Sixteen Superstars to Watch in 2016
16) Carmella
Kicking off my sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen is Carmella. Two thousand and fifteen was a year that really did see Carmella grow as time went by. We saw Carmella make her NXT TV debut in October of twenty fourteen and while she was impressive on her first night she had a long long way to go before she was able to start performing on the level that was expected of every single NXT diva. There was also the fact that no one really knew how to take her. While she was teamed with arguably the biggest baby face tag team in NXT she worked singly as a heel and it always felt as though we were just waiting for her to turn on Enzo and Cas. Now, last year did see Carmella slowly start to win over the NXT universe and gain their trust if you wish. She proved to be loyal to Enzo and Cas and became a really strong part of their team. She competed alongside them in a couple of strong storyline's where she played a strong role and with time she actually became a fan favourite. Throughout the past year we have seen her grow as both a character an in ring performer and she has managed to leave me personally very very impressed on numerous occasions. However, with standard of women's wrestling in NXT being set so high thanks to the four horsewomen, Carmella still has a lot more to show before she can start working at their level and getting any comparison to those women. A couple of months back I did write a blog post where I included Carmella as one of the top five divas to carry on the high standard of women's wrestling in NXT and I will link that bellow so you can check that out if you haven't already done so. I mentioned in that post that I felt as though Carmella in twenty sixteen is going to have her moment and really really shine within her division. She has so much potential, amazing energy in the ring, and her wrestling ability is actually really strong when you closely at what we have already seen from her. I honestly feel as though if Carmella was given a longer amount of time in the ring she could really surprise everyone. I do think that at some point in the next year she will be put in the championship picture and it's likely she could have a heel turn at some point as well witch to be honest will only make things better for her. She may not be at Sasha Banks level right now, but Carmella is seriously a contender to be watching throughout twenty sixteen. She has a lot to offer and the more we see of her the better she's going to get. I can almost guarantee it.
15) Cesaro
15) Cesaro
Up next is Cesaro. To be fair, two thousand and fifteen was a decent year for Cesaro. He teamed up with Tyson Kidd where they became great tag team champions, he main evented RAW and Smackdown on several occasions, finally got he's face turn, and competed in a handful of match of the year style matches. However, it just wasn't good enough. We never saw him booked in a strong, consistent, entertaining storyline that allowed him to take the spotlight. Yes, he had amazing matches but he deserves so much more than just great matches here and there. The entire WWE universe are aware that Cesaro is without a doubt one of the strongest in ring talents. He has worked extremely hard on developing he's character and creating an even stronger connection with the fans and it has paid off massively! He has proven everyone wrong who has doubted him over the years and most importantly proved to Vince and the higher ups that he is worthy of being in the main event picture, competing in the top/best feuds they have. Now, with Seth Rollins still set to be out of action for a thew more months, it means that there is a door wide open for Cesaro and the WWE would be stupid not to jump at the opportunity of pushing Cesaro and giving him the moment in the spotlight he truly deserves. I'm expecting Cesaro to really chase after the US and IC championship at some point of the year but I want to see him in those bigger storyline's, main eventing and being sent in the direction he deserves to be sent in. The thing with Cesaro is he has proven to have great chemistry with several superstars and with he's move set and experience he can really push the superstars he competes with who maybe are not as strong as he is in the ring. I know we all always sit here and hope that Cesaro will finally get the push and attention he deserves but with so many opportunities coming he's way and the roster looking the way it is looking we have to believe that this will be a good year for him. I also think that two thousand and sixteen will see the WWE focus more on it's future superstars of the company and the whole world knows that Cesaro is one of the those superstars.
14) Billie Kay
At number fourteen is an NXT Diva we are yet to know much about but I think we really should be watching out for in two thousand and sixteen; Billie Kay. Leaning towards the later months of twenty fifteen we started to see more of Billie Kay after she was announced earlier on in the year to be part of the one of the latest NXT recruits. Now, some of you may be aware of Billie if you have watched Shimmer wrestling before, it's how I know of her and her work and it's just another reason why I know we should be watching her throughout the next twelve months. I am planning on doing a little get to know Billie Kay blog post so if that's something you would want to see let me know in the comments bellow. What I love about Billie is once again she's brining something a little different. She has a tall frame, she's got the dark hair, she brings with her her own little wrestling background. Like I said, we are yet to see much of Billie but even if you are not aware of her previous work you have to be slightly impressed with what we have seen. There's no doubt that she's going to be a very dominate figure in the division. With most of the four horsewomen up on the main roster is opens a lot of doors for new divas to step up and take the spotlight and I'm certain that Billie will be one of those divas. So far we have seen Billie portrayed in two different lights. On the one hand we have the girly Australian with the bright ring gear while on the other hand we have seen her in the darker attire bringing a whole new look witch personally I much prefer. I would love it if the WWE stuck to keeping her looking darker and more intense. With what she can do in the ring and a darker more anti diva image would go down much much better, while Peyton Royce takes on the more girly character. Throughout the year many NXT Divas and superstars have mentioned Royce and Billie Kay as two who could really keep up the high standard of the NXT Women's division and I honestly believe they are both two to watch out for in the future but personally I'm leaning slightly more towards Billie Kay.
13) Adrian Neville
Last year we saw former NXT Champion, Adrian Neville make he's official main roster debut the night after Wrestlemania. He spent most of twenty fifteen working more in the mid card section of the roster feuding against the likes of King Barrett, but we all (those who have watched him NXT) full well that he is worth so much more and should be competing at a much higher level. Just like Cesaro, he has put on a handful of solid matches where the WWE have managed to actually book him strongly, but it's just not good enough. Once again, a strong solid match here and there isn't enough and it does feel as though they are just wasting time with an amazing amazing talent. Now, after spending so looking building himself up and working smaller matches and feuds it's time the WWE started stepping it up and taking Neville to the next level. If you have seen him compete in NXT than you know full well that he is a main event talent and so its about time he started getting treated/booked like one. The first thing the WWE should consider doing if they wish to take him up to the next level is ditching that cape. Honestly, I still hate the god damn thing and it has done no good for he's character what so ever. I understand why they gave him a cape but it just hasn't worked and the character is honestly what is holding him back. However, if they really do want to keep this hero style character within him then I do really believe that having him feud with Bray Wyatt would be perfect for him during the earlier stages of twenty sixteen but before they do put them together in a feud it may be best they spent a month or so booking Neville really strong allowing him to take on the bigger names on the roster to build momentum. Almost like he spends a month proving he is worth taking on a superstar who in he's debut year feuded with the likes of Kane and John Cena. I do think that Seth Rollins absences will also work in the favour of Neville this year as well. Now it comes down to the WWE using the opportunity to use Neville in a space at the top that they have. Either way I think this is going to be a very special year for Adrian Neville.
12) Emma
Up next is Emma. Last year saw Emma take a couple of steps backwards in order to improve herself and that is exactly what she has done. Going back to NXT was honestly the best thing for Emma. Her character was going nowhere on the main roster and she was pretty much working as the female Zack Ryder in the division. Taking a step back and going to NXT allowed Emma to change things up and show the fans a whole new side to her. Turning heel and feuding with Bayley was the first step in re-creating Emma and from that point onwards we just saw her get better and better. From her change in entrance theme, the new ring gear, and her alliance with Dana Brooke, Emma has proven that she is a natural heel and has much much more potential with this new side of her being shown. With this whole new character taking place Emma is set to have an amazing two thousand and sixteen. I'm hopeing to see her do some more work down in NXT, there is still so much they can do with her and Dana Brooke so I would love to see where they take that next in the new year. But I also think she will be a key figure in keeping up that high expectations and standards the four horsewomen have created. If you read my blog post where I spoke about the five divas who I think will keep up the high standard then you will know that Emma did feature in the list but if you haven't then I will link that post down bellow at the end. With Emma's new character and her level of experience she can really help a lot of up and coming divas including Dana Brooke but it would also be great seeing her chase after the NXT Women's Championship. I'm really expecting some amazing matches from Emma this year while she continues to work in NXT. We can also expect her to go back up to the main roster later on in the year so what they do with her there will be very interesting and I doubt they will fail her twice. Well I hope they don't anyway. I think if we take a look at the next twelve months after analysing what we have seen from her already since going back to NXT then things are looking very strong and very bright for Emma.There's also a little possibility she might be joining Total Divas. Nothing official but it just seems like something the WWE and Emma may consider later on in the year.
11) Sami Zayn
Number eleven is a good old fan favourite in Sami Zayn. How could I honestly not have Sami Zayn in my sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen list? Unfortunately, last year Sami Zayn suffered an injury that took him out of action for the rest of the year and we are still waiting for he's return. He of course has kept himself busy making a handful of appearances but we have all been waiting for him to make he's WWE return to the ring. In twenty sixteen we can expect the former NXT champion to make he's return. Personally, I would love to see him as an entrant in the Royal Rumble but I'm not going to get my hopes up just yet. But come on, how freaking awesome would that be? Now, whether he will return to NXT or go straight to the WWE main roster isn't something that has been heavily been discussed. In my opinion, even though I would love to see him go back to NXT because it just feels like he's home, however, he has been waiting a very very ling time to get up to the main roster and holding him back any longer is just not necessary. He's more than ready for the main roster and with Rollins out of action there really is a place for him at the top. It's going to be interesting seeing how they book Zayn up on the main roster. We all know he deserves to be in the main event picture but at the same time he really could bring something amazing elsewhere on the roster. I think at some point this year we really are going to see the Daniel Bryan story with Zayn. He's really going to grab the hearts of the WWE universe and with he's already huge following the only way is up for Sami Zayn. I'm expecting a massive massive year for Zayn. One that will see him finally get he's moment in the spotlight up on the main shows and he really is going to change the feel of the main roster. The entire world knows that Sami Zayn will be one of the biggest names in the future of the WWE and that all will start and prove to be correct this year in two thousand and sixteen.
10) Lana
Kick starting the top ten sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen is Lana. Twenty fifteen was a solid year for Lana. We saw her really take the spotlight and break away from Rusev in what was one of my favourite storyline's of the year. Yes, it lacked a little originality but it worked for me and I really did enjoy it. I wasn't a fan of her alliance with Dolph Ziggler, I'll be honest, I hated the pairing. I get how it worked with the storyline but I just personally really really didn't like it at all. It was a massive shame that Lana suffered a wrist injury. She came so close to making her in ring debut, being set to take on Summer Rae, however her in ring set back will be the least of Lana's worries. The WWE made a huge huge mistake announcing the engagement of Rusev and Lana. I honestly, to this day am still seriously frustrated that they ruined their own feud. It's not Rusev's fault, it wasn't Lana's fault, it wasn't even TMZ's fault. The WWE themselves ruined their own storyline and now what they do with Lana when she returns is going to be intresting but not as strong as it should have been. It would be great to see Lana and Summer eventually go one on one but with how the WWE went about it with the storyline I doubt that it will be any time soon. They may decide to have the two of them finish off where they started but simply leave Ziggler out of the picture witch makes sense but in all honesty I think the best they can do is move Lana on to something completely different. The thing with her is she really does have it all. She's got strong mic ability, she looks amazing, she portrays her character well, she has a strong connection with the fans and the WWE are seriously high on her. Now what we need to see is her wrestling ability. She's likely not to compete in NXT like most divas now do meaning that she is going to be under a lot of pressure when she does make her in ring debut. How they write back in is going to be very very interesting but I'm keeping my hope up. She had an strong year last year and with her in ring debut set to take place in twenty sixteen we can expect the next twelve months to be very very strong for Lana.
9) Baron Corbin
Two thousand and fifteen was a slow start for Baron Corbin. He spent most of the first half of the year competing in squash matches to get him over and show he's dominance in the ring. He had two small feuds against Bull Dempsey and Rhyno both not completely showing he's full potential but both allowing us to see him grow as a character and wrestler. He's heel turn saw things really improve for him. He's feud with Samoa Joe as solid and he was able to have he's first strong match up that really showed everyone what he is capable of in the ring and I was very impressed. I did give him some heat about that "special something" I felt he was missing. For me it felt as though he wasn't completely connecting with the fans and that was the only thing really holding back but he's really worked on he's charisma and character. He still has a long way to go with he's mic ability and a thew other little things but he's getting there and the later months of two thousand and fifteen were really really strong for Corbin. He started competing against the bigger names, he main evented, and he showed more and more every time we saw him. With he's work ethic combined with how good he is and how high the WWE are on him the next year is bound to be truly epic for Baron Corbin. He will certainly continue to work in the main event picture competing as one of NXT's biggest names and he will just get better and better as time goes on. He will become even more dominate and he's booking will just get stronger. I do think he has a chance of becoming NXT champion at some point. He has the potential and the drive and he's heading in the right direction. We really are watching him grow in every single aspect and the next twelve months are going to be so strong for him. He's storyline's are going to have to improve and he is going to have to start working at an even high level, cutting stronger promos but with the attention the WWE have been putting on him he's destined for an amazing year and career. Could he make he's main roster debut this year? Yeah, I think he has a shot. It most likely won't be until much later on in the year but if he continues to compete at the level he's competing at right now then there wont be no stopping him and there will be no reason not to give him the call up.
8) Sasha Banks
At number eight is my two thousand and fifteen WWE Diva of the year, Sasha Banks. Sasha without a doubt had a phenomenal year last year. She made history on at least two occasions, she became one of the most must see talents in all of the WWE, and cemented herself as one of the greatest female wrestlers in the entire world. I suppose when you think about it, what more could Sasha really do in twenty sixteen? Well her journey to the top is far from over and there is still so much more left to see of Sasha. Let's remember she's only twenty three years old and has only been wrestling for five years, I have the feeling that despite all the things we have already seen from her we have not even scratched the surface with Sasha Banks. Right now she is leading a revolution. The WWE might not have her being portrayed as the top dog in the division but she's doing it all on her own. The fans, even though she is working as a heel are fully behind her and everything she does. She's easily marketed, easy to put into storyline's and the WWE can trust that she will always deliver strong, solid matches. In two thousand and fifteen I'm expecting Sasha to take things up to a whole other level as she brings that true revolution, what we have seen down in NXT for the past two years up to the main roster. That level of competition. She will be the one who gives us the longer matches, the stronger storyline's and the gripping action. There is so much they can do with Sasha when it comes to storyline's. One on one matches and feuds against the likes of Paige, Natalya, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Naomi and so many more could really be something amazing this year. I'm predicting her and Charlotte to deliver something we haven't seen out of two divas at Wrestlemania before. I honestly do think that twenty sixteen is going to Sasha really change the game and keep the revolution of women's wrestling alive and strong.
7) Samoa Joe
Number seven will most likely not come as a surprise to most of you as Samoa Joe makes the list in my top sixteen superstar to watch in two thousand and sixteen. Making he's WWE NXT debut mid last year, Samoa Joe as helped add more excitement to NXT creating an even bigger buzz around the product. So far he has had an amazing time working with NXT and the only way really is up. He still has so much more left to show and bring while working down in NXT but we can also expect twenty sixteen to be the year for Samoa Joe to start working on the main roster. I'm predicting another four months or so working down in NXT and then most likely the night after Wrestlemania will see him make he's main roster debut. Like I said he still has loads more to bring to NXT but we can be sure that over the next twelve month we will see Joe arrive on the main roster and really shake things up a little. The WWE are probably working around he's debut storyline witch will sure be very entertaining to say the least. We can expect him to finish off he's feud with Kevin Owens at some point as well as taking on the likes of Rusev, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins when he returns, and of course John Cena. The storyline's open to Samoa Joe are pretty much endless. There is so much they will be able to do with him over the next year and we can guarantee that the WWE have something big waiting for him this year.
6) Dana Brooke
Up next is Dana Brooke. If you read my blog post where I spoke about the top five NXT divas who I thought would be keeping up the high standards of women's wrestling in NXT then you most likely won't be surprised with the fact that Dana Brooke is featuring in this list. I will of course link that blog post bellow so you can check that out if you haven't already done so. Now, Dana Brooke only debuted last year and she has already had everyone talking about her, it doesn't matter if people were saying good or bad things, people were talking about her and that's what matters. She may not be as strong as the other divas in the ring but she has the time to learn and she has been showing improvements the more we see of her. I have loved her alliance with Emma and like I have said in the past their alliance really does mean that there are so many potential storyline's for the pair of them, many of witch we will see nearer to the start of twenty sixteen. When you look at Dana you can she is a superstar. She looks the part, she has a solid character and she does improve every single week. She has the passion and the drive and that really is what is going to keep her strong throughout the next year. The WWE have shown that they are high on her and so there really will be many opportunities coming her way. What she needs to do is just work on improving her wrestling ability even more. She has proven recently that with the right time and the right opponent she can be very very impressive. Future matches against the likes of Bayley, Emma, and Asuka will without a doubt be stand outs for Dana. She has a lot to offer and will without a doubt be playing a strong role in the division as more new names are added. I'm sure she will slowly win over the NXT universe but once again it will come down to her wrestling that decides it all. I'm not predicting a main roster debut for her this year unless she does something amazing and maybe then she could have a small chance of getting the call up later on in the year but I think she should be using NXT and what it has to offer throughout the next year to better herself and really make a name for herself.
5) Jason Jordan and Chad Gable
Up next is the only tag team that will be featuring in my top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen. Jason Jordan and Chad Gable may not have been together that long but they are one of the most promising, exiting, and entertaining tag team the WWE has seen a very very long time. Their young, their traditional, and they have a strong strong connections with the fans. I will admit that at first I wasn't completely sold on the pairing and I was a little unsure on how well they would do but they have completely changed my opinions both of them and of tag team wrestling. I think we can all agree that for quite some time tag team wrestling has been taking a fall and as someone who grew up a big tag team wrestling fan I've grown in recent years to really almost completely dislike it. However, NXT has turnt that around massively and Gable and Jordan have been a team that have really reinforced my love for it. I could honestly watch the pair of them wrestle all night long. They both bring something different to the table but it just works. They have strong chemistry, they work amazingly well with one another, and their connection with the fans is stronger than I have seen any tag team in such a long time. I honestly cannot tell you just how over they are and cannot put into words how much I love them. I don't doubt for a single second that they will be NXT Tag team champions at some point this year. Their potential is insane and with their popularity, merchandise will go through the roof, their booking will be strong and their chances at becoming champions will be extremely high. These two have such a strong year ahead of them that I just cant even put it into words. If you would like to see a blog post talking about why I think Jason Jordan and Chad Gable have re-defined tag team wrestling and brought it back to life then leave a comment bellow and I will get right onto that.
4) Asuka
At number four it's the last Diva to feature in the list of top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen, Asuka. I had to have Asuka in the list. It just wouldn't be a complete blog post without her in it. Once again I will link bellow a recent blog post I wrote where I spoke in even more detail about why I think Asuka will be one to watch. She hasn't been on the WWE NXT scene long but she has bags and bags of experience and she has already made a huge impact in NXT. We have seen some amazing performances from Asuka since she arrived on the NXT seen but we haven't even scratched the surface with her. She still has so much more to show everyone and in two thousand and sixteen I don't doubt that she will be a massive stand out. At the moment she is still in the build up stages. The WWE are still easing her into the company, having her work smaller matches here and there and she's still in her debut feud's but she is making her way up the division and it won't be long until we see her entering the championship picture. Now, I'm pretty much certain that Asuka will be the next NXT Women's Champion and how they write her into the picture is going to be very very special. She really is bringing something different to the table, something we haven't seen any other female competitor bring. Over the next twelve months Asuka is about to really change the game. She is bound to put on some history making matches and really take women's wrestling to the next level.
If I was you I wouldn't take my eyes off of Asuka for a single second this year.
3) Roman Reigns
In at number three in my top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen is a superstar who was last year's number on in the exact same blog post, Roman Reigns. If you read my most improved superstar of the year blog post then you will know that Roman Reigns was the man I dedicated the post and I will link it bellow so you can go and give that a read if you haven't already done so. Now, Roman Reigns had an amazing twenty fifteen. He started out by winning the Royal Rumble and going on to main event Wrestlemania. However, he had a bigger task at hand, winning over the WWE Universe. I myself was a huge critic and I spent a lot of the year moaning about him and making it perfectly clear I would never be a fan, but by the end of the year I was officially a Roman Reigns fan. He had won me over. The improvements he has shown over the past year have been seriously impressive. Yes, I will admit he still has some work to do but he has worked he's butt off over the past twelve months. He has improved greatly in the ring, he's character has took the improvements it needed and he's even gotten better on the mic. Now, with Rollins out of action and the WWE spending time working on new up and coming talent, the future of the WWE, Reigns can expect another massive year throughout twenty sixteen. The opportunities coming he's way are bound to be massive. He will be working as one of the companies top names on the roster, main eventing more and more shows and events throughout the year. Things are only set to get much much better.
2) Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose had a rather mediocre year last year. He had a fair amount of strong, solid matches but he's booking overall was much weaker than it should have been. He spent a great deal of time working as the "side man" for Roman Reigns and it did him no favours. However, throughout the poor booking Ambrose has remained a massive fan favourite and the entire WWE universe is still standing strongly behind him and waiting for he's big big push. With more names coming up to the main roster and storyline's about to get very very interesting e can expect a much much better twenty sixteen for Dean Ambrose. Once again with Seth Rollins currently out of action their are bound to be a lot of opportunities coming the way of Ambrose. Things like the money in the bank, royal rumble, and even the elimination chamber if they hold another special like they did last year, could all prove to be important and big nights for Ambrose. I'm hopeing that we see more mic work from him. We all know that Dean is one of the strongest mic workers in the whole of the WWE. He's promo are skills are absolutely amazing and what I'm hopeing is that this year he's able to work strong storyline's that allow him to show off all of those talents. There is plenty of space for him in the main event picture and with he's character he really will be able to bring something different that no other WWE superstar he's brining. Feuds with the likes of Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, John Cena, Rusev, Kevin Owens and Sheamus are all feuds we can possibly expect to see throughout the year of two thousand and sixteen. Trust me when I say that Dean Ambrose will be one of the biggest names to watch throughout the next year, make sure you keep a very very close eye on him.
1) Finn Balor
And finally at number one in my top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen is the one and only, Finn Balor. What an amazing year Finn had in twenty fifteen. Becoming the new face of NXT, competing in a handful of match of the year candidate matches, and becoming NXT
champion, Balor arrived in the WWE and within the next year we can expect him to arrive on the main roster making a massive impact on the main shows. With the legacy he has already started to create, what he has achieved throughout he's career, and the name he has created for himself we all know that Balor will be pushed as the WWE next big name, shaking things up big time on the main roster. When Balor does make he's main roster debut we really will be in for a treat. He will be brining something completely different, something new and exiting and for those who haven't seen he's work down in NXT or before he came to the WWE then they really will be speechless to say the very least. There's no doubt in my mind that he will be thrown into the spotlight and the main event picture and by the end of the year he will be named one of the biggest names of twenty sixteen on he's way to becoming superstar of the year. Two thousand and sixteen will be the true start of the era of Finn Balor. The main roster is about to get a whole new style and feel and I honestly cannot wait. It's going to be interesting seeing how they book Balor throughout the year and as a write I'm so excited to write many blog post about Balor this year. He's feuds and storyline's are bound to be some of the best of the year and possibly of this generation.
Of course there are so many more WWE Superstars and Diva who I think we should be watching out for. From Nia Jax, to Apollo Crews, to Big E even to Eva Marie but this has to be my top sixteen. Remember, you can let me know who you think we should all be watching this year by leaving a comment bellow or by tweeting me at @TezangiVictoria.
14) Billie Kay
At number fourteen is an NXT Diva we are yet to know much about but I think we really should be watching out for in two thousand and sixteen; Billie Kay. Leaning towards the later months of twenty fifteen we started to see more of Billie Kay after she was announced earlier on in the year to be part of the one of the latest NXT recruits. Now, some of you may be aware of Billie if you have watched Shimmer wrestling before, it's how I know of her and her work and it's just another reason why I know we should be watching her throughout the next twelve months. I am planning on doing a little get to know Billie Kay blog post so if that's something you would want to see let me know in the comments bellow. What I love about Billie is once again she's brining something a little different. She has a tall frame, she's got the dark hair, she brings with her her own little wrestling background. Like I said, we are yet to see much of Billie but even if you are not aware of her previous work you have to be slightly impressed with what we have seen. There's no doubt that she's going to be a very dominate figure in the division. With most of the four horsewomen up on the main roster is opens a lot of doors for new divas to step up and take the spotlight and I'm certain that Billie will be one of those divas. So far we have seen Billie portrayed in two different lights. On the one hand we have the girly Australian with the bright ring gear while on the other hand we have seen her in the darker attire bringing a whole new look witch personally I much prefer. I would love it if the WWE stuck to keeping her looking darker and more intense. With what she can do in the ring and a darker more anti diva image would go down much much better, while Peyton Royce takes on the more girly character. Throughout the year many NXT Divas and superstars have mentioned Royce and Billie Kay as two who could really keep up the high standard of the NXT Women's division and I honestly believe they are both two to watch out for in the future but personally I'm leaning slightly more towards Billie Kay.
13) Adrian Neville
Last year we saw former NXT Champion, Adrian Neville make he's official main roster debut the night after Wrestlemania. He spent most of twenty fifteen working more in the mid card section of the roster feuding against the likes of King Barrett, but we all (those who have watched him NXT) full well that he is worth so much more and should be competing at a much higher level. Just like Cesaro, he has put on a handful of solid matches where the WWE have managed to actually book him strongly, but it's just not good enough. Once again, a strong solid match here and there isn't enough and it does feel as though they are just wasting time with an amazing amazing talent. Now, after spending so looking building himself up and working smaller matches and feuds it's time the WWE started stepping it up and taking Neville to the next level. If you have seen him compete in NXT than you know full well that he is a main event talent and so its about time he started getting treated/booked like one. The first thing the WWE should consider doing if they wish to take him up to the next level is ditching that cape. Honestly, I still hate the god damn thing and it has done no good for he's character what so ever. I understand why they gave him a cape but it just hasn't worked and the character is honestly what is holding him back. However, if they really do want to keep this hero style character within him then I do really believe that having him feud with Bray Wyatt would be perfect for him during the earlier stages of twenty sixteen but before they do put them together in a feud it may be best they spent a month or so booking Neville really strong allowing him to take on the bigger names on the roster to build momentum. Almost like he spends a month proving he is worth taking on a superstar who in he's debut year feuded with the likes of Kane and John Cena. I do think that Seth Rollins absences will also work in the favour of Neville this year as well. Now it comes down to the WWE using the opportunity to use Neville in a space at the top that they have. Either way I think this is going to be a very special year for Adrian Neville.
12) Emma
Up next is Emma. Last year saw Emma take a couple of steps backwards in order to improve herself and that is exactly what she has done. Going back to NXT was honestly the best thing for Emma. Her character was going nowhere on the main roster and she was pretty much working as the female Zack Ryder in the division. Taking a step back and going to NXT allowed Emma to change things up and show the fans a whole new side to her. Turning heel and feuding with Bayley was the first step in re-creating Emma and from that point onwards we just saw her get better and better. From her change in entrance theme, the new ring gear, and her alliance with Dana Brooke, Emma has proven that she is a natural heel and has much much more potential with this new side of her being shown. With this whole new character taking place Emma is set to have an amazing two thousand and sixteen. I'm hopeing to see her do some more work down in NXT, there is still so much they can do with her and Dana Brooke so I would love to see where they take that next in the new year. But I also think she will be a key figure in keeping up that high expectations and standards the four horsewomen have created. If you read my blog post where I spoke about the five divas who I think will keep up the high standard then you will know that Emma did feature in the list but if you haven't then I will link that post down bellow at the end. With Emma's new character and her level of experience she can really help a lot of up and coming divas including Dana Brooke but it would also be great seeing her chase after the NXT Women's Championship. I'm really expecting some amazing matches from Emma this year while she continues to work in NXT. We can also expect her to go back up to the main roster later on in the year so what they do with her there will be very interesting and I doubt they will fail her twice. Well I hope they don't anyway. I think if we take a look at the next twelve months after analysing what we have seen from her already since going back to NXT then things are looking very strong and very bright for Emma.There's also a little possibility she might be joining Total Divas. Nothing official but it just seems like something the WWE and Emma may consider later on in the year.
11) Sami Zayn
Number eleven is a good old fan favourite in Sami Zayn. How could I honestly not have Sami Zayn in my sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen list? Unfortunately, last year Sami Zayn suffered an injury that took him out of action for the rest of the year and we are still waiting for he's return. He of course has kept himself busy making a handful of appearances but we have all been waiting for him to make he's WWE return to the ring. In twenty sixteen we can expect the former NXT champion to make he's return. Personally, I would love to see him as an entrant in the Royal Rumble but I'm not going to get my hopes up just yet. But come on, how freaking awesome would that be? Now, whether he will return to NXT or go straight to the WWE main roster isn't something that has been heavily been discussed. In my opinion, even though I would love to see him go back to NXT because it just feels like he's home, however, he has been waiting a very very ling time to get up to the main roster and holding him back any longer is just not necessary. He's more than ready for the main roster and with Rollins out of action there really is a place for him at the top. It's going to be interesting seeing how they book Zayn up on the main roster. We all know he deserves to be in the main event picture but at the same time he really could bring something amazing elsewhere on the roster. I think at some point this year we really are going to see the Daniel Bryan story with Zayn. He's really going to grab the hearts of the WWE universe and with he's already huge following the only way is up for Sami Zayn. I'm expecting a massive massive year for Zayn. One that will see him finally get he's moment in the spotlight up on the main shows and he really is going to change the feel of the main roster. The entire world knows that Sami Zayn will be one of the biggest names in the future of the WWE and that all will start and prove to be correct this year in two thousand and sixteen.
10) Lana
Kick starting the top ten sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen is Lana. Twenty fifteen was a solid year for Lana. We saw her really take the spotlight and break away from Rusev in what was one of my favourite storyline's of the year. Yes, it lacked a little originality but it worked for me and I really did enjoy it. I wasn't a fan of her alliance with Dolph Ziggler, I'll be honest, I hated the pairing. I get how it worked with the storyline but I just personally really really didn't like it at all. It was a massive shame that Lana suffered a wrist injury. She came so close to making her in ring debut, being set to take on Summer Rae, however her in ring set back will be the least of Lana's worries. The WWE made a huge huge mistake announcing the engagement of Rusev and Lana. I honestly, to this day am still seriously frustrated that they ruined their own feud. It's not Rusev's fault, it wasn't Lana's fault, it wasn't even TMZ's fault. The WWE themselves ruined their own storyline and now what they do with Lana when she returns is going to be intresting but not as strong as it should have been. It would be great to see Lana and Summer eventually go one on one but with how the WWE went about it with the storyline I doubt that it will be any time soon. They may decide to have the two of them finish off where they started but simply leave Ziggler out of the picture witch makes sense but in all honesty I think the best they can do is move Lana on to something completely different. The thing with her is she really does have it all. She's got strong mic ability, she looks amazing, she portrays her character well, she has a strong connection with the fans and the WWE are seriously high on her. Now what we need to see is her wrestling ability. She's likely not to compete in NXT like most divas now do meaning that she is going to be under a lot of pressure when she does make her in ring debut. How they write back in is going to be very very interesting but I'm keeping my hope up. She had an strong year last year and with her in ring debut set to take place in twenty sixteen we can expect the next twelve months to be very very strong for Lana.
9) Baron Corbin
Two thousand and fifteen was a slow start for Baron Corbin. He spent most of the first half of the year competing in squash matches to get him over and show he's dominance in the ring. He had two small feuds against Bull Dempsey and Rhyno both not completely showing he's full potential but both allowing us to see him grow as a character and wrestler. He's heel turn saw things really improve for him. He's feud with Samoa Joe as solid and he was able to have he's first strong match up that really showed everyone what he is capable of in the ring and I was very impressed. I did give him some heat about that "special something" I felt he was missing. For me it felt as though he wasn't completely connecting with the fans and that was the only thing really holding back but he's really worked on he's charisma and character. He still has a long way to go with he's mic ability and a thew other little things but he's getting there and the later months of two thousand and fifteen were really really strong for Corbin. He started competing against the bigger names, he main evented, and he showed more and more every time we saw him. With he's work ethic combined with how good he is and how high the WWE are on him the next year is bound to be truly epic for Baron Corbin. He will certainly continue to work in the main event picture competing as one of NXT's biggest names and he will just get better and better as time goes on. He will become even more dominate and he's booking will just get stronger. I do think he has a chance of becoming NXT champion at some point. He has the potential and the drive and he's heading in the right direction. We really are watching him grow in every single aspect and the next twelve months are going to be so strong for him. He's storyline's are going to have to improve and he is going to have to start working at an even high level, cutting stronger promos but with the attention the WWE have been putting on him he's destined for an amazing year and career. Could he make he's main roster debut this year? Yeah, I think he has a shot. It most likely won't be until much later on in the year but if he continues to compete at the level he's competing at right now then there wont be no stopping him and there will be no reason not to give him the call up.
8) Sasha Banks
At number eight is my two thousand and fifteen WWE Diva of the year, Sasha Banks. Sasha without a doubt had a phenomenal year last year. She made history on at least two occasions, she became one of the most must see talents in all of the WWE, and cemented herself as one of the greatest female wrestlers in the entire world. I suppose when you think about it, what more could Sasha really do in twenty sixteen? Well her journey to the top is far from over and there is still so much more left to see of Sasha. Let's remember she's only twenty three years old and has only been wrestling for five years, I have the feeling that despite all the things we have already seen from her we have not even scratched the surface with Sasha Banks. Right now she is leading a revolution. The WWE might not have her being portrayed as the top dog in the division but she's doing it all on her own. The fans, even though she is working as a heel are fully behind her and everything she does. She's easily marketed, easy to put into storyline's and the WWE can trust that she will always deliver strong, solid matches. In two thousand and fifteen I'm expecting Sasha to take things up to a whole other level as she brings that true revolution, what we have seen down in NXT for the past two years up to the main roster. That level of competition. She will be the one who gives us the longer matches, the stronger storyline's and the gripping action. There is so much they can do with Sasha when it comes to storyline's. One on one matches and feuds against the likes of Paige, Natalya, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Naomi and so many more could really be something amazing this year. I'm predicting her and Charlotte to deliver something we haven't seen out of two divas at Wrestlemania before. I honestly do think that twenty sixteen is going to Sasha really change the game and keep the revolution of women's wrestling alive and strong.
7) Samoa Joe
Number seven will most likely not come as a surprise to most of you as Samoa Joe makes the list in my top sixteen superstar to watch in two thousand and sixteen. Making he's WWE NXT debut mid last year, Samoa Joe as helped add more excitement to NXT creating an even bigger buzz around the product. So far he has had an amazing time working with NXT and the only way really is up. He still has so much more left to show and bring while working down in NXT but we can also expect twenty sixteen to be the year for Samoa Joe to start working on the main roster. I'm predicting another four months or so working down in NXT and then most likely the night after Wrestlemania will see him make he's main roster debut. Like I said he still has loads more to bring to NXT but we can be sure that over the next twelve month we will see Joe arrive on the main roster and really shake things up a little. The WWE are probably working around he's debut storyline witch will sure be very entertaining to say the least. We can expect him to finish off he's feud with Kevin Owens at some point as well as taking on the likes of Rusev, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins when he returns, and of course John Cena. The storyline's open to Samoa Joe are pretty much endless. There is so much they will be able to do with him over the next year and we can guarantee that the WWE have something big waiting for him this year.
6) Dana Brooke
Up next is Dana Brooke. If you read my blog post where I spoke about the top five NXT divas who I thought would be keeping up the high standards of women's wrestling in NXT then you most likely won't be surprised with the fact that Dana Brooke is featuring in this list. I will of course link that blog post bellow so you can check that out if you haven't already done so. Now, Dana Brooke only debuted last year and she has already had everyone talking about her, it doesn't matter if people were saying good or bad things, people were talking about her and that's what matters. She may not be as strong as the other divas in the ring but she has the time to learn and she has been showing improvements the more we see of her. I have loved her alliance with Emma and like I have said in the past their alliance really does mean that there are so many potential storyline's for the pair of them, many of witch we will see nearer to the start of twenty sixteen. When you look at Dana you can she is a superstar. She looks the part, she has a solid character and she does improve every single week. She has the passion and the drive and that really is what is going to keep her strong throughout the next year. The WWE have shown that they are high on her and so there really will be many opportunities coming her way. What she needs to do is just work on improving her wrestling ability even more. She has proven recently that with the right time and the right opponent she can be very very impressive. Future matches against the likes of Bayley, Emma, and Asuka will without a doubt be stand outs for Dana. She has a lot to offer and will without a doubt be playing a strong role in the division as more new names are added. I'm sure she will slowly win over the NXT universe but once again it will come down to her wrestling that decides it all. I'm not predicting a main roster debut for her this year unless she does something amazing and maybe then she could have a small chance of getting the call up later on in the year but I think she should be using NXT and what it has to offer throughout the next year to better herself and really make a name for herself.
5) Jason Jordan and Chad Gable
Up next is the only tag team that will be featuring in my top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen. Jason Jordan and Chad Gable may not have been together that long but they are one of the most promising, exiting, and entertaining tag team the WWE has seen a very very long time. Their young, their traditional, and they have a strong strong connections with the fans. I will admit that at first I wasn't completely sold on the pairing and I was a little unsure on how well they would do but they have completely changed my opinions both of them and of tag team wrestling. I think we can all agree that for quite some time tag team wrestling has been taking a fall and as someone who grew up a big tag team wrestling fan I've grown in recent years to really almost completely dislike it. However, NXT has turnt that around massively and Gable and Jordan have been a team that have really reinforced my love for it. I could honestly watch the pair of them wrestle all night long. They both bring something different to the table but it just works. They have strong chemistry, they work amazingly well with one another, and their connection with the fans is stronger than I have seen any tag team in such a long time. I honestly cannot tell you just how over they are and cannot put into words how much I love them. I don't doubt for a single second that they will be NXT Tag team champions at some point this year. Their potential is insane and with their popularity, merchandise will go through the roof, their booking will be strong and their chances at becoming champions will be extremely high. These two have such a strong year ahead of them that I just cant even put it into words. If you would like to see a blog post talking about why I think Jason Jordan and Chad Gable have re-defined tag team wrestling and brought it back to life then leave a comment bellow and I will get right onto that.
4) Asuka
At number four it's the last Diva to feature in the list of top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen, Asuka. I had to have Asuka in the list. It just wouldn't be a complete blog post without her in it. Once again I will link bellow a recent blog post I wrote where I spoke in even more detail about why I think Asuka will be one to watch. She hasn't been on the WWE NXT scene long but she has bags and bags of experience and she has already made a huge impact in NXT. We have seen some amazing performances from Asuka since she arrived on the NXT seen but we haven't even scratched the surface with her. She still has so much more to show everyone and in two thousand and sixteen I don't doubt that she will be a massive stand out. At the moment she is still in the build up stages. The WWE are still easing her into the company, having her work smaller matches here and there and she's still in her debut feud's but she is making her way up the division and it won't be long until we see her entering the championship picture. Now, I'm pretty much certain that Asuka will be the next NXT Women's Champion and how they write her into the picture is going to be very very special. She really is bringing something different to the table, something we haven't seen any other female competitor bring. Over the next twelve months Asuka is about to really change the game. She is bound to put on some history making matches and really take women's wrestling to the next level.
If I was you I wouldn't take my eyes off of Asuka for a single second this year.
3) Roman Reigns
In at number three in my top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen is a superstar who was last year's number on in the exact same blog post, Roman Reigns. If you read my most improved superstar of the year blog post then you will know that Roman Reigns was the man I dedicated the post and I will link it bellow so you can go and give that a read if you haven't already done so. Now, Roman Reigns had an amazing twenty fifteen. He started out by winning the Royal Rumble and going on to main event Wrestlemania. However, he had a bigger task at hand, winning over the WWE Universe. I myself was a huge critic and I spent a lot of the year moaning about him and making it perfectly clear I would never be a fan, but by the end of the year I was officially a Roman Reigns fan. He had won me over. The improvements he has shown over the past year have been seriously impressive. Yes, I will admit he still has some work to do but he has worked he's butt off over the past twelve months. He has improved greatly in the ring, he's character has took the improvements it needed and he's even gotten better on the mic. Now, with Rollins out of action and the WWE spending time working on new up and coming talent, the future of the WWE, Reigns can expect another massive year throughout twenty sixteen. The opportunities coming he's way are bound to be massive. He will be working as one of the companies top names on the roster, main eventing more and more shows and events throughout the year. Things are only set to get much much better.
2) Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose had a rather mediocre year last year. He had a fair amount of strong, solid matches but he's booking overall was much weaker than it should have been. He spent a great deal of time working as the "side man" for Roman Reigns and it did him no favours. However, throughout the poor booking Ambrose has remained a massive fan favourite and the entire WWE universe is still standing strongly behind him and waiting for he's big big push. With more names coming up to the main roster and storyline's about to get very very interesting e can expect a much much better twenty sixteen for Dean Ambrose. Once again with Seth Rollins currently out of action their are bound to be a lot of opportunities coming the way of Ambrose. Things like the money in the bank, royal rumble, and even the elimination chamber if they hold another special like they did last year, could all prove to be important and big nights for Ambrose. I'm hopeing that we see more mic work from him. We all know that Dean is one of the strongest mic workers in the whole of the WWE. He's promo are skills are absolutely amazing and what I'm hopeing is that this year he's able to work strong storyline's that allow him to show off all of those talents. There is plenty of space for him in the main event picture and with he's character he really will be able to bring something different that no other WWE superstar he's brining. Feuds with the likes of Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, John Cena, Rusev, Kevin Owens and Sheamus are all feuds we can possibly expect to see throughout the year of two thousand and sixteen. Trust me when I say that Dean Ambrose will be one of the biggest names to watch throughout the next year, make sure you keep a very very close eye on him.
1) Finn Balor
And finally at number one in my top sixteen superstars to watch in two thousand and sixteen is the one and only, Finn Balor. What an amazing year Finn had in twenty fifteen. Becoming the new face of NXT, competing in a handful of match of the year candidate matches, and becoming NXT
Of course there are so many more WWE Superstars and Diva who I think we should be watching out for. From Nia Jax, to Apollo Crews, to Big E even to Eva Marie but this has to be my top sixteen. Remember, you can let me know who you think we should all be watching this year by leaving a comment bellow or by tweeting me at @TezangiVictoria.
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