WWE Draft 2011 Results: Top 10 Challengers to The Miz's WWE Championship

Bleachers,

The draft is finally behind us, and we can now look towards an exciting year filled with action in WWE.

There have been monumental shake-ups at this year's edition starting with Randy Orton heading to Friday nights and Alberto Del Rio coming to RAW, but we also had our share of ridicule as John Cena switched back and forth much to our chagrin as we must endure another year of soggy fruity pebbles.

Yet one man is left standing. WWE Champion The Miz has not been drafted to SmackDown as some rumors suggested. He is still on the A show as I predicted, and he is heading to Extreme Rules this Sunday as the champion and will walk out with the gold around his waist.

As it stands now, the landscape of Monday Night RAW has incredibly changed and new challenges await the "Awesome One" but he has to get past his opponents at the pay per view over the week-end first.

There are many great performers in the company and as it stands now, the WWE championship is still to be defended on the red brand, so with that said...

Here are the top 10 challengers for that coveted title. 

Kofi Kingston: Now or Never

His time may have come now. 

After a less than spectacular run on SmackDown over the past year, this guy needs all the support he can get.

Having won the Intercontinental championship twice, his good feud with Dolph Ziggler and his generally fun character should have made him in line for the World Heavyweight championship, but it didn't.

I still don't really "feel" this guy yet. I don't hate him, but I'm not a fan either. Mind you, we don't get to see him talk enough, and that is one reason why he hasn't made it to the top yet. 

It is time to make or break this superstar. He is on RAW again. I hope he gets his opportunity to show us all why he is worthy of being the No. 1 contender; otherwise, it is mid-card status at best.

The Miz defeated him for the United States title back in 2009 and for the Tag Team titles with John Morrison the year prior, so the odds aren't favorable for Mr. Kofi right now.

Drew McIntyre: The Chosen One?

I really like the Sinister Scotsman.

Now that he is on Monday night, perhaps we can get to see another side to his character that hasn't been given the time yet. 

He is vicious. He is intimidating. I could really see him in a feud with John Cena at some point. He has been named "The Chosen One' by Mr. McMahon himself and labeled a future world champion.

Whether that can be taken seriously has yet to be seen, but make no mistake, this guy is going to be a major player for years to come.

For now, I don't think he is going to be inserted in the title hunt. We have a "heel" champion in The Miz and there are rarely any bad guy vs. bad guy feuds in WWE, so why start now?

I'd rather build this guy up as much as possible and pair him with Sheamus to battle Kane and Big Show for the Tag Team championship. The titles are dual-branded, so it can be possible. 

When I think of The Miz and Drew McIntyre, I see allies. The two could help each other out and should the champion turn "face," then yes, perhaps a feud could happen, but not right now.

We had a glimpse of The Miz, McIntyre and Sheamus all together in triumph at Survivor Series 2009 during an interview. They acknowledged the future was at hand.

I want to see that again, please.

Rey Mysterio: Is This the Final Chapter?

What can I say about this character that could convince us he is NOT a contender? Nothing.

I am somewhat a fan, of his achievements and character, not his attitude. We all know he can be difficult and throw a diva fit every now and then but it doesn't remove the fact he is an amazing performer and definitely in line for a shot at the WWE championship eventually.

He has never held the WWE title. He is at an age where a superstar must consider an eventual retirement, especially a character like him who is injury-prone. Creative could give him one last opportunity to take the ball and roll with it before he calls it quits.

I do not wish him the same fate as Edge. Since he is currently dealing with a knee injury, I say make him give The Miz a run for his money, but ultimately help establish Miz and other credible superstars so they can move to the next level.

Perhaps a great way to ride into the sunset would be to have a great series of matches with Sin Cara or another extraordinary flyer like Evan Bourne.

The Miz already holds two victories over this "fellah" so why would that change?

CM Punk: Negotiating a New Future as We Speak?

There are rumors he is on his way out of WWE as we speak.

Let's get one thing straight. I do NOT want him to leave. In my predictions, I had him being WWE Champion by year's end.

Give him what he wants.

There is talk over him being burnt out and needing some time off. If that is all true, then yes, have him pull a Jericho and take time away to replenish himself.

That happens in life. Being at a crossroads and having to make a sensible choice for a better future. 

He would be a terrific WWE Champion and already is a phenomenal athlete and character. Most definitely my second favorite behind The Miz.

We already established there are barely any "heel" vs "heel" feuds but this one could be different and in a way could propel The Miz into his supposed "face" turn we keep hearing here and there. There can be only one top bad guy.

At this point in time, there is only speculation on his future but ultimately this man is going to be champion.

I hope he defeats Randy Orton this Sunday to finally move on to other things but I'll be realistic, Orton will not arrive into SmackDown as a loser, so what does that spell?

A punt to the head?

Alberto Del Rio: Destiny Fullfilled?

This man is gold. Plain and simple.

Nobody makes a wink work better than Alberto Del Rio, and when he does that, you can bet "I'm going to make you pay severely" courses through his head.

This Sunday at Extreme Rules, he is to fight Christian in a ladder match for the vacated World Heavyweight championship. Perhaps all is not as it seems. 

Granted, you cannot have the two champions appearing on RAW, the other being The Miz once he comes out of that cage victorious. My guess is WWE has another surprise in store for us.

There could be a champion vs. champion match on RAW the next night where the loser finds himself out of RAW. The Rock is supposed to make an appearance as well...how would that play out? 

I personally would choose to have Christian as champion if only as a thank you to Edge, but he is a worthy character on his own right. He deserves the championship.

That would leave open the possibility of a Miz-Del Rio or Cena-Del Rio feud. Should The Miz be sent to SD with his title, then perhaps a Miz-Christian pairing may yet be in the cards. That I could definitely go for.

I don't want to make any more guesses because I like both Del Rio and The Miz and wish they both end up being champions after the pay per view.

Let's leave fate and its infinite wisdom do the work. I'll just watch. 

The Undertaker: One Last Ride?

How I would love this.

The Undertaker is more than just a superstar. He is a landmark, an icon. He is one of the most decorated and successful beings of all time.

There have been many years since his last run with the WWE championship. I would love for this man to help put The Miz over further. He is the type to always help out a fellow talent and has done his share to promote the young heirs to the WWE legacy.

He did it for CM Punk, and why not for the current champion?

I'll throw in a prediction. I think it will be John Cena facing this man at Mania XXVIII. Could Cena cost him the title down the road?

The Miz needs to stand away from SuperCena after their match on Sunday. Another top character needs to step in and give him the credibility he needs to be firmly established.

It could be The Undertaker.

What is left for him to do at this point in his career if not to help promote the future?

I have no idea what kind of matches we would see. The Miz would really have to play dirty.

At WrestleMania XXVIII I want The Undertaker vs. John Cena...let's get the votes in now.

Chris Jericho: Friend or Foe?

This man is my No. 2 pick as to who will finally dethrone The Miz as WWE Champion.

Now that he is done with "Dancing with the Stars" he can finish his summer tour with band "Fozzy" and make his long-awaited return to the ring.

Let's think about it. The champion needs someone big to push him further. He needs someone big to direct the attention away from John Cena onto himself. Who better than "the best at what he does" Chris Jericho.

They make a killer tag team. They are both masters of the promo but the young Miz has been dressing up pretty nicely these last few months.

This "gentleman in a suit" gimmick was trademarked by Y2J and recent "tweets' indicated he intended to set the record straight soon enough.

Yes please. I want a Miz-Jericho program as soon as possible. That would be entertainment. They both have a great fanbase and The Miz would learn so much from his time with Chris Jericho.

They are friends in real life. The WWE Champion was present to cheer on the Fozzy frontman on his latest DWTS stint and who is to say he won't attribute his loss to the fact Miz was bad luck.

The hairs on my body would stand up if I'd here The Miz rant and then "BREAK THE WALLS DOWN!!" starts playing and Chris Jericho arrives on the scene.

I am so tired of Cena hogging all the spotlight with his tiresome routine.

We need a fresh and exciting championship match. The Miz (c) vs. Chris Jericho.

Triple H: Game on for The Miz?

There you have my No. 1 pick.

He will take the title off The Miz somewhere between Money in the Bank and Survivor Series. There is no one else bigger except Undertaker.

I said in slides before we needed someone big, right? There you go. The Game, the King of Kings and soon to be ruler of the McMahon empire alongside Queen Stephanie.

This guy could give The Miz all he needs. He has more pull than John Cena and since he is about to stop fighting, he needs another title reign in his collection.

I think thought he would be the one to take the gold it would be a transitional reign at best. The reason is because it would serve to elevate the superstars of the future, namely The Miz and CM Punk, who I predicted to take the title OFF Triple H.

There is so much good to be made should the "Awesome One" take on Triple H. It has "never been done before" plastered all over it.

It seems logical and after that whole Cena mess is over we'd need a truly great superstar to stand with The Miz in the main event picture.

This is what I predict. I really hope it comes to pass. The Miz will show him!

What do you think, people? Is this big enough for you? 

John Morrison: No. 1 Contender for Months to Come?

This is what it is as we speak.

He is the co-No. 1 contender alongside John Cena right now. 

I like this one very much. I see great potential no doubt about it. He is a killer set of moves, a great look and an even better looking girlfriend in Melina, so kudos to you, JoMo.

John Morrison and The Miz have been a phenomenal duo. The Dirt Sheet was a great success and their match at Bragging Rights 2009 was good.

They gave us a terrific match this past winter for the title, and I truly hope we haven't seen the last of those two in the ring together just yet.

Let us face facts, however. John Morrison is involved in a feud with R-Truth and recent debacles with Trish Stratus and Melina may have tarnished his star a little.

I believe he will be on the verge on winning but won't due to outside interference by R-Truth, setting up their match for Over the Limit in May.

Great. I am NOT looking forward to that at all. I dislike R-Truth very much right now. I got a better vibe out of him being "heel" but there is no way I see him making it as a WWE Champion.

To be positive. I think JoMo's time may truly come this year as I pick him to win the Money in the Bank match in July. That means a lot to a superstar. Ask The Miz.

I would rather have him turn "heel" again as it fits his character more and I'd also pair him with Melina.

One, because I don't want her to be canned once they let go people; and two, we hardly ever see her anymore and that is bad.

John Morrison's time may come finally in 2011 but not at the expense of WWE Champion the Miz.

John Cena: The Final Showdown

He is the other co-No. 1 contender.

Where can we get some Kryptonite for this Sunday? This seriously needs to end.

We have been watching John Cena in the title picture for the last two years. Enough is enough already.

Objectively, this man is a great superstar and truly the face of WWE all over the world. He is a gentleman and makes children's dreams come true. A real knight in shining armor if you ask me.

All noble qualities in a champion. He is beloved by many and generates an impressive aura that engulfs all around him.

Not easy things to surmount for a young WWE Champion by the name of Miz.

However, I have said it time and time again. There needs to be humility displayed by John Cena here. Does WWE really expect us to stomach another transitional reign? The Miz needs to go over again to truly be taken seriously and shed that shadow cast upon him.

John Cena would still look strong in defeat, would help out a fellow talent and could be used to build up a new feud with perhaps other great promising stars like Dolph Ziggler or even World Heavyweight Champion? Alberto Del Rio?

The Miz even carries a championship belt fashioned by John Cena himself. When are they planning to change that by the way?

I say Miz goes over, ends the feud here or Over the Limit tops. A move to SmackDown would have been great for Cena but now since we got a ruse pulled upon us then I say find a way to move the "Awesome" champion to Friday nights.

The WWE championship finally has a long and secure stability with The Miz as champion. He needs his time to shine alone with no shadow haunting him at every step.

Look for The Miz to retain this Sunday.

The Miz Is Awesome...you Question That Still?

There you have it.

The top challengers set to perhaps enter The Miz's path in 2011. Make no mistake about it, he is here to stay and to rule well into the summer.

With all the attention he has garnered for WWE in the last few months, he suits their model perfectly and they would be fools to ruin that momentum now.

He has not failed to deliver as of yet and Mr. Vince McMahon, others and myself realize this. Even if at worst, he loses the title, you can bet he is to go to even further heights immediately afterwards. 

No matter what, 2011 is going to be a very exciting year in WWE and for Mike Mizanin, the champion.