Examining Mojo Rawley's Direction, Upside and Long-Term Potential

WWE is guaranteed high-watt energy with Mojo Rawley—not growth, not success.

The newest SmackDown Superstar has the kind of physical assets that the company drools over, but in his early career, he's been unable to translate those into much of anything.

His passion is undeniable. The same isn't true for his chances to make an impact.

A former defensive lineman with the Arizona Cardinals, Rawley joined WWE developmental brand NXT in 2013.

He spent the early part of his tenure there going undefeated, looking like someone the company clearly wanted to succeed. Rawley's momentum slowed, though, as he slid down the card and became more of a stepping stone for others.

More recently, he and Zack Ryder formed The Hype Bros, taking on NXT's top tag teams. 

Rawley's character hadn't changed much. He was still a charged-up, smiling babyface with bowl-you-over power. Partnering with Ryder allowed him to lean on a veteran, to provide just bursts of action in any given match rather than be its main focus.

In a surprise move, WWE drafted Rawley to SmackDown on Tuesday night.

He hasn't looked nearly ready to make that leap. And a ton of names, from Shinsuke Nakamura to Bayley, would have been shrewder picks for the blue brand.

Jeremy Botter of FloSports was apparently flustered by the move:

Can Rawley make that draft pick look smart in retrospect? Can he tap into the potential WWE clearly sees in him?

It won't be his athleticism that holds him back.

Strengths

When officials dreamed up the WWE Performance Center, Rawley was likely the kind of athlete they had in mind for the facility.

His football experience and his size (6'4", 240 pounds) gives WWE trainers tons to work with. He's strong, explosive and looks like he belongs in the ring. From the start of his NXT career, he wowed with his footwork and the ease with which he bounded across the ring.

In the words of Enzo Amore, "You can't teach that."

WWE wants a guy like him to succeed. He is easy to sell as larger than life. He has a sports background it can trumpet. He fits the physical mold for a WWE Superstar.

And his never-ending energy is right at home in the squared circle, a world of loud and vibrant characters.

Obstacles

Rawley's act is a one-note song. He's hyped up, and nothing beyond that. 

There is no nuance, no depth, no variation to his character. Rawley will need to change that to make it on SmackDown. Being loud and excited will only get him so far.

After three years, his ring work hasn't evolved much, either.

He is still raw and limited as a wrestler. Rawley is still doing the same rudimentary routine in the ring, unable to tell a story or put on a sustained match.

He's like an NBA player who came into the league only able to block shots and who failed to develop a jump shot or any post moves.

Compare his progression to that of his former NFL teammate and fellow SmackDown Superstar, Baron Corbin. The Lone Wolf has grown as a striker and storyteller and has continuously expanded his move set. Rawley is still just running the ropes and knocking into people.

It's hard to imagine him earning a lofty spot on the card unless he can evolve as a wrestler.

Long-Term Potential

There isn't a wrestler on the roster with more distance between their current status and their ceiling.

If Rawley picks up the mat game and learns to use all his physical gifts, he will be a major player. If he can find ways to add to his character and diversify his act, he will go from afterthought to contender in a hurry.

Former NXT creative assistant Rob Naylor noted that Rawley's upside lies with him shifting his shtick:

Should Rawley maximize his talents, he will be a big part of SmackDown's future. A midcard title, a brief run as a headliner and a vocal fanbase would be in his future.

The more realistic scenario, though, is that he won't get much better than he is right now. Sometimes potential just doesn't turn into anything.

Rawley is likely to remain part of the tag team scene. He and Ryder will challenge for the tag team crown a few times, but a failure to win the crowd over will prevent them from capturing gold. The Hype Bros will remain a novelty act thanks to Rawley's limits.

The only way to change that trajectory is to evolve in ways Rawley failed to do in his three years at NXT.

Be sure to check out previous editions of this ongoing series:

• Paige
• Dana Brooke
• Xavier Woods
• Apollo Crews