars like Reigns, Orton, Cena, etc.
Here, we take a look at five such superstars who deserve a Championship run in 2018.
#5 Rusev
2018 should be the year of 'The Bulgarian Brute'. Rusev is one of the most-over Superstars on the WWE roster.
His partnership with Aiden English and the 'Rusev Day' gimmick is well-liked by fans all over. A babyface turn for the former two-time US Champion seems imminent.
He is a highly skilled individual, both inside and outside the ring. A highly charismatic and athletic individual, it's time that WWE gives him a run with either the WWE Championship or the Intercontinental Championship, should he move to RAW after the draft.
Rusev can do wonders with a title around his waist. It's only time before WWE realises his true worth as a main-event player.
It looks Rusev is most likely headed for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal match at Wrestlemania.
A win at Wrestlemania could initiate the launch of Rusev's main-event run in 2018.
#4 Elias
Since his debut on the main roster, Elias has really come into his own as this arrogant, obnoxious heel.
He is able to draw heat from the crowd like only the best can do. In fact, he is one of the few Superstars who's had a better run on the main roster than the developmental territory NXT.
Often, it has been the other way around. His performances with Reigns and Cena were widely appreciated by the fans.
A run with the Intercontinental or the United Championship could really establish Elias as an elite-level superstar.
The Drifter could put on amazing matches with Rollins, Balor, and many others. The core fan-base has really started to like his "Walk with Elias" gimmick. He is a great heel act, and a title run is in the cards for the upcoming star.
#3 Sami Zayn
A highly underrated performer across both rosters, Sami Zayn deserves a title run.
Since his move to the main-roster in 2016, Zayn has not been able to win even a single Championship.
He's been close on a few occasions, but the gold has always eluded him. Zayn has performed really well in his roles, both as a babyface and a heel.
His reunion with Owens and the subsequent rivalry with Shane McMahon has made Zayn a featured star on SmackDown Live.
He'll probably be featured in a marquee tag-team match at Wrestlemania, partnering with Owens against the team of Shane O'Mac and Daniel Bryan.
He should definitely stay in the main-event picture, as he has the ability to put on great matches with almost anyone.
Fans won't mind the second round of Zayn-Nakamura, considering that their first encounter was truly phenomenal.
#2 Samoa Joe
Sidelined with a foot injury, Samoa Joe has been on the shelf since January. Joe is due to miss this year's Wrestlemania.
However, he is expected to return soon. Joe was involved in the title scene in 2017, going up against Lesnar at the Great Balls of Fire PPV. He was also part of the amazing Fatal Four-way match at Summerslam 2017.
In the latter half of 2017, Joe was engaged in a heated rivalry with Reigns over the Intercontinental Championship.
Joe looked impressive whenever he got the opportunity to showcase his skills. He is pretty good on the mic too. Its only time before WWE puts a title on him. The Destroyer would make for a great Champion, be it the Intercontinental or the WWE Universal title.
#1 Braun Strowman
The Monster Among Men has truly become one of Vince McMahon's best creations in recent memory.
Strowman is an exceptional performer and is on route to becoming WWE's 'next best thing'. Fans world over love him, and as each day passes, the desire to see him as the Universal Champion grows stronger.
Many hoped that it will be Strowman who'll challenge Lesnar at Wrestlemania 34, given the way, how the storyline was moving.
WWE needs to strike while the iron is hot. Strowman as Champion is money waiting to be earned.
The crowd is behind him, and he could be the modern-day monster that WWE have long waited for.
Strowman can have great match-ups with Samoa Joe, Reigns, Cena and many more for RAW's top prize.
WWE management is quite high on Strowman, and they use each and every opportunity to make him look strong.
But, it is a huge letdown that Strowman is involved in the tag title picture, instead of being part of Universal title scene.
