5 WWE Superstars who should’ve been the World Heavyweight Champion in 2026

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That said, in this article, we look at five WWE Superstars who should have been the World Heavyweight Champion in 2026.

#5. Finn Balor

Few WWE stars have experienced as much frustration in recent years as Finn Balor. The former Universal Champion entered 2026 with significant momentum. He somewhat separated himself from The Judgment Day’s affairs and focused on singles competition. For a brief period, it looked like WWE was finally ready to reward one of its most consistent performers.

The biggest indication came during his rivalry with CM Punk. Many fans felt Balor had all the ingredients necessary for a championship run. His character had regained some of the edge it had lost. Meanwhile, his in-ring performances remained among the best in WWE.

Hence, a victory over CM Punk could have propelled him directly into the World Heavyweight Championship picture. Instead, WWE chose a different direction, leaving Balor once again on the outside looking in.

Now that The Prince has been ousted from The Judgment Day and eventually moved to SmackDown, the opportunity appears to be lost for the time being. Nevertheless, considering the work he put in so far this year, it’s difficult not to feel that 2026 should have been the year Finn Balor finally reclaimed world championship gold.

#4. Former WWE United States Champion Jacob Fatu

Jacob Fatu entered 2026 as one of the most dangerous men in WWE. His explosive offense, unmatched intensity, and ability to dominate opponents made him an instant favorite among fans who wanted to see fresh faces in the world title picture.

However, it appeared that Roman Reigns stood in his way. Fatu challenged The Tribal Chief on two separate occasions and came up short both times. Although those defeats elevated his credibility, they also halted his momentum at crucial moments.

Now, The Samoan Werewolf has found himself in The Bloodline. Hence, he will focus on the family business rather than pursuing individual championship glory. Although there is certainly value in keeping Fatu aligned with the faction, many fans would argue that WWE missed a golden opportunity to create a new top star.

Jacob Fatu possesses everything needed to carry a world championship. He connects with audiences, delivers spectacular matches, and brings a unique presence that few wrestlers can replicate.

Had Triple H and his creative team pulled the trigger earlier this year, Fatu could have emerged as one of the most dominant World Heavyweight Champions in recent memory. Instead, his pursuit of the world title remains unfinished.

#3. Bron Breakker

At the start of 2026, Bron Breakker looked destined to become a world champion. The second-generation superstar had spent the previous year destroying nearly everyone in his path. His combination of athleticism, power, and intensity made him one of the most protected stars on the roster.

For many fans, it felt like a matter of when, not if, Breakker would capture the World Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately, Triple H and his creative team had different plans.

Rather than continuing his ascent toward the top prize, The Dog of WWE has found himself in the tag team division as one-half of the World Tag Team Champions. Although that role keeps him featured prominently on television, it has significantly slowed his rise as a singles competitor.

That decision has been met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, Bron Breakker remains one of WWE’s most valuable young stars; on the other, his momentum as a potential world champion has cooled considerably compared to where it stood earlier in the year.

The most surprising part is that Breakker seemed tailor-made for the world championship scene. Few superstars possess his physical gifts, and even fewer have demonstrated the ability to generate believable main-event credibility so quickly.

If WWE wanted to establish its next powerhouse champion, Bron Breakker should have been near the top of the list.

#2. LA Knight

At this point, LA Knight not winning a world championship feels like one of WWE’s biggest ongoing mysteries.

Year after year, Knight continues to receive some of the loudest reactions from fans. His popularity remains undeniable, and his merchandise sales consistently prove that fans are invested in him. Yet the World Heavyweight Championship has continued to elude him.

2026 looked like the perfect opportunity to finally change that. The Megastar entered the year with tremendous momentum. His ability to connect with audiences through charisma alone is something WWE rarely finds.

Arguably, LA Knight has proven he can deliver high-profile matches and can carry major storylines. Most importantly, fans genuinely want to see him succeed.

There are very few stars on the roster who can claim to be as overdue for a world championship reign as Knight. The fact that he still hasn’t held the World Heavyweight Championship is a decision many fans continue to question.

#1. Oba Femi

If there is one superstar who still has a realistic chance of becoming World Heavyweight Champion before the end of 2026, it is Oba Femi.

The powerhouse has been one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars over the past year. His dominance, confidence, and natural presence have drawn comparisons to some of the biggest attractions in company history.

For months, many fans believed his rise toward the world title was inevitable. Then came Brock Lesnar. Losing to a returning Lesnar was certainly not a career-ending setback. However, it undeniably hurt The Ruler’s momentum.

WWE had an opportunity to book Oba Femi to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship. Instead, Femi was booked to issue a weekly open challenge, and then, he lost to The Beast Incarnate at Clash in Italy.

That said, unlike the other names on this list, The Ruler still has time. The year is far from over. Moreover, the company clearly views him as a future main-event attraction. His performances continue to impress, and his aura remains intact despite the loss.

In many ways, Oba Femi feels like the complete package. He has the size, the athleticism, the credibility, and the star power required to carry a world championship. Hence, there’s still every possibility that he captures the gold before 2026 comes to an end.