WWE Alex Riley: How A-Ry Could Become WWE Champion Sooner Than You Think

As I’m sure most everyone knows at this point, Alex Riley has stepped out on his own and is no longer working as The Miz’s apprentice.  After The Miz failed to retain the WWE Championship in his match against John Cena at Over The Limit, The Miz accused Riley of costing him the match.  After a slap to the face, Riley retaliated and turned on The Miz, becoming an instant face.  Two weeks later it was announced that Alex Riley would be facing The Miz at Capitol Punishment.

Though most fans disliked Alex Riley while he was with The Miz, many have come around and realized what an excellent performer he really is.  Though he has changed the views of many fans just by raising his fists against The Miz, there are still some fans who don’t see what is so special about Riley.  However, I believe that the timing is just right for Riley to make his move and become one of the top superstars in WWE.  I predict that by the end of the year, Alex Riley will become WWE Champion.

Think of everything that Alex Riley has in his favor right now; a high-profile feud, the fans behind him and the ability to perform well both in and out of the ring.  Not only has luck been on his side, but he has acquired and honed some of the skills necessary to be one of WWE’s top stars.

Riley broke into WWE after the second season of NXT as The Miz’s apprentice.  Because of this pairing, Alex Riley was instantly thrust toward the spotlight.  Though he wasn’t receiving much attention, the foundation was set and the clock started ticking.

While under the tutelage of The Miz, Alex Riley sat and watched what it took to become a superstar in WWE.  When the time came, he pounced, taking out the man who taught him everything.  While this may seem like it was a storyline, some of it does hold true as well.  There is no doubt that Riley improved his already strong mic skills by watching The Miz week after week.

Not only did Riley learn from The Miz, but he also was able to use him as the first giant stepping stone on his way to the main event.  The fans already hate The Miz, so when Riley finally turned on him he went over big time.  He also proved that he is truly a good guy when he attacked The Miz instead of Cena on last week’s episode of Raw, gaining even more fans in the process.

So far he has proven that he can get the fans behind him and that he has the mic skills to back up his attitude.  What the fans around the internet can’t agree on is whether or not his in-ring skills are good or bad.  I say, who cares.

WWE’s two most talented wrestlers aren’t in the spotlight right now.  CM Punk is slowly but surely fading out of WWE and Daniel Bryan seems like he has already reached the peak of his career and has begun to fade.  Meanwhile, the constantly criticized John “5 moves” Cena is once again the WWE Champion.  I think that this proves that with the right package and well thought out matches, that you don’t need to be one of the best wrestlers in the company in order to be WWE Champion.

So when is Alex Riley going to stop knocking on the door of the main event and just kick it down?  The answer is July 17.

You may recognize that date.  If not, you should know that it is the date for this year’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view.  Yes, I am predicting an Alex Riley victory in the Raw Money in the Bank ladder match.

Why wouldn’t it work?  The Miz and Riley are likely going to continue their feud past Capitol Punishment, which would take them to Money in the Bank.  I think that it would be very fair to assume that both Alex Riley and The Miz will be participants in the Raw Money in the Bank ladder match.  What better way for that match to end than with Riley and The Miz fighting atop the ladder, only to have Riley prevail and knock The Miz down to the mat?

Also, John Cena is going to have to drop the WWE Championship at some point.  It would be a waste of a match at WrestleMania if the Cena/Rock match was for the WWE Title.  If someone like Alberto Del Rio or even The Miz were to take the title from Cena, Alex Riley could get even more over with the fans by cashing in the briefcase on either one.

I don’t expect Riley to carry the WWE Championship into WrestleMania, but I don’t think that a title reign that is two or three months long is too absurd to assume.

It may seem a little fast for Riley, but remember what WWE did with Alberto Del Rio.  He debuted in August, won the Royal Rumble in January and was in the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania.  There’s no reason Alex Riley can’t be just as successful

But hey, this is just my opinion.  What do you guys think?  Take a second to sound off in the comments below and thanks for reading!