WWE WrestleMania 38: Montez Ford and Biggest Breakout Performers on Grandest Stage

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WrestleMania is an event designed to allow WWE’s biggest stars to shine, but it is also a stage on which up-and-coming performers can take a huge step toward superstardom.

There is no shortage of made names on the WrestleMania 38 card, including the likes of Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, Edge and AJ Styles, but there are many others looking to break into the upper echelon.

Doing something memorable on The Grandest Stage of Them All and earning the support of the live crowd is perhaps the best way to make that happen, and many performers will have that opportunity at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

With WrestleMania fast approaching, here’s a look at a few Superstars poised to break out in a big way at the event on April 2-3.

Montez Ford

There may be no more athletic Superstar in all of WWE than Montez Ford, and he will have an opportunity to prove that at The Showcase of the Immortals.

The Street Profits are finally set to get their WrestleMania moment, as Ford and Angelo Dawkins will team up in a Triple Threat tag team match against RK-Bro and Alpha Academy for the Raw Tag Team Championships.

While the Profits have competed at the WWE showpiece once before, it was at WrestleMania 36 with no fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, they were not officially part of the card at Raymond James Stadium, and they vied for the SmackDown tag team titles at WrestleMania SmackDown instead.

Now, they will get the opportunity to show out at the biggest event of the year in a match that could be among the best on the entire bill.

Dawkins is excellent in his own right, but Ford seemingly has that something extra that could make him a huge star on his own one day, potentially even someone who could contend for the WWE Championship.

Ford’s look and energy command attention, plus he can do things in the ring that few other WWE Superstars can.

It can be argued that the 31-year-old has the most impressive frog splash in the history of pro wrestling due to the height and explosiveness he generates, and it’s almost certain he will get to pull it off at The Show of Shows.

If and when he does, it could prove to be a WrestleMania moment that is shown over and over again for years to come, which may bode well for his chances to being put in big spots moving forward.

Rick Boogs

Rick Boogs has connected well with the WWE audience over the past several months, and he figures to thrive on a stage as big as WrestleMania.

At The Show of Shows, he is set to team up with Shinsuke Nakamura in a match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Usos.

Boogs has added a great deal to The Artist’s presentation since getting called up to the main roster last year. His entrance feels like a big deal every time thanks to his teammate’s guitar riffs and introduction.

Entrances are never a bigger deal than they are at WrestleMania, and Boogs figures to have tens of thousands of members of the WWE Universe eating out of the palm of his hand at AT&T Stadium.

The 34-year-old isn’t the type of performer who puts on five-star matches, but he is capable of some impressive things in the ring that garner positive reactions.

Primarily, Boogs thrives on his power game, as his immense strength allows him to effortlessly lift and slam pretty much any opponent he comes across.

WWE has seemingly gone to great lengths to protect the Franklin, Wisconsin native and give him wins leading up to WrestleMania, which could be a clue that there are big plans for him moving forward.

If that is the case, look for Boogs to be showcased heavily at WrestleMania and given every opportunity to create some memorable moments.

Austin Theory

Some wrestlers appear destined to become world champion, and Austin Theory seems to fit in that category.

At just 24 years of age, he is already featured heavily on Raw on a weekly basis, and he has regularly been appearing on screen with WWE chairman Vince McMahon, who is playing the role of his mentor.

Theory will be in a high-profile match against SmackDown commentator Pat McAfee, who has huge mainstream appeal due to his background as a former Indianapolis Colts punter and his massively popular YouTube show.

The fact that Theory is being trusted in such a big spot on the WrestleMania card speaks volumes regarding how he is viewed by the company.

Theory was a late addition to the WrestleMania 36 bill, when he replaced Andrade as Angel Garza’s partner in a Raw Tag Team Championships match against The Street Profits.

The contest took place in front of no fans due to COVID-19, though, and Theory didn’t really have an established name or character on the main roster then.

A lot has changed over the past two years, and all the pieces are in place for Theory to further establish himself as one of WWE’s stars of the near future.

It seems likely McAfee will be given the win over Theory, but victory isn’t always necessary when it comes to making a WrestleMania moment and earning more opportunities in the future.

If Theory succeeds at making McAfee look good, as he should, it will be another building block toward him eventually becoming a main eventer.