10 WWE Wrestlers Poised To Break Out In 2020

3. Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley
WWE.com

Nobody in NXT's women's division is on the cusp like Rhea Ripley, who'd have likely been thrust closer to the Women's Championship if not for WarGames.

Regardless, the most recent TakeOver and its build were critical in getting the Australian powerhouse to this point. She was a force of nature inside that cage, bulldozing Shayna Baszler's army of heels as she and Candice LeRae overcame four-on-two disadvantage to take the bout, with Ripley scoring a critical pinfall on 'The Queen Of Spades.' One night later, Rhea was once again positioned as the difference-maker when NXT overcame Raw and SmackDown at Survivor Series 2019.

Armed with fresh pins over Sasha Banks, Baszler, and Charlotte Flair, Ripley is Shayna's rightful heir. She has been from the moment she stormed back into Full Sail University with that "but you haven't beaten me, b*tch!" mic drop, and now, with TakeOver: Portland looming, her coronation seems to have been signposted. She is believably bad*ss enough to not only pull this off, but reign as strongly as Baszler has - hopefully without the same kind of divisive response online.

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Channel Manager

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.