Eating ham = much respect.
I mean, I resign that some guys just aren't meant to be major players, but my philosophy is that if a guy is under contract -- use them. The WWE needs supporting players, as well. Hell, maybe Funaki could even get a brief (if not really epic) run with the Intercontinental Title under Punk? It's hard to imagine now, but guys have come out of nowhere with renewed pushes in the past. A new identity for Funaki would be the first step. It'd be a "thank you" to Funaki more than anything. I mean, Funaki should be thankful he has had such a long stint with the WWE -- but they'd be keeping him around for some reason. He's probably a great hand with the younger guys.
Some more repackaging ideas:
Ezekiel Jackson
I like Big Zeke enough, but I do not like him on his own. I appreciate that the WWE have tried to get him over as "The Last ECW Champion" and all that, but I think Zeke still has so much to learn that he would benefit by staying in the "Diesel" role to someone for a while. He was great with The Brian Kendrick, and was okay when he was with William Regal. Personally, I'd give him to Chris Jericho. Zeke could almost tie in the Biblical elements of his character to the story of Jericho -- I dunno, there's something there. Bring back the wise, deceptively calm and zen Zeke.
Eventually there is potential for a huge face turn down the road. Working with Chris Jericho is only going to make Jackson better, and when he has had enough of Jericho's shit, the fans will go nuts for him nailing Chris Jericho with "The Book of Ezekiel" (as Matt Striker calls it). You've then got an Ahmed Johnson-like face in Zeke.
This also minimalises the number of angry black men on SmackDown! (right now we have Shad and Zeke). I'd much rather Shad Gaspard play that role, and Ezekiel Jackson play a smarter, cooler character.
Curt Hawkins
People have seemingly forgotten this guy exists. It's a shame, because I always got the impression he was just a little bit better in the ring than Zack Ryder. Apparently he asked to go down to developmental for a bit, and has often been having the Match of the Night down in FCW. He's got a darker character now, almost like an emo-Hardy style thing going on. I'd love to see him sitting in the crowd during some of Zack Ryder's matches on Superstars and RAW.
This can go on for several weeks, and Ryder notices him at ringside, and eventually asks him what he is doing, and Hawkins then jumps the barricade and starts beating the crap out of Ryder. Hawkins starts to play an unpredictable sort of cross between early Edge and Raven -- as he broods and seems to have a grudge against Zack Ryder. Hawkins eventually reveals his motives "Zack Ryder forgot about me. He shouldn't have done that. Woo, woo, woo -- he knows it." Zack Ryder is all "Hey bro, I'm the bigger star; you are a nobody." Cue feud between the two.
If the fans aren't getting into Curt Hawkins as a reckless face -- you can always have Rosa Mendes turn on Zack Ryder, and reveal that this has been their plan all along -- make Ryder pay for betraying her boyfriend, Curt Hawkins. It would make an interesting mid-card feud at the very least. Given how young both guys are, and how good they both already are in the ring and on the mic -- they could become major stars.
Slam Master J
Change his name to "Jesse Gordy," and if they do go with this "Fortunate Sons" thing, have him be a part of that. Slam Master J could be a fun character, I guess -- but it's already making Ray Gordy look like a joke. He needs out before he loses all credibility for a long time (if he hasn't already).