None of those 4 are the future. They are the past and the present, but each of them have issues as to why they're a less than viable option for the future.
Let's start first with the current champ and youngest of the 4:
Randy Orton: He has the pedigree, the look, obviously the trust/support of management. He'll turn 34 right before Mania. However, he's one failed UA from being sent home for a year and quite possibly never brought back. It's unfortunate, because for someone with his amount of time in the industry, he has never suffered any serious injuries. (In wrestling, shoulders, collarbones, arms, etc are not serious). No back issues, no neck issues, and no long term concussion problems so far. The downside, besides the possible suspension/termination for use, is that Orton has never really drawn. He's never been the top draw for the company, isn't the best guy on the stick, and as the past 6 months has demonstrated, is relatively boring. He's at his best and most interesting when he's at his most vicious which just wouldn't be allowed for the guy who is the legit "face" of the company. He has five years left as a full time guy at the most, with a bigger likelihood of it being much sooner.
Next up is the current "face" of the company:
John Cena: He's the complete package. He's got the look, the size, the in ring ability, the charisma, and the fan base. He also turns 37 right after Mania. Despite the "complete package" business has fallen by any measurable degree (outside of inflated dollar amounts) during his run at the top. However, I think a lot of that is because of society and the company as a whole and not necessarily because "Cena couldn't draw". I think the overall numbers would have been very low over the past decade had John Cena not been in the company. Now, I don't see Cena "leaving" ever. He's not great as an actor, isn't the best interview, so he doesn't have much of a future outside of the industry like a guy like Rock or Jericho. I just think Cena will be going to a very part time schedule within the next 3 years. I think by the time he's 40, he's not going to want to be on the road full time, his body isn't going to be able to hold up, and he's going to be there 50% of the time at most, like Jericho does a 5-7 month run at a time. I just don't think Cena is the future because he A) won't be a full time performer much longer and B) will never top where he's already been in the industry. He's been at the top longer than Austin and Rock were, hell he's been headlining WWE as long as Hogan did during his Hulkamania run. The crowd is bored by him (not completely) and very soon the very children who brought him his success with begin booing him without mercy just like what happened when the Hulkamaniacs got bored of Hogan's crap in WCW.
Next up, the guy who gave it all away:
Brock Lesnar: Let's be honest. Had Brock Lesnar stayed in WWE, Cena and Orton don't have the success they've had. Lesnar is everything Vince has ever wanted in a wrestler and outside of promo ability, Lesnar was amazing. Brock Lesnar could have been Hogan/Austin/Goldberg all rolled into one. He had the legit background, he had the size, the monstrous strength, the moves, the match quality, the right backing behind the scenes (Taker). He had money written on him. Unfortunately for the wrestling world, Brock Lesnar moved on. First to football, where he failed, then to fighting where against all odds he became the UFC Heavyweight Champion and the companies largest draw. Then due to injury/illness, Brock was forced to retire from fighting. He then made the prudent choice of making some money off of wrestling while he had the chance. He has a window of about 2-3 more years of main stream relevance then it's simply Brock Lesnar the pro wrestler again and that's where his drawing ability diminishes. There is already reports of him and Dana White discussing a UFC return if he can get is illness under control. Lesnar is bigger than pro wrestling because he has the ability to make serious money without pro wrestling. No different than the Rock, they're viewed as "more" because they have the option to never come back and still make a significant income. That usually doesn't happen with wrestlers. That's why he isn't the future. He may continue to work 3-5 matches a year for the foreseeable future, but he's not the present or the future, he's merely a special attraction at this point, not much different than LT, Mayweather, or Mr T.
Batista has the least chance. He was never that huge of a star. Even in Hollywood he's a C list actor. He has the look and the backing, but he's also the oldest of the bunch a 45. He has little in ring skill, little mic skills, and got his spot mainly because he looks cool and had the right people backing him. Who wouldn't do great with HHH and Flair backing them? It's too bad about Jindrak, because had he gotten Batista's evolution spot, I think he could have been special. I think outside of a match or two 5-7 years from now, this is easily his last run. The fans obviously don't care he's back, even Vince will have to see how little of an impact he's having, and if he costs more than he brings in, Vince won't waste his time or ours having Batista on television.
The future probably isn't on television right now. Punk is nearly done. Bryan is as old as Orton. Ziggler is even older. Even Roman Reigns is nearly 30. Where is the guy like Orton who was ready or nearly ready at 22? Or a guy like Cena who was in his mid 20s headlining? Those are the guys who are the future. The guys under 25 is where to bet your money. More and more, it's a young persons game; which is odd because historically, pro wrestlers hit their "prime" in their late 30s, early 40s. Now though, if they're old enough to not get carded buying alcohol they need to move aside and let new talent through.
