In the ever-changing world of professional wrestling, superstars come and go, leaving fans wondering if the individual will cement their legacy as a world champion. With emerging talents from NXT and established veterans looking for their first reign as world champion, the race is more competitive than ever. Among these superstars, only a select few distinguish themselves as top contenders to capture their first world championship on the main roster, whether it’s the WWE Undisputed or WWE World Heavyweight Championships. From their impressive in-ring skills to their ability on the microphone, these talents are viewed as those who are most likely to climb to the top of the ladder and reign as world champions.

5. Jacob Fatu (Friday Night SmackDown)

Kicking off the list may be controversial to some due to his only being in WWE for a little over a year, but as a part of the legendary Anoa’i family, some expected nothing less. Jacob Fatu, widely regarded as one of the top independent wrestling stars for many years, made his highly anticipated WWE debut in June 2024. Upon entering, “The Samoan Werewolf” immediately made an impact by joining The Bloodline stable alongside many others. This immediately positioned Fatu high up the card, and he would continue to solidify his position in the months that followed. Fatu would compete in War Games and even capture the WWE United States Championship by defeating LA Knight at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. Even with the title reign being brief, only lasting 69 days, this has only added to the fanfare of making Fatu world champion. Now on his own, many believe it’s only a matter of time before he raises a world championship above his head.

4. Oba Femi (Tuesday Night NXT)

The list shifts from one monster to another, as while he is currently in the midst of his NXT Championship reign, many are awaiting the debut of “The Ruler”. Oba Femi, standing at six-foot-five and weighing two hundred seventy-five pounds, is many wrestling promoters’ dream. Femi made his debut on the NXT brand in 2021 and began climbing the ranks after winning the NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament in 2024. Femi would go on to cash in his championship contract to dethrone Dragon Lee and capture the NXT North American Championship. Femi then embarked on a record-breaking title reign, holding the belt for two hundred seventy-three days before dropping the title to Tony D’Angelo on NXT’s debut show for the CW Network. Throughout his various championship reigns, Femi would also win various awards, most notably winning Match of the Year and Male Superstar of the Year in the 2024 NXT Year-End awards. Now, with a main roster call-up on the horizon, don’t be surprised if one day the young star is the face of the industry.

3. LA Knight (Monday Night RAW)

While the list mentioned a ruler and a werewolf, neither are a megastar. Making his long-awaited WWE debut in 2020 on the NXT brand, LA Knight had many supporters due to his work in the NWA and TNA during the late 2020s, even winning the latter’s world championship. Upon entering the black and gold brand, his wave of momentum would continue as many fondly remember his feuds with Cameron Grimes and Grayson Waller. With the fans behind him, Knight would quickly rise the card on Friday Night SmackDown, culminating with him defeating Logan Paul for the WWE United States Championship at Summerslam 2024, and winning the title for a second time off Shinsuke Nakamura that following March. During this time period, Knight would have multiple world title opportunities, those being at Crown Jewel 2023, Royal Rumble 2024, and Clash in Paris 2025. With Knight only getting older at forty-two years old, hopefully, it’s only a matter of time before “The Megastar” claims world championship gold.

2. Sami Zayn (Friday Night SmackDown)

There is an argument for many people on the WWE roster to be a world champion, but it would be hard for anyone to deny “The Ultimate Underdog” Sami Zayn. Debuting for WWE in 2013 on NXT, fans were already aware of Zayn through his famous work in ROH and PWG as El Generico. Upon his arrival, it wouldn’t take Zayn long to become champion, defeating Adrian Neville at NXT Takeover: R Evolution. Zayn’s run in NXT was highly praised before then debuted on the main roster during John Cena’s infamous WWE United States Championship open challenge. Even in defeat, the fans were behind Zayn as he continued to gain momentum. The fan fair behind Zayn would allow him to accomplish many great feats, including winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship three times and winning the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships with long-time rival Kevin Owens in the main event of WWE WrestleMania 39 Night One. Still at that, fans worldwide await Zayn capturing his first world title. As a favorite to win the 2026 Royal Rumble, many hope Zayn will be walking into WrestleMania 42 as a two-time main eventer.

1. Bron Breakker (Monday Night RAW)

Many of the previously mentioned people have a good argument, but only one of them is poised to be “The Next Big Thing.” Signing for WWE in 2020, Bron Breakker, a member of the legendary Steiner family, had high expectations. Now, after a dominant run in NXT from 2021 to 2024, where he captured the NXT Championship twice and the NXT Tag Team Championship once. Notably, as well, Breakker won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in 2024 alongside Baron Corbin. Upon his main roster call-up to Monday Night RAW in the 2024 WWE Draft, Breakker’s path of destruction would continue as he would defeat Sami Zayn at Summerslam 2024 to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Even after losing the title to Jey Uso, Breakker would quickly regain the title twenty-eight days later before losing the title again at WrestleMania 41. Breakker’s momentum wouldn’t slow down, as two nights later, he would align with Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman to be the founding members of The Vision. With a six-time world champion and arguably the greatest manager of all time by his side, Breakker is destined for greatness.