WWE Stars Repackaged With New Characters

Whether it be a complete character and presentation overhaul or simply a new attitude, there are a number of WWE stars who could potentially benefit from a repackaging on TV.

As seen recently with Grayson Waller in NXT, fresh creative direction can provide talent a new lease on life and reset their fortunes in the company.

Here are five WWE stars who could potentially be repackaged with new characters.

Josh Briggs

It has now been almost four months since Josh Briggs was seen on WWE TV, with his loss to Otis on the April 30 episode of Main Event being the last time he wrestled.

While WWE can take talent off TV for a number of reasons, Briggs’ absence, combined with his prolonged stay in NXT has fans of the 33-year-old understandably a tad concerned regarding his long-term prospects in WWE.

Briggs has all the tools physically and inside the ring to be a force of nature on WWE Raw or SmackDown, however, when it comes to character, he has yet to find anything that separates him from the pack.

Whether it be as simple as making him a heater for a smaller WWE star, or totally rebranding him with an outlandish character completely different from his current iteration – WWE should consider rolling the dice on something new for Briggs rather than giving up on him entirely.

Kiana James

With Kiana James and Giulia’s partnership doing little to benefit either party in the long run, both stars are in need of some fresh creative investment.

Two minute loss to Lash Legend aside, Giulia appears to be on the right track as a babyface rather than a heel. For James however, it’s not yet clear what WWE have planned.

The 29-year-old has impressed inside the ring and is more than capable on the mic, however, she’s not yet truly garnered true heel reactions from the audience on a consistent basis. While it’s difficult to say what exact direction WWE could take her character, a more ruthless edge may be enough to help her become a true villain.

Charlotte Flair is someone who has been a vocal supporter of James, and with ‘The Queen’ now a beloved babyface, perhaps the pair could work together in order to elevate the younger star to that next level.

American Made (The Creed Brothers & Ivy Nile)

As amazing as Chad Gable’s WWE redemption arc has been to witness, it has not been without casualties.

In the time since Chad Gable’s shoulder injury last Summer, Ivy Nile and The Creed Brothers have been seen almost exclusively on WWE Main Event, rather than Monday Night Raw.

Julius & Brutus did see a short-lived return as Los Americanos Hermanos upon Gable’s January 2026 return as ‘Original’ El Grande Americano, however, we have not seen them return to Gable’s side since he was unmasked at AAA Noche de Los Grandes in May.

Despite their athletic talents, Nile and The Creed Brothers have long struggled to establish a connection with the main roster audience and are unlikely to be as warmly received in their current form should they return to Gable’s side. A complete reinvention, perhaps alongside a return to NXT or AAA may be what’s needed to turn around their fortunes in WWE.

Jordynne Grace

Another WWE star who’s become more present on Main Event than SmackDown lately is ‘The Juggernaut’ Jordynne Grace.

The former TNA Knockout’s World Champion joined SmackDown at the beginning of the year, and it wasn’t long before she was in contention for championships.

After failing to become the number one contender for the Women’s United States Title ahead of WrestleMania 42, Jordynne Grace vanished from SmackDown and didn’t even return to the fold for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match qualifiers for SummerSlam.

Grace is among the most physically imposing superstars in the women’s division, and as such, she may work better as a heel for the time being. While it may be viewed as a step down, Grace could become the muscle for ex-NXT rival Blake Monroe, before inevitably betraying her and breaking out as a babyface in her own right.

Ilja Dragunov

Ilja Dragunov, like Jordynne Grace, was last seen on WWE SmackDown on the April 17 episode – with ‘The Mad Dragon’ unsuccessful in the 2026 Andre the Giant Battle Royal.

Unlike others on this list however, Dragunov has not been seen on Main Event, AAA or NXT in his absence from SmackDown, leading to increasingly loud questions regarding his status.

Dragunov is among WWE’s absolute best in-ring performers, with his body of work in NXT UK and NXT speaking for itself. However, once again, as a character he has struggled somewhat on the main roster.

Ilja’s return will certainly be appreciated by the audience – especially the hardcore fans – however, a rebranding as a vicious, unhinged heel could provide him with more of a chance at major success. He has the intensity already down pat, but rather than wrestling with the utmost integrity, Dragunov could look to cause as much affliction as possible on his opponents and take out some of WWE’s most beloved stars one by one.

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