10 Wrestlers Who Deserve A Big Push After WWE Royal Rumble 2019

8. Rhea Ripley

Finn Balor Sasha Banks Andrade
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NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool showed that Rhea Ripley is far from the finished product. Her bout with Toni Storm was a mild disappointment, as the two Australians struggled to carry their tough, hateful fight towards greatness. It wasn't "bad" by any stretch of the definition, but it didn't hit its lofty pre-match expectations.

Rhea Ripley is a work-in-progress.

Rhea Ripley is 22 years old.

That she's this good, this young is remarkable. Five years into her career, the former NXT UK Women's Champion is already operating at a level above many who've been working twice as long. She's got power, presence, and poise. Few have such a strong grasp of their character, and her improvement between the 2017 and 2018 Mae Young Classics was drastic. Without a word of hyperbole, Ripley could be a top five women's wrestler in the world within a few years, and it looks like WWE recognise her potential.

A short, dominant Rumble stint saw Kacy Catanzaro, Zelina Vega, and Dana Brooke fall by Rhea's hand. If her call-up isn't hot-shotted, she'll become a major developmental fixture in 2019, perhaps even taking the celebrated NXT Women's Championship. It'll be deserved.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.