5 under-utilised WWE Superstars who deserve a world title run

What do you require to become a main eventer in WWE? While there are numerous parameters, one would imagine promo prowess, physical stature and wrestling acumen are a must. The folly is to think that ticking all the boxes guarantees a successful career in WWE.

There have been instances where a promising superstar has been pushed to the moon one week, while being utterly buried the next. What’s worse is when a talented superstar works hard to connect with the WWE Universe, only to have their momentum trampled by the management for obscure reasons.

This doesn't stop the fans from continuing to back their favourite wrestler, even when they are used as jobbers to more ‘capable’ superstars. Sometimes the fans' voices have been heard, like for Daniel Bryan’s fairy-tale road to Wrestlemania 30. Other times, their voices are blatantly ignored like how roars of ‘Rusev Day!’ chants fell on deaf ears.

In the following article, find five superstars who have time and again displayed that they belong in the main event title picture, but so far haven't been used to their potential.

#5 Cesaro - Future WWE world champion?

Cesaro takes the 345lb Khali for a swing [PC: YouTube.com]

Rightly referred to as "pound for pound the strongest man in WWE," Cesaro never had a hard time connecting with the crowd. With a captivating offence which includes the Cesaro Swing, seamless uppercuts and feats of strength that defy logic, he immediately became a must-see performer.

That is until Vince McMahon felt he lacks "charisma." He was last given a singles feud during the "Best of 7" series against Sheamus in 2016, after which they were immediately paired up to form the Bar. Even when Sheamus was ruled out due to an injury, Cesaro was hastily booked as one of Sami Zayn’s henchmen. He has remained a tag team wrestler since.

Diehard fans can still be seen packing together to form the "Cesaro Section" in the crowd, advocating a push for the Swiss Superman. While his WWE career has not been lacklustre in any sense, it will always be looked at as a missed opportunity to create a mega-star.

#4 Big E - Future WWE world champion?

Big E’s immediate future seems the brightest in WWE amongst the people featured on this list. The New Day has been the most prominent name in the tag team circuit over the past few years. With Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston suffering injuries, the trio had a rare amicable split, where they urged Big E to pursue a singles career.

Interesting idea that was discussed but turned down: Kofi Kingston would return to RAW, while Big E stays on SmackDown. Both remain part of New Day, including gear & music. Just on separate brands. Another twist: Xavier Woods would serve as a manager type appearing on both shows.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) September 17, 2020

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The 280+ pound man effortlessly carries his hilarious persona into his in-ring performances, which makes him a breath of fresh air. While it is too soon to rule on what the future holds for Big E, the fact that he has been a workhorse for WWE since 2009 makes him deserving of a title run at the top.

Judging by the magical run his teammate Kofi Kingston had in 2019 when booked properly, Big E can also have an entrancing storyline waiting for him.

"YOU THINK THIS IS A GAME?!?!" #SmackDown @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/hW8ZhCBF9n
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2020

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More recently, Big E was slated to be in the Fatal-Four-Way on SmackDown to determine Roman Reign's opponent for Clash of Champions on 28th September. He was ambushed by King Corbin during the show, which led to him being replaced by eventual winner Jey Uso.

Though Big E was written out of the match, it appeared to be a smart move as it allows WWE more time to build him up. If he had won, it would just feed him to Reigns who seems set to retain the title for the near future.

Big E has also been prominently showcased as the locker-room leader in multiple SmackDown segments as of late, further strengthening the case that WWE management are in full support.

#3 Shayna Baszler - Future WWE world champion?

A career hurting defeat [PC: Whatculture.com]

Intense, athletic and most importantly, legitimate. Shayna Baszler is a true striker whose strong wrestling style makes her bouts look like genuine fights, something WWE yearns for.

Reports have surfaced stating that she was scripted to win the 2020 Royal Rumble until a week before the pay-per-view. This didn't seem to derail her momentum though. She became the first wrestler to eliminate every other competitor in the Elimination Chamber Match the following month.

Baszler was built as such an unstoppable force, that it was all-but certain she would dethrone Becky Lynch at Wrestlemania 36. What unfolded was an anti-climactic 10-minute match, with Becky unconvincingly getting the pinfall victory that left a sour taste in every fan’s mouth.

Reports surfaced that Becky had pitched to drop the title to Baszler, but Vince McMahon had "soured" on her wrestling style as her appearances became increasingly rare on Monday Night RAW.

She recently returned to win the RAW Tag Team Championships with Nia Jax, but it's painfully evident that she deserves to be the top woman on WWE's red brand.

#2 Murphy - Future WWE world champion?

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride [PC: TheSun.co.uk]

Starting in 205 Live, Murphy’s skill could not keep him away from the main roster for long. Throughout WWE's lacklustre "Who Attacked Roman?" storyline in 2019, Murphy was caught in the crossfire between Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.

While Murphy was never meant to be the main focus, his performances left casual fans star-struck as it wonderfully introduced him. Pinning Bryan and almost overcoming Reigns in consecutive weeks had the WWE Universe abuzz.

Fast forward a year and Murphy continues to be a prop in feuds between more established stars. Granted he enjoys screen-time with Seth Rollins in his ‘Monday Night Messiah’ storyline, he always seems to be taking the fall.

His only other notable feud was against Aleister Black, where he repeatedly came up short. While his strong in-ring performances and relatable character work have ensured he is not forgotten, Murphy needs to start making a move up the card.

Murphy was recently laid out by Rollins after his attempt to help out the Messiah in a Steel Cage match against Dominik Mysterio backfired. In a brief camera shot, Aalyah Mysterio was seen checking up on the battered Murphy.

Though this will not catapult him into the main event picture, it offers several fresh routes WWE can explore with Murphy's character, hopefully leading to bigger and better things.

#1 Ricochet - Future WWE world champion?

No other WWE Superstar has a name so apt. Swift, unpredictable and lethal, Ricochet was a prominent name all over the world in pro-wrestling before he made his way to NXT in January 2018.

He continued to impress and found himself in on Monday Night RAW. However, like so many of his NXT peers who were called up to the main roster, he has gone from the next breakout star to yet another afterthought.

It took less than two minutes to push him down into obscurity when Brock Lesnar squashed him at Super ShowDown 2020.

No one expected Ricochet to topple the beast; the WrestleMania main event was always going to be Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre. That being said, no one predicted that Ricochet would not even land a single blow.

Since then, Ricochet has been dangling in the mid-card, more often than not directionless, while being involved in multi-man match-ups.

He's an example of an exceptionally gifted WWE Superstar, with immense fan support, just being pushed aside. While he, like his peers on this list, definitely deserves a world title push, it will not be possible without a hard reset and dedicated efforts to build him back up.