The landscape of WWE has already seen a few major changes following WrestleMania season. New faces are on the top of the mountain following the big wins from Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, and Becky Lynch as the world champions in WWE. Everyone on the roster is hoping to get elevated into some sort of a title picture this year. The goal of winning a new title is something wrestlers always have the aspirations to accomplish.
WWE has quite a few titles across the different brands that can create huge moments for various wrestlers. The young and diverse group of talent in WWE can see various wrestlers win new titles for the first time to get to the next level. We will look at the fallout of the superstar shakeup with the new look of the rosters on Raw, Smackdown, NXT and beyond. These are ten WWE stars that will win a new title for the first time before 2019 ends.
10 Drew McIntyre: Universal Champion
Drew McIntyre has been positioned as a top star on the Raw brand for many months now. Many expected McIntyre would get moved to Smackdown after his appearance on the Smackdown after WrestleMania, but he is sticking around for the Raw brand.
There are not many heels on the level of McIntyre on the Raw side of things at the moment. Drew will have a great chance to finally achieve his goal of becoming a world champion in WWE. Don’t be surprised if McIntyre is the one to end Seth Rollins’ reign to become the next Universal Champion.
9 Kairi Sane and Asuka: Women’s Tag Team Champions
One of the biggest changes for multiple wrestlers in the superstar shakeup featured Asuka and former NXT star Kairi Sane becoming a tag team on the Smackdown brand. Paige is their official managing after introducing them as the new team to watch in the women’s division.
Vince McMahon reportedly lost faith in Asuka as a singles star, and the tag team will be the goal moving forward. Sane had a great run as a team with her best friend Io Shirai in NXT, but she is now in a new team. The talent involved is hard to deny and they should become the Women’s Tag Team Champions.
8 Andrade: United States Champion
The move from Smackdown to Raw will benefit Andrade greatly moving forward. NXT and shades of their Smackdown run has proved that the pairing of Andrade and Zelina Vega are a great act. Andrade scored a huge win over Finn Balor on his first appearance as a member of Raw.
Raw needs some new talent stepping up after losing quite a few credible talents. Andrade will have the opportunity to make an impact on the three-hour show. The mid-card title on the Raw brand will be Andrade’s to win at some point within 2019.
7 Adam Cole: NXT Champion
The NXT side of WWE still features many great wrestlers that have the potential to become mega-stars sooner than later. Adam Cole stands out as a superstar that helps carry the NXT brand. The classic match between Cole and Johnny Gargano stole the entire weekend of WrestleMania weekend.
Cole is likely still in line for an NXT Championship reign to follow up Gargano. The fanbase wanted Cole to win at TakeOver: New York until Gargano’s fighting spirit won them over. Cole is the best bet to end Gargano’s reign now that the chase is over and can get his own reign to cement his NXT legacy in 2019.
6 The Usos: Raw Tag Team Champions
The Usos are finally on the Raw brand after spending the past few years on Smackdown as the premiere tag team. WWE continues to witness the legacy of Jimmy and Jey Uso grow as an all-time great tag team with a hit list of accomplishments.
It is no secret that the Raw tag division has been a huge disappointment for a few years compared to the Smackdown side of things. The Usos are the biggest X-factor in that equation and should add stability to the Raw scene. Jimmy and Jey will absolutely capture the Raw Tag Team Championship for the first time.
5 Ruby Riott: Raw Women’s Champion
An underrated story in the superstar shakeup was the Riott Squad breaking up when Liv Morgan was quietly sent to Smackdown. It appears the alliance is ending, and all three members will be on their own unless Riott and Sarah Logan become a full-time team.
Ruby proved that she was a great face when called upon NXT, and she’s done well as a heel for Raw. Either role given to her will be a success story on her own. The women’s division on Raw lacks depth and provides a great opportunity. Riott has a chance to win the Raw Women’s Championship this year.
4 Ali: Intercontinental Champion
The success of Ali on 205 Live allowed him to get called up to Smackdown as one of the rising faces. Ali’s injured opened the opportunity for Kofi Kingston and hurt his momentum, but he is still a valuable member of the Smackdown brand.
A great match against Finn Balor helped validate him moving forward in the Intercontinental Championship picture. It may not happen right away, but Ali certainly has a great shot at winning that title to take his status to the next level.
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3 AJ Styles: Universal Champion
AJ Styles joining Raw puts him on that side of things for the first time after remaining as the face of Smackdown for a few years. The past few months of Smackdown work for Styles has seen him fall in the middle of the pack, but a move to Raw will freshen him up.
An obvious hope is the dream match between Styles and Seth Rollins, as they are arguably the top two wrestlers in WWE today. Styles will likely get a run as the Universal Champion at some point during the year. Roman Reigns moving to Smackdown opens the face side of Raw where AJ will thrive.
2 Mandy Rose: Smackdown Women’s Champion
The Smackdown women’s division is loaded following the additions of the likes of Bayley, Ember Moon, Liv Morgan, Mickie James, and Liv Morgan. Many of the great ladies like Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Carmella remain on the blue side as well.
Mandy Rose may be the most valuable rising star given how much WWE believes in her. Rumors circulated that Rose was scheduled to end Asuka’s title reign until the plan was made to have Charlotte take it. Rose will eventually get her to win as the Smackdown Women’s Champion.
1 Kevin Owens: WWE Champion
Kevin Owens moved from Raw to Smackdown before the superstar shakeup upon returning from injury. Original plans for Owens was to see him face Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, but Kofi Kingston’s rise took priority.
WWE kept Owens off the WrestleMania card due to not wanting him to take a loss in the battle royal or another filler match. The face run of Owens continues with the plans for a huge push still in motion. Owens will likely have a WWE Championship reign before the year ends to add another great title to his resume.