WWE has traditionally, in recent years, used the post-WrestleMania season to try to create new stars.

With part-timers such as Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker scheduled to be off television for a while, and CM Punk showing no sign of returning, there is a void to fill in the main-event scene, but not a shortage of talent to fill it.

Below, Sports Mole picks out five superstars who could be promoted up the card this spring.

1. Cesaro

It seems that the penny has finally dropped with the WWE when it comes to the uber-talented Cesaro.

After a couple of years of wowing live crowds with his outrageous displays of strength and aggressive in-ring style, the Swiss superstar has been paired with the mouthpiece that can further his career.

His alignment with Paul Heyman will delay the fully-fledged face turn that many were predicting pre-WrestleMania, but will accelerate Cesaro's rise up the card and into the WWE World Heavyweight title picture.

The only thing Cesaro has been lacking has been charisma on the microphone, and Heyman brings him this in abundance as well as main-event credibility due to the past successes of his other clients.

Now that his separation from Real Americans Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter has been confirmed, expect Cesaro to challenge for singles gold, starting with the Intercontinental Championship in the next month.

He should win the number-one contender's tournament currently in progress, dethrone Big E at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view and go on to have really good mid-card feuds with the likes of Rob Van Dam and Sheamus, as the company attempt to reestablish the prestige of a once-illustrious strap.

A WWE title shot, while perhaps not successful, could follow before the year is out, with the WWE believed to be hoping that Cesaro could be the Daniel Bryan-esque success story of 2014.

2. The Shield

Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins were each expected to make their own way up the ladder after Mania, but appear to be as cohesive as ever on the back of an exciting face turn.

The Hounds of Justice are now arguably the second biggest fan-favourite act in the WWE behind Bryan, with the likes of John Cena and Sheamus by no means as universally popular as they should be.

These three dynamic wrestlers and interesting characters will breathe fresh life into a face side of the roster that is largely unloved by the male 18-34 demographic, and creates room for a host of new rivalries.

Putting them into a storyline with the newly-reformed Evolution is such a smart booking, especially considering that there was a chance that they could lose momentum following their underwhelming Mania angle.

This faction versus faction clash will produce some very exciting TV and matches, while presenting The Shield with three bona fide stars with whom a feud can only enhance their standing in the business.

They are all destined for individual stardom in the long term, but this summer will probably see Reigns, Rollins and Ambrose rule as a unit, while staying in the top two or three storylines on the card.

3. Alexander Rusev

It would not be unlike the WWE to be so seduced by a physique that they prematurely push somebody who is one-dimensional.

However, based on his limited exposure so far, Alexander Rusev appears to break that mould somewhat, displaying not only superhuman power, but remarkable athleticism for a man of his size.

The WWE have introduced him to RAW with a succession of squash matches, but it is important that the former weightlifter is booked into a solid feud as soon as possible to prevent him fizzling out, a la Ryback in 2012, who was really over with the fans before being ruined by poor booking.

Rusev's trump card could be the presence of manager Lana, who can act as the Bulgarian brute's voice to hype his attributes, help attract heat and prevent his act from becoming predictable.

Expect Rusev to take down the likes of Mark Henry and Big Show in the coming months.

4. Summer Rae

It has been widely reported for some time now that the WWE hierarchy are pretty big fans of Summer Rae.

They inserted the leggy blonde into the Total Divas season two cast to increase her exposure and she has since been one of the headline attractions on the popular E network reality show.

Her recent split from Fandango suggests that something is in the pipeline, and the ballroom dancer's pairing with Layla, and defeats to Santino Marella, indicate that it is not him who will benefit from their separation.

The promotion of the likes of Emma and now Divas champion Paige to the main roster implies that the company are looking to shake up what had become a pretty stale women's division, AJ Lee aside.

Summer Rae is likely to play a central role in this new-look Divas setup and will wear gold before 2014 is out.

5. Bray Wyatt

The WWE may well have found their next top star in the form of the must-watch Bray Wyatt.

In his opening 10 months on the main roster, 'The Eater of Worlds' has captivated by successfully coupling a unique in-ring arsenal and one of the most interesting gimmicks in recent years.

Whether he can maintain a fairly meteoric rise up the company which has seen him battle with and, in some cases, conquer the company's biggest babyfaces, will depend on whether Wyatt and his family can continue to find new ways to make their act fresh, and whether the WWE puts him in the right feuds.

But credit to them both, they have barely put a step wrong so far and it would be unfair to question the second-generation superstar, who seems to have a great understanding of the business, based on the evidence.

After he has finished with Cena and other victims that will follow, expect Wyatt to enter into what is sure to be a brilliant summer programme with Bryan for the WWE title, and eventually win it this year.

Follow the buzzards ladies and gentleman, Bray Wyatt could be your next WWE World Heavyweight champion.