We're quickly approaching the new year, and that means fans are speculating about what the next 12 months holds for their favorite pro wrestlers.

Wrestling is a year-round business, so there is no beginning and end of the season like there is in most professional sports, but we still view the new year as a fresh start in many ways, especially in WWE when WrestleMania season kicks in.

Between All Elite Wrestling and WWE, there are over 200 athletes working at every level. There is only so much TV time to go around, so that means bookers have to make tough choices about who to feature in prominent roles.

There are some people at the top who are practically guaranteed to be given heavy screen time such as Jon Moxley and Roman Reigns, but the rest of the rosters have to fight for every opportunity.

Let's take a look at 10 people AEW and WWE need to push in 2025.

Brody King

Brody King has been featured as a member of House of Black in AEW, but he has proved on several occasions that he can shine as a singles star, too.

His matches with Darby Allin have been well-received by fans, but he has come up on the losing end more often than not in that feud.

While there is still life left in the HOB stable, seeing King get a run with a singles title in 2025 would raise his stock significantly.

He is a talented powerhouse who has displayed the ability to work with opponents of any size to produce fun and brutal encounters. There is no reason why he shouldn't be a top contender for the TNT or International Championship at some point.

Ludwig Kaiser

Gunther was always the main focus of Imperium, but Ludwig Kaiser has proved he is a valuable asset over the past year.

Mr. A+ Everything is a great heel who can get the crowd to boo him at the drop of a hat, but his real value lies in his in-ring ability.

Kaiser is a versatile wrestler with the ability to work with just about anybody. He is big enough to give powerhouses like Sheamus a good fight, but he isn't so big that he makes everyone else look small by comparison.

The German star has enough speed to keep up with the high-flyers and enough technical ability to ground anyone. He's the kind of talent who can be trusted to put on a great performance every night.

Lee Moriarty

Lee Moriarty's technical ability has earned him praise from across the wrestling world, but he is more than just a good hand.

The 30-year-old has shown a lot of charisma in recent months. Joining forces with Shane Taylor Promotions has allowed him to embrace his heel side a bit more and show some of his character.

Unfortunately, ROH is seen by fewer people than all other AEW programming, so his run as the Pure champion and character developments have flown under the radar.

Moriarty should be featured on AEW television more in 2025, especially if the company wants to live up to its "Where the best wrestle" catchphrase.

His Final Battle match against Nigel McGuinness was a clinic and proof that he has more than enough skill to hang with the best in AEW.

Oba Femi

The NXT system has been hit or miss when it comes to creating homegrown talent for WWE, but one man who seems destined for greatness is Oba Femi.

His power and athleticism already set him apart from most of the roster, but it's his presence that really makes him stand out. Few people are as intimidating as the 26-year-old and that makes him valuable.

The former NXT North American champion has that indefinable quality that makes him an ideal candidate to be a world champion one day. It's impossible to describe, but you know it when you see it.

Femi's WWE future is bright as long as he stays out of trouble and keeps himself healthy. The only one who can get in his own way is himself at this point.

Athena

Athena is the longest-reigning champion in ROH history and has had one of the best title reigns in all of pro wrestling, but the majority of fans have only seen a fraction of it.

Just about every ROH title has been defended on AEW TV and at pay-per-views, but for some reason, she is almost never included in these events.

The 36-year-old has been carrying the ROH brand on her back for the better part of two years while having banger matches and producing great feuds. The fact that only a small percentage of fans have gotten to see it feels like a crime.

When Athena's reign eventually ends, Tony Khan needs to move her to AEW programming immediately. Not only would she be a great rival for many women on the roster, but she also deserves a chance in the spotlight after all of her hard work.

Ivy Nile

When Chad Gable aligned himself with The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile, a lot of us hoped it would be a great opportunity for all of them to finally be seen as the talented wrestlers they are. So far, that has not been the case.

Gable and the Creeds have had some good matches here and there, but they have yet to be given a substantial push and a real storyline, and that is doubly true for Nile.

She has the look, the physical ability and the skill to be a standout performer in the women's division. It makes WWE's lack of effort to push her confusing.

The 32-year-old would have been a perfect choice to be the inaugural women's intercontinental champion, but WWE had her lose in the first round of the tournament.

If Nile isn't given more to do in 2025, the only people to blame will be management because she has done everything WWE has asked of her, and she's done it well.

Harley Cameron

AEW has a lot of women who are good in the ring, but it takes more than wrestling ability to be a top star. It takes personality, charisma and a willingness to do things others won't for the sake of entertaining the crowd.

Harley Cameron has all of those qualities and more.

She has only been wrestling for AEW since May, but she has already racked up 29 matches between AEW and ROH programming. Granted, she has lost most of them, but her growth in that time has been tremendous.

Not only does she throw herself into every match without fear, but she has quickly become one of the most entertaining personalities in the company. She doesn't care if you are laughing at her or with her as long as she is making you laugh.

Cameron can sing, do ventriloquism, wrestle and crack a joke. If AEW doesn't push her as a babyface at some point, it's going to be a huge mistake.

Shayna Baszler

When Shayna Baszler defeated Ronda Rousey in the latter's final WWE match, it seemed like management was poised to give her the push she had deserved for so long.

Boy, were we mistaken.

The Queen of Spades should already be a multi-time women's champion at this point in her career, but for some mysterious reason, she has never been given that spotlight.

She has one of the most legitimately intimidating personalities on the roster, and she has real skill to back it up. How she hasn't been positioned as a monster heel who bulldozes her opponents is a headscratcher.

When the women's intercontinental title was revealed, it looked like a perfect opportunity for the former MMA fighter, but WWE booked her to lose in the first round of the tournament.

This year needs to be the one when WWE finally commits to pushing her or it's never going to happen.

Ricochet

Ricochet has been a great addition to the AEW roster, but the company needs to give him a substantial push in 2025 if it wants to get the most out of him.

The 36-year-old has already proved countless times that he can steal the show against opponents of all sizes, but he's never been given a chance to really sink his teeth into the character side of the business.

In WWE, Ricochet was rarely used to his full potential. He can be so much more than just a high-flyer, and AEW is in a position to let him prove it.

He seems to be entering into some kind of storyline with The Hurt Syndicate. Whether it ends with him becoming a member of the group or its enemy remains to be seen, though.

Even a run as the ROH world champion would give him the opportunity to show he can carry a brand. Let's hope he leaves some of his recent antics on social media in the past.

Jacob Fatu

Ever since Jacob Fatu arrived on the scene in WWE, fans have been interested in him. He has an aura that is completely unique, and that's something you can't underestimate in this business.

Solo Sikoa had something similar when he was first called up to the main roster. He was the silent enforcer who struck fear into everyone, including his own Tribal Chief at times. Now, Fatu fills that role in the new Bloodline while Sikoa has grown into a vocal leader.

The way WWE has booked Fatu has helped add to his mystique. Fans went from not knowing much about him to wanting to see him challenge for championships in the span of a couple of months.

At the very least, a run with the IC or U.S. title would allow WWE to test the waters. If he can have a successful midcard title reign, it wouldn't be surprising to see The Samoan Werewolf in the main event scene by 2026.