The immediate future of the WWE

[achromat666]

So here's my question:

With the WWE having finally put the title on the person they've wanted to for so long (Reigns), what now?

We still have a depleted roster, we still have a bunch of mid carders lacking any main even experience and we still have a company still figuring out how to move forward. Seth is out until after WM, Orton is out for who knows how long, No idea when or if Daniel Bryan is coming back and any of the former champs currently on the roster have been booked like midcarders so long it's highly unlikely we'll see them booked any other way.

Cena will be coming back soon, but you shouldn't simply build around one or 2 people, as that is how we got to where we are now. Lesnar, maybe, but how do we sustain that? Who right now in the midcard truly needs to get a shot at the main event to fill out the massive gaps?

Ambrose, Owens and others have been mentioned in the past but who is in the best position to succeed given the chance?

 

[Mustang Sally]

We still have a depleted roster....

....and as long as we do, I think they're going to go heavy on the programs created in the last weeks.

We're going to get a heavy dose of Roman Reigns vs. the Authority. Hopefully, it won't be the same stuff as we've already seen when the employee squares off against the front office......and indications are strong that this time Triple H and Stephanie are taking it personally, which might totally alter the landscape.

Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens are due for a back-and-forth.....and I doubt Dean ends it as IC champ.

Now that the Charlotte-Paige feud is (hopefully) over, perhaps they get back to the three-women team wars. Got to do something good with the gals.

I think Finn Balor loses his NXT title to Samoa Joe and debuts on the main roster. Also, Sami Zayn finally gets his turn. If so, they'll both be featured.

John Cena will be back, but if you threatened to hold me down until I give my prediction of what Cena will be doing, I couldn't guess. If he comes back as a bad guy, it will be friggin' huge.

 

[SSJPhenom]

In my opinion, I think it’s time to take a chance on Wyatt in the main event. I think that he would be awesome as the top heel of the company. They’d be like an evil back water redneck version of the Four Horsemen or something like that. Unfortunately, Reigns and Wyatt just finished a lengthy feud and nobody wants to see them rehash it so soon.

Other than that you have the ones that everybody is talking about in Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose. I think Dean Ambrose is far more ready than Kevin Owens. It would be awesome if Dean turned on Reigns and they had a feud for a couple of PPVs. I think Dean would make a much better solo heel than a solo face. It’d be a pretty interesting story.

Still, though, the elephant in WWE’s room is Daniel Bryan. There is an article on the main page of this site where Bryan said in an interview that his WWE career might be over but his career isn’t over. I just don’t understand why the WWE fails to see the value in Daniel Bryan and why they just won’t clear him to wrestle. I refuse to believe that it’s because of his injuries; because they have allowed others who were far more injured and hurt than Bryan to come back and perform. ‘Taker had a concussion at WM 30 and he’s north of 50 and yet they allowed him to return. Does anyone really think that that’s the only concussion that ‘Taker has ever had? They allowed Tommy Dreamer to return, they continue to allow Orton to return, and so on. So I think that the higher ups in WWE are deliberately keeping Daniel Bryan out because for some reason they don’t want him as a top guy. Money is the same color and it does the same thing no matter who is making it for you and; if WWE wanted to be honest with themselves, they know that Bryan would probably make a lot more of it for them than Reigns would or could. It’s a goddamn tragedy, but if Bryan’s WWE career is over, I will absolutely laugh my ass off if he went to TNA or ROH and started to make them competitors and don’t think that that’s not possible for Bryan to do.

 

[J.J.]

I'm not so much concerned about the main eventers. It has been clearly evident for a year where Reigns would be in the company sooner or later. We now know or have somewhat of an idea where he's going traveling to WM. My concern is the mid card going forward because they too deserve storylines worth investing into to make Raw, Smackdown worth watching going forward.

The tag division has came a long way in recent years but the problem I have is it focuses on two teams at a time. Granted the Lucha Dragons were apart of the TLC match but they helped elevate that match with their style of wrestling. Unfortunately for them with New Day taking jabs at Usos on Twitter I see it headed Usos/New Day. Where does that leave Lucha Dragons, Accension, Dudleys and PTP?

Dean Ambrose has to be booked and treated like the second best face on the roster. He carried his own when Reigns was hurt even if his position in that 'role' had a time frame on it. Keeping him away from Reigns could do wonders for Ambrose. Personally I rather see Ambrose against Lesnar than Owens vs Lesnar rumored bout.

I feel the Legends that'll return between now and WM is useless if not given a creative spot on the show. While they're retired could they be more creative with them? We already know what to expect when Austin, Flair, HBK, Hart, Jericho, ect makes appearances. While we are happy to re-live yesteryear for that moment, we already know what to expect.

And of course there are a few wrestlers I'm curious about going forward.

Stardust - Can't figure out this recent crush Titus has with him.

Neville - Where Miz's involvement ring side during his matches is going.

Jack Swagger - Sudden return and random feud with Del Rio. As if we felt Swagger was going over on Del Rio. Best bet is to pretend this "MexAmerica" thing never happened and put Zeb back with Swagger.

Kevin Owens - Properly build the feud with Ambrose and cap it off the PPV following RR and let him regain the title from Ambrose.

There's other things I could name but those are the things that stick out the most in my mind.

 

[BuriedByCena]

I feel the same way. I am baffled as to how WWE plans to fill a stadium with 100,000 people at WrestleMania with the current roster they have now. You look at every possible match up and best case scenario and you are left with a weak card no matter what you do.

Roman, Cena, HHH, Brock and Undertaker are the only ones available for the main event.

The rest of the roster is mid card graveyard where no one really stands out from each other and we have seen all the match ups.

Divas match... Does it really matter?

Tag Team match... New Day, Dudleys, Usos

Andre Battle Royal... Jobbers

WWE is going to have to do massive pushes soon because the product is very weak.

 

[achromat666]

J.J.,

I'm not so much concerned about the main eventers. It has been clearly evident for a year where Reigns would be in the company sooner or later. We now know or have somewhat of an idea where he's going traveling to WM.

But that's my point. Yes, we know that the WWE is behind Roman and that he will be at the top of the card come WM. But against whom, and who right now is going to give him any credibility in a given feud in the main event? Roman is the one the WWE is backing, but it can't exist in a vacuum. He's gone through everyone in the current midcard, so you would have to shake things up considerably to justify his next opponent storywise. Sheamus and Reigns have run their course as Sheamus has served his purpose.

Who will he face until WM? Who will help him bring any credibility to his title run?

I completely agree with pretty much everything else you mention, and I'm very concerned about the midcard as well. But the main event situation is currently born out of not having any people to pull from the midcard that haven't already been booked to look weak.

 

[achromat666]

Phenom,

In my opinion, I think it’s time to take a chance on Wyatt in the main event. I think that he would be awesome as the top heel of the company. They’d be like an evil back water redneck version of the Four Horsemen or something like that. Unfortunately, Reigns and Wyatt just finished a lengthy feud and nobody wants to see them rehash it so soon.

Indeed. I didn't mention the Wyatts for some of the reasons you mention, but also because they seem somehow unwilling to take a chance on pushing Wyatt to a sustained main event program. I certainly think he's ready, but I have no faith the writers know what to do with him.

 

[swallop]

So here's my question:

With the WWE having finally put the title on the person they've wanted to for so long (Reigns), what now?

We still have a depleted roster, we still have a bunch of mid carders lacking any main even experience and we still have a company still figuring out how to move forward. Seth is out until after WM, Orton is out for who knows how long, No idea when or if Daniel Bryan is coming back and any of the former champs currently on the roster have been booked like midcarders so long it's highly unlikely we'll see them booked any other way.

Well the royal rumble is coming around the corner. A great way to build up a few guys without them even needing to win. How about seeing 2 guys start #1 and #2 making it all the way into the final 4. That would surely help there cause of main event status. Maybe say dolph ziggler at #1 and tyler breeze #2 Them guys have been having somewhat of a feud. A good way to build a baby face and a "heel" or whatever you want to call breeze.

 

[achromat666]

Swallop,

Absolutely, the Royal rumble will shake things up, and it could infuse some much needed life into the midcard if they push it the right way.

The Ziggler/Breeze example points out what we genuinely need to push forward: an actual feud to get invested in with lots of the guys in the midcard. Outside of the tag division we pretty much have Ambrose and Owens as far as feuds go, and that one is still developing near as I can see.

But yes, hopefully the Rumble will shake things up. It certainly needs to.

 

[Azane]

With WWE's Programming, I bet Rotunda would be in a suit within a year, if they pushed him as a Main Event heel, eventually allying with the Authority, and ruining the entire Wyatt character.

I made a joke about Kane in a suit a few years ago, and it came to be.

They've had dozens of midcarders that could go in the ME, but they fed them to Cena and Orton for most this era, so you're left with a bunch of talent that lacks star power. It's about time you empty what you can out of Big Show, Kane, any other Veteran that's lost their draw power, and hope to make a couple big stars.

 

[KromyD]

I feel the same way. I am baffled as to how WWE plans to fill a stadium with 100,000 people at WrestleMania with the current roster they have now. You look at every possible match up and best case scenario and you are left with a weak card no matter what you do.

Roman, Cena, HHH, Brock and Undertaker are the only ones available for the main event.

The rest of the roster is mid card graveyard where no one really stands out from each other and we have seen all the match ups.

Divas match... Does it really matter?

Tag Team match... New Day, Dudleys, Usos

Andre Battle Royal... Jobbers

WWE is going to have to do massive pushes soon because the product is very weak.

Sure we get your point but the 3 matches but they will still have moments and takes up 3 of the 8 feuds on the WM32 card. Sasha's big moment, we just saw the capability of the tag division at TLC and the ABR match usually has a couple spots in it to entertain, hopefully this year we see a Cody Rhodes return tho.

Add the WWEWHC and Taker's match that's 5 of 8 with creative really only gotta try to make 3 matches with the rest of the card, where if done right a Lesnar match, IC and/or US title match and a Balor debut win hopefully.

 

[J.J.]

J.J.,



But that's my point. Yes, we know that the WWE is behind Roman and that he will be at the top of the card come WM. But against whom, and who right now is going to give him any credibility in a given feud in the main event? Roman is the one the WWE is backing, but it can't exist in a vacuum. He's gone through everyone in the current midcard, so you would have to shake things up considerably to justify his next opponent storywise. Sheamus and Reigns have run their course as Sheamus has served his purpose.

Who will he face until WM? Who will help him bring any credibility to his title run?

I completely agree with pretty much everything else you mention, and I'm very concerned about the midcard as well. But the main event situation is currently born out of not having any people to pull from the midcard that haven't already been booked to look weak.

On paper it looks as if Triple H or Brock Lesnar would be the only worthy opponent with main event level talent to put against Reigns. I would be highly surprised if he's not going against Triple H at Mania. Nobody else is a credible opponent to face him on the grand stage.

 

[swallop]

Nobody else is a credible opponent to face him on the grand stage.

True. But like i said earlier in this thread with the rumble coming up its the perfect way to make a new star to face reigns. i Hate roman reigns i think the guy sucks but wwe obvs wants him in the M.E so why not put another young guy against him thus elevating both guys. Maybe triple h can be in that guys corner or somthing. i just dont see triple h being in the wwe title match at wrestlemania 32.

 

[Prince Vee]

In my verdict, the roster is indeed deep with tons of talents. With the ECW originals lurking around the scene, the Wyatt Family, League of Nations, Tag Teams and The New Day, I don't think the Royal Rumble will be lackluster. And yes there it is, the gap can be filled during the road to wrestlemania. It's obvious that Royal Rumble is the place where many new feuds can start and old feuds will get rusted out. So I reckon we should wait for a month or two to see what we got in the store awaiting.

 

[Garak]

I refuse to believe that it’s because of his injuries; because they have allowed others who were far more injured and hurt than Bryan to come back and perform.

You answered your own question. The fans will revolt if Bryan is brought back and relegated to being a mid-carder without a title feud of some sort. Undertaker generally wrestles one match a year. Tommy Dreamer came back for what, two matches so far? He's not returning as a full time competitor. With Orton, I don't think the fans are invested in him to the point they are in Bryan.

So, Bryan has had two big pushes blow up because of injuries. Sure, the doctors approved him. Put him in a big feud with Reigns or whomever is the champ down the way, and he gets injured again. The fans are freaked, and we're back to square one. I don't doubt that the front office worries similarly about Orton, but at least the fans don't freak out if he doesn't win the Rumble and then have to face the disappointment when he's surrendering a title due to injury, and the storyline is in the garbage can, and then the fans freak again because Kane is back in the main event picture.

 

[Jonyboyuk2]

This could be the change WWE needs. I was time to create new stars. I think the Reigns title win was a mistake if they are planning on a long term Reigns babyface title reign.

Looking to the immediate future, the next 14 weeks is building to Wrestlemania - essentially Royal Rumble is the road to wrestlemania and I think Reigns spearing HHH this past Sunday were clearly the start of the ride. But I can't see enough credible stars to face Reigns between now and at Mania, and I don't see anyone apart from Cena, Brock or HHH to be over enough to get a good reaction in a match with Reigns. But apart from HHH what can they build in 14 weeks with the other 2?

In fact looking at Wrestlemania - you wonder what will be the draw this year to the PPV/Network. I bet right now VKM is sat there wondering if having the Streak end at WM30 was worth it....

 

[MERPER]

I feel the same way. I am baffled as to how WWE plans to fill a stadium with 100,000 people at WrestleMania with the current roster they have now. You look at every possible match up and best case scenario and you are left with a weak card no matter what you do.

Roman, Cena, HHH, Brock and Undertaker are the only ones available for the main event.

The rest of the roster is mid card graveyard where no one really stands out from each other and we have seen all the match ups.

Divas match... Does it really matter?

Tag Team match... New Day, Dudleys, Usos

Andre Battle Royal... Jobbers

WWE is going to have to do massive pushes soon because the product is very weak.

This is a great point. Someone said in another thread your top matches at WM will likely be:

Reigns vs. Triple H

Cena vs. Undertaker

IC Championship: Owens? Ambrose?

Lesnar vs. ???

Not exactly a major draw. A few months back we were looking at the top matches including Rollins, Orton, maybe Daniel Bryan, Sting, a possible Rock scenario.

If they sell out Jerry World i'll be stunned. And by that i mean actually sell all available tickets for sale without giving any away to various businesses and groups to fill the place.

 

[J.J.]

For the most part WM sells itself, as does the Raw after. There's still plenty of time and I'm fairly confident the company will spare no expense on bringing in everyone under the sun. I still feel the biggest blow was losing Seth Rollins. I get it that people adore him but I'm used to him not being around these days. But I am certain they'll re-evaluate his status between now and WM. Say what you want but I am a fan of quality matches. Sting being on the WM card in 2016 makes me cringe, even if he has pretty much been ruled out.

Nobody else is a credible opponent to face him on the grand stage.

True. But like i said earlier in this thread with the rumble coming up its the perfect way to make a new star to face reigns. i Hate roman reigns i think the guy sucks but wwe obvs wants him in the M.E so why not put another young guy against him thus elevating both guys. Maybe triple h can be in that guys corner or somthing. i just dont see triple h being in the wwe title match at wrestlemania 32.

Considering they're in the process of still building up Reigns for WM. Any other PPV would be fine considering this is their major PPV I cannot vision them putting a rising star in the main event with Reigns. Only way I can see that happening is if a veteran is involved making it a triple threat.

 

[achromat666]

Thanks for all the input. this is my first thread and I was hoping for a lively conversation.

A lot of people are pointing out some of the part timers like Lesnar, Taker and the so forth and I'm sure they will be utilized to some degree between now and WM but even that has a limited shelf life in the intervening months. Lesnar could be the person Reigns takes on mirroring WM from last year in reverse, and Taker will no doubt have another opponent for WM, but who will help build Reigns between now and then? HHH will no doubt factor in, but they won't have a bunch of matches until then, so he'll need a proxy in the ring until the match happens. Who is it most likely to be?

This ultimately underscores my overall problem with the current system: building a star at the expense of the whole roster helps no one when you have a predicament like this. Because the whole thing is being run backwards in that regard, you really don't have anyone to sustain Reigns until WM, and Reigns is not over enough to do what the 'man' needs to be able to do (elevate the other talent and put them over).

The Royal Rumble will likely be the best indicator of where they plan to go, but I'm not confident that they can really build it effectively. The way Reigns won on Raw was clever, but that is one good decision in a sea of bad ones over the past year.

 

[mace87]

I can't see past Lesnar to win the Rumble to set up Reigns V Lesnar for the title with Reigns coming out still Champion. It feels like the most organic way for this to play out after Reigns beats Sheamus in their rematch and then Triple H hopefully before Mania. Could Triple H win the Rumble??? I wouldn't be shocked as it would set up them facing off at Mania but I don't want to see Triple H win the Rumble I'd rather he faced him before Mania in an attempt to stop him main eventing as Champion.

Beyond that I just don't know what the WWE has planned.

 

[Sexcellence of Sexecution]

The WWE midcard is broken, everybody is the same and they've been that way for a long time, so it's going to be really hard for somebody to break through. Kevin Owens might have a shot, because he hasn't been around that long and he has the credibility of beating John Cena, but that's about it. The answer therefore lies in NXT, and bringing in someone entirely new to the main roster. For me, that guy could be Finn Balor and I'll explain why.

Finn Balor has almost all of the qualities you look for in a top level babyface, but he has two things going against him: size and age. Size has never mattered less in wrestling, but it is still an important factor with respect to believability. It's not that big a deal in Balor's case because he has so many other things going for him, but it's a factor. Age is more of a problem. At 34 years old, Balor needs to be utilized soon if they want to get any sort of real longevity out of him. The flip side to the age thing is that he also has a breadth of experience. A major issue in the modern era is guys being put into spots before they're ready, when Cena, Batista and Orton all were elevated they were still green in many respects, and had to learn along the way what it meant to be a top guy. We're seeing that again now with Roman Reigns. Balor has wrestled all over the world, he's a seasoned veteran, there's nothing more you have to teach him. This also brings me to my second point, which is that Balor has the passion. For him to be that dedicated to the business, he has to love it, and you want to build around guys that have passion. Again, see John Cena.

So now let's get into why he can be something unique as a top babyface. First of all, he has an exciting in-ring style, so the fans will be able to get behind that, but more importantly he has an air of mystique with his "demon" persona. If built properly, and utilized only for big matches on pay-per-views, can become a sort of "special attraction," something extra for the fans to get excited about. So as a babyface, Balor can become the best of both worlds. You've got a workhorse that can appear on TV every week, while at the same time you've got a special attraction draw with the demon persona. The face paint gimmick can get over huge, look at guys like Sting and the Road Warriors, some of the top babyfaces ever. Another major issue in the modern WWE is sheer overexposure, which is why guys like Brock Lesnar who don't appear all the time feel so special. Balor can still appear frequently, but by using the demon sparingly you maintain the aura of mystique around it because it won't be overexposed.

 

[J.J.]

The WWE midcard is broken, everybody is the same and they've been that way for a long time, so it's going to be really hard for somebody to break through. Kevin Owens might have a shot, because he hasn't been around that long and he has the credibility of beating John Cena, but that's about it. The answer therefore lies in NXT, and bringing in someone entirely new to the main roster. For me, that guy could be Finn Balor and I'll explain why.

Finn Balor has almost all of the qualities you look for in a top level babyface, but he has two things going against him: size and age. Size has never mattered less in wrestling, but it is still an important factor with respect to believability. It's not that big a deal in Balor's case because he has so many other things going for him, but it's a factor. Age is more of a problem. At 34 years old, Balor needs to be utilized soon if they want to get any sort of real longevity out of him. The flip side to the age thing is that he also has a breadth of experience. A major issue in the modern era is guys being put into spots before they're ready, when Cena, Batista and Orton all were elevated they were still green in many respects, and had to learn along the way what it meant to be a top guy. We're seeing that again now with Roman Reigns. Balor has wrestled all over the world, he's a seasoned veteran, there's nothing more you have to teach him. This also brings me to my second point, which is that Balor has the passion. For him to be that dedicated to the business, he has to love it, and you want to build around guys that have passion. Again, see John Cena.

So now let's get into why he can be something unique as a top babyface. First of all, he has an exciting in-ring style, so the fans will be able to get behind that, but more importantly he has an air of mystique with his "demon" persona. If built properly, and utilized only for big matches on pay-per-views, can become a sort of "special attraction," something extra for the fans to get excited about. So as a babyface, Balor can become the best of both worlds. You've got a workhorse that can appear on TV every week, while at the same time you've got a special attraction draw with the demon persona. The face paint gimmick can get over huge, look at guys like Sting and the Road Warriors, some of the top babyfaces ever. Another major issue in the modern WWE is sheer overexposure, which is why guys like Brock Lesnar who don't appear all the time feel so special. Balor can still appear frequently, but by using the demon sparingly you maintain the aura of mystique around it because it won't be overexposed.

You have a valid point, I'll give you credit for that. I just think bringing anyone up from NXT should be after Wrestlemania season. The solution does not always lie within NXT but proper booking. Even with the success of Rollins this year, overall he has been booked as a weak champion. Ambrose has been thrown around in feuds that have basically has had him on cruise control since The Shield split. We'll save Reigns from this argument. Bray Wyatt is .500 in his feuds and has been booked to lose in situations where he should've won(SS '15). Neville a victim of bad booking despite putting on solid matches. The Accension? Big E? Kevin Owens since his Cena feud? Even since this Divas Revolution has phased out we have seen the same matches every week? See where I'm going with this? If there's nothing creative in line for these guys why bring up another? Until talents on the roster are utilized accordingly then Finn Balor will be no different than the rest of the guys called up from NXT over last 3 years.

 

[lil steroid meat]

They're reaping what they sew when so few stars came out of the past ten years.

CM Punk, Orton, Cena, Edge and Batista are really the only stars who came out of 2005-2010.

For various reasons, Hardy, Kofi, Johnny Nitro, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Masters, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Lashley, Miz were never really certified as true main eventers. Miz had a title run but right now he wouldn't be taken serious as a main eventer.

Yes, some were out of the WWE's control such as injuries and personal issues, but the bottom line is that they had a crop of talent that were supposed to be that next generation and nothing really came of it.

Then when we entered the 2010's, they had another crop of talent that they never really pulled the trigger on. Ziggler, Barrett, Ryback, Jack Swagger, David Otunga, Big E, Drew McIntyre. Once again, few guys amounted to anything big. Sheamus, Bryan and Del Rio are the only ones out of this area who could be taken serious as main eventers right now.

So now, you're seeing them rocket Rollins, Ambrose, Wyatt and Reigns to the top to make up for the lack of main eventers over the past ten years. They've been afraid to give anyone outside of 4 or 5 guys the ball since 07-08 (with a few variations with a Sheamus, Del Rio, Miz, Swagger, etc.).

Now, due to time catching up with Cena, HHH, Orton, etc., they are forced to fill the main event with new talent. Hence why Reigns and Rollins debuted...what? Less than three years ago, and they are already multiple time champs?

Hopefully they've learned from their mistakes over the past decade and stop taking so long to put guys on that next level.

If they stop being so scared to let the new guys do their thing, I'd say they have a solid main event scene with (only looking at the relatively "newer" guys)

Roman Reigns
Sheamus
Seth Rollins
Dean Ambrose
Bray Wyatt
Kevin Owens
Big E
Del Rio
Wade Barrett
Cesaro
Bo Dallas (why he hasn't been repackaged into a darker version of his character with the Wyatts is beyond me; especially when they needed a new member)

Injuries cut that list short so they're gonna have to do some NXT call-ups and maybe have some perennial midcarders step up for a few PPV's.

Bottom line: the problem in the WWE isn't a lack of talent. And it hasn't been for a decade.

The problem is improper use of talent, and improper booking that makes the fanbase unable to take a talent serious as a main eventer.

 

[achromat666]

You have a valid point, I'll give you credit for that. I just think bringing anyone up from NXT should be after Wrestlemania season. The solution does not always lie within NXT but proper booking. Even with the success of Rollins this year, overall he has been booked as a weak champion. Ambrose has been thrown around in feuds that have basically has had him on cruise control since The Shield split. We'll save Reigns from this argument. Bray Wyatt is .500 in his feuds and has been booked to lose in situations where he should've won(SS '15). Neville a victim of bad booking despite putting on solid matches. The Accension? Big E? Kevin Owens since his Cena feud? Even since this Divas Revolution has phased out we have seen the same matches every week? See where I'm going with this? If there's nothing creative in line for these guys why bring up another? Until talents on the roster are utilized accordingly then Finn Balor will be no different than the rest of the guys called up from NXT over last 3 years.

Exactly this. This has been since long before Roman Reigns was a blip on anyone's radar a problem with WWE's booking: the book only for who they care about and build no one else. We wouldn't be in the situation we are right now if the likes of Barrett, Sheamus, Stardust, Ziggler and others mid to upper mid carders actually had more main event exposure. Barrett came in all guns blazing with great heat, solid promos and decent in ring work and has never seen anything like that since. Cody Rhodes long before there was a Stardust did great on his own with credible IC title reigns, solid main event feuds, and even a solid WM match with Rey Mysterio. And look where he is now. I could cut and paste this with so many midcarders that should have moved up by this point it's depressing. And that's the problem.

The WWE has created this problem for itself, by spending more time with one or two stars than they have building all of their divisions where people stand a chance of advancement or improvement. We're just creating a deeper quagmire from which maybe one or two people might get picked out of if they're lucky. I mean who cares about the IC title outside of Ambrose and Owens? And who cares at all about Alberto Del Rio? The only midcard division with any momentum is the tag division and that's after decades of mediocrity, while much of the 'Divas revolution' got drowned out because they didn't know not to try booking 9 women as important at once with no payoff.

NXT is having something of a renaissance because the WWE creative isn't putting their grubby hands on it. Which is why as much as the end of TLC (and not much before it) and this last Raw doesn't prove they've caught lightning in a bottle so much as it proves every once in a while they can get something right.

 

[kumarjtk]

you guys wont realize why wwe put roman as their face of the company. They only want their factory made wrestler as top face of the company and also a trusted person.
All you guys mention owens, balor, ambrose, rollins, zyan and others are already knowned wrestler before they jump ship. Yes they all are jumped to wwe. If wwe make them as their top face. If they do the same thing of cm punk then wwe efforts was waste.
According to me. Roman is best choice for wwe. Look at 2002 class they make 3 stars 2 of them still in wwe and also top stars. Brock only jump ship. The problem is wwe wont have few home made wrestlers.