The ESSENTIALS: Top Ten Wrestlers the WWE Should Steal in 2012

Welcome to this very special yearly edition of the ESSENTIALS.  Every year I will do a top ten list of the wrestlers that could make the biggest potential impact in the WWE.  Each year, I find that there are great stars made in every promotion (TNA, ROH, CZW, CEW, WSU, NJPW, PW NOAH, Shimmer, Dragon Gate etc. etc.), However, I believe that to TRULY make it in the business, you need to leave your mark in the mecca of pro wrestling.  This list is not based upon performance alone, I am looking for the next breakout star.  These individuals need to have a good gimmick, charisma/marketability, in ring ability, and mic skills. For each individual, I will grade them in all of these categories and also look at what they bring to the table.  After doing so, I will determine their overall value and rank them based upon it.


*NOTE: I will only consider wrestlers who have never been in the WWE (and no dark matches don't count).


With that said, here are your top ten essential draft picks of 2012:

Number 10: The "American Sasuke" Mikaze

What he brings to the table:

Mikaze is a one of a kind talent that can pick up the pieces that Sin Cara broke apart.  He is a gifted wrestler with the potential to be the next great WWE cruiserweight.

Grade: B-

Gimmick:

Mikaze's gimmick is simple, think Kaval with a little more personality.

Grade: C-


Charisma/Marketablity:

Similar to that of Rey Mysterio.  Mikaze's potential with the WWE's younger audience is massive.  With his unique style, awesome, often comic-inspired (like the SICK Venom outfit) ring gear, and over-the-top theatrics, the kids will look at Mikaze as a modern day superhero. 

Grade: B


In ring ability:

Mikaze is an extremely acrobatic performer.  The best way to describe him is a human highlight reel.  Almost every move he performs is awesome.  Combine that with his stiff strikes, and he is an extremely well balanced performer.

Grade: A-


Mic skills:

This is Mikaze's weakest asset.  He is not terrible on the stick, just not anything special.  His promos may come off as a bit boring, but with his in ring style, they really are not that necessary. 

Grade: D-


Overall Value:

Potential feuds with the likes of Evan Bourne, Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston, are all intriguing.  He has a variety of exciting moves and if they tap into the smallest bit of his potential marketability, he could be a huge star.  Still, I don't see him being a cornerstone of any show or PPV.  He could be a valuable asset, but I don't see him being a necessary one for the company's survival. 

Overall Grade: C-

Number 9: "The Prodigy" Mike Bennett

What he brings to the table:

Bennett is a well-balanced wrestler with all the tools it takes to make a huge impact in the WWE.  His nickname fits his potential perfectly.

Grade: B-


Gimmick:

His cocky persona would be easy transition for him to pull off in the WWE.  There have been many effective performers who've used this gimmick, but Bennett's version reminds me of Randy Orton in his "legend killer" days.

Grade: B


Charisma/Marketability:

The Prodigy has almost too much charisma.  The guy knows how to make himself seem better then he really is.  It is well-known that he is the boyfriend of Maria Kanellis, and I have a hunch that it has a lot to do with his charm.  Give him the ladies man gimmick, and he'll make the girls swoon, but he'll also be the rare performer who can gain a male following while he does it.

Grade: A+


In ring ability:

Bennett is NO Daniel Bryan.  In fact, he's one of the most hated men in ROH because his abilities are just not up to the standard that they require.  Still, he's good enough to get by in the WWE.

Grade: C


Mic skills:

Bennett is the most effective indie performer on the mic, period.  His promos are witty, he has good timing, and he gets the point across without talking too much.

Grade: A-


Overall value:

On paper, Bennett is the ideal performer for the WWE. And while feuds with John Cena, The Miz, Kofi Kingston, and Dolph Ziggler all would be awesome, he doesn't offer the fans anything they haven't seen before.  That makes him useful, but not especially valuable.

Overall Grade: C+

Number 8: Frankie Arion

What he brings to the table:

Frankie is one of the most entertaining wrestlers to watch.  He can be funny or serious, and do both all while stealing the show with his innovative style.

Grade: A


Gimmick:

It's hard to figure out how to grade Frankie here, he does not appear to have a solid gimmick that sticks.  Still, with his amazing comedic timing and unique and flashy style, I don't think he really needs one.

Grade: C-


Charisma/Marketability:

Here's where Frankie really shines.  Though he is compact in size, Frankie may as well be The Big Show in terms of charisma.  Every match, you hear the audience screaming 'FRANKIE!", and it's all due to his off-kilter personality.  He also draws a fairly large amount of children for someone on the independents. 

Grade: A


In ring ability:

Frankie is quick as a hiccup and sharp as a tack.  He is one of the most smooth performers I have ever seen.  To back it up, he also possesses one of the most unique and innovative repertoires in the business today.

Grade: A-


Mic skills:

From what I've seen, Frankie is humorous, but no Santino Marella.  As far as being dramatic goes, there's little to no chance people will take him especially serious on the mic.

Grade: D+


Overall Value:

Frankie is a mixed bag.  He has a very offbeat gimmick and style, but is an amazing performer.  A possible team, and eventual feud with Zack Ryder would be best.  Either way, there's room for Frankie to carve a unique role for himself in the WWE, but he won't be main eventing any PPVs.

Overall Grade: C+

Number 7: Samoa Joe

What he brings to the table:

Joe is arguably the biggest potential star to never perform for WWE.  He brings natural charisma, a unique look and style, and a loyal fan following.

Grade: A+


Gimmick:

Joe is a destroyer, plain and simple.  Triple H recently stated in WWE magazine that this is something he feels the company has been sorely missing. 

Grade: A+


Charisma/Marketability:

Joe will get over huge with men ages 18-35, but he wont be selling a lot of T-shirts anytime soon.  He's a bankable star in many ways, but women may find him unattractive and children will be afraid of him.

Grade: D


In ring ability:

Go back and watch his match with Kenta Kobashi from 2005 or his 3 classics with CM Punk and you will see that when he is in shape, Joe is the best wrestler in the world.  There may be one or two wrestlers who have a larger repertoire.  As if that were not enough, Joe is surprisingly quick and agile for his size.

Grade: A+


Mic skills:

Joe's promo work is very inconsistent.  At times, he can be very good, but most of the time he's dry and boring.  It doesn't help that he seems to say the same damn thing every time.

Grade: D+



Overall value:

Joe used to quietly be the hottest commodity in wrestling.  There was a time when everyone wanted to see him in the WWE.  Recently, he has put on a lot of weight and it seems as if he is uninspired.  Perhaps a move to the WWE would give him his spark back.  Possible dream matches with Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton, The Undertaker, and rematches with CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, would all be the stuff of legend.  Still, for now, Joe's value is not what it used to be.

Overall Grade: B-

Number 6: Sara Del Rey

 

 

What she brings to the table:

The self-proclaimed 'Queen of Wrestling', is the most underrated performer in the business today.  She is one of the few women in the history of the sport that could achieve believable victories over male performers.  Given the amount of untapped resources Del Rey has, I'm amazed they haven't signed her already.

Grade: A+


Gimmick:

She is the female Samoa Joe, which is awesome, but In the WWE this gimmick is most likely going to be used by Kong.  Packaging Del Rey with any other gimmick will be tricky.

Grade: C


Charisma/Marketability:

Death Rey would look awesome on a T-shirt, but I don't think she'd be a top merchandise mover.  She rarely smiles (and she shouldn't) and I don't think she even cares about being pretty.  Being a top star was never part of her agenda, Del Rey is a wrestler's wrestler.

Grade: D+


In ring ability:

Only few people in the world are as good as Del Rey here, but more on that later.  She is without a shadow of a doubt, the most well-rounded female wrestler in the world today.  Critics need to look no further then her match with Ayako Hamada in 2009.  Del Rey can deliver a match of the year caliber performance on any given night, a very rare quality in today's female performers.

Grade: A+


Mic skills:

Del Rey is not the type to talk a whole lot, though whenever she does, it comes off as important and memorable.  She is very hard to grade in this category because she cuts few promos and prefers 'walking the walk' over 'talking the talk'.

Grade: C-


Overall value:

Del Rey can become a cornerstone of the Divas division.  Still, mentioning her name and the word 'diva' felt awkward just now.  She'll never become the next Trish Stratus, but perhaps, that is a good thing.  Recently, in interviews, she has expressed her interest in joining the company.  The timing couldn't be better, since the women's division in the WWE has needed a spark for years.  Mouth-watering feuds with Kong, Beth Phoenix and Natalya, could provide the spark the people have been waiting for all along.

Overall Grade: B

Number 5: Tommaiso Chiampa

What he brings to the table:

Of all the wrestlers on this list, few have a better blend of charisma and in ring ability.

Grade: A-


Gimmick:

Highly regarded on the indies as the next Randy Orton, Chiampa's slow ring walk, commanding presence, and smooth in ring style, would make the WWE style an easy transition for him.

Grade: B+


Charisma/Marketability:

If Chiampa were turned face, he could become quite marketable, he has that intangible quality necessary to be a top merchandise seller.  Still, he is best as a heel and I don't think he'd perform well otherwise, so he's a shot in the dark in this category.

Grade: C+


In ring ability:

Chiampa's undefeated streak speaks for itself.  For his relatively average size, he is an intimidating force with a mixed bag of moves in his arsenal. 

Grade: B


Mic skills:

Chiampa is surprisingly articulate for a pro wrestler.  On a good day, he can cut a Chris Jericho-like promo with his 'I'm better than you' persona.  Go and look up his promo during the super 8, and you will find a very confident young man with great timing.

Grade: B


Overall value:

Chiampa is bound to make it to the WWE sometime within the next couple of years.  He is a gifted performer with all the natural gifts to make it to the main event scene as fast as Alberto Del Rio did.  Perhaps even a feud with the Mexican Aristocrat is in his future.  Other battles with CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan are also great ideas.  However, he is a lot like Randy Orton, and that may hinder his success and his value considering the WWE already has it's apex predator.

Overall Grade: B

Number 4: Cheerleader Melissa

What she brings to the table:

The 'future legend' is pound for pound the best female wrestler in the world today. 

Grade: A-


Gimmick:

Melissa is one of the rare cases in pro wrestling where a wrestler is so good, they don't even need a gimmick to get over.  That alone, is an amazing feat in itself.

Grade: B


Charisma/Marketability:

Like Sara Del Rey, Melissa prefers not to smile and cater to the WWE audience.  She wants your cheers, but she'd rather earn them inside the ring rather then through a photo shoot.  In short, she wont be selling much merchandise, but she's so good, that men will still find her sexy and little girls will look up to her.

Grade: C


In ring ability:

Melissa is one of the best wrestlers in the world male or female.  She is never at a loss in terms of match strategy, she knows as many holds as Daniel Bryan, and she is an excellent counter wrestler.  She has had too many classic matches to name, and any woman who steps foot in the ring with her is immediately on the defensive.  On a side note, her Kudo Driver finish is the most devastating move I have ever seen a female perform.

Grade: A+


Mic skills:

Promos are not her strong suit, but here is another category where in Melissa's case, it really doesn't matter.

Grade: D+


Overall value:

Melissa's the female Bret hart.  She has a quiet charisma, is technically brilliant in the ring, and has a no-nonsense attitude.  Feuds with Beth Phoenix, Natalya, and Kong would all be great, but she would be most effective against the weaker divas.  Melissa carried the cutesy Jessie McKay to a near 5 star match, put her in the ring with Kelly Kelly, and she would do the same thing.  It's this quality that would make her an invaluable performer and the silent anchor of the Divas division.

Grade: A-

Number 3:: Nigel McGuinness

What he brings to the table:

McGuinness is an established grappler with a cult following similar to the likes of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. With the recent success of those two, it's only a matter of time before we see a resurgence of great technical wrestlers in the WWE. That being said, McGuinness is a proven independent commodity with unlimited potential to be a top tier star.

Grade: A-


Gimmick:

McGuinness' TNA gimmick as the overconfident 'I know I'm the greatest' heel would get over huge in the WWE.  Similar to Kurt Angle's old WWE gimmick, he is very good at playing the man you hate, but you know can back up everything he says. 

Grade: B-


Charisma/Marketability:

McGuinness exudes confidence, but that doesn't exactly translate into ratings.  I look at McGuinness' potential here in the same vein as Bret Hart.  Like Hart in Canada, McGuinness could offer a unique value overseas.  The fact that he is British would help him gain a strong following and the Brit's would have a great in ring performer they could call their hero. Sadly, in the US, his appeal would not equate to huge dollar signs, and that hurts his score tremendously. 

Grade: C+


In ring ability:

McGuinness' classic feud with Daniel Bryan in ROH and his great matches with Kurt Angle in TNA should have made a main eventer out of him (but the shitty booking afterwards ruined his chances).  Still, there are very few wrestlers in the world that can match him hold for hold.  Either way. the fact that he took the Olympic gold medalist to his limit, speaks volumes of what I believe to be McGuinness' greatest asset.

Grade: A+


Mic skills:

McGuinness is a decent promo man, but he's not going to be dropping "pipe bombs" anytime soon.  Still, given his gimmick, cutting an effective promo should not be a challenge for him. 

Grade: B-


Overall Value:

I know Nigel has recently announced his retirement due to the fact that the WWE had turned back his offered contract after some pre-screening tests wielded bad results, but I believe they're making a big mistake.  McGuinness' in-ring ability is complimented by his solid promo work and unlimited confidence.  I see huge potential for him if he was drafted to Smackdown and inserted into a feud with Randy Orton.  After establishing credibility against the Viper, he could then move on to feud with his old rival, Daniel Bryan. Not only would a series of big PPV matches between these two give a whole new level of prestige to the WHC, but they would make HUGE stars out of them both.  With his massive potential, I see Wolfe becoming the number two or three man on the blue brand. 

Overall Grade: A-

Number 2: Madison Rayne

What she brings to the table:

Madison is a very consistent and reliable performer.  Very few women in the history of the sport can attract the heat that she can.  She is also the most well-rounded female wrestler in the sport today.  She can talk, work and has charisma in spades.

Grade: A+


Gimmick:

I believe that Madison's whiny annoying brat gimmick would be best if she were used as a manager.  Maybe even pairing her with Vickie Guerrero and having the two raise hell in the Divas division.  Either way, she plays the spoiled princess gimmick better then anyone I have ever seen.

Grade: B-


Charisma/Marketability:

Madison is the most charismatic female performer in the world today.  Good or bad, she always gets a huge reaction.  She could be the heel that Trish Stratus never was.  An evil bitch that always gets her way and yet, the people still tune in to see what she'll do next.  A feud with Madsion could elevate any diva, and she could possibly be the first female to main event Raw in almost a decade.



Oh, and there's also this....



Grade: A+


In ring ability:

Madison is no Sara Del Rey, she won't be having 4 star classics any time soon.  Still, she is better the 90 percent of the current Divas in the WWE.  Put the title on Madison, and she'll elevate it through her undeniable work ethic, top notch timing, and unmatched psychology.

Grade: C


Mic skills:

Madison is far and away, the best female to ever pick up a microphone.  No diva in the history of the business can cut a promo as effective, or rile up a crowd with a few words like she can.  She's like Vickie Guerrero, except she has much more to say then 'excuse me'.

Grade: A+


Overall value:

Madison would anchor the divas division because she has all the tools. She's a great talker, she's good looking, charismatic, has a great body and is a solid wrestler.  You could easily build the whole division around her because she is capable of carrying it on her back.  She could match up against any diva in the WWE, and make it interesting, a quality that makes her, for my money, the most valuable female performer in the sport today.

Overall Grade: A

And who is the WWE's 2012 must-have superstar?

LOL Okay you REALLY wanna know....

Number 1: Bobby Roode

What he brings to the table:

Roode's recent success proves that he can be an extremely effective main event attraction.  Take that momentum to the WWE, and the sky is the limit.

Grade: A+


Gimmick:

His current heel persona is getting over huge.  Roode has all the tools to be a top tier heel in the vein of Triple H in 2000.

Grade: A-


Charisma/Marketability:

Roode has an undeniable size and presence.  The minute he enters an arena, you take notice, and this is essential in getting over in the WWE.  He can also be both an effective babyface and heel.  A double duty performer like Roode could cut grass on both sides of the fence.  That alone, makes him extremely valuable here. 

Grade: A+

In ring ability:

Roode is a very solid, yet underwhelming performer.  He does nothing especially spectacular in the ring, but what he does, he does very well.

Grade: C+


Mic skills:

Roode's most recent promos have all been amazing.  He has proven that he can build hype for every match he has, and that's the most useful tool he will have coming in to the WWE.

Grade: A-


Overall value:

Roode is the biggest potential megastar in the business right now.  He is a complete and balanced franchise performer who you could build a show around.  Putting Roode on Raw and having him mix it up with the white-hot CM Punk would be gold.  They would have a classic series of matches which could eventually lead to an epic clash with Triple H at wrestlemania 29.  Coming off a win over the Game, Roode would then be in prime position to take over as the WWE's number one heel.

Overall grade: A+






And there you have it, the top ten essential stars the WWE needs to sign in 2012.



Let me know where you agree/disagree