10 WWE Superstars Most Likely To Become World Champion For The First Time In 2018

6. Rusev

Braun Strowman WWE Universal Championship
WWE.com

If Rusev isn't the most over wrestler on SmackDown Live right now, he's certainly in the top five. His recent tag team with Aiden English and the 'Rusev Day' gimmick has plucked the Bulgarian Brute out of obscurity and sent him shooting into the stratosphere. The plans for the tag division on the blue brand seem to revolve around Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin at the current time, so WWE needs to find another way to capitalise on Rusev's popularity.

Rusev has been floating around without much creative direction since his initial run as a monster heel ended a few years ago. With the Rusev Day character, he has found an outlet for his unique charisma and, reportedly, his t-shirt is the biggest selling merch item on WWE Shop at the current time.

WWE would be wise to pull the trigger on Rusev while his popularity is at its peak. If he were to win the WWE Championship, it would be Rusev Day every day on SmackDown Live.

Contributor
Contributor

Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.