CelticCorey
Getting Noticed By Management
Ok, here is my question that can be up for legitimate debate. The last few years we've seen the retirement of Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair and most recently, Edge. We've also seen Batista, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy all depart. We've seen solid mid-card talents like MVP and Matt Hardy go elsewhere. HHH and the Undertaker never "officially" retired, but they are retired for all intensive purposes. The star power is LOW and now CM Punk is taking time off, one of the supposed new "stars" Sin Cara is essentially being forgotten and WWE is giving Kane and Big Show time off and John Morrison is out of action.
Let's look at the key players currently on the roster here, taking everything into consideration:
Raw:
Cena, Miz, Mysterio, Del Rio, Alex Riley, Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne, R-Truth
Smackdown!:
Randy Orton, Christian, Sheamus, Mark Henry, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan, Ezekiel Jackson, Ted DiBiase
These are essentially the key pieces to each show. They are basically the only guys who have been appearing on their respective show on a regular basis taking into account the new storyline injuries, legit injuries, retirements and all the guys who have left.
I know it's a huge opportunity for others like Drew McIntyre to FINALLY get pushed back to TV on a regular basis, but for the time being, right now... is this the WORST list of top guys we've seen in YEARS?
I need to ask you exactly what does WORST mean in this case? If you mean in terms of star power, then yes, the only ones with actual star power in WWE these days are Cena, Orton, Mysterio and a little bit of The Miz.
But if you mean is this worst in history TALENT wise? Absolutely not.
Though I don't like Cena, Orton or Mysterio, all can put on good matches from time to time and they all entertain the casuals.
Miz has gotten tenfolds better in the ring and his mic skills are worth the hype.
Del Rio somehow hardly gets any reaction but I still find a way to enjoy him. Riley also isn't the greatest ring worker but he does have mic skills and seems to be pretty over as he gets good pops week in and week out.
I do not understand the Kofi hate as he is not that bad of a talker AT ALL for a guy who gets hardly any mic time and he has been in quite a few matches I have enjoyed.
Swagger and Bourne aren't the greatest talkers but they are two of my favorite wrestlers inside of that squared circle.
And Truth has been great ever since his heel turn.
Smackdown
Christian- not the greatest look or size but this guy can talk and my goodness almost if not every match he has he turns it to gold. He has carried lesser opponents and is probably the second best in ring wrestler after Bryan. He constantly puts on good matches. He has gotten that huge rub over the last few months and has risen to a main event level. Not much of a draw but I would consider him a main eventer. Call me crazy but I think if there was an HBK vs. Christian TLC match at Wrestlemania for the WWE title, I think that could possibly be the greatest match in WWE history. No joke.
Sheamus- how could you not love Sheamus? He can easily main event at any point now. Not the biggest star or draw but he is up there. Definitely in the top ten biggest names I would say and he was even higher before his losing. Aside from all the kayfabe accomplishments. He, along with Punk, embody the complete package: he is really good in the ring and puts on really good matches. He has the build of a credible monster with a unique look and for somebody with such a thick Irish accent he sure can cut good promos.
Henry I have always seen as the midcard and now upper midcarder. He would be a good supporting cast member. Love his latest heel run.
Wade Barrett I don't really feel him but his height, size and mic skills scream a future mega star.
Rhodes could be somebody who could mainevent every now and then. If he wasn't so skinny he'd probably have main evented by now.
We know by his youtube channel and a couple promos Bryan can be an intense and entertaining personality. Plus, when it comes to in the ring, Daniel Bryan is Daniel Bryan.
Zeke has the size going for him but meh.
DiBiase isn't that bad in the ring.
So to answer you question, after looking at these guys, almost every one of them I find good and talented in one if not multiple aspects. Only a few are actual draws and not many have a lot of star power; but I'll be damned if the guys you mentioned aren't talented.