WWE's 5 Most Talented Stars of the Current Era

WWE Superstars and Divas are skilled performers and entertainers. And while they are all talented, five of them have caught my eye as the stand-out stars.

Contrary to the 60s and 70s, when Professional Wrestling was all about in-ring ability, in today’s ‘Sports Entertainment’ world, aspects like microphone skills, charisma and character development are just as important. In this list, all these aspects have been considered.

Daniel Bryan

Bryan made his WWE TV debut in February 2010 as one of the seven NXT (season 1) rookies. In his first televised match, the former Ring of Honor star had an exciting encounter against then World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho. And despite losing via submission, Bryan displayed his unique agility and flair.  However, he would be disappointingly eliminated early from the show, without having won a single match. Weeks later, Bryan was infamously fired, for choking ring announcer Justin Roberts in an episode of Raw – in what was considered too violent because of WWE’s TV-PG rating.

He was later re-hired in August, in most part due to pressure from fans who publicly voiced their disapproval at the American Dragon’s release from the company. Most of Bryan’s supporters were ardent wrestling fans who rated him highly, having seen him compete in ROH and in the Independent Circuit. Despite a run as US champion and Mr. Money in the Bank, Bryan failed to live up to his star billing. His full potential was realized after his heel turn, following his championship victory over the Big Show.

He developed a unique heel character, often over-celebrating cheap victories and showering praises on his vegan lifestyle. His pairing with love-interest AJ elevated Bryan even further into a main event player. His mic skills, which have been often overlooked, have drastically improved , too.

At the age of just 30, the future is bright for Bryan.

John Cena

I know most people will differ with me on this one. But Mr. Hustle, Loyalty and Respect deserves a spot on this chart. Oh yes he does, and it is not because of his marketing value or his hard-working spirit, but his talent as a ‘superstar’ – his ability to entertain.

While his wrestling skills are average or below average (as most people would rate him), he has all the other ingredients that make a WWE superstar. His mic skills, for instance, are very good. In most people’s books, Cena has outshone The Rock, arguably WWE’s greatest mic worker of all time, in their war of words.  However, the West Newbury native has not been always a top star. He has fought his way up the barrel to become the star he is today.

He made his television debut for WWE in June 2002, in a losing effort against Kurt Angle. He would remain stuck in the mid-card category for months. He only started elevating his status after the debut of his rapper gimmick towards the end of the year. He however still found himself in and out of the main-event picture until 2005 when he won the WWE title at Wrestlemania 21 – his first world title reign. He has not looked back since, going on to becoming WWE’s poster boy.

Despite gaining mainstream popularity among children and females, he has remained a hated figure among adult males – who consider him the spear-head of the much-criticized PG era.

Love him or hate him, he deserves a spot on this list.

CM Punk

I have not always been a fan of Punk's, but the ‘Best in the World’ has won me over after transitioning into arguably WWE’s most popular star.

Punk, like Bryan, has ROH to thank for giving him the platform to get noticed, eventually finding his way to WWE, making his TV debut in July 2006. He enjoyed relative success in his early WWE career, winning the ECW and the World Heavyweight titles, including two successive Money in the Bank wins. He later had not-so-fruitful runs as the Straight Society and the New Nexus leader.

The major  turning point of Punk’s career came in June 2011, after delivering the ‘pipe bomb’ promo, which left the Internet buzzing, amid claims Punk may have gone off-script. He would go on to capture the WWE title at the Money In The Bank pay-per-view and would sign a new contract with Vince Mcmahon’s organization.

Punk has often been compared to WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin, with fans calling for the Hall of Famer’s return to the ring for ‘one more match’ with Punk. The straight-edge superstar is vastly popular among adult males who like the ‘attitude era feeling' he brings to the table.

If he maintains his momentum, Punk will remain a top star in WWE for years to come.

Eve

Many readers were probably not expecting a Diva on this list, but Eve has made the cut, and deservedly so. She began her WWE career as a contestant in the 2007 edition of Diva Search, eventually emerging victorious. She would go on to train in developmental territory FCW, and would make her in-ring WWE-TV debut in November 2008.

While I have always been a fan of Eve’s, I must admit up until her heel turn a few weeks ago, I was getting bored of her good-girl gimmick. Since her turn to the dark side, she has proved to her fans (and haters too) just how talented she is. She claims to be ‘one of the most beautiful women in the world’ and she truly is. Who doesn’t find her attractive anyway? Her ability to draw heat is extraordinary, considering Divas rarely get any reaction from crowds. But on each and ever appearance Miss Torres makes, she fires up crowds, often accompanied with a ‘hoeski’ chant.

Her wrestling skills may not be the best but she is always improving. She is also one of the most talked-about Divas of the current era.

The future is bright for the Latina beauty.

Drew McIntyre

This is a shocking inclusion, considering the Scot’s current mid-card status, but as I indicated earlier, these rankings are about the talent a superstar possesses, and Drew has tons of it. He has decent mic skills, the size and look of a typical ‘superstar’, and is an above average wrestler.

The Sinister Scotsman signed with WWE in 2007 and would have a short-lived run on TV before going to developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). In 2009, he returned to WWE TV, on the Smackdown brand with the ‘chosen one’ gimmick, including a run as Intercontinental champion.

He however fell out of favor with the booking team in 2011 and was relegated to jobber status, often appearing on Superstars. He is currently on Smackdown, sadly, though, still a mid-card performer. Come on WWE, this guy has the potential to become a major main event player. Do the necessary.

Still only 26, he has a promising future if used correctly.

Honorable Mentions

Undertaker, The Rock, Chris Jericho and Triple H

Despite their unquestionable talent, these veterans are no loner full-time performers.

Randy Orton

‘The Viper’ deserves a spot on the list but only just misses out. The third generation star has in the past months been used to put over stars such as Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes and Wade Barett.

Cody Rhodes

The talented youngster came close but fell just short.

Sheamus

‘The Great White’ has been on a roll this year, including a Royal Rumble match victory and a World Heavyweight title bout lined up for him at ‘Mania. Regarding his omission from the list, the Irishman came close, too, but narrowly missed out. Better luck next time.