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Unless you have been living under a rock, or perhaps you have been too busy with the latest happenings at AEW...otherwise, you are probably well aware that there is a change in the WWE atmosphere. With the recent NXT raids, it appears that the title "developmental brand" is all but obsolete as of now. No matter how you look at it, things are changing.
As we take an in-depth at the current main rosters, including the champions, things are looking good for the WWE Universe. With that said, we can probably all agree that there are still some Superstars on the active roster who are simply not getting a fair shake if you will. There have been a significant amount of wrestlers who enjoyed great success with NXT, only to come to the main roster and fade into mediocrity.
I firmly believe that if you want something bad enough...you can have it. You may or may have to rub some folks wrong along the way, but if you want it bad enough, you will do whatever it takes.
Now it's time to take an even closer look at the rosters. Who are some of the names that stick out in your mind that may deserve better? In this article, I take you on a trip throughout the WWE main rosters as we identify who deserves better...and who doesn't. Here are the 7 most underrated WWE Superstars that might do major things in the New Year!
#7 Bo Dallas
He is the third-generation product of the Windham-Rotunda family and by many accounts, he is one of the best NXT Champions of all-time. Bo Dallas was highly successful throughout his time in the developmental process, beginning with FCW and culminating with a tremendous run as NXT Champion. Dallas may not have been the most exciting Superstar to watch, in regards to his in-ring work. However, he made up for his lack of skill by having a great deal of natural charisma, which carried him to the top of the NXT mountain.
Since making his main roster debut, Bo Dallas has undergone several minor character changes, but none of these personas has gone over like the "Bo-Lieve" moniker. Although he has indeed won tag team titles, he has yet to reach that level of success that this writer feels Bo truly deserves. 2020 could set up to be a huge year for many current top WWE Superstars, but there may also be just enough room on board to give some of the lower-mid-card stars as well. Bo should certainly be considered.
#6 Tyler Breeze
Tyler Breeze is an in-ring veteran with roughly a dozen years of experience as a professional wrestler, with 10 of those years spent with the WWE. Early on his tenure with the company, Breeze went through a number of persona changes, but once he morphed into what we now know as Tyler Breeze, everything changed. Tyler also appeared to have found a sense of confidence that he had been lacking prior. The Breeze gimmick gave him something that he could apply his strengths to and once he did so, things took off pretty fast.
Once Tyler embraced his current gimmick, things progressed rather quickly for him and the entire NXT Universe took notice that this guy was for real and that he was a serious contender. While he never captured the NXT Championship, Breeze would challenge for the title multiple times before finally leaving for the main roster. Despite being over with the fanbase, WWE officials never really allowed Breeze to demonstrate his full potential. Instead, they would opt to place Breeze in a tag team with Fandango and while Breezango has offered us several moments of comedic relief, Breeze simply deserves better.
As we all now know, Tyler Breeze is back with the Gold and Black squad. However, it appears he is going to be paired with Fandango once again, at least for now. With that said, here's to hope for better days of smarter booking from WWE's powers-that-be. Hopefully, Breeze will get his second wind as a singles competitor and maybe this time we will get to see a true payoff, which would be a singles championship.
#5 Apollo Crews
I was personally introduced to Apollo Crews when he was known by his former alias which was Uhaa Nation. This was a name given to him in high school, which simply meant "as strong as a single nation." This guy has been a pure athlete from the time he could crawl. He excelled in multiple sports throughout his life such as soccer, football, track, powerlifting, and amateur wrestling, just to name a few.
Professional wrestling came to Crews naturally. After achieving a plethora of success with top-notch promotions such as Dragon Gate and FIP among other well-known independent promotions around the world. As for Uhaa, he had become a polarizing performer with a fairly substantial fanbase throughout his earlier years in the industry. The demand from the fanbase, combined with his career-long achievements made Nation a very attractive candidate to become a WWE Superstar. Once onboard, Uhaa fans were excited about the potential of what was to come. Unfortunately, Apollo Crews has yet to enjoy the same level of success that Uhaa Nation did.
Apollo has now been with the company for roughly 5 years. He signed his WWE contract in late-2014. He made his main roster debut during an episode of RAW on April 6, 2016, defeating Tyler Breeze. Since then, the road has not been so easy for Crews. One would have to assume that we are likely getting to the point where something has to give. Apollo is not being utilized to his full potential, which is not benefiting anyone. As a fan, I truly hope he is pushed, even the slightest in the New Year.
#4 Erick Rowan
Some fans who have not had the opportunity to meet Erick Rowan in person may find it hard to believe that he is one of the kindest and personable WWE Superstars you would ever meet. My first encounter with him was several years ago when I happened to be staying at the same hotel in Memphis, that many of the WWE Superstars were also staying after an episode of RAW was filmed at the FedEx Forum. While my impromptu meeting with Rowan was brief, he was extremely nice and was patient in dealing with the many fans who recognized him. Needless to say, his persona outside of the ring did not match his in-ring monstrous presence and I am perfectly okay with that.
As we all now know, Erick Rowan was once a member of the very successful faction known as The Wyatt Family. The Wyatt's would go on to terrorize the entire WWE roster for several years, culminating with dynamite feuds against The Shield. Unfortunately for Rowan and Harper, Bray was the only one who has enjoyed any amount of reasonable success post-Wyatt Family.
In recent weeks, WWE has shown hints that they may give Erick Rowan some sort of a reasonable push, which he certainly deserves. He and Harper both deserve a lot better than what they have been able to show the WWE Universe. With Harper seemingly on his way out, I can only hope WWE's creative powers-that-be can see the value in Rowan and at some point, they begin to utilize him appropriately.
#3 Big E
Before starting his professional wrestling career, Big E was a very successful powerlifter. He would compete in several high-profile powerlifting competitions before the eyes of WWE decision-makers. Big E would sign with the company in late 2009 which was when he immediately jumped into the developmental process to learn the business and to learn "the WWE way."
Big E would go on to have an outstanding developmental career, which he topped off by defeating Seth Rollins and capturing the NXT Championship. This would be the accolade needed for the attention that would soon land Big E on the main roster. If you recall, Big E spent his early days as a main roster Superstar by serving as the muscle for Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee. This would turn into a very entertaining connection which displayed Big E as the ultra-intimidating force that he should be viewed as.
These days, Big E has certainly enjoyed a wealth of success as a member of multi-time tag team champions The New Day. While it has been a fun journey to follow, I cannot help but believe that there is even more money on the table for the big guy, if he would possibly turn heel and go on a monstrous rampage. This could even culminate with a potential shot at the WWE Championship, or the Universal Title.
#2 Cesaro
I would be remiss if I were to finish this particular article without including Cesaro. Very few Superstars have been as mismanaged and under-utilized as Cesaro has during his WWE career.
Cesaro is one of the most seasoned veterans currently on the WWE main roster, with nearly 20-years of professional experience to his credit. PrBeforeigning with the company Cesaro excelled with some of the top independent promotions in the world. Ring of Honor, PWG, Chikara, and CZW are just a few of the high-level promotions that Cesaro enjoyed success with. In late-2011, Cesaro made his developmental debut as a developmental rookie on the FCW roster.
Roughly one year after making his developmental debut, Cesaro was elevated to the main roster and there was a lot of hope surrounding this new WWE Superstar. However, Cesaro's main roster ride has been much like a roller coaster, with a few ups, but even more downs. Cesaro has all of the necessary attributes to be a major singles star at the highest level. Not only that, but the fans are begging to see the Swiss Superstar finally get the opportunity to run with those ever-elusive brass rings.
With 2020 on the horizon, another lackluster year is in the books. If Cesaro can stay healthy, combined with a little love from the folk in suits...the Cesaro Section may finally get something to cheer for.
#1 EC3
Now we will finish off this list with someone who has been disgustingly underrated. For those who are not too familiar with EC3 and his wrestling history, this is a guy who is a repeat offender, so-to-speak. He is currently on his second tour as a WWE Superstar. He is also an alumnus of the former WWE developmental brand that was once known as FCW. EC3 was also a member of NXT Season 4, where Daniel Bryan served as his coach/mentor.
During his first WWE stint, things didn't go quite like EC3 may have anticipated. He was released from his contract in May 2013. At this point, it's probably safe to assume that this would be the end, as far as his professional wrestling career was concerned. However, that sentiment could not be further from reality. Just a few months following his WWE departure, "Ethan Carter III" debuted in TNA Impact Wrestling as Dixie Carters' spoiled, self-centered, overly-entitled nephew and while I have never been very high on Impact Wrestling, this particular period was very good for the then Nashville based company. EC3 rose to the top of the TNA roster and eventually captured the TNA World Championship not once but twice.
EC3 had an outstanding run with TNA. Some even suggest that he is primarily responsible for keeping the company afloat during some dark times. With that said, all good things do come to an end and eventually, EC3 was released. Now we have him back with the WWE and when he signed, many fans were hopeful that this would be the perfect time for EC3 to explode at the highest level. Unfortunately, the opportunity to shine has yet to come his way, but when it does, he will be ready to completely change everyone's perception of who he is and exactly what he is capable of doing.
