5 Currently underutilized WWE Superstars who would have gotten pushed in the Attitude Era

Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon

The Attitude Era - the most nostalgic and praised era of professional wrestling in its century-long history. It was shorter than most of us remember, with post-WrestleMania 14 (1998) until WrestleMania X7 (2001) being the years that fans remember the most.

It was the era of high ratings, of larger-than-life megastars, of the most-stacked main event roster in WWE history, the craziest period, and the most memorable one as well. The adult-oriented content saw the rise of Superstars such as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and The Rock among many others and there was never a period in WWE history that had audiences consistently as hot.

Coming to the current era, there are many Superstars who are underutilized and may have appeared in the wrong era. The same could be said about certain Attitude Era stars, while many of the current roster's main eventers wouldn't have thrived back in the day.

These WWE Superstars, however, may have thrived a lot more in the Attitude Era.


#5. Dana Brooke

So close yet so far
So close yet so far

Dana Brooke is a Superstar who we genuinely believe is one of the most underrated in WWE today. There are a list of names who many consider 'underutilized', but Dana Brooke has been a name who has worked hard over the years to try and gain recognition and get a solid spot in the Women's division.

Unfortunately, that time has never come. We hope that she eventually gets the success that she deserves someday, but we can't help but feel that with her look and physique, she would have thrived in the Attitude Era.

She has a physique that would have likely put her up with the likes of Lita, Chyna, and Trish Stratus had she been around then. Dana Brooke was supposed to get pushed in 2016-17 but that never panned out.

#4. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin has had a disappointing return run
Shelton Benjamin has had a disappointing return run

There were few returns more disappointing than that of Shelton Benjamin in 2017. He was originally supposed to return soon after the reintroduction of the brand split in 2016, but a major shoulder injury and subsequent surgery meant that it would be delayed for almost a year longer.

He returned in an underwhelming way and his run since then hasn't done justice to what he's capable of. Benjamin was among the most explosive, athletic, and exciting performers of the Ruthless Aggression Era. While he was never viewed as a main event Superstar, not everybody has to be.

Everyone has a role in WWE and Benjamin's was that of an upper midcarder. Even if he wouldn't be pushed as a top star then, he would still have had a career filled with accolades and exciting moments.

Some would argue that he best fits the Ruthless Aggression Era, but there's no doubt that his level of athleticism would have helped him in the Attitude Era. Hopefully, he gets a good farewell run in WWE.

#3. Chad Gable/Shorty G

Does Chad Gable deserve more?
Does Chad Gable deserve more?

Seeing Chad Gable underutilized over the years has been tough to watch, especially since he's a WWE Superstar oozing with talent and charisma. He has a good look and a legitimate athletic background that could see him reach the main event level if allowed.

We understand that there's a chance that Gable would prove that he isn't main event talent, but when you're praised as heavily as you are by a legend like Kurt Angle, it's evident that there's a big opportunity.

Gable is a Superstar who could be a big name for years to come, but it's hard to see that happening given the trajectory of his career since moving to SmackDown in 2016. Many even felt that he should have been the one in Jason Jordan's spot back in 2017, but he was left to try and carve out a path of his own.

With his legitimate athletic background and charisma, Gable would be a Superstar that could have surprisingly thrived in the Attitude Era, especially if he was in the presence of Kurt Angle.

#2. Tamina

Tamina could have thrived in a different time
Tamina could have thrived in a different time

Tamina is possibly the least-underutilized Superstar on this list, perhaps because she was never that highly-praised, to begin with. The daughter of Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, she tried her best to carry on her family legacy over the last decade.

Not that she hasn't had any important role in the Women's division, but the fact that WWE never put the Women's Championship on her once in a decade is quite telling of where she stands on the card.

We hope that she gets a token Championship reign once in her career, but we can't help but think that she would have been a much better fit for the Attitude Era. Given her size and in-ring ability, it's safe to assume that she could have been a multi-time Women's Champion between 2000-2001.

Moreover, there weren't many Superstars like Chyna in terms of physique, and while Tamina certainly isn't like her, she would have been the closest to being a legitimate opponent for the late, great legend. Her heritage would have likely helped her a lot more back then as well.

#1. Cesaro

Cesaro has the ability to look superhuman
Cesaro has the ability to look superhuman

Cesaro will go down as one of the most underutilized Superstars in the last five years. 2014-15 would have been his ideal time to shine, but he was never viewed as a top star by the WWE top brass.

Vince McMahon himself went out of his way to say that he felt Cesaro wasn't charismatic enough. When given the opportunity, The Swiss Superman has mesmerized audiences and gotten over in no time.

He isn't the worst talker either, though his lack of character has been detrimental to him overall. Still, his WWE career will be looked at as an accomplished one and there's no shame in having been an upper midcarder.

However, the fact that he's a physical specimen and sometimes superhuman in the ring could have gotten him over and made him one of the most exciting stars of the Attitude Era. In-ring content didn't matter as much, but when a Superstar is that good, it's too hard to not take notice of it. Cesaro could have possibly thrived in the Attitude Era.

One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE