10 WWE Wrestlers Poised To Break Out In 2018

1. Finn Balor

Finn Balor Pants
WWE

Finn Balor's breakout moment should have come at SummerSlam 2016, but alas: the shoulder injury that cost him the Universal Championship has obliterated his main event career.

The Irishman has played only a peripheral role since returning. Stuck in a god-awful feud with Bray Wyatt for much of the year, he was choked out by Samoa Joe at Extreme Rules, and pulled from a potential Royal Rumble title shot last month. His latest disappointing snub came when he was passed over in favour of Jason Jordan as Seth Rollins' new tag partner, and Balor has spent recent weeks feuding with The Miztourage on Raw's lower-midcard. Sadly, it looks very much like the company have no idea what to do with him.

This will change in 2018.

The Universal Title scene has been a long, predictable march towards Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for months. When 'The Big Dog' finally takes the gold at WrestleMania 34, it'll reopen the window of opportunity for guys like Balor, who have been ostracised ahead of Reigns' inevitable coronation.

Talk of Vince McMahon dismissing the Irishman's overness has likely been exaggerated, as there's no way Balor would risk his boss' wrath with unending social media trolling if they were true. In all likelihood, WWE are just waiting for a seat at the top table to emerge, and Balor will finally explode in 2018.

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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.