WWE and the Art of Making Stars
Tips on how to turn your characters into memorable, breakout stars.
WWE has a knack for breaking out star performers. It doesn't always hit the mark, but when they get it right, their new stars create a buzz and a following that establishes their exploits as must-watch programming. The list of breakout stars they introduced in 2024-2025 alone read like a who's who of top performers: Penta, Bron Breakker, Jade Cargill and Jacob Fatu all made marks and took the star power they already had to the next level on WWE's Raw and Smackdown programs, not to mention mainstay characters that were reinvented and rebuilt into top stars like Jey Uso and L.A. Knight. You might have a character in your story that you want to break out and be seen in the same light as WWE's hottest performers. It could be a main character like Alex Cross or Drizzt that you want to build a franchise around, or maybe a memorable antagonist or supporting character like Professor Moriarty or Mouse from the Easy Rawlins books. If you want to introduce and develop these characters in a way that makes them instantly stand out and be memorable to your audience, it would benefit you to use some of WWE's techniques for that.
First Impressions Matter
Jacob Fatu introduced himself to WWE fans by showing up on Smackdown out of nowhere and manhandling three of their top stars in Randy Orton, Kevin Owens and then-WWE champion Cody Rhodes. He looked like an unstoppable force of nature and immediately made fans take notice. He was positioned as a threat from day one. Similarly, the first scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark Introduced Indiana Jones to viewers as an expert archaeologist, treasure hunter, adventurer and all-around badass long before the iconic boulder-rolling part. Making a good first impression is one of the most important parts of building your character into a star. Introduce them and establish who they are in a way that grabs attention. Your audience should get a good idea of who they are and what they're all about right from the jump, and I outlined some ways you can do that in a previous article. Even though John Wick's first appearances are mild and unassuming at first, once the inciting incident of the story happens, viewers are told of an entirely different side of Wick - The Baba Yaga - that is as terrifying as any movie villain. Striking visuals, catchphrases and awe-inspiring performances both physically or verbally are great ways to make your character leave that important first impression.
Building the brand
Jade Cargill's most striking aspect is her unique look. She's tall with a bodybuilder's physique while staying unmistakably feminine, wears her hair long and white like the popular X-Man Storm, and dresses in outlandish, pop-culture inspired outfits. She looks like a star and carries herself with the confidence and borderline arrogance of one. If she never set foot inside a ring, just by watching her move you would think she is a big deal. The lesson here is simple: Your star character needs to look the part. There should be distinct features about your character that stand out and leave an impression on your audience, whether it be their physical appearance, their choice of clothing, their speech, the car they drive, or any other defining aspect of them. When you see a well-dressed, dark-haired man drinking a Vodka Martini, you think of James Bond. When you hear the iconic mechanical breathing sound, you likely don't need to see anything else to know who it is. And Benjamin Blanc's Southern drawl and easygoing attitude make him instantly recognizable. Make your character visually distinct and give them quirks that set them apart from other characters.
Iron Sharpens Iron
WWE likes to establish credibility in their stars by pairing them up with - or pitting them up against - established performers. In many instances, this is called "getting the rub." both Kevin Owens and Sheamus gained instant credibility by beating none other than John Cena on their main roster debuts. Fatu was introduced as part of the hottest storyline in pro wrestling at the time. Jade was teamed up with popular “babyface” wrestlers Bianca Belair and Naomi shortly after her debut. And both Bron and Penta built their reputations with wins over quality opponents like Pete Dunne, Ludwig Kaiser, Chad Gable and Sami Zayn before having noteworthy moments with the likes of hall of famers Rey Mysterio and Roman Reigns. You want to challenge your breakout character early and often, and show them rising to those challenges. It could be verbally trading barbs with another witty, eloquent character, or solving a tricky problem, or defeating a foe physically. You want to show your character in their element, doing the things they do best at a high level. And if other characters in your story acknowledge how good they are, that helps add to the mystique.
Protect Their Credibility
One of the endearing aspects of Beverly Hills Cop's Axel Foley is his unflappable ability to adapt to any situation. His ability to change his demeanor and present himself as someone he's not is an ability that allows him to get out of almost any predicament. This works because the writers are careful to not put him in situations where his big mouth and trickster attitude can't solve his problem.
An insider term in pro wrestling is "looking strong." It's where a wrestler is positioned in a match so they don't appear less capable than they are projected to be. Their moves are made to look more effective, and when they take that rare loss, there are always shenanigans involved to explain the loss without saying they actually got beat.
You don't want to make a habit of putting your star character in situations they are ill equipped to handle. Once or twice for dramatic effect can do, but
most situations and predicaments you put your character in they should have the skills and resources to solve the problem, and hopefully solve it in a spectacular way. They may or may not actually solve the problem, but you at least want to give them what they need to make solving the problem possible. Even if your character takes a loss, show it in a way where they can learn and grow from it, and not in a way that makes them look incompetent.
Conclusion
There are well-developed, engaging, nuanced characters...and then there are STARS. There is a clear difference in how they are presented and built up. If you are aiming to make one or more of your characters memorable at that level, it would do you well to follow some of the techniques employed by the company that is a master at it. Give it a try.
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And if you're into pro wrestling, who are some of your favorite stars? tell me in the comments.
