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Here is my list, there may be some guys that don't make it, because I think there are more than ten at the moment (with proper build and use). Screw it, I'll list them all (it's hard to do it in order, but I'll try and do it by how imminent they are to breaking out as stars).
1. Dave Batista
There's nothing much ot say about this guy other than he's like Triple H and Brock Lesnar fused into one (in my mind). He's learnt from the best, he's developed a character, and he's practically taken his place on the list. I doubt anyone thought Batista would be main eventing WrestleMania a few months ago.
As soon as Dave goes over Triple H, he's there.
2. Edge
Again, not much to say, other than he's becomming more stable in his role now. He's talented enough to play the face and heel roles effectively, and put on great matches either way. When he becomes World Champion, I guarantee it will will be one of the better moments of the year.
As soon as he goes over HBK at WrestleMania, he's there. I put him above Cena, because Edge is showing more character and putting more effort into his matches.
John Cena
He's over, and he's talented. But let me just state this, you CANNOT base wrestling around the face John Cena. Not the way he's going anyway. A guy that doesn't even have wrestling matches (which he's quite capable of doing), and cuts cheesy promos about how people ride together.
If SmackDown! is going to develope more on its own, it really needs to appeal to that older audience again. No Cena walking out clothed women and talking about poop ain't goni got do it. That's good for a twelve year old audience.
If they give Cena an edge, and have him do uncut promos, have him do his old mic routine where he holds it up for the crowd to finish, have him swear, and have him basically cut real raps again, then you might be on to something.
Cena was extremely popular with the older demographic, but then he toned down his style, lost his edge, and hugs twelve year olds. Have him rip up their signs, insult hometowns, etc. That's what made Cena popular in the first place, and it's not like Rey Mysterio or Eddie Guerrero aren't over with the younger crowd.
4. Randy Orton
Just a little tidbit of personal info, but I am ALWAYS forgetting this guy. I got all the way abck to Shelton Benajmin before I realised I forgot him. I did up a list of the main event scenes for another post, and I left out face Orton. Just goes to show he's a much better heel.
5. Eddie Guerrero
Speaking of Guerrero. If they had this guy do more, and had him cut more promos, and gave him a character and credibility again, I don't think Eddie Guerrero has even hit his peak yet. This guy increased the hispanic audience, and for that he deserves an applause.
If they gave Eddie Guerrero some public appearances, I think he could really start to draw in some fans. Only a few at first, but give him time and he could do wonders for the company. This is coming from a doubter of Eddie Guerrero.
6. Rey Mysterio
If they let Rey Rey be Rey Rey, then he can really wow audiences. If people are impressed by him, then they come back and watch him. This only works if they put him in the main event scene, which I think he is on the verge of reaching.
Give him solid opponents, and have him do whatever, and you have yourself a recipe for excitement. I understand Rey isn't what he used to be, but he is still amazing, and given some build he could be huge.
7. Chris Jericho
Jericho is over, he can wrestle, and he is over (it does deserves too mentions for Chris). Y2J always has a credibility that follows him. He can job infinite times, but he can still come roaring back. Now if only they had him roar back,
Part of me wants to see Jericho beat Benoit cleanly this week, win the Royal Rumble, then go on to make Triple H tap at WrestleMania. But the rest of me says that's stupid. Anyway, Jericho may not draw right now, but he does appeal ot the fans, and he is the most popular guy on their roster.
If they let this guy get a mic, say what he wants, and let him keep doin git week in and week out, watch the ratings rise. Like Guerrero, give him some appearance time and try and let him win over some non-wrestling fans. I'm not sure how good Fozzy is, but if they can do well, Jericho may subsequently draw.
The thing is, no one pays to see Jericho as IC Champ, no one pays to see Jericho losing. People pay to see Jericho be Jericho and get away with it (unless he's a heel). I haven't see Jericho work as a heel, but if he can do it as awesomely as people say he can, and not bring Stephanie McMahon into it, you could hit something big (with fans cheering heels, they might really make Jericho a wonder to behold).
But it doesn't end there with Jericho. Even when he does wind down in a few years, he can still play some kind of manager role. Jericho is so awesome on the mic, I can really see him doing something great as General Manager (especially with that image he had when he was running RAW for a week last year).
8. Christian
He's getting there. He may be closer than we all think. When he gets the reaction he deserves in Toronto, and we hopefully hear a night of "We Want Christian!" chants, I think we might see something from him.
Christian is an unmined resource of the WWE. They haven't used him as a face. Haven't used him as a main event heel, and they haven't pushed him right up there yet, and he's just hitting his stride in the WWE. He's only played a mid-card heel, leaving main event heel, main event face, and mid-card face yet to be explored. The last one isn't necissary to play out.
That's only one third of Christian explored. With the way they're pushing Edge, and the way they put Christian in matches where talent is necissary, I don't think the WWE is ignorantly holding him back, I think they're biding their time with him. LOL, I'm probably dead wrong, though.
9. Val Venis
I know, I know. This is probably just the Venis mark in me, but I think he might be a lead heel in the WWE one day. Will he draw? Probably not. IS he the future? Probably not. But stranger things have happened. At the drop of a hat Bradshaw was WWE Champion. Venis survived the cuts, and the WWE either has faith in him, or want to kill him by asking him to go five minutes with New Jack.
Anyway, this may be an unpopular choice, but it is more a preminition on my part.
10. Kane
Have him act as a monster, and bam, self-explainitory.
11. Shelton Benjamin
This guy was originally much higher up on the list, and the only reason he dropped down was because people like Kane can do something tomorrow. In a few months, Benjamin can be the megastar of the company.
12. Muhammad Hassan
Nothing much to said other than I'm beginning to doubt him, since he's been having average matches with Jericho at house shows. The way he's been booked, and the way the WWE has seemed to tone him down makes me question hsi future. I wish Muhammad the best for his career.
13. Nick Dinsmore
Can't say much more other than he's entertaining and can wrestle.
14. Carlito Caribbean Cool
I dunno, just a hunch. He's talented, over, isn't that enough?
15. Rob Conway
See Nick Dinsmore.
16. Rene Dupree
I can't believe how young this guy is. Combined with how he can do some pretty decent flying and chain wrestling. Look for big things in this kids' future.
17. The Big Show
Not much to say other than what's already been said about him.
18. and 19. The Basham Brothers
Doug and Danny are really talented, and they will be doing something very useful one day.
20. Daniel Puder
Not much to listen to, but with some work, who knows?
21. Roderick Strong
He's not under official contract, but damn does he look suited to the WWE. He actually really got the crowd behind him, and he looked believeable in there. They didn't bury him either. Look for him to at least get a contract in the future. Then expect big things form him.
There are guys like Maven, Charlie Haas and Luther Reigns, but I don't want to get too much into could be's and should be's.
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