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WWE is a giant corporate machine where things that happen on the screen are mostly influenced by various other factors. From the Performance Center to WrestleMania, WWE Superstars are helped by several backstage personnel along the way.
Many icons from the past have opted to impart their knowledge of the business to future Superstars in the making. Whether as Performance Center staff, producers, or members of the creative team, the decisions made by these people hold a lot of significance.
Even though it all comes down to Vince McMahon in the end, WWE's backstage structure remains integral to facilitate his vision.
From the current WWE roster, there are a few prospects who could do well in backstage roles. With specific reasons in mind, let's take a look at few such candidates:
#5 Sami Zayn has a clever mind as a WWE performer
Sami Zayn hasn't won a World Championship on the main roster yet. At the same time, he doesn't strike anyone as a frequent winner on SmackDown.
One could even argue that the odds are stacked against him in terms of booking. But somehow, Zayn has found a clever way to become more and more relevant despite losing quite often.
His "conspiracy theorist" persona is an excellent example of how one can think beyond the conventional rules of professional wrestling. This gimmick has allowed him to become increasingly popular in the face of adversity.
During a recent interview with Renee Paquette, Sami Zayn revealed that he has been lucky in the creative department as well:
"Anybody who is remotely creative - and this is excluding WWE, this is excluding wrestling even, this is just the arts and showbiz - if you are an artistic and creative person who wants to do things, the higher up you get in the world of show business, the less creative control you have, but the more money you make. It's this weird relationship between rising and having creative freedom and there's this battle between the two. I'm pretty fortunate, to where I actually feel like I've had a lot of my ideas go through, kind of a shocking amount, especially in the last two years."
Just hearing Sami Zayn speaking out of character is always an insightful experience. Undoubtedly, he is a man with a vision.
So at some point in the future, Zayn could help others realize their own unique vision, having become accustomed to the creative process himself. He would definitely be an interesting addition to WWE's creative team down the line.
#4 WWE SmackDown's Bayley is a role model for her peers in real life
Bayley has become one of the best onscreen acts on WWE's main roster during the pandemic. WWE shows emanated from the Performance Center for a brief period last year. During that time, fans genuinely looked forward to Bayley's segments and matches.
Behind the scenes, it seems like she is also a modern-day locker room leader. Here's what Sonya Deville had to say about Bayley's backstage status last year:
“Bayley is definitely one—she’s like the locker room leader always. She’s someone you could go to for advice or if you have questions about how things work or whoever it was, she’s definitely just a natural leader in the locker room."
Deville's opinion is just one of many examples where the women of WWE talked about Bayley being a natural locker room leader. Bayley herself has positively spoken about her peers in several interviews.
While the former SmackDown Women's Champion still has a lot left to contribute inside the squared circle, she could definitely lead by example through a backstage role in the future.
Whether as a member of WWE's Performance Center staff or as a producer, Bayley's experience will benefit generations to come.
#3 Natalya should transition over to a backstage role in WWE after retirement
Natalya has been a constant presence in WWE for years. For over a decade, she has permanently established her position in the women's division.
Even Bayley credited Natalya as one of the locker room leaders in the current landscape of WWE SmackDown. Of course, that doesn't sound surprising, as Natalya has earned her veteran-like reputation over the years.
Being part of an iconic wrestling family, one could definitely see The Queen of Harts step into a backstage role after she retires from in-ring action. Interestingly, her husband, TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd), currently serves as a WWE producer. According to PWInsider, he worked on all the women's matches from this year's WrestleMania pay-per-view.
Natalya could produce matches alongside her husband in the future. She may also be of help at the Performance Center to guide future stars of this business.
Despite having wrestled for years, Natalya has shown no signs of stopping lately. But whenever the time comes for her to step down, there will be plenty of scope for her in terms of backstage roles.
#2 Bray Wyatt is one of the most creative WWE Superstars of all time
From Husky Harris to The Fiend, Bray Wyatt's WWE journey has been a roller-coaster ride. Despite being booked in unfavorable situations throughout his career, Wyatt has stayed relevant, thanks to his unique creativity.
Since the introduction of Firefly Fun House and The Fiend, Wyatt has made headlines every day. His out-of-the-box ideas have added an unprecedented level of intrigue to the current product.
Even on Twitter, he occasionally posts literary references related to his ongoing storylines. Clearly, he is a unique storyteller, and even Alexa Bliss can confirm the same.
Wouldn't it be great if he was directly involved in the day-to-day creative proceedings in WWE? Fans and critics have always discussed Wyatt's potential as a member of WWE's creative team.
Having been part of the WWE system since his early days in the industry, one could definitely see him earning a backstage role down the road.
Wyatt's father, the legendary Mike Rotunda, dipped his toes into becoming a road agent for the promotion as well. Could Wyatt step into a similar role after his in-ring career is done and dusted in the future?
Either way, Bray Wyatt's out-of-the-box approach to wrestling entertainment could certainly inspire generations to come.
#1 AJ Styles' in-ring acumen is a huge advantage for WWE
Although AJ Styles joined WWE as a full-time competitor in 2016, he had already made a name for himself in various other promotions all over the world.
From WWE legends to up-and-coming talent, everyone has wanted to wrestle Styles inside the squared circle. Not only was he the flagbearer for the non-WWE wrestling circuit for years, but he has now earned the respect of longtime WWE veterans like The Undertaker.
Even though Styles is currently 43 years old, his in-ring prowess benefits any professional wrestling promotion as a whole.
When The Phenomenal One's decades-long career eventually comes to an end, it would be a huge opportunity for WWE to offer him a backstage role. Whether as a coach or as a producer, Styles could help others like him become true Superstars in the wrestling entertainment landscape of WWE.
Many call him the modern-day Shawn Michaels, which is a huge compliment indeed. Michaels has been working behind the scenes of NXT these days and Styles could follow a similar path in the future.
In the comments section below, let us know your thoughts regarding any other current WWE Superstars who could do well in backstage roles.
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