Opinion: The State of WWE and Its Future

Taking a look at WWE’s current roster of contracted superstars it is, without question, the most talented and diverse acquisition of talent WWE has ever had. While looking in the rearview mirror at roads previously traveled it can be easy to see why the booking today, in particular on RAW, is often not as exciting as roads already traversed. It’s easy to see why fans often self-employ themselves in the role of a backseat driver, questioning the direction (and maybe even sobriety) of the WWE driving forward. It is my opinion the WWE is set for more success than ever before as we near the post-WrestleMania season. To understand why take a look at the main-event talent (and those on the cusp of being labeled as such) available to mix and match between SmackDownLive and RAW when the next draft looms:

* AJ Styles
* Baron Corbin
* Braun Strowman
* Bray Wyatt
* Dean Ambrose
* Finn Balor
* Kevin Owens
* Randy Orton
* Samoa Joe
* Roman Reigns
* Seth Rollins

That is the list of wrestlers who will consistently appear, year-round, on whichever show they are assigned to in 2017. When you add the list of part-time talent, even more upswing is apparent:

* Brock Lesnar
* John Cena
* HHH

I have left off Undertaker and Bill Goldberg from the above list, since both are rumored to finish up their runs with WWE at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando. However, should either decide to continue wrestling, their starpower will equal the three names above. The Undertaker and Bill Goldberg are not the only talent rumored to be wrapping things after WrestleMania, as the following wrestlers are expected to end their runs with WWE in the near future:

* The Big Show
* Chris Jericho
* Kane
* Mark Henry

Before the above wrestlers retire from in-ring competition (though in Jericho’s case a return down the line is possible) all will be used to help elevate the eleven names near the top of the editorial further. Next, take a look at wrestler’s currently on the verge of the upper-mid card/main-event scene, who could possibly flourish after a draft:

* Austin Aries
* Big E
* Cesaro
* The Miz
* Xavier Woods
* Sami Zayn

Wrestlers like Cesaro or Zayn could rise to the top if transferred from RAW to SmackDownLive, while both Big E and Xavier Woods could heavily benefit if The New Day breaks up in 2017. Both have the mic skills and charisma to shine as singles stars, in Big E’s case as a face and in Xavier Wood’s, as a heel. Austin Aries has only recently returned from injury but with his popularity, promo skills and technical prowess he likely won’t be relegated to the cruiserweight division for long. Lastly, let’s take a look at whose around the corner from showing up on RAW or SmackDownLive in some capacity:

* Hardy Boys
* Kurt Angle
* Shinsuke Nakamura

The Hardy Boys would be returning to WWE likely around mid-summer and in the middle of a career resurgence. At one time Jeff Hardy was among the top merchandise sellers in all of WWE so the popularity and name-value of The Hardy Boys should not be taken lightly. Kurt Angle is rumored to replace Mick Foley as the GM of RAW after WrestleMania, with the possibility of a final match in his future at a big event. Whether that final match would be at SummerSlam or WrestleMania, regardless of who it was against, Angle would take on the role Sting and Bill Goldberg have recently, of the veteran returning for a final run. Both Sting and Goldberg’s runs have been considered wildly successful and there is no reason to doubt Angle’s would not be a slam either. Shinsuke Nakamura is likely to be called up to the main roster soon from NXT as he has run his course there in the NXT World Title Picture. Shinsuke could have a major impact on the main roster, and would assuredly be given a top spot, not unlike Samoa Joe or Finn Balor.

There are a few talents I see as having their remaining time in WWE marked as less stellar than their future, those being Shane McMahon (who is speculated to be leaving after WrestleMania season as well), Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler and Big Cass. In the case of Sheamus and Ziggler it is a matter of too much inconsistent booking over too many years for fans to invest in them as top-tier talent again. In the case of Big Cass, it isn’t that he did anything wrong, infact at one point earlier this year Big Cass was looked at as a potential breakout star — It is more that the role he would occupy has seemingly been snatched by the more talented Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin. The other thing that hurts Big Cass is he suffers from the infamous case of “does not look fit, does not look flab” so WWE might struggle in how to market him via the color commentary during matches.

Overall, the list of four talents whose best roads have “already been traveled” does not equal the numerous talents above whose best roads are in front of them, in particular the eleven names mentioned at the top of this article. The road ahead, though possibly filled with some questionable turns and routes, is ultimately about the destination. WWE’s destination for the future is bright and bountiful, so stay tuned, the possibilities are plentiful and positive for fans in 2017.