Projecting Best Roles for Tyson Kidd After Return from Injury

Tyson Kidd, one of WWE's best athletes, returned to stunning crowds after missing most of 2013 with a torn meniscus in his knee.

How can the company best utilize his strengths now that he is back? How can it avoid letting him slip to the end of the bench to waste away?

Kidd's first match back was a mixed tag bout where he partnered with his wife Natalya against Summer Rae and Fandango on Monday's Raw. For fans of the springing, leaping and darting he does between the ropes, it was not nearly long enough of a match.

Kidd's fanbase and WWE officials haven't viewed the former tag team champ in the same way, though.

While his fans clamor for him to receive a push, WWE could easily send him back into the purgatory where he's spent much of his career. The lack of fanfare for Kidd's return and Michael Cole attributing Kidd trending on Twitter as a result of his time on Total Divas is a sign of how out of touch WWE is about him.

Let's hope that this wasn't a preview of the direction WWE has planned for him.

In the right role, Kidd could become one of the more beloved stars on the roster in the way that Rob Van Dam has garnered a devoted, vocal fan club.

WWE must work to maximize his speed, agility, technical skill and ability to put on stellar performances, while hiding his subpar mic skills and lack of star presence. One approach would be to have him serve the same role that WCW's cruiserweights once did, stealing the show from the midcard slot.

Midcard Champion

If Kidd isn't the kind of star who can carry a main event feud or be in the very center of the spotlight the way John Cena or CM Punk can, send him after a title that doesn't often get to tell a story beyond the match.

Dean Ambrose has not engaged in much of a full-fledged feud over the United States Championship. Not counting his non-title rivalry with Punk, Curtis Axel hasn't been asked to dive into an elaborate narrative since becoming champion either.

They both have had opportunities to be in matches on pay-per-view and TV, though.

That's where Kidd would be at his best.

Have him hold the U.S. title and put on great matches without the benefit of the kind of buildup that the main events receive. Kidd vs. Ambrose would have an electric feel to it, as would many combinations involving Kidd.

The great performances that Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero put on in either defending or seeking the WCW Cruiserweight Championship can be what Kidd brings to the company. 

Tag Team Specialist

This is where Kidd was heading before his injury.

He and Justin Gabriel began to team up on a regular basis and took part in the tag team tournament in October 2012.

Tag teams get even less of the narrative pie than the midcard titleholders and have to rely on their in-ring performances. The Usos have been a prominent part of WWE programming recently without saying much at all.

Reunite International Airstrike or find Kidd a new partner.

Either way, his speed and agility would be a great fit in bouts against The Shield or The Real Americans. The tag team division would get some added depth, and whoever joins his side would benefit as well.

This is the safest route, as WWE has seen him thrive in this role before.

His career peak so far has been his run with David Hart Smith as tag team champs. WWE knows he can at least achieve that level of success as a tag team partner, and this move would allow for more variety with tag matches going forward.

Gutsy Underdog

Kidd defeating Randy Orton would be a huge upset, but even just teasing that possibility would be an enthralling moment.

In 2000, Taka Michinoku took on WWE champ Triple H and thrilled the crowd by nearly beating him several times throughout the match. One of Bret Hart's best matches came in 1994 when the 1-2-3 Kid challenged him for the WWE title and pushed "The Hitman" further than many expected.

Both of these bouts were highly entertaining and bettered the perception of the underdog even in defeat.

Kidd could play this role perfectly.

Should he get a shot against Orton, Daniel Bryan or another top Superstar, WWE could have him nearly topple the favorite and win fans over with a gutsy, unrelenting showing. 

Losses like that would do more for Kidd than victories over men like Fandango. 

They allow the WWE's top dogs to impress by overcoming a worthy challenger and have the crowd on edge, unsure if the impossible is set to occur right in front of them. This scenario also allows Kidd to do his storytelling in the ring rather than try to match mic skills with WWE's best talkers.

All three of these options showcase his abilities. 

If WWE instead decides to play up Kidd's relationship with Natalya and use him as a way to promote Total Divas, it will be a mistake. There is exciting wrestling waiting to happen should the company find the ideal path for Kidd's journey.

Just give him airspace and watch him soar.