As a longtime WWE fan with years of memories and emotions tied to these wrestlers, I wholeheartedly agree that it’s high time for some of these talents to shine brighter.
Currently, the WWE is thriving with an exceptionally potent main roster that hasn’t been seen in several decades. The strength of this roster is such that it has produced top superstars who are unable to make regular appearances due to a scarcity of TV time. It’s a desirable issue, but it leaves me yearning for more screen time for some familiar faces.
Currently, there are a total of seven hours of WWE programming airing: Monday Night Raw and Smackdown have five hours each, while NXT adds another two hours. Although I don’t necessarily believe these superstars require time on the developmental show, I might be open to their return if it means more screen time. Here are the superstars I miss the most as we approach the second half of 2024:
AJ Styles
If you need any evidence that the current WWE main roster is deep, look no further than the fact that AJ Styles is currently off of television and hasn’t been in a major angle since taking on Cody Rhodes at WWE Backlash. Never mind his numerous title runs in the WWE; the guy was considered the John Cena of TNA for the bulk of its run. If the WWE isn’t trying to work him into a spot wherever it can, you know it has a pretty deep roster. I know Styles will come back eventually, but it’s just wild to have seen him away for a while now and it not really impact the WWE at all.
Carmelo Hayes
Stepping up from NXT into the main roster has been a tough break for me, Carmelo Hayes. I was on fire in NXT, but it seems like I’m not getting as much screen time here as some of my peers. I believe it’s because they see me as a potential top-tier performer, but there’s simply no space at the peak for me just yet. So, it feels like I’m being kept in the wings rather than taking falls in the midcard.
Charlotte Flair
Approaching nine months have passed since Charlotte Flair announced her leg surgery on social media, marking the estimated duration of her recuperation. In the meantime, the women’s division has remained active and vibrant, with several contenders vying for the “queen” title currently held by Charlotte. I eagerly anticipate a grand comeback from Charlotte once she returns, and it’s possible that she may challenge Nia Jax in her upcoming title defense, given their longstanding friendship.
Pretty Deadly
If Pretty Deadly had made their WWE debut a decade ago, they would likely dominate the tag-team division. They are reminiscent of Breezango from earlier times but it’s uncertain if such a duo would gain popularity in today’s WWE environment. With most top wrestlers adopting a serious demeanor, and even with a name like “Pretty Deadly,” it seems challenging for them to succeed beyond comedic storylines. However, I fervently hope they capture the titles within the next year or so.
Ilja Dragunov
Ilja Dragunov consistently delivers impressive performances on Monday Night Raw, leaving me puzzled as to why he isn’t used more frequently up until now. His match with Gunther in NXT UK was an exceptional five-star bout, and yet he’s still predominantly in the midcard, being matched against various talents seemingly at random without any apparent pattern. I believe he deserves a significant boost, and while it may happen eventually, it seems to be progressing too slowly.
Santos Escobar
When Santos Escobar switched to a villainous role against LWO and faced Rey Mysterio, I thought it was his path to the highest ranks in the roster. Regrettably, that rivalry didn’t generate much buzz, but Escobar consistently shows on SmackDown that he deserves more recognition and airtime than he’s currently receiving. This may seem odd given his recent match against L.A. Knight for the United States title, but Escobar is gradually resembling Karrion Kross in terms of impact on SmackDown without having nearly as much screen time. If WWE provides him with an opportunity to shine, I’m confident he’ll seize it.
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
Initially, when Kayden Carter and Katana Chance claimed the tag-team titles towards the end of 2023, I anticipated them igniting the women’s tag division. They managed just a single title defense before losing it approximately a month later to The Kabuki Warriors. Ever since then, their progress has stalled, which I find frustrating. Given that they are among the few dedicated female tag-team partnerships in this brand, they should be more seriously considered for title contention rather than two individual competitors who team up solely for the sake of capturing the titles.
Alexa Bliss
We’ve been eagerly anticipating Alexa Bliss’s comeback to WWE following the birth of her child. When the Wyatt Sicks made their debut, there was speculation that Bliss might be hinting at joining them, but she remains absent from the ring. It’s disappointing because Bliss is still part of the roster and undeniably one of its top female performers. I can’t wait to see her face off against some rising stars and potentially vie for another title within the next year.
Shinsuke Nakamura
At times, it seems as though the WWE is handling Shinsuke Nakamura as if he’s nearing retirement, despite the fact that he shares the same age with Randy Orton. In reality, “The King of Strong Style” has the ability to deliver significant matches annually, a talent he demonstrated during his extended rivalry with Seth Rollins. Currently, he seems absent from WWE programming, but can be found performing at live events on tour. It’s better than no work at all, yet I find myself pondering that he deserves a more permanent role in the WWE, given his skills and contributions to the industry.
Luckily, there’s an abundance of opportunities to feature on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown, so let’s hope we’ll catch glimpses of these stars more frequently as the year progresses. In the interim, a number of their bouts can be watched with a Peacock Premium membership, so don’t forget to enjoy some of their past epic matches!
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2024-08-30 20:38