Which Raw Superstar Has WWE Mishandled The Most?

[ryan86]

In my personal opinion, it has clearly been Cody Rhodes.

Now I know that I will be jumped all over as being a Cody "Mark" and be called every name in the book but please, if you disagree just name your own super star whom you feel has ben given the shaft. and give your reasons.

When Cody was first being built up as a major part of "Legacy", it began to do for him (in some aspects) what "Evolution" had done for Orton. In fact, the "Legacy" era in 2009, broght about WWE's most financialy successfull year since 2001. Cody played a major part in that.

But for the next year and a half, WWE squanderd Cody in meaningless angles and absolutely embarrassing gimmiks.

Playing on being voted "The Sexiest Man in WWE" was good heat for him but they never transformed that into a meaningful push.

The Mask for 8 months kept him stagnent and stuck and his heat, (or crowed interest) slowley died.

I guess someone at the top finally got their foot off his neck and let him rise. Now he looks like the next Randy Orton.

 

[alexikosalov]

WWE mishandles a lot of guys, but Cody Rhodes is not one of them imo. When he was with Legacy, he was a bit of an after thought, and definitely 3rd on the totem pole. The adding of the mask was a sensational idea. Now he is Main Eventing Smackdown vs Orton in amazing matches. That's not being mishandled imo.

My choice is CM Punk since the MITB PPV. Also, the use of HHH recently has resulted in absolutely nothing but the derailment of Punk's uber-momentum and the arrival of Kevin Nash. Both very poor directions imo.

 

[ryan86]

IMO, Cody was not an after thought, nor was he 3rd. (referring to "Legacy") Cody was Orton's first pick to work the angle with and was in the original formation with the fat sumo (forgot his name). Cody worked the comentary (the announcing table) when "Legacy" first began, and would usualy end up saving Orton at the end of matches. Ted came along in 6 weeks later, and as of March of '10, has done nothing significant.

My point is, is that Cody was stunted by people who thought he was a threat. So for 18 months, they gave Cody the minumun. But just in the last 6 weeks, he has risen further than ive seen done successfully since Kurt Angle. And thats because a big base of fans have been waiting for this.... Along time.

 

[jg_awesome1]

This is a no brainer for me, it's Drew McIntyre. Drew has not had a meaningful storyline or moment since being drafted to Raw. This was VKM's "Chosen One", he was dubbed a future world champ from the first time he was on a WWE tv. McIntyre's WWE career is on life support and I for one would love to see him "repackaged" and given another push.

 

[dansaun77]

CM Punk obviously, he was super over until he was overshadowing HHH and John Cena, so yet again Vince cuts off his nose to spite his face. CM Punk should be the top face on Raw, for some reason Vince is the only person reluctant to pull the trigger on a full push. Its stupid, hes already surpassed Cena in merchandise sales, the crowd are behind him and his mic skills and ring work are second to nobody.

 

[wrestler36]

I think a case could be made for R-Truth. He had some really good momentum turning heel, but what could've been months as a main event threat, he headlined only one PPV with Cena and lost partially by getting water thrown in his face. Granted, he's got something going on with Miz right now, but it's obvious he's number 2 in Awesome Truth, and it would be difficult for him to be looked at again as a main event threat.

 

[S.J. Maximus]

First off OP, Cody Rhodes is clearly a SmackDown superstar not a RAW one. Secondly, my choice for this thread has to be Alex Riley. Anyone who watched NXT Season 2 had to notice how comfortable Riley was both on the mic and in the ring and how easy it was for him to get a reaction during his promos and matches. IMO it was a complete disgrace to make him Miz's lackey and he should've been put in the midcard for years now (instead of being the dark match for so many years), on his way to the main event because he has the talent and the charisma but for some reason they choose to not even put him on RAW anymore

 

[ExclusivelyMEagles]

Alex Riley. He was getting huge reactions when he turned face, it sustained for a good few months but now they have stuck him in Superstars purgatory rather than being on RAW at all. Should've been US Champ.

& Agreed w/ Drew McIntyre. One of the most over heel acts on SD last year, sent to RAW and has been buried ever since. Ridiculous.

 

[Notorious718]

First off OP, Cody Rhodes is clearly a SmackDown superstar not a RAW one. Secondly, my choice for this thread has to be Alex Riley. Anyone who watched NXT Season 2 had to notice how comfortable Riley was both on the mic and in the ring and how easy it was for him to get a reaction during his promos and matches. IMO it was a complete disgrace to make him Miz's lackey and he should've been put in the midcard for years now (instead of being the dark match for so many years), on his way to the main event because he has the talent and the charisma but for some reason they choose to not even put him on RAW anymore

I think the OP was referring to Cody Rhodes specifically when he was competing on RAW years ago as a member of Legacy. After all if you look at Rhodes now, I think most of us can agree that clearly he's been anything but misused.

I agree with you about Alex Riley. He seemed to be riding a wave of momentum during his feud with former mentor Miz. He was also easily the one who showed the most personality during his stint on NXT 2. I was quite disappointed to see him get put on the backburner after his feud with Miz ended.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

First, I think a brief discussion needs to be held concerning a few nows.

How exactly under God's blue sky has CM Punk been mishandled? He gets monster pops whenever his music hits, he continues to deliver in the ring and on the mic, he's been firmly established as a main eventer, he's feuding with the WWE Champion over the title and will probably, ultimate. In what universe does that constitute mishandling?!?!?! Just because the WWE isn't doing every single little thing with Punk that YOU think they should doesn't mean he isn't being used properly. It's a sad state among wrestling fans when someone can actually look at where CM Punk is in his career and where he looks to be going and say he isn't being handled right.

When it comes to Alex Riley, I'm not sure, but I think his drunk driving arrest has something to do with his push being derailed. It just seemed like Riley was on the fast track before the whole drunk driving situation popped up and then, nothing. He's mostly been relegated to Superstars at this time.

For me, I have to go with Drew McIntyre. McIntyre has immensely improved inside the ring since his initial push on SD! and it does seem like he's being wasted. Like Zack Ryder, however, McIntyre is extremely young. I think he's just 26 or 27, so maybe WWE thinks he needs a little seasoning, a little dues paying on their roster. I think a repackaging of him, maybe hooking him up with Vickie Guerrero, could go a long way with him.

 

[ryan86]

I think when someone referred to CM punk as being misused, he was referring to the obvious fact that from 07-11, he was treated in the same manner as Chris Jericoh in 2000.

He had a huge base, and that base was becoming frustrated that he was not being put into a poition to clearly break though the "glass ceilling". The already established wrestlers were continuing to thrive at the top without regard for others who desreved to be there as well,and that it would have added a great deal to the product.

but instead the top teir was kept in place and became stagnent. this became very apparent after "Legacy" ran it's course and instead of bringing in "fan ready" stars like Punck to lead the Flagship show, they brought in The "Nexus". It absolutley flopped and yet they continued to perpetuate it, along with John Cena and left CM Punk in less meaningfull programs.

Then to add salt to the wound, they made CM Punk the face of a failed angle (Nexus) which set him up to flop.

Punk was clearly missused.

 

[OutsiderDX]

CM Punk

The most mis-handled because it has been the highest profiled.

Ever since defeating Cena at Money in the Bank the E has repeatedly botched the opportunity of giving Punk an Epic run.

Instead of holding Punk out for a substantial amount of time and letting him use social media to promote the angle, they shotgunned his return after just a week. The WWE could have kept him in the audience's minds every week by either showing what Punk was doing, tweeting, or video of where he went (ROH or All American event, Com-Con, ect). The eventual return could have been one of the most epic moments this generation would have had. The fans would have been clawing and drooling at the mere idea of his return.

During the time, Mysterio won the title then quickly gave it to Cena in the same night. (pointless planning).

So that leaves Cena vs Punk title for title. GREAT! Finally the WWE doing something correct ! But awwwwww Punk need a screwjob ending with HHH as the special referee missing Cena's leg on the rope. Which basically leaves the audience knowing that Punk is still inferior to Super Cena.

But Punk is leaving SummerSlam as the Champ! He can go on and do what hasn't been done is an enternity and have some epic title matches with wrestler who can f'n wrestle! Give him a chance to defend that title and show what a wrestler can do! But awwwww Kevin Nash interferes. Wait what? Who? Kevin "remember me from 1997"
Nash attacking a person who more than any other is the embodiment of RELEVANCE! and awwwww Del Rio cashes in and takes the title.

So now Punk is left trying to walk in mud as he is stuck in angle with the non-wrestler HHH and the unreliable Kevin Nash.

Punk loses to HHH
Has no revenge match vs Nash because he was released.
Punk loses a Hell in the Cell
Punk now teams with HHH and loses at Vengeance.

How was this not mis-handled?

They systematically turned the hottest, most interesting wrestler in years into a cluster with mind-blowing ineptitude.

 

[Dalinkwent]

I think CM Punk was pissed away. People think because he's in the "main event" that he's the top guy by default, but what is going to be the main focus between now and WR? I look at CM Punk as someone designed to get Del Rio over, seeing that Punk can actually look weak and take pinfalls unlike Cena. Even if Punk does capture the world title and goes to WR as Champ, Cena and Rock will be the primary focus no matter how well built Punk's championship match is. Punk is going to only be relevant enough to sell shirts but I really don't see WWE giving Punk the actual ball to run with, until Punk is the MAIN focus without more HHH or Nash nonsense I will always believe this. When Punk was redhot in the summer, what did WWE do? They stripped him of the belt, put it on a unstable Del Rio and then put Punk in a terrible and confusing angle that really didn't go anywhere until HHH once again regained all the attention.

 

[JWGunslinger]

This one definitely goes to Drew McIntyre, my favorite superstar to get absolutely trashed for how much talent he has. Although with this one the reasoning is kind of just bad luck, he had an excellent start being labelled as a future world champion by Vince McMahon and he didn't survive the monster push that he recieved so early in his career, then he was punished for drama outside of the ring with his bad relationship with a very troubled former Diva. The point is that he has all the talent in the world but couldnt hang with such a heavy amount of expectation throw at him out of the gate, he's still one of the best superstars on the brand and I'm praying they're waiting for the right time to bring him back, but this go around they'll take a safer and smarter approach.

 

[justinept]

Cody Rhodes has not been mishandled in any way, shape or form during his WWE run. It took him a few years to find a gimmick that connected with the fans, but once he found it, the WWE has pushed him accordingly. Now, if he found a gimmick that worked and the WWE refused to let him use it ... then I'd say he was misused.

...Kind of like what happened to CM Punk..

Punk is the most misused star on the roster because the WWE completely stole his heat and gave it to Awesome Truth. sonPunk was getting pops for being anti-establishment. Punk was the one that called out the top executives for not giving guys like him a legit chance. Yet, somewhere in CM Punk's power struggle with the top executives, he actually sided with the COO (Triple H) and defended him against the new anti-establishment Awesome Truth ... somewhere in Punk's dislike of John Cena's ass-kissing ways, Punk became friends with him - and now it's Awesome Truth trying to take down Cena.

The WWE has completely neutered CM Punk in an attempt to turn him into a more kid friendly hero - and it's a shame.

 

[The_Reptile_]

... Anyone who can say with a straight face that Punk is being mishandled is either an idiot or has high fucking standards.

Now let's look at proper examples, shall we? Drew McIntyre is certainly a proper example, solely due to how badly he was shot down the ladder in proportion to how good he is in the ring.

Hell, you an even make a case for Miz and Truth due to the fact that they're just getting fed to Cena and Rock. There's no point to them anymore outside of them of being stepping stones for the Rock/Cena rivalry. You think they got saddled with Punk's anti-establishment gimmick and left Punk with nothing? Punk is still anti-establishment, it's just whereas Miz and Truth are a couple of straight out Anarchists Punk could be considered a revolutionary. He's still Anti-Establishment, or do you not hear his promos and his interactions with the guys in charge? Just because he was willing to team up with Trips after Punk outright stated that he realized Trips wasn't as corrupt as he thought doesn't make Punk Anti-establishment. God, think a little bit, will you?

 

[H33LTurn]

Cody is the last guy I would put on this list. Hes doing great and is rumored to be working with Booker T in the future. The progress hes made since being the guy from Legacy nobody though would make it is astounding. I think Drew McIntyre has been mishandled but at the same time they tried many times to push him and it just didnt stick. Christian is another one they didnt capitalize on after the Orton rivalry. He could've made someone like Daniel Brian look really good.

 

[Azane]

Kind of hate to go directly with the tide, but Drew Mcintyre went from looking like the chosen one, future champion, to being doghoused over his girl.

On the other side of the fence, Mason Ryan, he's being put too high on the card for looking really inexperienced, they keep putting him in midcard spots that make his fresh look really obvious and awkward, it's going to hurt him in the long run unless he swims rather than sinks.

 

[ryan86]

Cody was missused for 18 months.

CM Punk was missused for 18 months.

The "Miz" was missused for becoming WWE champion. He was perfect for Show-Miz type stuff.

R-Truth is being missused for even being in the WWE. He looks like a reffugee on crack.

Wade Barret was missused because he was thrust in as the lead angle on the flagship show ("Nexus") before guys like CM Punk should have been.

Drew Mackentire however screwed him self by getting a DWI before "getting over". What was WWE to do? Let MADD rump rampant on their advertizing revenue like the PTC did 99-01? WWE learned big time from that era and will not take a chance on having their biggest success (advertizing rev.) attacked before they can even relauch a new great era to neutrallize those threats.

And Daniel Bryant is the most missused for getting way too much spot light when guys who actually sell tickets and the future of the company guys (CM Punk/Cody Rodes) need all that air-time.

And last, Kevin Nash has been the most missused (he's a legend)

 

[Chadmw]

First of all, how is Rhodes being misused- He is one of the top heels in the WWE, just had a feud with Randy Orton and continues to get pushed, but yeah he is misused


And has for Punk being misused, uhmmm are you guys not watching the same show I am, he is IMO tied as the number one face on Raw. He is in one of the main events at one of the biggest PPV of the year. Did the WWE drop the ball a bit with the whole storyline, yes they did. But in no way is Punk being misused.

As for Drew and Alex Riley I would agree that they are being misused if they were being used at all.

Up until recently I would have said Wade Barett, but they finally seem to have him back on track.

IMO one of the misuesed wrestlers is Santino, watch some of his matches before he came up to the WWE, he has talent and his a good wrestler, but he is stuck as a comedy bit.

Also Natalya is extremely misused, they keep making her the weak link between her and Beth Pheonix

 

[01binary10]

What about JoMo? Regardless of his contract situation he hasn't won many matches in the last 6 months. The guy has talent. He's more than a "spot monkey". Morrison was best as heel, which may be his problem. Well, that and his rant about Trish.

I also agree that Alex Riley is being misused. He's a solid mid-carder who could easily be in the US title picture.

 

[Foshinzo]

At the moment, I'll say Drew McIntyre has been horribly misused, simply because they do not use him at all. I think he would have been a better fit than Jack Swagger in the Vickie Guerrero entourage, and he's a better wrestler than to just never use him at all. It's a real shame what's happened to him, especially since coming to Raw, and you wonder why he still even has a job, if this is what they're doing with him.

I'm with Jack-Hammer in saying I think Alex Riley killed his own push with that DUI. I can't understand how people say Punk has been mishandled, either. His steam has died down, but he was so hot at one point that he would have burned out, if he'd stayed that way. Right now, Punk is in the, "grooming," phase. He's being primed for his spot at the top, but WWE has always been pretty good about not just shooting someone at the top; that company likes to let guys simmer for a while before they're handed the ball, and everyone is better on the whole, because of it. I agree that I'd like to see him do more, but I'm just saying that it's not right to say that they're just completely boning the guy.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

really? you think cody rhodes of all people has been misused? REALLY? are you serious? because ever sense he got the mask he got taken alot more serious and he had a good fued with rey mysterio and hes having a great one with orton right now besides the title says which RAW superstar and last i checked cody rhodes is a smackdown superstar..just sayin

now as for which raw superstar i think has been mishandled the most...i gotta go with john morrison you can say "oh he has no mic skills" and "oh the way he treated trish screwed him over" and how hes gonna get fired soon but honestly if he was gonna get fired for what he did to trish wouldnt he be gone already? also i think hes out of the doghouse now for the trish/mania crap but even before that happened last year at TLC he beat sheamus in a #1 contenders ladder match and i for one was looking forward to john morrison facing the miz 1 on 1 at royal rumble for the wwe title like he should have but what did they do instead? they had them face off in the 1st match of 2011 to open the first raw of 2011 in a great falls count anywhere match! now i personally think they should have built their fued up till rumble and let them have a falls count anywhere match there as it would have been better then the orton vs miz match,and then after he lost to miz...THEY DID NOTHING WITH THE GUY! i think the way he should have been booked was facing miz at rumble and losing the falls count anywhere match then facing miz at EC (and this is just not having king fued with anybody at all) and losing there and then you could have him in a main event at mania (not 1 on 1) but throw cena in there and it would have benfited jomo big time to work a HUGE match with cena and miz at mania and better then the stupid snooki match he was in. also after mania he should have fueded with ziggler but again they dropped the ball.


bottom line here is this...IF WWE is indeed close to firing john morrison there morons because this guy has so much potential and alot to bring to the table and if they fire him im gonna laugh when he shows up in tna a few monthes later along with melina giving tna a big name former wwe star who was never champ there....basically i could see morrison in tna being as huge as christian was there

 

[Suibon]

Holy shit, Cody Rhodes has been mis-used? Does not compute - you see Cody handling his post-Legacy really well, Cody gaining the mid-card crown, Cody flying his boots around Randy Orton's ass, and that's mishandling?

And what if you've been given a shitty gimmick? You don't just sit around and expect the seventy graces and the countless guardian angels to bless your career, like T_d D_B___s_ or Drew McIntyre or Curlito. You run with it and pound it to the ground till it milks blood, till you get over, like Zack Ryder did with his Jersey Shore gimmick, or Cody with his Dashing gimmick.

Simple as fact, bruh.
​

 

[#1HEEL]

It's 100% John Morrison.

Those saying Cody and Punk, no offence but thats idoism. Punk went from a midcard guy who had been world champion to a guy who the show is now built around, just because his rise didn't play out how you feel it should of, doesn't mean its misused. His probably RAW's # 1 face now after being their biggest villian. Misused??

And Cody's stock is massive right now. You don't become a star overnight at Cody's size, and just because Orton won the belt and split with EVO doesn't mean legacy needed to follow the same script.

On the MOrrison. 2011 should have been the year that Morrison became world champion, earlier this year he had all of the momentum. At the time of the Royal Rumble when he did his spiderman act, he was massive! He should have been World Champion this year, they should have made him return on a hot streak and become champion. He deserved it more then Alberto.

Morrison's promo's on ECW as champion were dynamite. He has just never been given the chance, and now he never will.