Hidden Gems of WWE and AEW Rosters

Wrestling fans are always looking for the next big star to get behind, and there is a plethora of performers in WWE and AEW who should be booked better moving forward.

Regardless of whether it's Triple H in WWE or Tony Khan in AEW, there are underutilized wrestlers who have all the tools to become elite in-ring performers and popular with fans across the world.

Here are the hidden gems of the WWE and AEW rosters.

WWE

Carmelo Hayes has been one of the best all-around talents from the NXT brand over the last five years, but his jump to the main roster has been an unmitigated disaster from a booking perspective. With slick promos, elite ring work, and the swagger needed to be a top star, WWE Creative needs to do a better job putting Hayes into positions to succeed before they waste his immense talent.

Another performer who is grossly underutilized despite his skills is Tyler Bate. While an injury derailed his most recent push, his immense strength, technical brilliance, and versatility on the mic and in the ring would be better utilized in a main roster championship scene. The WWE Universe already loves Bate, with the potential for a Daniel Bryan-style underdog run with the right storytelling.

In the women's division, the biggest hidden gem is Ivy Nile, an absolute physical specimen that physically dominates her competition through raw strength and technical brutality. Her MMA background gives her an aura of believability, which could translate as a breakout babyface or a dominant heel.

AEW

Just like Nile, AEW and Ring of Honor star Josh Woods could bring a legitimate combat sports background and unmatched intensity to weekly television, making the product better. With AEW's television needing more depth in the midcard division, Woods should become a championship contender after aligning with a new stable. Khan would be foolish to ignore a budding star like Woods.

Skye Blue has garnered attention in recent months for her distinctive appearance, but her return from a serious injury has showcased her significant growth as a character. With the ability to portray a heel and a face, Blue should be in a better position to capitalize on the organic fan support she has built and blossom into the next breakout homegrown star in AEW's women's division.

Another name not mentioned enough in AEW is Nick Wayne. As one of the youngest performers in wrestling, he has already shown elite in-ring ability and the ability to tell compelling stories. While working with Christian has been a massive boost for his long-term growth, he needs to break away at some point and begin his own journey to the top. As AEW's long-term prodigy, gold should be around his waist sooner rather than later.

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