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| Feed him... gold? Photo Credit: WWE.com |
1. Ryback
This sounds like cheating to some, but there has to be opportunity for Ryback to get the title, right? Right now, both major Championships are tied up, and there's no way Ryback will end up as fodder for John Cena, even if he turns heel at Mania (a juicy possibility). That being said, he's certainly the kind of guy WWE seems to love, only he actually has the ability to back it up. It would be amusing if he won one of the Money in the Bank briefcases and mowed down his target within 24 hours. I think he'd make an interesting Champion, at least.
2. Jon Davis
I don't know what the fuck Gabe Sapolsky is doing with the Open the Freedom Gate Championship, but there's gotta be an endgame in sight for Johnny Gargano's reign, right? He's been building up Davis pretty hard in the last six months, and it hasn't been without merit. Even as a member of the Dark City Fight Club, Davis showed signs of impressiveness. He's already been given the FIP Title, which is in Gabe's sort of stable of companies. I don't know how much you can read into it, but in typical Gabe fashion, Davis will get the title even if it's a couple of months to a year too late.
3. Michael Elgin
Here's another guy that another company, ROH, has somewhat stalled on, but at least he's been involved in a sub-title feud with Roderick Strong. With the American Wolves' ship having sailed and ROH at war with an invading group who may or may not be affiliated with the Champion, the company is going to need a new hero to step up. Elgin is capably suited for that role in a company that can run with a strong, silent Champion better than others. He's had test runs against both Davey Richards and Kevin Steen. Could 2013 be the year he gets the keys?
4. Cody Rhodes
Speaking of Money in the Bank (okay, speaking of it two entries ago), doesn't it feel like Rhodes is the man who's going to get the blue briefcase this year? He's done everything there is to do below the two main belts, and there's no denying that he's got the chops to make it in the main event. He also fits a certain profile - a young, brash, ready-to-be-elevated bad guy. If we're assuming seniority matters (and it doesn't always), then Rhodes may have a leg up on his partner Damien Sandow and Antonio Cesaro.
5. Athena
Athena took some lumps last year in both SHIMMER and WSU, but there's no doubt she broke out on the scene at large, especially with huge wins over Jessicka Havok in ACW and Mercedes Martinez and Ray in SHIMMER. She's also got maybe the best finisher in wrestling, the diving leaping stunner from the top known as the O-Face. It feels like her star's going to continue to rise, and it'll more than likely start with beating Ayako Hamada at SHIMMER Vol. 53. I don't think it's that much of a reach to say she could be the Champ by Vol. 61.
6. Hallowicked
I really get the feeling the Chikara Grand Championship is going to change hands this year, but to whom? Mike Quackenbush has Jigsaw to deal with, and Jigsaw the same. The Ants are all swarming on each other. UltraMantis Black got his moment last year. I also don't think that Eddie Kingston is going to end the season as a tecnico either. I'd pick Tim Donst here, but I think that's too easy. If they were going to strap him, wouldn't they have done it already? Plus, his endgame may end up coming from within anyway (Team Jakob!). Hallowicked may seem like a safe bet, but he's been with Chikara for years. He's a safe bet to win his first major Championship this year.