'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
There's a storm brewing...a storm of change. Within that storm lies hopes for big things in 2018 for the WWE Universe. Fans have grown tired and frustrated at the same old repetitive content, week-after-week. We open Smackdown Live each week with Shane McMahon using the first 25 minutes of air-time all just to say....."What's up, Cleveland?!"
But of course, the night before we get a three-hour overhyped episode of RAW where Vince spends the evening tucked away in the gorilla position, throwing spitballs against the wall, hoping to get one to stick. With the risk of getting too carried away on some nonsensical whining rant, allow me to sum up my thoughts by simply implying that we, the die-hard fans who not only watch religiously but also spend our hard-earned money on tickets to live events, we are tired of feeling like each week is just the same song, with a different dance.
With that out of the way, let me say that I am not one of these hot-cold fans who swear off all things WWE. I have been a fan for over 30 years, I have watched without fail and I have spent thousands of dollars on tickets and memorabilia. That is something that will likely never change, I am a lifer when it comes to my allegiance to professional wrestling and I will continue to support the guys and gals who put themselves in potentially dangerous situations, all for the sake of entertaining me. I simply want to see a little change.
When it comes to change, there is currently a nearly unlimited stockpile of quality talent not only on the main roster but also in the developmental system. So, why not pass the ball to someone else? What have we to lose at this point?
After looking over all of the current rosters, here's a look at 7 names who have the potential of stepping up to the plate and delivering in a big way, IF just given the opportunity.
#7 The Ascension
I see you over there, laughing hysterically. Go ahead, get it all out, mock me now while you can, but I am sticking to my guns on this one. I have been a believer in The Ascension ever since they dominated in NXT. Most fans seem to have forgotten just how good Viktor and Konnor truly were on the Yellow Squad.
Since arriving on the main roster, these guys have been made into nothing more than a complete joke. This is definitely not their fault, they have yet to be given a real opportunity to succeed. Make no mistake, there is talent under that facepaint.
If someone would offer them a small window of opportunity, The Ascension could potentially bring something competitive and exciting to the tag team division.
#6 Tye Dillinger
No one in recent memory has endured as much by the way of setbacks as Tye Dillinger. Do you realise this guy has been under WWE contract for over 10 years? Yes, this is true... and it's also pathetic that he is just now being given minimal opportunities to showcase his talent.
In 2006, Tye signed with WWE and was assigned to the then developmental territory, 'Ohio Valley Wrestling.' Since then, Tye has witnessed first-hand, a plethora of professional wrestlers come and go....and in some instances, come and go again! All the while, Dillinger continued to stand firm, believing and hoping he would one day get his shot on the main roster.
Well, now his time has come and as expected, the fans adore this guy. He has the WWE Universe in the palm of his hands, but now he has to make the powers-that-be believe in him.
Tye Dillinger is 36 years old. WWE officials need to take notice of the talent they have within him, as well as the clock known as father time. Tye has plenty of ability, hopefully, he will be afforded the opportunity to show the world exactly how good and valuable he truly is.
#5 Aleister Black
The current NXT lineup is stronger, deeper and healthier than it has ever been, or at least in this writer's opinion. There has been a surge in top-tier indie signings over the past couple of years, which has resulted in a brand that no longer resembles a "developmental" squad, but rather a roster full of talent that could rival either of WWE's main rosters, any day of the week.
One of those key players in making NXT what it is today is Aleister Black. While he has only been under contract a little over a year now, Aleister has certainly made it crystal clear that he has Championship gold on his mind.
Aleister recently stole the show at NXT Takeover: WarGames, along with his opponent, Velveteen Dream. These guys left everything they had in the ring, at Houston's Toyota Center. In fact, this very match is considered by many to be the match of the night, which is a huge surprise considering the level of talent on that card.
Make no mistake about it, Aleister Black may still be relatively new to the company, but his skill-level undoubtedly on-par with what is needed to be a main roster WWE Superstar.
#4 Sarah Logan
After only a couple of cups of coffee spent in NXT, Sarah Logan is now a member of WWE's Smackdown Live roster, as a member of the newly formed ladies faction, "The Riott Squad." The trio consists of Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan and is led by Ruby Riott. In their first few weeks as main roster heels, the ladies have done and looked extremely well.
With that said, stables, especially female stables, are not known for their longevity. Once these ladies have served their purpose, they'll surely be split-up.
The true test will come when the Squad breaks up. Both Ruby and Liv are solid performers, but neither are on the same level as Sarah Logan. It is this writers opinion that Sarah will be the true success story of the current movement in the WWE Women's division.
Many fans may recall the name "Crazy Mary Dobson". This was the alias that really made Sarah successful. As Crazy Mary, she competed at a high-level at major indie promotions including Ring of Honor and SHIMMER, just to name a couple.
It is also worth noting that Sarah Logan is currently engaged to marry fellow professional wrestler Ray Rowe of the tag team known as War Machine.
#3 Tyler Breeze
2014 and 2015 were huge years for Tyler Breeze. He was one of NXT's top-tier stars, and in constant competition for championship gold. Tyler was a member of the NXT roster at a very pivotal time in its history, which was during the launch of the WWE Network on February 24, 2014.
In late 2015, Breeze was elevated to the main roster. There was a lot of hype surrounding his jump to the big stage. Tyler seemed to be more than ready for the promotion, which he certainly was. Unfortunately, something happened along the way and someone decided he would be better suited as a joke, in a comical duo with Fandango.
As "Breezango", they have had moments of hilarity, but both Fandango and Tyler Breeze have been held back and have been unable to showcase the true talent they both have. If given the opportunity, both have plenty left to offer.
At this point, I really wish Tyler could exchange that goofy police officer uniform for his old selfie stick and go back to being the egotistical metrosexual alpha male.
#2 Adam Cole
For the past three years, Adam Cole became one of the most talked about potential WWE Superstars in history. There was a great divide amongst fans regarding the status of the former ROH World Champion. While many hoped and believed WWE would land this indie darling, there were just as many pessimistic fans who seriously doubted we would ever see Cole on a WWE roster.
But when Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish made their NXT debut, the buzz only increased, in regards to the potential signing of Adam Cole. Now, the three are not only together on the NXT roster, but they are also together as one cohesive, destructive unit - The Undisputed Era.
I believe it will be a relatively short amount of time before The Undisputed Era makes their main roster debut. A potential feud with The Shield would be absolutely electric! If the company could put this plan into action sooner than later, we could potentially see a history 6-man tag match just in time for Wrestlemania.
We could make all the predictions we want, but the fact of the matter is, Adam Cole is a singles Superstar and once the corners get ironed out, Cole could very well be THE guy to take the throne in 2018.
#1 Drew McIntyre
Every once in a while, someone comes along whom you cannot help but get behind. With all that Drew McIntyre has been forced to endure, he has earned that very place in the hearts of fans all over the world. His story is one for the ages. It's a tale of a man who was forced to jump through a plethora of hoops in order to simply be noticed. However, his story took a dramatic turn when he was released by WWE in 2014.
Drew McIntyre was once dubbed "The Chosen One," by Vince McMahon himself. Unfortunately, Vince's love grew cold for the Scottish Superstar and eventually, the company opted to wish him well in his future endeavours. Rather than stick his tail between his legs in shame, Drew decided to show everyone that they had made a grave mistake.
Drew spent his time away from WWE honing his skills and becoming one of the most prolific sports entertainers in the entire world. Drew won world championships, he defeated icons and slewed giants. But in the end, it was only appropriate that he returned home to the WWE and allow the company to acknowledge the fact that they dropped the ball by letting him go.
Since his return, Drew has taken the NXT Universe by storm, even winning the NXT Championship, which he recently lost to Andrade 'Cien' Almas. Many believe he dropped the strap in order to return to the main roster.
One glance his way will show the world that Drew McIntyre is better than ever and more than ready to step up to the plate and deliver at a level higher than he has ever competed at.
Imagine McIntyre winning the Universal or WWE title in his first feud back on the main roster after nearly 4 years? The stuff of dreams right?
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
