{"id":205061,"date":"2025-09-26T14:29:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T19:29:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=205061"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:29:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T19:29:26","slug":"wwe-rising-stars-fading-stars-the-dark-angel-rises-the-beast-dominates-jimmy-is-the-glue-j-j-underwhelms-fraser-is-wasted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/09\/26\/wwe-rising-stars-fading-stars-the-dark-angel-rises-the-beast-dominates-jimmy-is-the-glue-j-j-underwhelms-fraser-is-wasted\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE RISING STARS &#038; FADING STARS: The Dark Angel Rises, The Beast Dominates, Jimmy is the Glue, J.J. Underwhelms, Fraser is Wasted"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2198211710\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>A striking look, in-ring excellence, and star charisma&#8230; pick any two.<\/p>\n<p>No one is perfect.<\/p>\n<p>WWE wrestlers are rightly portrayed as larger-than-life, even superhuman, paragons.\u00a0 The performers who portray them, however, are flawed human beings like the rest of us.<\/p>\n<p>A major task of WWE booking is to hide a wrestler\u2019s weaknesses and highlight their strengths.\u00a0 Doing so requires a deft sleight of hand, and results vary depending in part on the quality of performance.<\/p>\n<p>Who in WWE is being portrayed in an ideal light, and who is being exposed?\u00a0 Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>Rising Star of the Week: Stephanie Vaquer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>WWE creative has gone all-in on La Primera, who has ascended to the top of the Women\u2019s Division faster than any other talent in recent memory.\u00a0 A clean win over Iyo Sky, the most dominant champion of the past few years, cements the Dark Angel\u2019s legitimacy as champion.<\/p>\n<p>Will the gamble on Vaquer pay off?\u00a0 The last talent to be elevated this quickly was Tiffany Stratton, who has in many ways been a disappointment.\u00a0 Will Vaquer follow suit?<\/p>\n<p>Vaquer\u2019s greatest assets are top-notch ring work, a strikingly unique look, and a strong presence.\u00a0 She has proven herself able to have excellent matches with a variety of opponents, and her match with the masterful Sky was predictably the best on the Wrestlepalooza card.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3303413733\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Her signature \u201cDevil\u2019s Kiss\u201d is perhaps the most over wrestling move of 2025, although its popularity is undermined by commentators\u2019 ever-present sexual innuendo surrounding the maneuver &#8211; reminiscent of Jerry Lawler at his worst.<\/p>\n<p>Vaquer holds herself like a star, and possesses a rare poise which makes her seem in command of almost any situation.\u00a0\u00a0 She also has a &#8220;cool&#8221; factor that many of her peers, such as Sky, simply lack. Her ring garb is striking, although I can\u2019t help but wonder if it would benefit from adding a pair of shorts.<\/p>\n<p>Her chief weakness is undoubtedly her ability to deliver a strong promo, hampered by limited English.\u00a0 Sky overcame a similar problem to connect solidly with the audience, although it took her several years to do so. If Vaquer can do the same, and is booked well, a successful title reign is all but guaranteed.<\/p>\n<p>After 16 years of perfecting her craft as a professional wrestler, the Dark Angel finally has the spotlight. I, for one, and am excited to see what she is able to make of it.<\/p>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Check out the latest episode of the Wade Keller Podcast weekly Tuesday Flagship episode with guest cohost Jason Powell: CLICK HERE to stream (or search \u201cwade Keller\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NEW FLAGSHIP: Keller &amp; Fann talk ESPN-WWE, Netflix-WBD-AEW, Vaquer, Mickie James HOF, Cody-Seth, Lesnar, more\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=67873496&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>First Runner-up: Brock Lesnar<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Beast is back!<\/p>\n<p>Many fans have mixed feelings about Lesnar\u2019s return, given his alleged misconduct outside of the ring as a part of the Vince McMahon scandal.\u00a0 However, his value as a special attraction performer is undeniable.\u00a0 Having Lesnar return as a vicious heel fans are encouraged to boo seems in line with how fans want to react to him.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1644706146\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>The decision to have Lesnar defeat Cena decisively is a welcome one. WWE matches are typically close contests, which makes them more entertaining, taken individually. But over time, too many such bouts condition fans to expect inevitable comebacks.<\/p>\n<p>More one-sided matches feel realistic and make actual comebacks more exciting.<\/p>\n<p>A true superstar with only a handful of WWE appearances left, Cena has little to lose in defeat. Lesnar, on the other hand, still holds value for WWE beyond 2025, and a decisive win over Cena reestablishes him as a dominant force.<\/p>\n<p>Some foresee a rematch in which Cena wins, giving his retirement tour a happy ending. I hope that doesn\u2019t happen. If Lesnar\u2019s win stands, his prospects going forward \u2014 e.g., challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship \u2014 become far more exciting.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Second Runner up: Jimmy Uso<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Why Jey has found such success as a singles star, while Jimmy has not, is a mystery to me.\u00a0 The Usos\u2019 reunification has made it clear which twin is stronger on the mic.\u00a0 Jimmy is natural, quick-witted, and believable in promos \u2014 all areas where Jey struggles.<\/p>\n<p>Ring skills are more of a toss-up. Jimmy boasts a deeper offensive repertoire and appears slightly more athletically gifted. While he hasn\u2019t connected with audiences on the emotional level Jey recently has, he\u2019s highly effective in eliciting crowd reactions \u2014 as either heel or babyface.<\/p>\n<p>One wonders whether his lesser success compared to Jey is more due to storyline roles than ability.<\/p>\n<p>Jimmy is an unsung hero of the Bloodline saga. Though his role was relatively minor, he played it well and gave teammates and opponents a skilled performer to work off. He\u2019s served a similar role in his return to Raw, elevating L.A. Knight, Jey, and The Vision<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s certainly brought out the best in his brother and Knight, helping make their rivalry unexpectedly compelling. He\u2019s more than earned his spot \u2014 and greater opportunities moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role goes to\u2026 Big Jim!<\/p>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Did you know you can read an ad-free, silky-smooth-loading version of this website with a PWTorch VIP Membership? Also, unlock 35+ years of archives including nearly 2,000 PWTorch Weekly Newsletters dating back to the late 1980s, hundreds of retro radio shows from the 1990s, and two decades of podcasts including Post-PPV Roundtable Podcasts dating back to the mid-2000s. Plus, new VIP-exclusive articles and podcasts throughout the week, fully compatible with the native Apple Podcasts app.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorchvipinfo.com\/\">CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON VIP MEMBERSHIP<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>Fading Star of the Week: Jacy Jayne<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Jayne is solidly exceeding expectations as NXT Women\u2019s Champion. She\u2019s at her best on the mic, hitting promo beats in a believable and dramatic way. Jayne has a distinctive heavy-metal look and is a passable in-ring worker \u2014 having proven she can carry her end of a long-form title match with a talented opponent like Jordynne Grace.<\/p>\n<p>She also holds the distinction of being the first to simultaneously hold the NXT Women\u2019s and TNA Knockouts Championships.<\/p>\n<p>Why, then, is she a falling star?<\/p>\n<p>Expectations for Jayne\u2019s reign were exceedingly modest, so surpassing them is a low bar. \u201cBetter than expected\u201d doesn\u2019t mean \u201cgood,\u201d and she still falls short of the standard set by past NXT champions.<\/p>\n<p>Her booking hasn\u2019t helped. While she\u2019s had some entertaining tag matches with Fatal Influence \u2014 most notably a crushing defeat by Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria, and Stephanie Vaquer \u2014 her singles competition has been lacking.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from Grace, she\u2019s mostly faced Lainey Reid and TNA\u2019s Ash by Elegance \u2014 neither particularly over or strong in-ring. Her upcoming opponent at No Mercy, Lola Vice, is only a marginal improvement.<\/p>\n<p>In her five years on NXT TV, Jayne has made notable strides \u2014 but are they enough? I don\u2019t believe so.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to imagine a long-term role for Jayne on the main roster. She\u2019s not a strong enough promo to anchor a top act, nor good enough in the ring to thrive as an enhancement talent. It will take inspired booking to make this \u201cRockstar\u201d a success on Raw or SmackDown.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Runner-Up: Nathan Frazer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Frazer is a phenomenal worker.\u00a0 His incredible speed and high-flying athleticism make him a treat to watch.\u00a0 However, his booking on Smackdown as one half of a moderately successful tag team with Axiom has slowly but surely defined him down in the eyes of the fans.\u00a0 Fraxiom\u2019s clean loss to the Vision on last week\u2019s Smackdown cements the team\u2019s status as mid-carder gatekeepers.<\/p>\n<p>Frazer has potential as a singles star, or a part of a tag team (perhaps with a more dynamic partner), but WWE\u2019s willingness and ability to invest in him wanes with every loss he takes.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wade Keller Post-show (9\/22) - WWE Raw w\/cohost Kurt Cadet\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/n9kYETBG1sU?start=3&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-4048857739\"><div id=\"pwtor-2379632679\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>A striking look, in-ring excellence, and star charisma&#8230; pick any two. No one is perfect. WWE wrestlers are rightly portrayed as larger-than-life, even superhuman, paragons.\u00a0 The performers who portray them, however, are flawed human beings <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/09\/26\/wwe-rising-stars-fading-stars-the-dark-angel-rises-the-beast-dominates-jimmy-is-the-glue-j-j-underwhelms-fraser-is-wasted\/\" title=\"WWE RISING STARS &#038; FADING STARS: The Dark Angel Rises, The Beast Dominates, Jimmy is the Glue, J.J. Underwhelms, Fraser is Wasted\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":205062,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,4309,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-205061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-rising-star-fading-star","category-specialists"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-26-at-2.23.55-PM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=205061"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205061\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":205063,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205061\/revisions\/205063"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/205062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=205061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=205061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=205061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}