The thing is that the future can't be predicted in the WWE as anything can happen. Who knew that in 2011, Edge would retire from WWE (and as Champion) The only person who retired as champion in the modern era other than Edge is Trish Stratus. Three years ago, I never had that in mind that Edge would retire as World Champion. Fast forward to 2011, it happened. So overall, I can't really say what will happen with the WWE in the future, other than to hope that good things should happen in the years to come.
Agreed 100% we can all predict what we want to see happen but the chances of that happening are slim to none. If you told me five years ago Dos Caras Jr. would be one of the main events at Mania I would have laughed at you. So on that note I'm not going to say who will be in the main event, but here are the guys if things keep up for them will be making a case for themselves.
John Cena Cena is still young, like him or not he is not going away anytime soon. If he stays injury free I think he is the face of WWE for the next 10 years.
The Miz Still a young guy, WWE has put a lot of stock in him already and much like Cena if he stays healthy is going to be a fixture for a while to come.
C.M. Punk WWE needs to resign him. He could be an established heel in years to come and once his career winds down, you have somebody to replace Lawler at the announce table. Punk has such a great wrestling mind, there is so many capacities he could be used in on and off the air.
Cody Rhodes If I were booker, he would already be in the title picture. He is a great character and he has history with Orton. I think as long as he stays heel he could become one of the top heels in the company.
Sin Cara He has obvisouly been brought in to take over for Mysterio when he retires. Masked guy that appeals to kids and the Hispanic audience win/win regardless if they even go back to TV14.
Dolph Ziggler I think there is a ton of potential in him if he is booked right.
Brodus Clay or Mason Ryan I know I may catch heat for this one, but WWE needs that monster. Kane and Big Show are not getting any younger, Eli Cottonwood is not anywhere close to main event potential Khali probably doesn't have a ton of years left on him, same for Mark Henry. One of these guys is going to get the go ahead unless WWE finds somebody else, my guess is Ryan but we will see.
Tyler Black He is in FCW right now. I seen him put on 5 star matches in ROH. He is not a small ROH guy like Daniel Bryan and Evan Bourne and has a decent look to him. I think if he is booked right and not brought up through NXT he could be a star.
Justin Gabrial, Alex Riley & Michael McGillicutty Of all the NXT guys (including Barrett) these are the three I think have the most promise. I am a little concerned about Gabrial's mic skills but talent alone will keep him around at least on the mid-cards.
Daniel Bryan I don't know if WWE really has it in them to market a small guy without a mask, but Bryan is gold when it comes to talent. I don't ever see him main eventing Mania, but I could see him having great main event matches with the top guys between Mania and SummerSlam and in the latter parts of the year. I would love to see a Bryan/Christian or a Bryan/Punk program.
Sheamus I think Sheamus is going to be around for a long time he has a marketable look and he has talent. I even think if you turned him face there is a little revenue there as well.
Skip Sheffield I hear Vince likes him, he is built like a truck and he can work as a goofy face or a scary heel, or you can change his gimmick all around and I think he would still be able to run with it.
Kharma Even with the layoff, she is the future of the Diva's division. I don't think she is going to miss a step after she has her child if booked properly. There is not a lot of talent as of right now amongst the Diva's but I think using her right could really change that. WWE is going to have to either sign Diva's or if Kharma is capable she can really become somewhat of a leader amongst the Diva's backstage and really step their game up.
Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Naomi, A.J., Raquel Diaz, Natalya, Christina Crawford Although I think Kharma is going to be running things, I think of all the Diva's on the WWE and FCW roster these are the ones capable of stepping up and putting on good matches with her. I think Kelly will stick around because of her looks and her mass media appeal, as for the others I think their is talent there it just needs to be brought out.
Tough Enough Luke, Andy & Jeremiah I think all of these guys will be on the roster in some capacity within the next few years. I think Andy if booked and trained properly could take that athletic big guy spot that will be missing once Taker is gone for good. Luke looked like he had promise, but he has the same look almost as Miz, Ziggler, Riley and every other short haired, cocky white guy on the roster. Jeremiah has the character part down he just needs to spend some time either on the indy scene or in FCW. He has the WWE physique and he is a natural athlete.
Guys I'm kind of on the fence about are Jinder Mahal, Kofi Kingston, Johnny Curtis, Zack Ryder (if pushed right), and Wade Barrett.
Guys I am not set on
Randy Orton I agree with Mark Madden on this, over-rated. He was given the keys to the kingdom on Smack Down and has did nothing with it so far. I will blame that partially on booking, having him recycle a program with Sheamus, which wasn't even a main event with the title on the line. He will be around for a while, but I don't think he is going to be in the spot he is in for a number of years.
Kofi Kingston Unless they turn him heel, change his gimmick or put him in a good angle he is stuck in the same gear.
Jack Swagger He goes from main story to being Evan Bourne's joke. Unless they turn him into a monster and he loses it on Bourne, I think his career is buried.
Christian He may be in WWE in five years, but it may not be as an on screen talent. I think this run with Orton will be Christian's last hoo-rah.
Drew McIntyre I could see him in TN...Impact in a few years, if it is still around by then. It just seems WWE doesn't want to fully pull the trigger on pushing him.
Heath Slater, David Otunga, Husky Harris, Big Zeke All Nexus and Corre guys who will be a forgotten memory within the next couple of years. Otunga may stick around a little longer because he is Jennifer Hudson's husband, Slater will probably job on Superstars unless they bring back the tag division, and Zeke will eventually show he is nothing more than a muscular physique just like 100 other guys that WWE has failed to push over the years.
