WWE News: 5 Big Names Currently in WrestleMania XXVIII Purgatory

The road to WrestleMania is not without its proverbial speed bumps. This year's speed bumps, however, have obstructed the paths of a handful of stars who could have main-evented a WrestleMania had it not been for the circumstances of this year's show. 

With time ticking away as the WWE's biggest pay-per-view approaches, many big-name stars currently find themselves without a dance partner as this shockingly star-studded list may end up reading like a who's who of Money in the Bank 2012. 

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Randy Orton

Without a doubt the biggest name on this list, Randy Orton was involved in a world championship match in three out of four years from WrestleMania 22 to WrestleMania XXV. 

With just two months left until WrestleMania XXVIII, the second biggest star in the WWE still remarkably finds himself without a WrestleMania dance partner after spending much of 2011 elevating younger talent. 

Matches with potential Mania opponents Wade Barrett and Daniel Bryan have already been given away on free television, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Should Bryan retain, it is possible that Orton could be involved in a triple threat match of sorts if the WWE internally decides that Sheamus-Bryan is lacking in star power.

Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler seemed to be on the precipice of becoming the next big thing in the WWE until his jets were severely cool in a throw-away match against CM Punk at the Royal Rumble where he was far from protected. 

Ziggler has gone on to fall into a bit of a slump as of late, and with Ziggler exiting a crowded world title picture, he now finds himself in WrestleMania no man's land. 

Ziggler could benefit from a resumed feud with Mick Foley as the two showed chemistry from in-ring exchange on RAW last month. Should the Money in the Bank match return to WrestleMania as expected, consider Ziggler a favorite. 

The Miz

Has there been a bigger year-to-year fall from grace than the Miz? This time last year, Miz was sitting in the front row of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony right next to the McMahon family. 

Now, the former reality star has gone from main eventing WrestleMania to yesterday's news. With the WWE brass losing faith in the former WWE champion by the minute, expect next to nothing from the Miz this year no matter where he ends up being slated. 

Mark Henry

Mark Henry spent much of 2011 as the pound-for-pound most dominant champion in the WWE. Despite showing commendable toughness, Henry's red-hot run was derailed following a nagging groin injury, and the injuries have only continued to accumulate for the banged-up former champion. 

Henry's last chance to return to prominence will come at the Elimination Chamber next week, however after suffering a knee injury recently, it is likely that the World's Strongest man will be limited inside the chamber given his aforementioned injuries.

Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio has been out with injury over the past several weeks, and will have to work fast to earn his WrestleMania spot upon returning. 

Del Rio was another name involved in a world title match last year, only to regress.  

Look for Alberto Del Rio to return within the next few weeks, but he has a long way to go to get back to his 2011 form.