4 WWE Superstars everyone loves but haven't had the right booking

I don’t think there’s a more subjective sport in the world than professional wrestling. Wrestlers can be labeled as the greatest thing on the planet one day and then branded as an average commodity a week later. Wrestling fans have no filter and that’s what makes the industry so exciting and unpredictable because you never know which wrestler might receive the backing of the fans on any given night.

Some wrestlers just naturally strike a positive chord with the audience. A positive chord that cements their position in the industry as a main event player in the company. However, a good crowd reaction doesn't always get the attention of WWE officials. On several occasions, wrestlers have gotten themselves over, to only then be buried by creative's booking. The wrestlers on this list are beloved by millions, and rightly so, but let's evaluate whether their booking has been good enough.

Disclaimer: The views of the author do not represent views of Sportskeeda

#4 Rusev

Rusev hasn't been seen on TV since Super ShowDown

On social media, there isn't a more likable guy on the roster than Rusev. The Bulgarian regularly makes light of current WWE storylines, giving us entertaining commentary that can’t be provided on air. In addition to his loveable personality, Rusev has on more than several occasions shown his worth in the ring. With a mixed martial arts and wrestling background, the Bulgarian has paid his dues as a competitor and could be considered a seasoned veteran in the business.

So where did it all go wrong for a man so equipped for wrestling glory? Despite being involved in high-profile feuds with John Cena and Roman Reigns, he was always seen to be playing second-fiddle to make the babyfaces look stronger. After he was ‘buried’ in those feuds, Rusev’s career hung in the mid-card until the Rusev Day chant was born.

It’s well known that the WWE has never reacted too kindly to superstars who get themselves over, just ask Damien Sandow. At that moment, Rusev became the most popular star in the company, so the company gave him one title shot and that was it. Instead of capitalizing on the momentum, they presented him as a comedy act instead of a legitimate main event talent.

The 33-year-old himself has taken to social media and podcasts to vent his frustrations about his current position in WWE. Now it’s reported that Rusev has been missing from TV because he asked for time off. Perhaps the Bulgarian Brute is reconsidering his wrestling career in light of his sub-par booking? We’ll see.

#3 AJ Styles

AJ Styles held the WWE title for 371 days in one reign

AJ Styles has hit some amazing heights in WWE thus far. The 40-year-old veteran came into the WWE with great expectation, with many labeling him as the next Shawn Michaels. Perhaps those comparisons were right, but the WWE haven't booked him like a Heartbreak Kid. Yes, Styles has given us some great matches, but for some reason, the boss hasn't given him the main event spotlight he truly deserves.

Often, we hear from Styles fans that “oh he hasn’t been given the right billing, if pushed properly, he’d be the GOAT.” They're right. He's been given the CM Punk treatment. He was given the title for a historic reign but in all that time, he was never the focal point of any PPV unless he was facing Brock Lesnar.

AJ Styles is another great wrestler that is struggling to reach his full capacity due to his presentation to the masses.

#2 Shinsuke Nakamura

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It doesn’t make sense for someone with ALL the tools in terms of; star quality and wrestling ability, to be so undervalued in the WWE today. When you look at Shinsuke Nakamura, you can instantly tell he’s a star, why would the WWE not want to use that in a time where they’re struggling to draw viewers?

At one point in time, as we all did, the WWE saw huge potential in the commodity of Shinsuke Nakamura. They showed that by allowing him to win the 2018 Royal Rumble. He would then go on to have a ‘dream’ match at Wrestlemania with AJ Styles. That dream match would turn into a nightmare series that bored us due to the WWE’s inability to release the shackles off the talented duo.

Nakamura’s reliance on low blows made him look cheap and incapable of using his variety of wrestling moves. Now the King of Strong style spends his days lumbering in the lower mid-card, barely getting featured on TV, wondering where it all went wrong.

#1 The Undertaker

The Undertaker made his WWE debut in 1990

Having graced the WWE with his presence for almost 30 years, many would call The Undertaker a first ballot Hall of Famer. His name ring bells across mainstream culture, with some labeling him a pop culture icon.

There's no doubt he's one of the greatest superstars to ever grace the industry, but the WWE have over-relied on him and nearly sucked out all of his mystical aura. Icons of the business don't deserve such treatment and Taker himself must stop feeling so responsible to help a roster struggling to maintain wrestling's former popularity.

At Super Showdown, we saw the re-occurrence of a recent trend in Taker's matches, an in-ring injury. Over the past few years, his matches have gotten more uncomfortable to watch, as they make us worry more about his health rather than the quality of the match. Surely, it’s time for WWE to finally let the Deadman rest in peace.