{"id":213757,"date":"2026-03-19T13:37:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T18:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=213757"},"modified":"2026-03-19T13:37:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T18:37:54","slug":"wwe-rising-stars-fading-stars-the-viper-strikes-solo-stikes-out-femi-rules-americano-es-flojo-penta-grabs-the-spotlight-o-bianca-what-art-thou","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/03\/19\/wwe-rising-stars-fading-stars-the-viper-strikes-solo-stikes-out-femi-rules-americano-es-flojo-penta-grabs-the-spotlight-o-bianca-what-art-thou\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE RISING STARS &#038; FADING STARS: The Viper Strikes, Solo Stikes Out, Femi Rules, Americano es Flojo, Penta Grabs the Spotlight, O Bianca, What Art Thou?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-1480650896\" 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>With winter weather keeping us indoors and disastrous stories of war and unrest keeping us off the news, we\u2019re fortunate to have wrestling as an enjoyable diversion.<\/p>\n<p>Even better, WrestleMania season is in full swing!<\/p>\n<p>The ebb and flow of wrestling regularly elevates new performers while seeing past stars sidelined or forgotten. These changes are especially pronounced in the leadup to the Show of Shows.<\/p>\n<p>Who\u2019s on the rise?<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Rising Star of the Week: Randy Orton<\/h3>\n<p>Fresh off a major Elimination Chamber win and a consequential heel turn, Randy Orton is more relevant than he has been in years.<\/p>\n<p>Orton seems increasingly motivated, having given an inspired promo on Smackdown in which he laid bare his aspirations to become world champion again. Add in a vicious extended beatdown to the top babyface in the company and we have ourselves a rejuvenated Orton.<\/p>\n<p>Orton\u2019s appearance on Raw involved a reference to his conversation with \u201csomeone with a brain\u201d who reminded him of who he is. This suggests a potential alliance with an unknown third party. Who is anyone\u2019s guess, but The Rock comes to mind as an exciting possibility and might fit Orton\u2019s cryptic reference to wrestling\u2019s Royal families.<\/p>\n<p>Orton has become such a beloved legacy star in recent years, it may be a real challenge to get fans to boo him against Rhodes. Given Orton and Rhodes\u2019s limitations, a five-star classic match at WrestleMania seems unlikely. Still, the two have lots of history to draw from, and their feud is off to a blazing hot start.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3388232158\" 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>Does Orton have a truly great run left in him? We\u2019re all about to find out.<\/p>\n<h3>Runner-up: Oba Femi<\/h3>\n<p>Forget his dominating win over Rusev on last week\u2019s Raw. Femi dominating Brock Lesnar in their first encounter is more than just a vote of confidence from WWE Creative\u2014it represents the biggest push for a newly elevated wrestler we\u2019ve seen in years.<\/p>\n<p>Should Femi triumph over Lesnar at WrestleMania, as seems likely, he\u2019ll be a made man.<\/p>\n<p>With a rocket strapped to his back, expect a rapid ascent to the main event scene for The Ruler.<\/p>\n<h3>Second Runner up: Penta<\/h3>\n<p>Penta\u2019s undeniable charisma and unique look make him a rare commodity in WWE. Since debuting on Raw in January of 2025, he\u2019s been largely relegated to the midcard. He\u2019s delivered in match after match but has been afforded relatively little in the way of major feuds. Penta\u2019s limited English skills are the most likely reason for his limited involvement in storylines, but he more than makes up for this with his body language and intensity.<\/p>\n<p>Many fans have longed to see him in a more important position higher on the card.<\/p>\n<p>We finally got our wish. After a year\u2019s wait, Penta is now a champion.<\/p>\n<p>If his match against Dragon Lee was any indication, we\u2019re in for an exciting series of title defenses. If he can show he\u2019s able to carry his part of a major storyline, Penta will prove worthy of his spot, and capable of visiting the main event scene to boot.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1859493863\" 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>Although Mysterio had once called Lee the \u201cfuture of Lucha Libre,\u201d my money\u2019s on Penta.<\/p>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Check out the latest episode of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show covering the latest episode of Raw: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/wwe-raw-post-show-3-16-keller-barbati-talk-roman-cm-punk-face-to-face-including-the-you-re-old-comment-plus-oba-lesnar-danhausen--70676430\">CLICK HERE<\/a> to stream (or search \u201cwade Keller\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WWE RAW POST-SHOW (3\/16): Keller &amp; Barbati talk Roman-CM Punk face-to-face including the &quot;You're old&quot; comment, plus Oba-Lesnar, Danhausen\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=70676430&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>Fading Star of the Week: Solo Sikoa<\/h3>\n<p>Sikoa\u2019s act has suffered greatly from being distanced from his Bloodline kin. Although his mic work showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, he does not have the charisma to carry a stable, particularly one lacking competent talkers.<\/p>\n<p>His seemingly endless feud with the Wyatt Six has done even more damage. After four months of constant conflict, neither group has been able to obtain an advantage over the other. Worse, the feud appears to be centered around Uncle Howdy\u2019s lantern, of all things.<\/p>\n<p>Fans have been forced to sit on our hands and wait for the whole thing to blow over.<\/p>\n<p>Sikoa clearly needs a change.<\/p>\n<h3>First Runner-Up: El Grande Americano<\/h3>\n<p>Who is the real El Grande Americano?<\/p>\n<p>Who cares?<\/p>\n<p>This gimmick only ever really worked as a case of cultural appropriation, with Chad Gable heelishly impersonating a Mexican luchador in order to mock and outmaneuver his luchador rivals. Consequently, Gable\u2019s charade was impersonated in turn by Ludwig Kaiser.<\/p>\n<p>It seems we are expected to accept Gable\u2019s original Americano as a babyface, as if we had any real affection for this version of the gimmick.<\/p>\n<p>What results is a never-ending storyline with little to no crowd investment, wasting the talents of two top wrestlers.<\/p>\n<p>This feud and gimmick are way past their expiration date and must be wrapped up ASAP.<\/p>\n<p>For Gable, for Kaiser, and most of all for us fans.<\/p>\n<h3>Second Runner-Up: Bianca Belair<\/h3>\n<p>Belair reached an all-time career high with a show-stealing triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky at WrestleMania 41. Capable of unrivaled physical feats, enjoying vastly improved ring skills, and able to emotionally connect with fans, the EST lives up to her hype and is arguably WWE\u2019s most valuable female star.<\/p>\n<p>A hand injury during that match has kept Belair out of action ever since. Nearly one year later, there is no known timetable for her return, and she is expected to miss her first WrestleMania in 6 years. No other injury, save perhaps Kevin Owens\u2019s, was more damaging to WWE\u2019s product in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>For such a star to miss a year of action at the height of her career is nothing less than tragic.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s wishing her a rapid recovery and a strong post-WrestleMania return.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wade Keller Post-show (3\/16) - WWE Raw w\/Keller &amp; Barbati\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t9xgvtKmEFc?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-2342526920\"><div id=\"pwtor-2028304612\"><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>With winter weather keeping us indoors and disastrous stories of war and unrest keeping us off the news, we\u2019re fortunate to have wrestling as an enjoyable diversion. Even better, WrestleMania season is in full swing! <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/03\/19\/wwe-rising-stars-fading-stars-the-viper-strikes-solo-stikes-out-femi-rules-americano-es-flojo-penta-grabs-the-spotlight-o-bianca-what-art-thou\/\" title=\"WWE RISING STARS &#038; FADING STARS: The Viper Strikes, Solo Stikes Out, Femi Rules, Americano es Flojo, Penta Grabs the Spotlight, O Bianca, What Art Thou?\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":213766,"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-213757","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\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-19-at-1.35.33-PM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213757","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=213757"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213767,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213757\/revisions\/213767"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/213766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=213757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=213757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=213757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}