FUTURE ENDEAVORS

Rumor mill has it that it is that time of year again. The time of year not long after Wrestlemania, when the WWE releases talent. Some are always obvious picks given a superstars lack of support from crowds or WWE's usage of them. Shocking isn't a word to describe the rest though as there is almost a safe list of people who would likely be allowed to retire or mutually part ways of sorts. People like John Cena, Randy Orton, Kane, Mark Henry given there longevity and status with the company. But there are some that not everyone would expect, people who appeared to be getting a push or character revamp, etc etc. Of course like everyone else, I have my opinion on who may be leaving or who should be in some cases. And they would be...

Ryback

The Big Guy is at home right now, awaiting to talk about his future with the company. Although Vince was a fan of Ryback early in his career, McMahon has other guys who are even bigger to fill that void now. Although The Big Guy may benefit from spending time elsewhere, say New Japan hopefully not TNA, he also may not. Not a good time to be asking for more money, deserving or not.

Adam Rose

Although he claims it was a known prescription, Adam Rose is on his second suspension for violating the WWE's Wellness Policy. With Chyna's recent passing likely due to drugs, not a good time to be suspended for something WWE is trying to eliminate.

#SocialOutcasts

Although I am a fan of all 3, I can see the new age Job Squad disappearing. Things slowed a bit after Rose was suspended, other than some light entertaining moments with Apollo Crewes, haven't seen them as much. Heath has been absent from television, Curtis may have had his time in WWE unless a total revamp ensues (WWE failed this guy), and Bo isn't Bray so  not sure where he stands with WWE officials. Hoping they simply remain as the comedic trio among the 3-man teams all over WWE right now.

The Ascension

Although it was only Konnor who was suspended for violating the company's Wellness Policy (for a second time), it may be a case of taking out two birds with one stone. As a team they have been under utilized and not well received since coming to the main roster from NXT.

Jack Swagger

Swagger had something when he was with Dutch Mantell aka Zeb Colter when the "We The People" gimmick was getting over with the WWE Universe. Ironically, it would likely make for a comedic hit right now given Trump and what has come out of his mouth lately. But, the All-American American was fed to Rusev and hasn't been the same since.

Those listed above are mostly based on current position and usage. Some are used and even fan favorites, but could be on their way out. Dolph Ziggler, Zack Ryder, maybe even Del Rio could be borderline shock level if released, but are still just as possible. I composed what I think is a "Safe List" which you find HERE. Be interesting to see how all of this plays out.

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DID A SPOT OPEN UP FOR SANDOW?

WWE does have the group as a new age Job Squad, that group being #SocialOutcasts of course haha And personally, I think there is a chance to be more than just the enhancement talent of today. Regardless of what they are, it is still a platform to entertain, and if done well could be rewarded down the road.

With Adam Rose on suspension for a second offense, it leaves a temporary or permanent spot on the Social Outcast group. It isn't that I outright want Rose of the team, it is just that this is Strike 2, and he has been stale since The Bunny garnered spotlight. So, why not have Damian Sandow fill that void? It would appear he has returned to his Intellectual Savior Of The Masses gimmick, but I can't confirm that because he hasn't been used on television since....Mania? I forget. Which is sad, as Sandow was getting over with fans with his impersonations before Hogan's racist rant was publicly exposed and the Meta Powers gimmick was cut short. It was understandable, but since Curtis Axel was able to return (ironically to the #SocialOutscasts), why not Sandow? Axel was the one impersonating Hogan, not Damian. Is there more to all of this? Because from this side of things, it doesn't make sense. Even if you don't like him, why not pay him to lose a lot on again a new age Job Squad, instead of doing nothing? Sandow could even return to impersonation WWE Legends, or people Vince doesn't like which was basically Triple H was. Which I think I mentioned awhile ago that Sandow's early imitations seemed like punishment (until Mizdow, but that was short term once he faced The Miz), as though he had to learn to eat sh!t and like it. Just like Hunter did after The Curtain Call. Back to the point though. They could even use Sandow to test the market on past WWE talent, to see if it sparks an interest or reaction from audiences. If a positive response, then consider bringing them back. There first opponent and win? Sandow. Triple H isn't going to be able to sign away every worthy indie talent. Some would never go to WWE, and the promotions would do something in some fashion. Or use his Legends gimmick to test the Hall Of Fame waters for some past performers. Not everyone with the WWE Network has the On Demand features (it sucks not having it), and even those who do may never bother or simply don't come across people who should go in. I know a big part of the selection process is based on location of Wrestlemania. Understandable, but what about those to fill the gaps, or when they return to a city and run it dry of local Legends? He could also do the impersonations of those who have passed as homage. We are luckily slowing down in regards to yearly deaths, there are still those have or could at any time for any reason (they are humans as well). Of course, wait a minute before honoring, given the whole Benoit thing. Then there is the final option of simply letting him go back to being the intellectual snob. Always felt like a throw back to The Genius (as it now dawns on me he has almost impersonated/updated the Poffo brothers gimmicks), and how is it bad to have another heel? He was good at talking down to us, making us hate him. Which I think he is capable of doing, and then even then taking it "face" later on if need be and garner cheers.

3MB was another group that had potential to be more than what they were. Heath Slater was in his element, Drew McIntyre looked the part, Jinder Mahal didn't really fit but could have been replaced with say R-Truth if keeping with the comedic aspect but adding talent. That of course never came to fruition. I just think with Adam Rose being on the outs right now, it is a spot Damian Sandow could fill. I'm repeating, but there has to be more to all of this, or they really don't like him and are okay with paying him for nothing really.

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FUTURE ENDEAVOR SEASON

Usually not long after Wrestlemania, the WWE begins to thin out their roster. Up until a few years ago, it was always the main roster that saw the majority of the cuts. Nowadays with NXT in the mix of things it is a combination of both. We'll focus on the main roster for this, but who should possibly be a bit worried? It is rumored, and a bit apparent, that WWE is looking to put more focus on the United States and Intercontinental Championships. And there is a small resurgence within the tag team division. Add the fact that Seth Rollins is now WWE World Heavyweight Champion, so the main title will be in the mix of things. This is all great. However, you need talent to do this.

But, business is business. Although most of the cuts will likely come from NXT, as there has been less invested in them so far so to speak. This list will focus on those from the main roster who may want to worry about their job security with WWE. Some are simply under utilized, rarely seen, at the end of their in-ring career, etc, etc. And they are...

Heath Slater

With Titus O'Neil reforming Prime Time Players with Darren Young, the One Man Rock Band's career doesn't look too good. Unless WWE comes up with a new plan quick, Slater may be playing his tune elsewhere.

Zack Ryder

His popularity with the IWC is possibly what has kept Ryder around for this long. Under utilization would be to blame here. Here's hoping he forms a tag team with someone, and keeps around within the tag division. Or somehow rises in the ranks with the mid-card titles.

Goldust

 Goldie has shown that he can still go, but after the partnership with Cody, sorry, Stardust ended. Where else is there for the Bizarre One to go? Behind the scenes of course. Like his father, the talent doesn't simply lay with an in-ring career.

The New Day

Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E. All three of them. Unless this was all a plan, and there is an upcoming heel turn, New Day sucks (as the crowds are now saying). Even if this wasn't a plan, a new direction needs to happen soon.

R-Truth

Truth is entertaining no matter what direction he takes his character. But, like many he is mainly under utilized. Perhaps after all these years of being a showman, a heel turn and being the front man of a heel New Day could save Truth (and as stated previously, New Day as well).

Adam Rose

There didn't seem to be a plan for this character if and when, which it basically has, the party ended. If you count a short feud (if you can call it that) with The Bunny, he hasn't done much. Time to restart the party, or change the direction. Overly used, but possibly a legit heel turn?

Christian

He's currently resting and heeling up, but how much longer will WWE keep Captain Charisma around? At least as an in-ring performer, there must be a behind the scenes position for Christian if he chooses that route.

A Diva would usually be added to the list, however, AJ Lee has just recently retired from WWE. Whether or not the remains she is finished with wrestling remains to be scene. Likely though given the playing field. Of course, none of the performers deserve to be let go, it is just how things are going or how they are, or haven't been used. This is why there needs to be not a competing second company, but how WWE and WCW coexisted during say the 80's and early 90's. Guess we'll see how, when, or if this all plays out.


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WHAT HAPPENED?

Thanks to social media, we are usually able to find out why certain wrestlers had their "pushes" halted, or were released from the company. A more recent example would be Jack Swagger, who was riding high after winning the WWE World Championship a couple of years ago. And that was exactly the problem, Swagger was driving, was pulled over, and then it was discovered that he had been smoking marijuana and was driving under the influence. He wasn't "future endeavored" like other stars have had happen. The WWE simply ended his run with the title, and ceased his push. Swagger worked hard, and now has something better than a title, he has fans who chant on command "We The People!".

Some of these wrestlers, or sports entertainers if you will, may have had the reasons already stated and I missed it. Feel free to post comments below if you have the legitimate reason. Most of these performers will be more recent, as it is hard to think of anybody from the Attitude Era and back. As those eras consisted on Hulk Hogan who rarely went without the WWE Championship or being in the main event picture. Attitude Era there was Stone Cold, and when he was down, it was The Rock and Triple H (there were others, but they were the main go to guys).


Bray Wyatt
It feels as though things were purposely toned down. Bray Wyatt literally had "the whole world, in his hands", and packed arenas supporting and signing along. Then nothing. Sure the WWE Universe still provides the "fireflies", lighting up the arenas and adding to an already cool entrance. The speeches are still strange yet amazing, but they aren't fan inclusion type of thing he was doing before. Is the WWE trying to maintain Bray as a top heel, in a talent pool slightly heavy on the baby face side of things? Wyatt had a pretty good feud with the legendary Chris Jericho, but what really came from it? A feud perhaps that was better left for Wrestlemania. Like I said, the crowd is still there, smartphones lighting the crowd, just waiting for their chance to be involved again. When will we finally get to follow the buzzards that are hovering around championship gold?


Sheamus
Yes, he got injured and the titles are now unified making mid-card titles just as good in a sense. However, Sheamus seems to be completely out of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture. He's in the beginning phase of a feud with Cesaro, something I hope culminates at Wrestlemania 31, because it should be very good. But, with Brock Lesner holding the WWE WHC and Sheamus currently being a face, wouldn't it make sense for the two of them to square off at some point? It would be fresh, and interesting to see. Rumored to be a "Triple H guy" in the beginning, what happened?


Fandango
What started as a cheesy gimmick, actually began to work. With some crowd support, mainly during his entrance mind you, but support was there. He had a beautiful valet in Summer Ray. And then, he slowly seemed to just disappear from television. Was there an injury? Another issue like a failed drug test or scuffle backstage? Summer Ray seemed to actually progress her career further since the dance duo split up. What happened to Fandango?


Adam Rose
Almost everything about this character is geared for fan love, and fan involvement. His entrance doesn't get much more catchier. He had a catch phrase that the audience joined in on, "Don't Be A Lemon! Be A Rose Bud!". Rumors state that it was a simple case of Vince McMahon getting bored with the character, similar to how he supposedly feels about the Bo Dallas character. Whether or not this is true, not sure.


Damian Sandow
This is a situation that is similar to Triple H after the MSG Send-Off with fellow Kliq members Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash. When he was "punished" and dropped to the bottom of the card to work his way up. Damian Sandow was a Money In The Bank winner, and a really good heal. Then, in an instant it was all gone. He became Santino Marella's replacement in a sense, filling he comedic role on the card. What makes him similar to Triple H, is that he hasn't let this stop him. Making the various characters, including his current role as The Miz's stunt double, quite entertaining. If he keeps this up, it will only be a matter of time before he is back in the mix at the top of the card. I just can't help but wonder what caused the sudden stop. It was
n't something bad enough to fire him over, but at times it feels as though it is intentionally trying to break him. Then again, WWE creative has had moments of "wtf" without being provoked before.

Zack Ryder
Not even a fan of The Long Island Iced-Z other than his "Woo, Woo, Woo! You Know It!", but one can't argue that he has quite the following. A fan base larger than some main eventers. And that was without any real push of any kind from the WWE. It appeared as though it was going to happen. Getting the main event "rub" from Cena. Mick Foley claims it was the lame storyline involving Ryder, Kelly Kelly (I think) and Kane. Regardless, the fans didn't really falter, yet he never appears in PPV's, doesn't even appear on Raw or Smackdown! And when he does, it on the losing end of things. Will he ever get another shot at glory?

Perhaps the reasons for these staled pushes have already been stated, but if not, it would be nice to know. Although it is a business where only hard facts (drug tests, crimes, etc) tell us the truth with both WWE and pro-wrestlers having a habit of bending and molding the truth.

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