WWE, TNA Stars The Miz & Matt Morgan to Carry Organizations for the Next Decade

Mick Foley and TNA Impact are changing TNA's look, its methods of entertainment and its way of producing a viable product for the fans and for television. Now might be a good time to look into the crystal ball and see where the sport is headed.

For years, the WWE and WCW relied on older, aging stars that could carry the weight of the franchise and came out smelling pretty good. Some of those stars, like Sting, Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle, are not doing the same thing for TNA Impact and are enjoying success.

While it may be overused and somewhat run into the ground because it centers on the fallen marriage of Kurt and his former wife, Karen Angle, the idea that the rivalry continues and festers is something the WWE does not work to strengthen. Rather once a match is had and two gladiators collide, the idea is squashed and another contender is brought in to challenge the champion.

Back in the day the NWA and AWA were great organizations at building drama for matches. Wrestlers battled night in and night out, and while belts changed hands from time to time, the rivalry could carry over for months, and sometimes, depending on the wrestlers (Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair or Harley Race, Nick Bockwinkle and Verne Gagne), the pursuit of the title was more exciting than the title reign itself.

Wrestling changed from 60-minute matches with Ric Flair and anyone who would challenge him to 10-minute races where you hop into the ring, do your thing and get out so the next match can take place. While names like Wahoo McDaniel, Dory Funk Jr. and Bob Backlund are synonymous with wrestling excellence and technique, wrestlers today are known more for their athletic ability rather than knowing what an arm bar or spinning toe hold is.

Tradition is important to this “sport” and is sometimes lost on its current roster of talent. Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase and Randy Orton know about it, having grown up in the business. They know every story line has to have a beginning, an arc and an end.

So with the new generation comes new talent. Here is a look at eight wrestlers that will change the landscape of professional wrestling over the next decade.

The Miz

He is on top of his game right now and has the charisma and the stamina to make a long successful run in the WWE. Most of all, he is one of the most popular villains in the sport today. His feuds with John Cena, Randy Orton and John Morrison have made him AWESOME!

Matt Morgan

He's big, he's young and he is what TNA should market its future on. Morgan is the kind of big hero like the Undertaker that can draw money for years.

Morgan's current feud with Hernandez is intriguing, mainly because Hernandez could be a major player in the next decade as well if marketed properly.

John Morrison

Injuries have sidelined Morrison, but don't think that will curtail his feud with R-Truth or dissuade him from a run at WWE gold. Morrison is charismatic and athletic and draws both male and female fans alike. There is no telling how far he can climb since there is no real ceiling for him.

Randy Orton

He's 31 years old and is the most cerebral (sorry, Triple H) of any of the WWE superstars. Orton can play villain or hero and draws cheers in either role.

While he will approach 40 by the end of the decade, his title reign in the WWE will challenge the likes of Triple H and John Cena. He is another superstar, injuries notwithstanding, who has no ceiling.

Mr. Anderson

Ken Anderson is a lot like Stone Cold Steve Austin in that he challenges the authority of everyone. He isn't in Stone Cold's league, but he can talk a pretty good game.

Anderson is a wild card in TNA, challenging his friends and foes in the same show. Fans like the idea that they never know which Mr. Anderson will show up in the Impact Zone.

Crimson

He is a freak! The menacing look and straight-ahead effort remind me of a very young and raw Goldberg. This kid can be great, but it will take time to for him to develop. Given the right scenario and coaching (Sting, Kurt Angle), he could be the face of the franchise for the new generation.

Alex Riley

This is my sleeper choice. There is something about this kid that I think will be great. Much like Batista and Triple H in Evolution, you know there will come a time when he and The Miz will butt heads and face each other in a match at a pay-per-view event.

Riley is charismatic, and with training, he will be a superstar.

DeAngelo Dinero

Another wild card. I just like this guy as well. Dinero is a great interview and had a great look. He wrestled under Elijah Burke in the WWE, and his new persona fits him well. The only thing that may hold him back is injuries or himself.