28 Days of Mania: Wrestlers Who Need to Make an Impact After WrestleMania

About "28 Days of Mania": This will be an ongoing series for the next 28 days leading up to the biggest event in sports entertainment, WrestleMania 28. The idea behind the piece is to build more momentum for the event and give you, the Bleacher Report fan, a chance to read, comment and weigh in with opinions about the WWE, the business and the event. It is my hope this becomes something positive and we all enjoy the ride for the next four weeks to Miami—and the biggest event of the wrestling year. Enjoy.

We are almost at the end of the road. The trip as been one hell of a ride and with three days remaining, the sight of South Beach and the excitement that is brewing has left me giddy. I guess I am a true wresting fan and geek.

It's a badge I wear proudly.

When WrestleMania 28 ends, we will have seen one of the greatest shows in recent memory, maybe in wrestling history. And all the hype, drama, conflict and B.S. will have been worth it. I cannot wait.

But when it ends, like John Cena has said before, it is back to his "office," where he and other wrestlers will go about their usual business, trying to gain gold, battle opponents in new feuds and seek the better truth to "Rise Above the Hate."

It isn't just Cena who is in a conflicted situation, as others are in the same ebb and flow of the company. Some actually need more of a push and angle than Cena. His stature as an icon in this company helps him attain superstar status. Others will have to work harder to achieve less to get more.

Here are some wrestlers who really need a big showing after Sunday night.

The Miz

Now that he is on "Team Johnny" let's see what happens.

Will this be the only match The Miz is involved with on Sunday night? We hope so.

There is so much talent there and he worked hard to get where he was just one year ago, but he has flamed out because he did so much so fast.

There has to be another angle in store for him where he can achieve top status again. If not, the WWE is just wasting his abilities.

John Cena

We talked about this yesterday.

I agree with the fans' comments. He has done a lot for this company in and out of the ring. He has accomplished everything there is to achieve.

But because the WWE went to the well often, it may be that John Cena will become a mid-carder at some point. At 34, that is not good.

How does the WWE get him back in the fold as a real contender for the title? That remains to be seen.

Alberto Del Rio

He has to come back from injury and pick up where he left off. Since he skyrocketed to WWE Title contention immediately, having him challenge for other titles like the U.S. Title does not make sense.

This is one of those situations where he may toil for a while in mid-card matches before there is something done to his character that makes sense to put him back in the title picture.

If that does not happen, there really is no place for him unless The Miz turns face and he battles the one person in the WWE he hates in and out of the ring.

Dolph Ziggler

He was on the brink of superstardom and could have claimed the WWE Title from CM Punk. Then this thing happened called Chris Jericho and it all came crashing down.

Now, Ziggler needs his "mojo" back and a chance to make it happen again.

He could be one of the better heel champions if given the chance. But as long as the Cenas and Jerichos and Ortons of the world are around, Ziggler may not get a real chance.

Drew McIntyre

Somehow, I think him joining "Team Johnny" is going to help him in the near future.

This guy needs a break after hanging around without a true place in the WWE.

The look and skill is there. He needs a serious push. If not, it will be one of those situations where he could have been one of the best, but creative teams have held him down or outside circumstances held him back.

Brodus Clay

I hate his character.

If he were used in the WWE like Bully Ray was used as an enforcer or someone as part of a tag team, then he would have a better place in the WWE.

He and Santino Marella have a chance to remind us all of the older (cartoonish) characters of days gone by.

But right now, he is a joke.

Jack Swagger

Like his tag team partner and stablemate, Swagger has nowhere to go.

He held a world title and now has nothing. If he claims the U.S. Title again, who faces him?

Santino and Zack Ryder come to mind. Kofi Kingston comes to mind. Depending on the draft, maybe Justin Gabriel.

Who knows, and more importantly, who cares?

R-Truth

He does not come off as a true face in this company.

Maybe it is the look or the style.

A character makeover would work.

He has all the talents in the world, but there is something about him that is frightening.

I think he is one of the more underrated talents in this company, but he is also 40 and has been around for a while.

Randy Orton

After his feud with Kane, does he go back to fighting Christian, Wade Barrett or take a shot at Sheamus if he turns heel?

Orton is another one of those wrestlers who have "been there and done that" in such a short time.

Can he sustain it? He is in the same crossroads as Cena because of his rise to fame and the push he was given when he started.

Now, there are younger wrestlers who will either be given a push (Cody Rhodes?) or be pushed out of the way.

He is in the middle of the pecking order.