A new year brings change — a new attitude, new gear, and a new look. In pro wrestling, WWE fans hope 2026 brings the same sense of freshness, especially in its championship scene.
As the year kicks off, Bron Breakker will attempt to win his first world title when he challenges World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk for his crown this Monday on Raw. If successful, a win by the 28-year-old sensation could kick down the door for others to follow.
With that in mind, here’s to seeing four fresh faces get their shot at championship glory in 2026.
Last September, Penta had a hilarious run-in with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, asking, “Why you don’t love Penta?”
Since his WWE debut last January, Penta has become an instant crowd favorite. Yet, as he noted in his exchange with Pearce, that hasn’t translated into many title opportunities. In 2025, he had just six shots at gold — two of those coming in multi-person bouts.
A proven talent, Penta seems destined to claim the Intercontinental Championship — or even the AAA Mega Championship — from Dominik Mysterio. With The Usos back atop Raw’s tag division, a reunion with his brother, Rey Fenix, could set the stage for a thrilling showdown between siblings, lighting up the ring in 2026 and paving the way for Penta’s first WWE title run.
The CW
When it came to championships in 2025, Zaria proved she could lose them — but winning them? Not so much.
On TV, she challenged for gold three times and fell short every single time. Acting as Sol Ruca’s stand-in at Halloween Havoc, she lost Ruca’s NXT Women’s North American Championship to Blake Monroe.
At times, it seemed her friendship with Ruca was reaching a breaking point. A dramatic split — and a focused push on her career — could set the stage for Zaria to capture championship gold in the next 12 months.
Netflix
After his winless streak in championship matches was highlighted, Je’Von Evans made it clear that his focus is on growth — not just gold.
“The best and better opportunity is when you’re learning with the legends you’ve been in the ring with. I’ll take that over any championship match,” Evans wrote on social media.
That mindset should reassure his fans. But with the audience so invested in “The Young OG,” it’s only natural they’re eager to see him reach the top.
Recently, Evans was named NXT’s Male Superstar of the Year for 2025, a strong sign heading into 2026. His pursuit of excellence is likely to earn him more title opportunities — and when he finally succeeds, the reaction could be one of the biggest moments of the year.
Credit: WWE on Netflix
LA Knight’s career since joining WWE’s main roster in 2022 has been a rollercoaster. With Bianca Belair, he’s become the face of WWE’s Slim Jim partnership and a two-time United States Champion.
Yet, despite his achievements — racking up more matches than anyone in the company in 2025 and ranking among WWE’s most popular stars — Knight has yet to win a world championship. At 43, his title clock is ticking. Even a short reign would thrill his fans and inject new energy into WWE’s main event scene.
Following an up-and-down year, 2026 truly feels like a make-or-break year for “The Megastar.”
Now, I turn it over to you, dear readers. Which first-time champions would you like to see crowned in WWE this year? Rep your choices in the comments section.