Royal Rumble 2012: Underrated Wrestlers Who Will Become Stars After PPV

Unlike most WWE pay-per-views, the Royal Rumble is an event that lends itself to creating new stars without even trying. The Rumble match itself is a perfect showcase for an up-and-coming wrestler who hasn't been properly utilized by the creative team. 

This year's event is a little bit different, mainly because we have no idea of who will actually be competing in the Rumble. We have been told a few different names, but a vast majority of the wrestlers is still a mystery. 

That is both a positive and negative. It's good because it adds an aura of mystery surrounding the show. On the other hand, it has made it virtually impossible for WWE to build up the match and show. 

There are some intriguing possibilities that could have a career-making performance in the Rumble. Here are some of the best candidates to shine on the show. 

Dolph Ziggler

You can make a case that Ziggler is a star right now—he is wrestling for the WWE Championship, after all. That said, there is still plenty of work for WWE to do in order to turn him into a true star. 

He hasn't even been in the picture in his feud with CM Punk. John Laurinaitis has been made to look like a bigger deal than Ziggler, which is a travesty. 

But after Ziggler loses the WWE Championship match, he can go into the Rumble for 20 minutes and show the world why he is the best wrestler that the company has today. 

Wade Barrett

Like Ziggler, Barrett has been getting a solid push on television lately. Still, it is telling that he was a bigger deal last year when he was feuding with John Cena. 

Barrett is still learning how to work matches in WWE, but his work on the microphone has been superb of late. 

Giving him the proper showcase in the Rumble match will lead to big things happening for the Barrett Barrage in 2012. 

Cody Rhodes

Perhaps Rhodes will go on to wrestle his brother, Goldust, at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, but he will still be set for a big push in 2012 with an impressive Rumble showing. 

Since ditching the lame "dashing" gimmick to focus on being just a heel, he has taken off on SmackDown. There is still work to do in order to turn him into a top star, and this match will be right for him to showcase his skills. 

WWE can't afford to let this opportunity pass without letting Rhodes have the opportunity that he needs to shine. This will be an important year for him, and, hopefully, the creative team doesn't screw it up.

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