5 WWE stars to watch out for in 2022

In 2021, the WWE Universe saw the rise of several hardworking, talented, and diligent athletes from irrelevance to prominence. Some went from being a complete afterthought in January to becoming a mainstay on the main-event scene. Others rediscovered and re-invented themselves to put the locker room on notice.

The current WWE Champion, Big E, had a memorable year as he won his first World Championship in September and defeated top-caliber superstars like Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre. While many fans were hoping for the Powerhouse of Positivity to reach great heights, very few would've accurately anticipated his meteoric rise to the pinnacle twelve months ago.

Damian Priest is another young man who had an amazing twelve months. The Archer of Infamy put on an impressive performance in his main roster debut in the Royal Rumble match, stole the show at WrestleMania 37 alongside Bad Bunny against The Miz and John Morrison, and won the coveted United States Championship at SummerSlam.

Priest and Big E are just two of the many stars that have made a significant impact this year. The WWE roster is loaded with talent, and 2022 may be the time for several such superstars to achieve greatness.

This listicle looks at 5 WWE stars to watch out for in 2022.

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#5 The WWE Chairman's protege, Austin Theory, is destined for a stunning 2022

Austin Theory is a promising star with a plethora of talent and a ton of potential. Theory is only 24 years old, and he is currently involved in an intriguing angle with the most influential man in WWE; Vince McMahon.

As some fans may recall, Theory was brought up to the main roster in March 2020, and he later became Seth Rollins' disciple. However, the talented youngster suddenly disappeared from television that summer without a proper explanation. He was sent back to NXT.

In October, Theory received considerable attention and became a prominent feature of WWE's flagship show after being drafted to RAW in October. The self-obsessed 24-year old owns victories over seasoned veterans like Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio. The creative team's faith in him was apparent when he replaced Mysterio as a member of Team RAW at Survivor Series.

Vince McMahon sees something in Theory, who is destined for a bright future. He has already received a one-on-one opportunity for Big E's WWE Championship, and if things go his way, he might even win the top prize next year.

#4 WWE's tallest active competitor, Omos, is one to look out for next year.

When WWE paired a massive rookie in Omos with a seasoned veteran in AJ Styles, many fans were bewildered. Moving the Phenomenal One to the Tag-Team Division at the twilight of his career was a questionable decision, but it worked out brilliantly for the seven-foot Nigerian monster. Styles and Omos won the RAW Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 37 and held onto it till SummerSlam.

Omos, restricted by his size and inexperience, isn't the most proficient and skilled in-ring worker on the main roster. His former tag-team partner, Styles, elevated him and brought the best out of him. The WWE Universe is now familiar with the behemoth's name, and his wrestling skills have improved.

One thing is clear: Omos is a priority for Vince McMahon. This doesn't come as a surprise because the CEO of WWE has always taken a keen interest in giants. The Phenomenal AJ Styles and his former personal bodyguard seem to be headed on a collision course. If the young seven-footer can defeat Styles, it would solidify him as an invincible force.

While many fans may question this decision, Omos will have a much more significant and more active role in storylines in the next twelve months.

#3 WWE's Original Bro, Riddle, may become a huge star in 2022

A constant highlight on WWE programming throughout the year featured the unlikely team of Riddle and Randy Orton. These two men are opposites, but their teamwork is impeccable. Their different wrestling styles and personalities gave fans some of the funniest moments in recent memory.

The Original Bro is the mastermind behind the success of RK-Bro. His idea was to team up with the Viper in April and remain loyal to his partner through the thick and thin. Riddle brought a more trustworthy side of the infamously treacherous Orton, and their partnership seems to be going relatively smoothly.

In 2021, the WWE Universe got a glimpse of what Riddle was capable of as a singles star. He held the US Championship briefly earlier in the year and put on a solid showing in the Men's Money in the Bank Match.

In the coming year, fans should see more of the Original Bro in the singles division. One way of achieving this is disbanding RK-Bro, meaning that Orton would have to snap and betray his friend. This could lead to a grudge match between the two former tag-team partners. Alternatively, Riddle could be the one to stab the Legend Killer in the back. A bright future lies ahead of Riddle.

#2 WWE may become the KO Show once again in 2022

The WWE Universe has always respected Kevin Owens as a heel and babyface. The Prizefighter knows how to connect with fans, but his shabby booking has damaged his aura to the point that he became just another guy.

Owens played second-fiddle to bigger prospects throughout the year like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. The consecutive back-to-back losses to Reigns during their rivalry made him look weak. In the summer, KO was a non-factor. He did compete in the Men's Money in the Bank match, but lost. He was left off SummerSlam, Extreme Rules and Crown Jewel.

However, towards the end of the year, Owens found some hope with a sudden character change. KO reverted to his old, vicious self as he again turned heel. This gave him the edge he needed to get his career back on track. He managed to earn a WWE Championship opportunity and has a decent chance of winning the top prize for the first time in his illustrious career.

KO also inked a new multi-year deal with the world's leading wrestling promotion, a positive sign of a beautiful future for one of sports-entertainment's most gifted athletes.

#1 The Prince, Finn Balor, may have a career-defining year in WWE

WWE has a highly awkward relationship with Finn Balor: Vince McMahon does seem to see quite a lot of talent in Balor but is unwilling to push him. The Prince is always booked firmly in his matches, but he loses the battles that matter the most. For example, he was on a winning streak on RAW but lost in an all-important match to Seth Rollins that pushed him down the ladder.

The second half of 2021 may not have been exhilarating for Balor, but 2022 will probably tell an entirely different story. There are several talented superstars on the roster that Balor could feud with and put the locker room on notice. Austin Theory has been a thorn in his side; defeating him will give him a boost.

AJ Styles also emerges as a potential opponent for the Prince. These two wrestling generals have never had a full-fledged feud in WWE, so this is an exciting option to explore. Balor vs. Styles has lots potential and can be a high-profile WrestleMania match. Pinning the Phenomenal One will launch the former Universal Champion into the stratosphere.

Although it may be a little far-fetched, Balor could be a dark horse to win the Men's Royal Rumble match.