Top 3 Stars You See Dominating Raw A Year From Now

[ThinkinSmart]

Drew Mcintyre? Really? Daniel Bryan an after thought? Really? Drew Mcintyre is boring, theres nothing about him that makes me care. Him and Lispy-Mcgee Jack Swagger both need to be future endeavored if only to recreate them selves. Any one who thinks Daniel Bryan is an afterthought is a fool. I suppose Benoit was an afterthought too? Hes a hard worker who has one set back in his mic ability that has been greatly improving. Dont count Bryan out, he has amazing ability and once given an opportunity will prove to be one of the wwe's greatest assets. Theres a reason he was so popular in the indy leagues. Every one who said Punk was an after thought is now eating their words, remember your comments in a couple years. Glad to see your being as objective as possible.

 

[sephx42]

Sorry, but yeah, really. Daniel Bryan has some neat moves and all, sure...but he has a completely unremarkable look and weak mic skills. I have no idea why so many people are so hot on this guy, with no personality and no mic skills, the only thing to like is 'he does moves pretty'. Not bashing him, I just don't see the charisma needed for him to be the 'next big thing' everyone says he is.

 

[HamSwissman]

Sorry, but yeah, really. Daniel Bryan has some neat moves and all, sure...but he has a completely unremarkable look and weak mic skills. I have no idea why so many people are so hot on this guy, with no personality and no mic skills, the only thing to like is 'he does moves pretty'. Not bashing him, I just don't see the charisma needed for him to be the 'next big thing' everyone says he is.

The thing is, you can make someone like this work in the end. It worked with Benoit (even though I was never really high on him) and several others who were mat technicians. I'm not saying he deserves to be a constant top player, but certainly his excellent in ring skills and pretty decent mike skills can make him a true main-eventer, even if just for short periods of time.

 

[RicoLen]

Drew Mcintyre? Really? Daniel Bryan an after thought? Really? Drew Mcintyre is boring, theres nothing about him that makes me care. Him and Lispy-Mcgee Jack Swagger both need to be future endeavored if only to recreate them selves. Any one who thinks Daniel Bryan is an afterthought is a fool. I suppose Benoit was an afterthought too? Hes a hard worker who has one set back in his mic ability that has been greatly improving. Dont count Bryan out, he has amazing ability and once given an opportunity will prove to be one of the wwe's greatest assets. Theres a reason he was so popular in the indy leagues. Every one who said Punk was an after thought is now eating their words, remember your comments in a couple years. Glad to see your being as objective as possible.

I would never count anyone out... if I did, I would have long ago counted out every wrestler currently on the roster save for Big Show (and that includes the wrestler formerly known as Rocky Maivia). The Big Show is one of only 3 guys I've ever taken one quick glance at and went "yup he's gonna be a Hall of Famer" Bill Goldberg and The Undertaker were the other 2.

I counted out Owen Hart, I counted out Shawn Michaels, I counted out Rocky Maivia, I counted out Stunning Steve Austin, I counted out Chris Jericho, I counted out The Miz... obviously my track record in that aspect sucks balls.

I'm not going to count out Daniel Bryan. I almost did that to Dolph Ziggler, and then out of nowhere he started working the mic and doing a very solid respectable job at it, in fact I even personally really like him on the mic. I'd say right now that Ziggler is my new favorite wrestler "on the rise", and I'm sure he's going to be a Hall of Famer one day.

Daniel Bryan could get re-packaged (perhaps as a hipster elitist like TWC suggested) and suddenly surprise us with mic skills that are passable enough to round out his character and make him a real commodity, but right now he's not a well rounded WWE Superstar. He's aces in some categories and 0's elsewhere.

For that same reason I wouldn't count out Swagger, who does seem like he's working out his lisp some, and Drew Mcintyre.

If you look at early version of other wrestlers who have become Hall of Famers (or future Hall of Famers) usually their first gimmick sucked ass, their second was OK but their third? Holy s**t. Very, very few make it before that.

 

[kokoBawesome]

I actually had the same feelings about Daniel Bryan until a few days ago. I looked up some youtube/vimeo matches from his ring of honor days and he really is a great wrestler. If Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit could have solid careers based on being the best technical wrestlers around, I think Bryan has a shot at the same type of career. One that brings credibility to wrestling.

The independent leagues are changing things. Guys like Punk and Bryan don't really need to have their entire careers be in the WWE to feel successful. i guess I'll equate it to being in a punk band. Success isn't measured by the money or the big show to some people, i think if anything the wwe is going to benefit from having these guys around, kind of like a street cred situation.

And c.m. punk may be 33, but guys can last until their mid forties and still go hard. How old is mark henry? he's just peaking now. (it was sad even as i typed it.)

As far as Ziggler and Rhodes, they're defiantly the future of the WWE. I'm happy that these guys are getting the slow burn to becoming champions. The longer it builds, the better the payoff will be. As long as they can stay interesting they'll be fine, too bad about John Morrison though. He was on the same path as ziggler and rhodes, it was just such a boring path when he was solo. I know he was already in two successful tag teams but damn he needed a third one.

Swagger could have a long solid career as long as when he moves on from this weird Kurt angle-y look to something else he does it right. This guy needs a re branding more than anyone right now. getting between dolph and vickie could have been awesome, but it was completely forgotten about. I thought for sure they were setting up a wrestlemania match for Vickies managerial skills.

Sheamus...... is one denominational. Sorry. Its like Fit finley. "I'm irish and tough.... so where do we go from here?" Basically the only ideas I can thing of for the guy are tough guy angles or comedy angles.... he'll never be some slick Ric Flair / Batista guy, and unless he becomes unbelievably charismatic he'll always just be the big pale machine.

 

[xavyer]

Well, i for one think Wade Barret has the potential to be a top heel, kind of like Triple H, methodical and whickedly smart, just give him some time,Cody Rhodes kind of reminds me of Owen Hart,because of his size no one gives him much of a chance, but he'll get there,i don't know what happened to Alex Riley,he had the potential to be like a John Cena tipe of character, Ryder is a fan favorite,but i don't see him maiking it big,i think he's like Santino Marella, he'll get a title here and there,but that's it,Dolph i think is the real deal, just give him some time.........

 

[King of the Words]

WWE's Top 10 Heavyweight Division Superstars Now,IMO, In no particular order:

(#1. John Cena, #2. Randy Orton, #3. C.M. Punk, #4. Kane, #5. Mark Henry, #6. Big Show, #7. The Miz, #8. Rey Mysterio, #9. Triple H., #10.Undertaker)

WWE's Future Top 10 Heavyweight Division Superstars,IMO, In no particular order:

(#1. C.M. Punk, #2. The Miz, #3. Alberto Del Rio, #4. Sheamus, #5. Wade Barrett, #6. Dolph Ziggler, #7. Cody Rhodes, #8. Sin Cara, #9. R-Truth, #10. Daniel Bryan)

I see a lack of bigger built guys in the future as top stars. Mason Ryan, Skip, Brodus Clay, Zik, even Kharma all have potential but I don't see any of these being main event material. The main reason would be lack of mic skills. But who knows what can happen really? Maybe John Morrison will be back someday and become the face of the WWE. But from what is see, the future will be smaller guys but great mic skills for the most part.

 

[Harddyboy77]

Zack Ryder....
He has merch sales.A guy that hasn't held a singles belt in his Wwe career.Imagine how much he would sell if he were to win the WWE title. Not sayin I want to see him win world gold.but to the mcmahons, IT'S All ABOUT THE MONEY!!!!!

 

[marklouis]

I have to laugh when people say The Miz is the guy who can bring in the casual fan. His time in the main event produced low ratings, low buy rates for PPVs, and mediocre ticket sales. I just don't get why you guys think he's so great. He's shit in the ring and boring on the mic. Just because he's on TMZ doesn't make him a star.

As for the future, Ziggler is a future top heel, & Sheamus has a bright future as either a face or a heel. Barrett has potential as a heel, as does Cody Rhodes. Those 2 guys just need to keep progressing & they'll get to the main event soon. Del Rio is good in the ring, but I don't think he has much charisma, & the fact that English is not his first language hurts his promos. But he'll be in the main event for a while. I would include Punk, but he's lost his balls since the summer, & I don't have faith that WWE creative knows how to properly use him.

 

[TM Punk]

Now, I will try and remain as objective as possible, and leave personal subjective conclusions aside. As I will be posting an asesment, not an article for popularity.

The current "experiement" stars will not be on this list as they will be after thoughts with-in a year, IE: Daniel Bryan/Zack Ryder

The WWE is in a period of transition, trying to acclimate new "REAL" stars to the produc, that will carry us through the decade. This time period is simular to '97 and '04.

Punk: He will not be another Cena in pure drawing power, but he is 33 years of age and peaking, and his styaing power is questionable. One thing is for sure though, he has 5 good years left, maybe only 3 as a top 2 draw.

Dolph Zigger: He will be a solidified main-event top heel with-in a year and will be a 5 or 6 time WWE champion by the end of the decade.

Cody Rhodes: His progression will be simular to Dolph's, but he will take his rise through the "lesser" brand, untill he is World Champ. 3 or 4 time WWE champ by decade's end.

I really don't want to turn this into your anti cm punk thread but... 2 or 3 good years??? Bret hart won his first WWE championship in 1993 when he was almost 36 years old. He was forced into retirement in 2000. Shawn michaels won his first title in 1996, he was 31 years old, and we all know the rest. My point is that CM Punk is not "peaking" like you claim he is. How can someone who they are still heavily in the process of pushing to the top spot of the company possibly be at their peak? I'm looking forward to the next 7 or 8 years of CM Punk not necissarilly being THE guy like cena or austin. But he'll always be in the discussion, and he'll be the guy who elevates the next cena or austin to that level, much like bret hart, and shawn michaels before him.

 

[thedenny132]

Honestly, 2012 will prove to be a landmark year for WWE. Ratings are as bad as they've ever been for both network shows. 90% of the storylines are forced, rushed, jumbled, and just flat out confusing, and we've been living in an era where Jerry Lawler has to play the straight man on commentary. So, the reason I say 2012 will be pivitol? Well for starters, the WWE Network launches. To me, I think alot of the reason that the current product is just lacking is because there's so much going on behind the scenes, that the actual equity is suffering...for now. If WWE is going to pin alot of hopes on the Network, they've almost got to have an improved product in mind to go along with the biggest risk Vince has taken since Wrestlemania (and no, not the XFL). In that same repsect, 2012 will be the year we see the "Network" era stars emerge, and really grab our attention. FCW's worth will certainly be on display. In my view, guys like Barrett, Rhodes, Ziggler, McIntyre, Sheamus, Kofi, Bourne, Dibiase, Swagger, Santino, Bryan, Miz, Del Rio, Sin Cara, Ryder, and even Alex Riley (who's name I noticed has not been mentioned yet in this discussion), will be called upon to carry the load...with proper charecter development. That group of guys, including the big dogs who I still feel have a number of years left (Cena, Punk, Orton, Christian, Henry, Jericho, Kane, Show, and even Trips) can solidfy the product, and I feel all mentioned will have a great 2012. But the x-factor lies solely in 3 things: 1: better writing 2: CONSISTENCY 3: a sense of purpose to put on a quality show.

Also, bring back JR and replace Johnny Ace as GM with Michael Cole.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

30-40 is a wrestler's peak. It's when they are smart enough and still athletic enough to work the audience. So I can see Punk being big over the next decade.

I see the Miz as a huge star. He carries himself like one, wrestles a safe style but one that tells a story, and he tries to expand his and the WWE's brand.

Daniel Bryan is going to be the William Regal type where he can get solidly over and you put him in with guys in need of ring time. As a vet he'll be used to teach young guys (like regal).

barrett will be a star. Size, smarts, talking. Plus objectively, he's pretty over.

Bottom line is, guys who can portray their characters well and get the people to believe in them will be the guys who carry the company. Whether that's your Santino providing crucial comic relief or whether that's Cena getting 100% of the audience to passionately feel one way or another about you. WWE is too good at teaching this to not have future stars. Shit guys like Ziggler, Rhodes, and Barrett are already getting pretty close.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

Honestly, 2012 will prove to be a landmark year for WWE. Ratings are as bad as they've ever been for both network shows. 90% of the storylines are forced, rushed, jumbled, and just flat out confusing, and we've been living in an era where Jerry Lawler has to play the straight man on commentary. So, the reason I say 2012 will be pivitol? Well for starters, the WWE Network launches. To me, I think alot of the reason that the current product is just lacking is because there's so much going on behind the scenes, that the actual equity is suffering...for now. If WWE is going to pin alot of hopes on the Network, they've almost got to have an improved product in mind to go along with the biggest risk Vince has taken since Wrestlemania (and no, not the XFL). In that same repsect, 2012 will be the year we see the "Network" era stars emerge, and really grab our attention. FCW's worth will certainly be on display. In my view, guys like Barrett, Rhodes, Ziggler, McIntyre, Sheamus, Kofi, Bourne, Dibiase, Swagger, Santino, Bryan, Miz, Del Rio, Sin Cara, Ryder, and even Alex Riley (who's name I noticed has not been mentioned yet in this discussion), will be called upon to carry the load...with proper charecter development. That group of guys, including the big dogs who I still feel have a number of years left (Cena, Punk, Orton, Christian, Henry, Jericho, Kane, Show, and even Trips) can solidfy the product, and I feel all mentioned will have a great 2012. But the x-factor lies solely in 3 things: 1: better writing 2: CONSISTENCY 3: a sense of purpose to put on a quality show.

Also, bring back JR and replace Johnny Ace as GM with Michael Cole.

You do know that the TV market is totally different than before right? That because of all the other streaming and viewing mediums, that the cable viewing audience isn't as good of a gauge. not only that but household share changes all the time too. Stop being such a doomsayer. It's fox news level fear mongering you're pushing out and it's garbage. fact is, WWE is almost always near the top in any medium, ratings, tweets, facebook, live attendance, whatever. What draws millions of fans a year and is always top 3 in ratings for their timeslot? The WWE and that's about it. Not only that, but Vince is smart. If his audience were as bad as you think, he wouldn't have okayed the network because it would have been a bad venture.

Confusing storylines were what the tude (most successful era) were all about. I don't see how chaos is a bad thing. WWE is more sustainable right now than they ever have been.

Pretty much everything else you said is completely subjective. When running a business, you can't be subjective. Vince doesn't run the WWE like a mark, so none of this "boring storylines" he probably says "storylines that aren't over, change them". The storylines are over. WWE draws a lot. It's amazing how such a niche like pro wrestling can succeed. WWE is an amazing machine.

 

[rokuma]

You do know that the TV market is totally different than before right? That because of all the other streaming and viewing mediums, that the cable viewing audience isn't as good of a gauge. not only that but household share changes all the time too. Stop being such a doomsayer. It's fox news level fear mongering you're pushing out and it's garbage. fact is, WWE is almost always near the top in any medium, ratings, tweets, facebook, live attendance, whatever. What draws millions of fans a year and is always top 3 in ratings for their timeslot? The WWE and that's about it. Not only that, but Vince is smart. If his audience were as bad as you think, he wouldn't have okayed the network because it would have been a bad venture.

Confusing storylines were what the tude (most successful era) were all about. I don't see how chaos is a bad thing. WWE is more sustainable right now than they ever have been.

Pretty much everything else you said is completely subjective. When running a business, you can't be subjective. Vince doesn't run the WWE like a mark, so none of this "boring storylines" he probably says "storylines that aren't over, change them". The storylines are over. WWE draws a lot. It's amazing how such a niche like pro wrestling can succeed. WWE is an amazing machine.

That being said, isn't it time for WWE to start streaming Raw? There may be a lot of casual fans who are watching Raw online (but not through WWE.com) and getting their wrestling fix, but have no cable. Smackdown is already streamed, but why not Raw? ESPN does it with ESPN3, TNT does it with the NBA on Thursday nights, heck even TNA puts their shows on after the fact. Why not Raw? Is it something exclusive with USA and they can't?

 

[Danny84]

i think it will b 5 not 3 it will b

CM PUNK - just cause he is so over with the fans at the moment even more than cena which i like very much

JOHN CENA - just cause wwe will allways b based around him cause they love him for some strange reason

THE MIZ - now the whole awesome truth things over he can get bk to wear he belongs bk in the title picture he was an awesome champ (like the pun) LOL

DOLPH ZIGGLER - the bloke is just amazing in the ring and on the mic born to b the big heel of the wwe he could b a multible time world champ by the time his career is over pure class

and last

ZACK RYDER - we all know cause of the fan popularity he will b in the u.s title picture for a long time now weather he keeps winning and losing it he will b a big hit in 2012 and dont b surprised if he dont win the tag titles with cena at some point aswell not sure if he will ever b good enough to get in the world title picture but u.s title without a doubt

 

[Paria]

As the one who looks past the norm, a year from now, even 6 months from now, I am going to go outside the box here a little, A major problem i see with the WWE atm is that they are looking to "the past" a little too much, and I feel they are seeing this. I feel that the top 3 on Raw will be Skip Sheffield, Wade Barrett and a face Alberto Del Rio. Alberto isn't a top quality heel, but I feel that he could be a good face. And what Raw needs more than anything right now is quality heels, and Wade and Skip, separately, would make very top quality heels, as long as they write it the right way.

 

[Heel Randy>Face Randy]

Everyone is mentioning Punk & Cena so I won't bother talking about those two

Something I believe. that could boost RAW's ratings is in the near future if Randy Orton were to be permanently drafted to RAW and if he were to to make a heel turn on his first night back.

Dolph Ziggler-Nuff Said.

Lastly, if WWE would get rid of this stupid idea of having a RAW Supershow because it seriously devalues SmackDown as a whole.

 

[amazing_blue]

Good thread. I am going to go out on a limb and predict that Vince decides that he wants to "re-establish" the brand split next spring. I'm hoping the WWE try to make RAW and SmackDown seperate but equal, and to do so, Cena gets drafted to SmackDown. This time for real. Now onto my picks...

CM Punk - Seems like a no-brainer to me. He gets huge pops week in and week out, puts on excellent matches and possesses the unique ability to make just about anything interesting. His merchandise sales have eclipsed those of John Cena and I fully expect Punk to still be an integral part of RAW programming a year from now.

Randy Orton - A few weeks ago, Orton tag teamed with Punk and you could see there was a bit of tension. I feel like an Orton heel turn could be right around the corner.

Dolph Ziggler - 2012 will be the year where Ziggler becomes a huge part of WWE programming.

 

[cstatus94]

CM Punk definitely

Daniel Bryan of Course

Zack Ryder.

Its a coincidence the people I named are all holding gold but I wanted them to get push so badly and they are and I see these 3 guys running the show in an year.

 

[akathelaw]

Raw needs strong promo work and big crowd reactions. That being said, I'd choose the following for 2012 main events:

Faces: John Cena, CM Punk, Randy Orton
Heels: Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Miz

Smackdown needs ring technicians and visual spectacles. Here's SD's top card:

Faces: Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, Big Show
Heels: Mark Henry, Kane, Dolph Ziggler

It's so hard to tell. The WWE roster is so thin right now, it's really the perfect time to end the brand split once nad for all and unify all the major championships.

 

[PowerHouse]

If we are talking just the top 3 in general on RAW then the way i see it is it will be.

CM Punk- I dont see this guy falling out of the Title picture anytime soon if he loses the title. But being he is champ i expect him to have a pretty long title reign.

Zak Ryder- This guy is pure WWE gold!!!!!! He is exactly what the WWE looks for in a superstar. He is entertaining good in ring worker pretty good on the mic, the fans LOVE him he really can do no wrong.

Brodus Clay- I think his redebut being pushed back as much as it has been because the WWE really wants to push Brodus as that unstoppable monster. Kinda like what Mark Henry was doing. Except Brodus is alot younger healthier in that his body is no where near as beat up as Henry's is. I expect him to be a major force in the WWE all year and possibly for years to come. With guys like Henry and Bog Show near the end of their careers Brodus needs to make his presence felt.

 

[Spunky]

Cena, and Punk. WWE wont make any new stars until they have to. In the past five years WWE have only made a new main eventer if they've needed too. I can't see either of them going anywhere unless of an injury and they are both big enough stars stay there in the main event whilst feuding on and off with each other and having other people step up and be the break between feuds so it doesn't get stale. The problem is it's easier keep the stars at the top up there than it is to make a new shine just as brightly.