Seth Rollins recently highlighted five WWE stars to watch in the coming years, notably excluding Oba Femi. The Nigerian-born wrestler is poised to debut on the main roster at the Royal Rumble on January 31st. Many view Oba as a rising star who could become a main event fixture on RAW or SmackDown. At 27, he is a two-time NXT Champion and showcased his skills in a December main event against Cody Rhodes. While Rollins didn’t include him in his top five future headliners, he acknowledges Oba’s bright prospects.
Here are the five talents Rollins believes will have the biggest impact (source: ESPN’s First Take):
Bron Breaker (28)
Rollins has closely collaborated with Bron Breaker, former leader of The Vision stable, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury in September. Rollins discovered Breaker the night after WrestleMania 42, and Breaker quickly made his mark on the main event scene. Calling him “one of the Steiner brothers’ children,” Rollins praised Breaker’s natural talent and suggested WWE plans to push him toward a world championship run this year. Breaker previously betrayed Rollins in The Vision storyline, fueling anticipation for their future rivalry.
Logan Paul (30) and Austin Theory (28)
Logan Paul, now a full-time WWE Superstar after signing a long-term deal, has embraced the wrestling world with success, including a United States Championship and wins over Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio. He belongs to The Vision stable after a significant betrayal and solidified his status by feuding with Rollins at WrestleMania 39. Rollins also sees promise in Austin Theory, who joined The Vision in December and was once his protégé during the Monday Night Messiah era. Despite Theory’s recent reset following his WrestleMania 39 victory over John Cena, speculation surrounds his potential alliance with Rollins for future storylines.
Jevon Evans (21)
Jevon Evans is gaining rapid attention after his RAW call-up this month, following a short time in NXT. Rollins expressed admiration for Evans’ talents, calling him “a healthy kitten” and praising his progress. WWE clearly regards him highly, having already booked matches against elite names like Randy Orton, Gunther, Sami Zayn, and Sheamus, the latter dubbing Evans “the future.” He is regarded as one of WWE’s top high-flying prospects.
Carmelo Hayes (31)
After being promoted to SmackDown in early 2024, Carmelo Hayes initially struggled to find his footing despite teaming with The Miz. However, recent developments saw Hayes capture his first main roster singles title as the U.S. Champion. Rollins applauded Hayes’ skills, calling him “unbelievable.” Hayes’ popularity surged after defeating Ilya Dragunov for the title, with some fans even hoping he had been the one to retire John Cena rather than Gunther.
Fan Take: This insight from Seth Rollins sheds light on WWE’s emerging stars and their potential to shape the company’s future, signaling a new era beyond established names. For fans, these rising wrestlers represent fresh storylines and electrifying matches that could redefine WWE’s landscape in the years to come.
