Where is the Next WWE Star?

by Jack Windham
March 18, 2008

When one looks through the current roster, it's hard not to ask where that next WWE star is.

Obvious Choice

In the past, there's been several wrestlers who were already spotted in the midcard level or tag team division that were going to become the next big star.

When Shawn Michaels first came into WWE, every had him pegged as a future superstar well before he infamously kicked Marty Jannetty through the Barber Shop window.

Jeff Hardy was called "the next Shawn Michaels" during the early parts of his career while he was teaming up with his brother Matt Hardy.

When Rocky Maivia was a member of the Nation of Domination, many could see traces of the man that would some day become the Rock.

Steve Austin came into WWE as the Ringmaster. Even though he was saddled with that lame gimmick, everyone had already known that he had potential based on his work in WCW.

Who's Next?

Looking through the current roster, it's extremely difficult to find the next great star.

Monday Night Raw's undercard has some guys with bright futures, but right now, they're still years away, so it's hard to predict if they'll become stars or not.

Brian Kendrick and Paul London are both tremendous in-ring performers, but if these guys can't get a push as a tag team by now, then they're not going to get a push as singles.

Kenny Dykstra, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes, DH Smith, and Drew McIntyre look like they all should still be down in developmental.

Trevor Murdoch is entertaining at times, but he simply does not have the look. Lance Cade has the look, but he still needs something to break out of being a generic wrestler right now.

Santino Marella and Carlito are both entertaining as hell on the mic, but WWE doesn't seem to be taking either one serious.

The Signs Are There

The guy with the most potential right now is Smackdown's MVP.

Ever since his feud with Chris Benoit a year ago, MVP has shown considerable improvements in the ring.

On the mic, he's such a natural. If unleashed, MVP could be as entertaining on the mic as the Rock used to be. Maybe a level right below him.

If WWE continues to push him slowly like this, then he'll become a superstar. If they start rushing things, then he becomes another Mr Kennedy.

Closing Thoughts

Vince McMahon has been given so much credit in the past for creating new stars. It's time for him to get back to work on that.