They have managers, they're just terrified of the semantics of the name manager. Characters like Paul Heyman and Lana fulfill the role of the manager, they just lack the name.
Heyman is Lesnar's manager, they just refuse to call him that. The term advocate isn't inaccurate or false, in fact it's a lot closer to what a manager really does within the realm of wrestling.
In the kayfabe days, you were lead to believe that managers actually managed wrestlers. You believed that Jim Cornette, Jimmy Hart, or Heenan were actually backstage signing off on matches, politicing for title shots, or arranging travel plans for their clients. That isn't real.
We're now in this reality era, so what Paul Heyman does for Lesnar is advocate. He speaks in support of his client Brock Lesnar. That term is more true than saying Paul is his manager, because he's not.
This makes sense for Lesnar, as it would be bad for someone that's big outside WWE with corporate sponsors and etc. to show on TV that someone who isn't a manager or agent is Lesnar's manager or agent.
If wrestlers can't talk, they're paired with someone. The third guy in New Day usually acts as a manager outside the ring. The Authors of Pain are with Paul Ellering in NXT. James Ellsworth is essentially Carmella's manager.
Managers are alive and well in WWE, but now that we're post-kayfabe they don't really fit in that model. Any time someone struggles on the stick, they're going to get paired with someone. Del Rio had Ricardo and Zeb. Rodriguez is another example of a modern outside the box manager.
We're going to probably see differently named managers crop up, but we're never going to see WWE go out of their way to hire people, which is too bad. Look at what Lucha Underground has done with a great non-wrestling character like Dario Cueto.
Managers typically make up for deficiencies in wrestlers that otherwise would draw. The biggest draws never needed managers. Hogan, Austin, and Cena all didn't need managers to be the top draws in their days. Yes, Hogan had Hart for a bit and Stone Cold had Debra for a bit, but they were already household names as singles stars before that.
It's too bad, because a lot of guys could use someone in a manager or advocate role. Roman comes to mind. I've never been thrilled with Corbin's work on the stick, but that would blow the whole lone wolf thing they're forcing. Rollins isn't known for his promos either (see sparkle crotch).
Managers are here, the name has just changed to fit the times. We'll see them every time someone who can't talk gets a push. Hopefully Big Cass doesn't ditch Enzo when he's inevitably thrust into the main event based on height. The Authors are coming with Ellering, most likely next year or maybe late this one. Eric Young is coming with Sanity. Jericho would make an excellent advocate when he retires.
