10 WWE & AEW Wrestlers Poised To Break Out In 2022
Who will use 2022 to etch their name in wrestling history? Featuring Hook, Shotzi, and more...
New years begin with billions around the world promising themselves (and who's ever drunk or depressed enough to listen) that "this is going to be my year." Most find themselves making the exact same promise as "their year" approaches its final days. However, professional wrestling is comprised of highly motivated and mobile individuals.
The industry demands intense commitment and sacrifice for even the chance to step in a ring for less than 20 fans. We often forget that even those jobbing on a C-Show or chasing after the 24/7 Championship are phenomenal success stories. Just setting foot in a WWE or AEW ring is a colossal achievement.
Nevertheless, a select few rise to superstardom. They capture championship gold and the hearts of fans, while building up impressive "best of" lists that will be viewed and expounded upon by generations of fans and colleagues alike.
Currently AEW has a swelling roster and WWE is looking a bit sparse on in-ring competitors. Nevertheless, there are some clear names (admittedly with a little help from booking) whose talent is on the verge of breaking out in 2022...
10. Cora Jade
Despite only being 21, Cora Jade came to NXT with experience, albeit brief, in both of WWE's nearest rivals: AEW and Impact Wrestling. She has been with the company for one year, debuting on 205 Live (#215) teaming with Gigi Dolin in a losing effort to The Way (Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell).
In her debut months in WWE, Jade's booking was mixed. However, she scored a win against now-NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose (WWE NXT 2.0 #482).
Cora Jade's star making moment came during the 2021 Women's WarGames match that saw her team with Io Shirai, Kay Lee Ray, and Raquel Gonzalez to take on the heel teaming of Dakota Kai and Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, and Jacy Jayne). In the match's most talked about moment, Cora scaled the cage and hit a senton bomb on the unconscious-on-a-table Jayne. She also deserves credit from her believable selling of the toil that the move inflicted on her too.
While it is early days, Jade is the plucky babyface the NXT women's division needs to take it to the heel-controlled division.