Disclaimer: The views of the author do not necessarily reflect those of Sportskeeda.
Pro wrestling is the unwanted love-child of sports and entertainment, as it has been subjected to ridicule, as well as adoration. WWE fans who grew up during the Attitude Era have lamented the dearth of genuine megastars who have the mainstream crossover appeal that Superstars like Hulk Hogan, John Cena, and The Rock have.
Much of it can be attributed to WWE's infamous star-making process, which undermines its performers due to the dreaded '50-50' booking. However, the scenario looks set to change, with more wrestlers getting mainstream attention for their movie and TV roles.
While this is an extremely optimistic look into the future, we just might be on the verge of watching a few wrestlers break the glass ceiling and become huge stars not only in pro wrestling but also in the mainstream world of entertainment. In this piece, we take a look at 5 such wrestlers who can become megastars in the future.
#5 Bianca Belair
For those who don't watch NXT and have only seen her on RAW, this will be a confusing pick. Bianca Belair has turned heads ever since she showed up on NXT. She has raw charisma in addition to a great look, which goes a long way in creating a megastar.
Belair gets huge reactions from crowds regardless of her character alignment because there is a tangible spark to her presence, and it has resonated well with the fans.
Recognizing her potential, she has now been called up to RAW, alongside her real-life husband Montez Ford, and his tag-team partner Angelo Dawkins.
Soon the crowds will return and she'll go back to getting rapturous ovations. Her marketable looks and athleticism make her an ideal candidate for a role in action movies. If all goes well, Bianca Belair just might become a big crossover star for the company.
#4 Kenny Omega
Kenny Omega is awesome! He was already tearing it up in the indies before he left for Japan, and he enjoyed a legendary run in Asia, returning as a bona fide main-eventer.
While his on-screen exploits in AEW have been underwhelming, it's only a matter of time before they project him as the star he truly is. Omega has charisma oozing out of every pore on his body, and despite being a foreigner, he won over the traditional Japanese crowds with his work rate and character work.
Kenny Omega is already a well-known name in Japan, Canada, and most of North America. The rise of AEW also promises to increase the brand value of the talented Canadian. He has the look, and if Being The Elite is used as a reference, he surely has the acting chops.
So what's stopping him from making a mark on the big screen too? He is arguably the biggest star alongside Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley on AEW and is too talented a man to be held down.
#3 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre's story is one of hard work and determination. The 3MB member turned World Champion has come a long way since his failed first stint with WWE. McIntyre completely overhauled his image and became a force to be reckoned with after getting released by the company.
Since rejoining WWE, he has been on an absolute tear, winning the NXT Championship, eliminating a dominant Brock Lesnar en route to winning the Royal Rumble, and dominating The Beast throughout their rivalry.
Thanks to a very rare bit of strong booking by the company, McIntyre has rarely looked weak against any Superstar, including the company favorite, Roman Reigns. If you look back to the Attitude Era, the top Superstars like The Rock, Steve Austin, and Triple H lost rarely, and that's what enhanced their credibility as genuine megastars.
The company seems to be following the same formula with Drew McIntyre. Rarely has a full-time Superstar seemed on the level or even better than Brock Lesnar. He is well-spoken, has stunningly good looks, and gets a reaction like no other. Without exaggeration, Drew McIntyre could be the next The Rock or Steve Austin.
#2 Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch has arguably already become the biggest star in the industry. Her exploits as 'The Man' have garnered her a huge fan following all over the globe.
She defeated Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey, the biggest names in the WWE women's division during the main event of WrestleMania 35, she elicits a response like no other and is one of the best wrestlers in the company.
The Man has already set foot in the film industry, starring in The Marine 6 alongside Shawn Michaels. Also, her appearance on the hit tv show 'Billions', and a rumored role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe suggests that her star will only keep on shining brighter.
The fact that The Rock and John Cena are reportedly helping her out in her acting career is a testament to the trust put in her abilities by the legends. Lynch has a great look, and her likable personality could go a long way in enhancing her already considerable star power among mainstream audiences. We could be witnessing the rise of Becky Lynch.
#1 Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is a top star, that cannot be denied. He is also one of the most humble people in the business. The Big Dog may get booed by a vocal part of the audience, but one cannot deny the talent he possesses. He is a great wrestler, and an even better human being.
He has already forayed a bit into Hollywood, bagging a cameo in the blockbuster movie 'Hobbs and Shaw', starring his real-life cousin, The Rock. He was widely praised for his badass look, fight sequences, and acting. When asked whether he would like to transition into movies, he said:
I think so you know. I mean I’m really just hooked on performance. I like being in front of the camera. I love being able to story tell and kind of just create escapism for people and entertain them is always nice. Yeah. There’s something about you know films that I like because you can switch it up. You know you can move from character to character and you can kind of show different sides of yourself. I think that be a nice transition moving forward.
He seems interested in making more movies, which would bode well for his burgeoning wrestling career. He is already the top dog in wrestling, so what's to stop him from becoming a top movie star?