5 Most Impactful WWE Managers of 2021

The first question that may come to mind is, why just five WWE managers? Quite simply, it is a numbers game. If this were at any point in 1980s or even into 1990s, there would be a plethora of good managers to choose from.

They could be ranked in any number of categories: work on the mic, work at ringside, putting over the talent, taking a bump. The debate would be widespread and arguments could be made depending on preference.

A good manager enhances the talent around him or her and makes upcoming matches seem of the utmost importance. Typically, a good manager also makes the audience hate them to the point that everyone wants to see that manager get their come-uppance. Bobby Heenan, perhaps the greatest manager of all-time, was not just "The Brain" but also "The Weasel" for his dastardly ways and ability to cause the advantage to shift to his wrestlers.

Wrestlemania 3, one of the greatest main events of all-time pitting Andre the Giant vs. Hulk Hogan, would not have been the same if Andre didn’t have Heenan as a mouthpiece. Heenan spoke for the Giant and made one of the most beloved faces of all-time a hated villain. That is the role of a good manager.

On today's WWE roster, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka...these are just a few names that could benefit from having a manager. Big John Studd was an awful worker on the mic but with Heenan speaking for him, he was despised and a huge threat to both Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan. Cesaro in the ring is second to none. He has a ton of amazing physical attributes that, if given the right manager, could be sold to the WWE Universe and could make him out to be the unstoppable force he should be. If only he had a manager!

In this listicle, let’s take a look at the Five most impactful managers in the WWE.

#5. Whoooooooooo!: Ric Flair

The WWE had a potential managerial gold mine on their hands with Nature Boy Ric Flair. Flair is arguably the best mic worker in the history of pro wrestling. In early 2021, Flair was put together with Lacey Evans to serve as her manager. The pairing didn't last, however, as Evans stepped away due to pregnancy.

Soon Ric Flair departed the WWE and a golden opportunity was lost. Flair's skills on the mic could have helped countless wrestlers in WWE. Cesaro would have thrived under his tutelage. Flair could have even led a faction similar to the Four Horsemen and served in the JJ Dillon role.

WWE is prepared to have Lacey Evans return soon after her absence. Ric Flair remains a free agent. What a swerve it would be to have the Nature Boy come back along with Evans. The WWE could even offer up a mixed faction of male and female wrestlers led by Flair. Here's hoping that the WWE still has plans for Ric Flair, manager extradonaire.

#4 WWE Manager, the ravishing Scarlett

To understand the impact Scarlett had on WWE's NXT superstar Karrion Kross, just look at his success when the pair disbanded. Part of Kross' appeal was the entrance he shared with Scarlett and their overall look. Once separated, Kross never took off on WWE's main roster.

Scarlett's success as a manager wasn't with her words but with her look. She and Karrion developed an iconic entrance theme that separated them from other duos. Like the lovely Elizabeth in 1980s, Scarlett just had to step into a WWE arena to make an impact. Her gothic look combined with her beauty captured the attention of fans.

It would not be surprising to see the WWE return to this duo somewhere down the line.

#3 WWE Manager, the Grappling Guru: Chad Gable

WWE brass realized that the loveable trucker image of Otis was starting to run its course. How far could he really go as a novelty act, a big man that could move but did so in a comical way. WWE decided to pair Otis with Chad Gable and the Otis character evolved. He is now a feared big man with a temper and violent intentions. All with the help of a manager.

In many ways, Gable needed Otis as much as Otis needed Gable. Gable desperately needed to get out of the Shorty G gimmick he was saddled with in WWE and teaming up with Otis was a perfect fit. Gable brought out the toughness and anger in Otis that was rarely present in his former role. Otis is no longer loveable but feared inside the ring.

The next step for the Otis character may be a title run. Otis could combine with Gable to win tag team gold or win a midcard belt like the WWE Intercontinental Title. In either case, Gable could be the catalyst for all of Owen's feuds. Eventually, if Otis were to turn face, Gable would be the perfect foil for him.

WWE should consider pairing Gable with another superstar who has the ability but needs someone to do the mic work for them. Ricochet immediately comes to mind. He could fit right into Gable’s team and greatly benefit from Gable’s mic skills while showing off his own incredible athleticism.

#2 WWE’s MVP of the Hurt Business

When WWE brought back MVP a few years ago, it looked to be a bit of a nostalgia grab on their part. MVP came back for a few matches, performed well and many thought would be on his way. Instead, MVP has helped to save the career of Bobby Lashley.

MVP in his prime as a wrestler, was a solid worker and also solid on the mic. He cut an effective promo that helped make his mid-card matches feel special. Bobby Lashley also wrestled in the WWE during MVP’s initial run. Lashley has a look that Vince McMahon has always coveted. He looks like a million bucks and he’s athletic.

Unfortunately, despite a massive push then that included a feature Wrestlemania matchup involving Umaga, Donald Trump, McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin and then a run as ECW champion, Lashley never took off with the WWE Universe. He soon departed and dabbled in mixed martial arts as well as wrestling in other federations.

So, for a time, there was a push from WWE’s faithful to bring him back, until they got him back. Once again, Lashley was underwhelming and looked like he’d sink into mediocrity once again. Then along came MVP. With MVP handling the mic duties, Lashley’s eventual ascension to the WWE Championship felt right.

MVP’s motivation, crowd work and work at ringside all helped elevate Lashley to his highest point as a professional wrestler. He continues to be looked upon as a threat and has even performed admirably on the mic in a few of his opportunities, with the help of MVP.

Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin have not quite reached the same heights in WWE while under the tutelage of MVP. This is more of a case of WWE dropping the ball with the Hurt Business. Now that the group is reformed, hopefully WWE will let MVP go and push them as a dangerous tag team as they should be.

#1 Paul Heyman

Any list of great modern managers should begin and end with Paul Heyman. The Advocate has proven to be the perfect voice for Brock Lesnar and now, in a slightly different role, the perfect sounding board for Roman Reigns. Heyman is second to none on the mic and easily articulates the purpose of the wrestlers that he serves.

The Bloodline wouldn’t be the same without Heyman’s backstage vignettes or his work to further the cause of Roman Reigns as the true head of the table. He has elevated both Jimmy and Jey Uso just with his interaction with them.

If the WWE were ever to fully commit to having a manager with a stable under him, similar to Bobby Heenan, JJ Dillon or Jimmy Hart from the past, Heyman would be the perfect choice. He could elevate the wrestlers we talked about earlier and make them out to be as big a deal as the WWE wants each wrestler to be. He tells an excellent story and knows how to put over both his wrestlers and the opponents they face.

As Wrestlemania season draws near, WWE will undoubtedly utilize Heyman to create buzz and help develop whatever storylines they need pushed as the show of shows approaches. He will excel at it because he is the best manager in the game today.