To counteract the Future Endeavors Forecast of 2020's potential releases, we turn our discussion to the ONE TO WATCH—a segment to kickoff the new year where we try to predict which superstars are going to particularly shine to become standout performers over the next twelve months. This applies to anybody in the company, whether they're currently on the main roster, a returning legend, someone in NXT or developmental, or anything else for the most part.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
In no particular order...
Aleister Black
United States Championship. He's beating Andrade and he'll have a run with that title, drop it around SummerSlam or so, then move up to the main event level. Come 2021, he'll be in the running to win the Royal Rumble (even though he won't win it).
Andrade
Once he drops the United States Championship, he'll be pushed to the main event level and could even be the guy who beats the guy who beats Brock Lesnar.
Kevin Owens
While I don't trust WWE to pull it off, if they do manage to let Owens be as big as he can be, we could get him toppling Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania and having a long title reign with the WWE Championship as the top guy on Raw.
The Street Profits
They'll win those Raw tag team titles and really take charge if they're allowed to get over.
Shayna Baszler
Royal Rumble winner and possible Raw women's champion come WrestleMania.
Liv Morgan
I don't know what to think of this repackaging they're going to do until they actually do it. It could be the worst thing in the world, or Morgan can skyrocket. For now, I'll be glass half full about it.
Dominik Dijakovic
The sky's the limit for this guy and if they keep working out the kinks, I think he'll be a future world champion. I don't think that will happen in 2020, but I think he'll take the steps necessary that by 2021, a lot of people will have him on their lists.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
He's winning that cruiserweight title.
Keith Lee
This guy had an amazing autumn 2019. It seems like people are finally coming around to how impressive he is. I almost gave him my #1 pick, but just narrowly decided not to. I do think he has immense potential to make 2020 his year, though, and if he doesn't win some gold, I'll be floored.
Rhea Ripley
Obviously, she's going to dominate the women's division in NXT. Her crowning moments happened in 2019, but 2020 will be when things revolve around her.
Bianca Belair / Io Shirai
One of these two will beat Ripley at some point in the year and take charge.
Austin Theory
If you're looking for someone to go from totally unknown (on a WWE roster perspective) to having a breakout year, it's this guy. I think he's going to be a major player for years to come and 2020 is going to be when he takes his first steps toward achieving that status.
ONE TO WATCH FOR 2020 = Velveteen Dream
When Velveteen Dream comes back from his injury, he's going to make sure people immediately think "damn I missed this guy." He's one of the most talented younger superstars WWE has as its disposal and I'm fully expecting him to steal the show on multiple occasions and climb the ladder to the top of NXT, if not move to the main roster and start killing it on Raw or SmackDown (probably Raw).
Check out our discussion on this subject from the latest episode of the Smack Talk podcast below!
WHO IS YOUR WRESTLER TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2020?LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!
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