Dusty Rhodes & Goldust
It's now three years since NWA legend Dusty Rhodes passed away, but his legacy is such that WWE audiences will be enjoying his work for years to come – via both the videogame series and catalogue of classics on the WWE Network. Son Goldust is also guaranteed a slot on the roster despite being out injured until 2019, but there'll be no place for his little bro Cody, who's currently the brightest star in rival fed ROH.
Eddie Guerrero
Prepare the low rider: Eddie is back for another WWE series appearance, complete with shoulder-shaking entrance motion and greatest theme song of the 2000s. What we're hoping for one of these years is an additional roster spot for nephew Chavo, enabling us to finally reunite the cheatiest, funniest tag team in federation history.
Elias
Who wants to walk with Elias? Last year you had to purchase DLC to do so in the videogame sense, but this year the guitar-wielding crooner makes the on-disc roster. He's one of few acts to flounder in NXT then surprise fans and contemporaries alike after promotion to Raw, and as such stands among this year's most wanted grapplers.
Ember Moon
Promoted from NXT to Raw in April, Moon has been a popular addition to the main roster despite being lost in the mix given the focus awarded to Ronda Rousey. She still has a promising future, and a switch to Smackdown in 2019 may be a door opener, with potential opponents including Becky Lynch and one-time NXT rivals Peyton Royce and Billie Kay.
Epico & Primo
Real-life cousins, The Colons' current run marks the third time they've been repackaged during seven years on WWE TV. They transformed from Epico & Primo to Los Matadores in 2013, then the Shining Stars in 2016 before adopting their genuine family name. Newly reinstalled to the tag ranks following a long-term injury to Epico, 2019 likely represents their final shot at getting 'over' as devious heels.
Fandango & Tyler Breeze
Make the most of 'Breezango' appearing in WWE 2K19: one half of the team, Fandango, underwent surgery for a torn left labrum in July and is likely to be out for at least six months. Tyler Breeze has shown moments of promise when left to fly solo, and if he can gain traction as a single on cruiserweight show 205 Live, Breezango may be no more.
Finn Balor
It’s been a curious few months for the fighting Irishman. His LGBT-supporting ring entrance at WrestleMania 34 felt hugely progressive and welcome given certain old school attitudes within wrestling, but it’s had little follow-up. Balor’s much-loved demon alter-ego, meanwhile, appears to have been dropped, although it would still be a huge shock if omitted from the videogame.
Goldberg
No legend comeback in recent years has been effective as that of Goldberg. Out of WWE since 2004, he returned in 2016 after being announced as the WWE 2K17 pre-order bonus – then shockingly dethroned Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at that year's Survivor Series. He dropped the title back at WrestleMania 33, but even that didn't dampen his enduring, electric buzz.
Gran Metalik
Metalik was one of the few cruiserweights granted a spot on the WWE 2K18 roster; but it didn't lead to anything of note onscreen, with regular 205 Live losses to the likes of The Brian Kendrick, Drew Gulak and (shortly before his self-enforced absence) Neville. 2K19 at least enables you to team him with Lince Dorado, Sin Cara and/or Kalisto for high-flying masked amusements.
Harper & Rowan
After various false starts, most notably as members of the Wyatt Family, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan finally became the real deal this year by dropping their (pretend) first names and rebranding themselves as the Bludgeon Brothers. Making it a genuine shame when Rowan tore a bicep at Summerslam, causing the tandem to drop their tag belts to The New Day at the next Smackdown taping.
