WWE Fastlane 2017: Superstars Who Deserve Bigger Push Leading Up to Raw PPV

As WWE's March 5 pay-per-view event Fastlane approaches, there are a handful of Raw brand Superstars in dire need of a bigger push leading into the spectacular.

Much attention has been paid to Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman in the weeks ahead of the WWE Network presentation, but there are other Superstars who represent the Monday night staple that have not been given the proper push or attention as March 5 draws near.

Most are former champions. One is a Superstar whose much-hyped return ended not with a bang but, rather, a thud. And then there is the cruiserweight star whose popularity is never in question but whose use has been anything but stellar.

At a time when WrestleMania plans are becoming more apparent, and Raw has one last opportunity to position its talent to earn spots on that card through major pushes leading into Fastlane, these are the competitors who deserve bigger pushes come the brand-exclusive event.

Rusev

Rusev may very well be the most underappreciated star on the WWE roster, a talented big man who is as likely to overwhelm his opponent with speed and technique as he is his extraordinary power. He is a well-rounded performer whose ability on the microphone is eclipsed only by what he brings to the squared circle.

Yet, for whatever reason, his pushes have been wildly inconsistent since his undefeated streak was broken by John Cena in 2015.

The Bulgarian Brute has been a member of The League of Nations, held the United States Championship and feuded with Roman Reigns since then, but every push has been a fleeting one, existing to put someone else over rather than himself.

Recently, a throwaway tag team rivalry with Big Cass and Enzo Amore did nothing to help The Bulgarian Brute, and a televised loss to consummate underdog Sami Zayn has him spiraling downward at a time he would certainly hope to be picking up momentum ahead of WrestleMania.

It is not too late to come up with something meaningful for Rusev to do at Fastlane.

Perhaps a feud with New Day would best serve The Super Athlete.

After all, the former tag team champions are not doing much heading into the March 5 event, either.

The New Day

AWWWWWWW....DON'T YOU DARE BE SOUR!

Unless you are a fan of The New Day, that is.

The longest-reigning tag team champions in WWE history, Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods have been left to wallow in insignificance. They have feuded with Titus O'Neil and The Shining Stars but have been conspicuous in their absence from anything ever remotely important.

This, despite being one of the most over-marketed and merchandised acts in all of WWE.

As Fastlane approaches, a Raw-exclusive show, the idea that there is not a better, more important and productive use for The New Day is ludicrous. Pairing them with Rusev and his partner, Jinder Mahal, may not be the best way to utilize the talents of everyone involved, but it would provide them with something to do.

Given how insignificant they have become in the grand scheme of things on Raw, any push is better than nothing.

Big Show

Big Show has taken to his official Twitter account over the last few weeks, promoting his WrestleMania 33 match with the NBA's Shaquille O'Neal. Yet, as Fastlane approaches, he is merely a hurdle for Braun Strowman to overcome on the February 20 episode of Raw.

Show, in the best shape of his career, has been used sporadically, making rare appearances in the weeks leading into the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Outside of the impending match with Strowman, the giant has little direction as one of the highest-profile matches of his career draws nearer and nearer.

Why?

WWE has seemingly settled on using Show as an attraction. Rarer appearances lead to greater interest in the aging veteran when he does finally show up. It is a smart business decision, but at the same time, The World's Largest Athlete should be at the forefront when a match sure to draw mainstream media attention is so close.

Is Raw really that devoid of Superstars that a midcard feud with Big Show was out of the question?

The answer is an emphatic, 7-foot tall "no". 

Cedric Alexander

Cedric Alexander was one of the best wrestlers on the planet in 2016, working superb matches from coast to coast and earning rave reviews for his match with Kota Ibushi during WWE's Cruiserweight Classic. When he was signed to the company's reborn cruiserweight division, most expected him to become its face.

Instead, he has failed to break through the second tier of competitors, working a never-ending rivalry with Noam Dar and former girlfriend Alicia Fox.

Throughout it all, he has watched Brian Kendrick, T.J. Perkins, Rich Swann and Jack Gallagher leapfrog him on their way to championship opportunities. As Fastlane arrives, he is still stuck in limbo, a B-level player with A-plus talent.

He should be cemented in championship contention, wowing the WWE Universe in matches with Neville, Swann and Co. Instead, he is wrapped up in a lackluster love triangle; his talents wasted in minutes-long matches that are neither meaningful or memorable.

Emma

After 17 weeks of hype, Emmalina debuted on the February 13 episode of Raw...only to revert back to her heel Emma persona, proving that WWE Creative has zero idea of how to properly utilize the immensely talented Aussie competitor.

At a time when women's wrestling is in the midst of a revolution, the company's inability to come up with anything for one of the founders of the movement, despite an abundance of proof suggesting she is a superb in-ring competitor, suggests there may be more at play than simply creative futility.

Whatever the case may be, Emma has earned an opportunity to prove what she is worth. With Fastlane approaching and a red-hot babyface champion in Bayley, she could at least prove effective as a placeholder until Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Nia Jax re-enter the scene for what should be a major WrestleMania match.

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely, with the performer's skills wasted in a spot less-than representative of her ability.