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One of the biggest gripes of the WWE Universe over the past few years has been the company's inability to create new stars. While the company's roster is the most stacked that it's ever been, there is only a handful of superstars who can carry a brand on their shoulders and draw money for the company. Although the recent times have seen WWE acquire the services of some of the recognized faces in the business, the lack of creative direction and inconsistent booking have turned many into being just another face on the roster.
Superstars like Robert Roode, Eric Young, Shinsuke Nakamura, and EC3 were established names prior to their arrival in WWE but the company has done everything in their power to make these superstars look like a complete joke to a point where it is hard to envision them ever getting close to the main event spot.
Additionally, the company's over-reliance on a select few superstars have also drawn the ire of the WWE Universe. Whether it be bringing nostalgia acts to fill the main event spot on major events or pushing only a handful of superstars time and time again despite the fans not wanting to see it, the creative team has had its back against the wall time and time again.
Here are five superstars on whom Vince McMahon & Co. heavily rely on:
#5 Triple H
The COO of WWE and one of the powerful figures in the company, The Game has been a staple of the company for over two decades now. Debuting in the year 1995 as Hunter Hearst Helmsley, The Cerebral Assasin rose through the ranks to become one of the most decorated superstars in WWE History.
But for the past few years, Hunter's in-ring career has taken a backseat as he has been working as an executive backstage. Hunter's career as an executive has been quite successful with his passion project, NXT, becoming one of the most talked about brands in the wrestling today.
But despite being one of the top executives in the company, The Game is prominently featured on weekly TV and the biggest shows of the year. Hunter in-ring acumen isn't like what is used to be in the 2000s. At WrestleMania 35, HHH had the longest match of the night against Batista, a spot which could've been given to a full-time superstar. The length of the match was heavily criticized by fans and critics alike with many feeling that the match was dragged for a bit too long.
Even at the age of 49, the company feels that he is one of the biggest stars and while there is denying the Game's accomplishments inside the squared circle, we think that its time for him bid adieu to his in-ring career. But, we think that management believes otherwise. Heck, they even put in two career-threatening matches at WrestleMania, both of which he ended up winning.
#4 The Undertaker
The Undertaker is undoubtedly one of the greatest performers in WWE history. The Quinquagenarian made his debut for the company at Survivor Series 1990 and has since then gone on to have a legendary run which includes his now iconic WrestleMania. The Deadman is a seven-time World Champion, has won the Royal Rumble in 2007 and is a six-time WWE Tag Team Champion.
But, despite having a Hall of Fame worthy career and being in his mid 50's, Vince McMahon & Co. can't seem to have enough of The Deadman. Many feel that Taker should've retired following his loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33 but the company brought him back for WrestleMania 35 where he squashed John Cena in less than five minutes.
Taker has had a couple of matches following his win over Cena but none of those matches has had anything to write down. On the contrary, it has been quite painful to watch the Deadman perform over the past few years as he is barely able to move between the ropes these days and is quite sloppy. Taker is barely able to walk after each match and ends up injuring himself after every single match, nowadays. He doesn't anything left to prove in the business and should call it a day before he suffers another major injury.
#3 Charlotte Flair
As a nine-time Women's Champions, Charlotte Flair has already etched herself in history books as the most decorated female Superstar in WWE history. The daughter of Ric Flair has been the focal point of WWE's Women's evolution ever since it came to the forefront in the year 2015. She has been a part of some historic first time ever matches including the first ever Women's main event at WrestleMania 35.
But over the course of the past few years, fans have become disillusioned with the company's positioning of Flair as the focal point of the women's revolution. Flair's ascent to the top of the women's division has meant that the company has overlooked many of their female superstars who are, if not more, talented than The Queen.
While Flair is an incredibly skilled superstar and is certainly deserving of the main event spot, we have had too much of Charlotte Flair as WWE's top female superstar. The company's over-reliance on The Queen has seen superstars like Asuka, Ember Moon, and Sasha Banks become an afterthought, which isn't a good sign for the company in the long run.
#2 Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is without a doubt one of the most polarising figures in Sports Entertainment. The former Universal Champion has been the company's golden boy for over five now with the fans being vehement in their opposition of Reign as the company's top star. The negative response to Reigns didn't deter the company from position Reigns as the top dog time and time again.
The company tried every trick in the playbook to get The Big Dog over with crowd but to no avail. Sadly, it took a real-life event to finally get Reigns over the crowd, for the time being, that is.
In the last four years that WWE has been constantly pushing Reigns to be the top star, they could've built a dozen superstars who could've carried the company for the next decade or so. By only positioning a single guy as the top star, Vince McMahon and his team have proven how short-sighted they are and how future planning isn't something that they do in Titan Towers.
#1 Brock Lesnar
Regarded by many as one of the most decorated athletes in combat sports history, Brock Lesnar has held championships in amateur wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts and of course, Sports Entertainment. A former NCAA Heavyweight Champion, Lesnar defeated The Rock at SummerSlam 2004 to become the youngest WWE Champion in the company's history at the age of 25, a record that still stands to this day.
After leaving WWE following his loss to Goldberg at WrestleMania 20, Lesnar would ply his trade in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he would win the prestigious IWGP Heavyweight Championship in his debut match before leaving the industry to pursue a career in Mixed Martial Arts. Lesnar returned to WWE on the RAW after WrestleMania 28 in 2012 confronting John Cena and laying the Cenation Leader out with an F5.
Lesnar is one of the most protected stars in WWE. Lesnar's Universal Championship reign was one of the biggest reasons for the company's TV rating tanking to an all-time low. But, the company seems adamant on having Lesnar as the top star on the red brand. Lesnar winning the Men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match was another example of the company's reliance on the former Universal Champion. At this point, it doesn't seem like The Beast drives ratings anymore, it might have been the case in 2014-15 but in 2019, fans have grown tired of seeing Lesnar as a champion.
