Who in professional wrestling has the best chance at making the most money?

[Mr. Nerfect]

A lot has been said recently about some of the top stars in the WWE. CM Punk, for example, doesn't draw. Some have added Randy Orton to the list of "injury prone" workers that the company can't hang their hat on. Many believe that John Cena is in a phase of his career where he is winding down, and someone else needs to take the reigns of carrying the company from him (not an easy act).

Whether or not you agree with these statements or not, I am curious to see who in the WWE you think has got the best chance of making money from the WWE -- whether it be in terms of moving merchandise; their face selling television and PPV events; or in the simple fact that they "put butts in seats."

[Streamer]

Like moore than Million Dollars man? He was rich like 1% rich and he bought that guy

[CSL]

Triple H

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm glad it was you who got that out of the way, CSL.

[Gertner]

Ryback. /thread

[Streamer]

Ryeback=pine cone and daniel bryan=broom

[Gertner]

Like moore than Million Dollars man? He was rich like 1% rich and he bought that guy

To be fair, black people aren't worth much

[#1-norm-fan]

If we're not counting Cena... I guess Ryback is a good choice. He can be huge with even halfway decent booking.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ryback could turn out to be injury prone, unable to cut a promo that suits his character or a complete flop in other ways yet. I hope not, and I was a fan of the guy as Nexus' muscle, but I'm not entirely sold on him just yet.

[E.Carmen86]

CM Punk could draw a crowd if the WWE put him in a feud with Johnny

[E.Carmen86]

I meant to say a feud like the WWE did with Austin and McMahon. That would mean going back to the Attitude Era.

[Shisen Kopf]

Ryback will go on to make trillions

[Ruien]

Wade Barrett.

[#1-norm-fan]

Ryback could turn out to be injury prone, unable to cut a promo that suits his character or a complete flop in other ways yet. I hope not, and I was a fan of the guy as Nexus' muscle, but I'm not entirely sold on him just yet.

He can certainly cut a better promo than Goldberg. In fact he's better than Goldberg in every conceivable way. I can see not being "sold" on him because he hasn't had anything but squashes so far but all we can really talk about is potential here and he's got a shitload of it.

[#1-norm-fan]

I meant to say a feud like the WWE did with Austin and McMahon. That would mean going back to the Attitude Era.

It would mean making it fresh and unique so it wasn't like every other face vs. heel authority figure feud we've seen and are even currently seeing. The current writers are not capable of that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He can certainly cut a better promo than Goldberg. In fact he's better than Goldberg in every conceivable way. I can see not being "sold" on him because he hasn't had anything but squashes so far but all we can really talk about is potential here and he's got a shitload of it.

I like Ryback more as an in-ring competitor than Goldberg, but there is a way that he has not been conceivably better than Goldberg (yet): He's not getting over in the same way. Ryback might get over in time, but right now, people are chanting "Goldberg!" mockingly during his matches. I hope that changes, but right now I'm not sure that he'll "catch fire" as Goldberg did.

Also, while I've heard "Skip Sheffield" speak; I haven't heard "Ryabck" speak. He may not need to, which is fine. But it's quite possible that he'll get on the mic and try to sound angry, but come off sounding like a rapist and turn people off his character entirely. I doubt that will happen, don't get me wrong, but the Ryback character has not been part of any memorable promos just yet.

The biggest concern I have with Ryback is whether or not his body can hold up for prolonged periods of time. Maybe his injury in 2010 was a freak accident, but he's got the sort of body that looks like it could tear quite easily, and I hope he manages to stay healthy so that he can be given the chance to be depended on by the company.

[Mr. Nerfect]

CM Punk could draw a crowd if the WWE put him in a feud with Johnny

The authority figure vs. disgruntled employee angle should have been Triple H vs. CM Punk, but the WWE chickened out of it. There was no heel in the feud, which I think was pretty dumb. Plus, the WWE seemed far more interested to use CM Punk's heat to get over The Miz, R-Truth, Kevin Nash and the strike angle more than anything else.

Triple H could have gone with the flow, and used his "suit powers" to try and keep the man down in CM Punk; or CM Punk could have been The Joker to Triple H's Batman/Bruce Wayne. There was so much potential in a feud like that, but for whatever reason, the WWE decided that Kevin Nash inviting himself back into the WWE and claiming that it wasn't like the "good ol' days" any more would captivate audiences in 2011 far more. I'm not bashing Nash, either -- I think the man is an entertainment force on the mic. If the WWE does sign Alex Shelley, I would love to see a version of "Paparazzi Productions" in the WWE. Triple H dominating the storylines as he did in 2011 led to much mocking from mainstream media outlets, however (Triple H was listed as one of the least sexiest men of 2011, and his promo about a broken heart got mocked on The Soup), and then John Laurinaitis was inserted into power, and I'm still trying to make sense of all the continuity errors in the "control of RAW" storyline.

[JT]

Honestly, not seeing many catching my eye right now.

CM Punk is kind of there, but already seems to be loosing steam (doesn't help that even with the belt he plays second fiddle to Cena on PPV).

Cody Roodes has risen from his days of a create-a-wrestler to a fine performer, though I don't know how much more he can improve.

Dolph is great, but somehow always seems in the lower card section of the show. Think if he was given some more mic time on tv (and cuts ties with the manager he doesn't need), he can go places.

[#1-norm-fan]

I like Ryback more as an in-ring competitor than Goldberg, but there is a way that he has not been conceivably better than Goldberg (yet): He's not getting over in the same way. Ryback might get over in time, but right now, people are chanting "Goldberg!" mockingly during his matches. I hope that changes, but right now I'm not sure that he'll "catch fire" as Goldberg did.

That's because wrestling crowds are cynical assholes nowadays. Moreso than when Goldberg was coming up. Just like with any good face character though, it takes time and the kids/non-smarky crowd will get behind him. And he's got that "it" factor to where, barring some shitty booking (which is completely possible), everyone can get on his side. I can definitely see Goldberg becoming known as the old Ryback in time as opposed to Ryback being the new Goldberg.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If Dolph cuts ties with Vickie, he would almost definitely be turned face automatically by just dumping her. That sort of wave could be what carries Dolph through to the next level. Since we were introduced to Nick Nemeth as Kerwin White's caddy, Dolph Ziggler has been a heel for his entire WWE career. Could Dolph effectively portray a babyface character in the ring? I think so, given his size and charisma. He could bump around the ring and make the menacing heels look good, before using skills and his intelligence to trump even the biggest foe.

Ziggler would make perfect sense to win the RAW Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the July PPV. I'd love to see Ziggler put up against the heel Big Show. Given Ziggler's past of getting surprisingly great showings out of guys like Kane and The Great Khali, I think Ziggler could be an interesting foil to Big Show -- especially if Show puts Cena on the shelf and then Ziggler takes issue with Big Show. A match between the two at SummerSlam would make an absolutely insane opener.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That's because wrestling crowds are cynical assholes nowadays. Moreso than when Goldberg was coming up. Just like with any good face character though, it takes time and the kids/non-smarky crowd will get behind him. And he's got that "it" factor to where, barring some shitty booking (which is completely possible), everyone can get on his side. I can definitely see Goldberg becoming known as the old Ryback in time as opposed to Ryback being the new Goldberg.

Well, for the guy's sake, I hope you're right.

[Fox]

That's because wrestling crowds are cynical assholes nowadays. Moreso than when Goldberg was coming up. Just like with any good face character though, it takes time and the kids/non-smarky crowd will get behind him. And he's got that "it" factor to where, barring some shitty booking (which is completely possible), everyone can get on his side. I can definitely see Goldberg becoming known as the old Ryback in time as opposed to Ryback being the new Goldberg.

I respect your opinion more than most on this board, but I gotta disagree here. I've only seen a handful of these Ryback squashes, but I really don't see Goldberg in him. Bill Goldberg was a one of a kind type of situation that I have never seen before and I have yet to see after. He came to the ring, did his thing, and left. He didn't roar the cameras or play to the crowds. Push press, super kick, Spear, Jackhammer, done. And the fans ATE IT UP. He was like an experiment in WCW, and when he took off, they actually did the smart thing and got behind him. The rest is history.

Ryback TRIES too hard to be a menacing beast in the ring. That's why he's getting "Goldberg!" chants. They can tell that he's not the real deal - he's just some carbon copy that Vince McMahon and Co. shitted out. And that's all he'll ever be unless he adds something truly unique to his repertoire. Personally, I don't see it.

I think they'd have had a much more marketable, entertaining and ferocious "beast" of a face in Low Ki, but of course, we all saw how that worked out.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The fans were more into Kaval than they were Ryback...

Just saying.

[Fox]

I'm not sure if you realize it or not, but you are supporting my point, Noid.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, I realise it.

That's something that Ryback has not done yet -- forged a connection with the audience. Ryback can be "better" than Goldberg all he wants, but at the end of the day, Ryback needs to be over and make money if he's going to be anywhere near as successful as William.

[Lock Jaw]

Derrick Bateman.

[#1-norm-fan]

Wait, Low Ki?

[#1-norm-fan]

Oh, and through all this, I forgot to add... "Feed me more!" > "Who's next?"

[Lock Jaw]

Ryback is not better than Goldberg in any way. Honestly do not know what people see in Ryback.

[#1-norm-fan]

He doesn't look like an old, washed-up ex football player for one.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Would main eventers be willing to be killed by Murder by Lariat, either?

[#1-norm-fan]

Of course, Goldberg WAS. Hence why he looked like one. But still.

I don't see how anyone can not atleast think Ryback is a better wrestler/has a better look than Goldberg. Even given what Noid brought up about whether Ryback can cut a promo in character, his intensity into the camera after his matches is a good sign. And Goldberg didn't exactly burn the house down with a mic in his hand.

[#1-norm-fan]

Would main eventers be willing to be killed by Murder by Lariat, either?

It just would be done in a way that makes it look less impressive.

... Except when done to Dolph Ziggler.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm not trying to compare promo ability between the two, I'm just trying to say that the stars aren't exactly perfectly aligned for Ryback yet.

Also, I'm not sure about look. Ryback looks fucking menacing, don't get me wrong, but Goldberg managed to look like an ass-kicker without it going too over the top and becoming goofy.

http://twoandahalfwrestlers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ryback.jpg

Far more goofy there than Goldberg ever was. Look, it was an entirely different character, but even when you compare their serious faces, I think Goldberg seemed far more likeable and natural in the role.

Ryback shouldn't be modelling himself after Goldberg, anyway. As soon as Goldberg lost a match, he lost his mystique and a lot of his value as a draw. Ryback should be thinking of ways that he can connect to audiences, in ways that it won't matter if he gets screwed over by Cody Rhodes next week.

[Emperor Smeat]

Long shot would probably be Ryder outside of the top stars or established big names.

First star not in the top spot or as a really well known name to take advantage of the internet for his benefit. Then managed to sell a lot of merchandise even though he's barely on tv which means his fanbase has been growing enough to keep the level of spending high enough for the WWE to care.

He's already considered a top star by WWE Shop standards since he's usually grouped together with the bigger stars for merchandise on the front page and in stuff.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It just would be done in a way that makes it look less impressive.

... Except when done to Dolph Ziggler.

That they have not done that match yet is insanity.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Long shot would probably be Ryder outside of the top stars or established big names.

First star not in the top spot or as a really well known name to take advantage of the internet for his benefit. Then managed to sell a lot of merchandise even though he's barely on tv which means it had to have grown enough to keep the level of spending high enough for the WWE to care.

Is his character a main event level one, though? I think the element of it that wants to be a WWE Superstar and succeed in this business more than anything is part that would work; but that the goofiness of it may not.

Ryder is a great option, though, because merchandise sales are an important factor when considering a guy's overall marketability. His ring work is good, he's young, and he's charismatic. I think the guy needs to work with Paul Heyman on how to cut promos, though.

[Fox]

I do not, have not, and don't know if I ever will, get what makes Zack Ryder so fucking special.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He can be pretty entertaining. Some of the stuff on his YouTube show was pretty funny. Plus, the guy can go in the ring. He hasn't really shown it lately, but he turned heads when he was on ECW.

Ideally, I'd like to see Ryder used to get interest for the new NXT. Have Eve book Ryder in a match against Tensai with Ryder's roster spot on the line. Tensai would win in a hard fought match. Ryder would go to NXT, where he could attract some people to the show and continue to work on his ring skills and promo ability, while Tensai would get heat for getting rid of a guy the WWE fans care about.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I believe that Curt Hawkins is actually better than Zack Ryder in pretty much every way right now (besides how over he is, obviously). It may not stay that way forever, but I do believe that Hawkins is just that extra notch better.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, and Zack Ryder absolutely must put over Damien Sandow before he leaves.

[Vastardikai]

CM Punk obviously doesn't make the WWE money? When has he seriously been given the chance?

[KIRA]

To be fair, black people aren't worth much
And your opinions are somwehow worth even less.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've got to say that Ryback the living fuck out of me on SmackDown! this week. But then again, so did Ricardo Rodriguez.