New World Champion and more - 5 WWE Superstars who can step up to replace Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and Rhea Ripley
WWE RAW already lost Rhea Ripley and Seth Rollins to injury, and we will seemingly see Cody Rhodes being drafted to SmackDown. At this time, the Red brand desperately needs to see a few of its finest talents step up and take over the Red brand.
It would be no easy task for anyone to have the crowd eager to finish the story like Cody Rhodes on WWE RAW or have fans sing to the champion's tune like Seth Rollins. There's nobody quite like Rhea Ripley as a dominant heel champion who remains more popular than the babyface
However, a few could be just right for the job or even better. Here, we look at the top superstars on WWE RAW who must step up to take over the Monday Night Show following Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins' and Rhea Ripley's departure.
#1 Jey Uso wins his first WWE singles title to take over from Cody Rhodes
Jey Uso is set to challenge Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash next month. He shared an intriguing moment with Cody Rhodes on last week's RAW when the American Nightmare seemingly handed over the red brand to the former Bloodline member. "Main Event" Jey Uso played a massive role in Cody Rhodes' feud with The Bloodline, proving himself to be one of the latter's biggest allies.
Now that Cody is seemingly headed to SmackDown as part of WWE Draft 2024, it is an excellent opportunity for Jey to add more elements to his promising singles run. He is one of the top babyfaces on the brand and will account for a fun champion should he dethrone Priest for the world title.
#2 Sami Zayn borrows a page from Seth Rollins' playbook
One of the most consistent aspects of Seth Rollins' World Heavyweight Championship reign saw him regularly defend his title on weekly television. Although Sami Zayn is carrying the Intercontinental Championship, he could replicate The Architect's "fighting champion" spirit during his current title reign.
Zayn was booked as an underdog when he challenged Gunther for the IC title at WrestleMania XL. He also defended his championship against Chad Gable, after which the latter turned heel. Zayn and Gable will likely engage in an intense title feud, and we could see the champion regularly put his title on the line moving forward.
#3 Liv Morgan fulfills her promise to Rhea Ripley
Liv Morgan returned from her injury, determined to put Rhea Ripley through the same fate. She took complete credit for injuring Mami to build their feud and was more than excited to see Mami vacate the Women's World Championship. Morgan could win the vacated title on WWE RAW tonight, where a massive Battle Royal will crown a new champion.
Part of Rhea Ripley's charm was her sinister heel energy. Morgan could replicate the savagery by winning the title only to rub salt into Ripley's wounds further. She must use a potential championship reign to establish herself as one of the main event superstars with an intriguing gimmick.
#4 Nia Jax becomes the biggest threat on WWE RAW women's division
Although Rhea Ripley's heel persona had intrinsic details, the lion's share of the booking presented her as a dominant superstar. Barring Nia Jax, few can bring the same brutality and powerhouse display inside the ring.
Ripley showcased her dominance and mind games across the men's and women's divisions. Only Nia Jax can play the role with the same impact should WWE want another superstar to replicate Ripley's work with The Judgment Day. It will also set her up with a potential title opportunity, months after losing out on the previous one against Rhea Ripley
#5 Finn Balor gets a singles push
WWE has been teasing tension among The Judgment Day for months. With Rhea Ripley gone, the heel faction is seemingly inching closer to an implosion. Last week, we saw a brief moment of friction between Finn Balor and Damian Priest. It would be naive to dismiss The Prince's aspiration to claim a WWE world championship years after he was forced to relinquish one.
Interestingly, Balor openly prioritized the World Tag Team Champions but was taken aback by Priest's ease. The creative team could use this to push Finn Balor as a singles superstar chasing the World Heavyweight Championship. Fans have long wanted to see him back in the world title picture, and a potential feud with Damian Priest would be a sight to behold.