Next Big Stars in WWE: Watch These 2026 Breakout Stars

On Monday Night Raw, Bron Breakker delivered the promo of his career. As a member of the Vision alongside Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Paul Heyman, Breakker is considered to be the face of the future. He has the physique and look, and he threatened to take the World Heavyweight Championship away from CM Punk.

“On January 5th, when you’re on your ass looking up at the lights, and I’m standing over you, and they announce me as the new Heavyweight Champion of the World. You will look into my eyes… and realize you’re not even close to the Badass Bron Breakker. The real best in the world,” he said before throwing the mic to the ground.

Logan Paul and Bronson Reed were impressed as Bron left the ring. With 2026 right around the corner, it’s time to look at who could be the next star of WWE. Now that John Cena is hanging up the boots once and for all this Saturday, the brass ring is there for whoever wants it. Let’s take a look at two other men and three women poised for a breakout year.

The Big Bang Theory

At the conclusion of the men’s Wargames match at Survivor Series, a masked man climbed into the cage and gave CM Punk a curb stomp before scurrying away. According to the PWI Insider, the identity of the mystery man is Austin Theory. There are other reports that it could be a returning Chris Jericho or Randy Orton. I, however, believe this is the perfect way to reintroduce the young star. Theory was previously in a tag team with Grayson before disappearing from TV for months. Look for the one-year anniversary on Netflix to be that destination, because Bron Breakker will take on CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. Whoever the masked man is, they may have a role in Breakker becoming the top champ for the first time.

Finish His Story

Ok. I stole that from Cody Rhodes, but there is one superstar who has yet to capture the big one in WWE. That would be Sami Zayn. He has the third-best odds to win the Royal Rumble, behind Bron Breakker and Roman Reigns, who are tied at #1. Zayn winning the Rumble wouldn’t be a complete shocker, but it would tell fans that WWE now considers him a top star. I’m not a huge fan myself, but his connection with the WWE Universe is undeniable. Whether or not he wins the Royal Rumble, Zayn is in for one of the best years of his life.

Ya, Only Live Life Once

This is the Twitter handle of Liv Morgan, who returned at Survivor Series and aided Dominik Mysterio in reclaiming the Intercontinental Champion. As Bron Breakker lit up a fire on Monday Night Raw, Liv Morgan was already burning it down. She was the star of last week's edition, calling out the Judgment Day and confronting Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer. Morgan is a previous Money in the Bank Winner and has won the title already. That doesn’t mean she can’t win again. She is the complete package as she has the personality, look, promo skills, and in-ring ability. Look for her to possibly win the Royal Rumble, or if she doesn’t, then have at least one reign with a top title. Either way, she will no doubt be taking the division by storm.

Here Comes a Storm

On the topic of storms, another one is already making its impact on WWE as we speak. Jade Cargill, once a member of the All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) roster, jumped ship to WWE and immediately made a statement. She was first put into the tag division, but then made a run of her own. She is the SmackDown Women’s Champion and could be on a collision course to face Bianca Belair at WM. Between then and now, there is a lot of work to do because the SmackDown Women’s division is baffling. Despite the questionable booking of the division, Jade Cargill continues to stand and defeat whoever crosses her path.

The Alpha Women

One WWE superstar who has proven her worth in the women’s division is the current Intercontinental Champion. Maxxinee Duprie was a manager for the “American Alpha” composed of Otis and Chad Gable, but Gable ran off to do his own thing. Now Duprie does look green in the ring, but in her matchups against Becky Lynch, she has stood her own. She won the title from Becky Lynch at Madison Square Garden, and it looks like there are plenty of hungry challengers headed her way.

These men and women are looking to make a name for themselves when 2026 rolls around. Each of them is ready to seize the opportunity in front of them, and either capture gold and explore a singles run. Who else do you think is poised to make a statement in 2026?