New Era of WWE: 5 Men I Think Can Lead the Charge

Hulk Hogan and the late Randy Savage. They were two of the most prominent figures in the Golden era of WWF/E. 

Then, you saw Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels light up the stage during the Pre Attitude/New Generation Era (courtesy of Chinmay of Bleacher Report).

Following that was the Attitude Era, arguably the best and most successful era in WWF/E history.

During these years, you saw Stone Cold Steve Austin/Mankind/The Rock become superstars and legends in their own right.  Sex, blood and foul language ruled this era.  Then came 2001, and guys like HHH made a statement in the era I like to call the "Heel-Driven" era.  In this time, you saw the heels of the business start to succeed even more, kind of the polar opposite of Hogan's time.

The WWE and John Cena spearheaded a movement; we in the IWC like to call the Lost Years (or PG era, whichever you prefer). 

The PG era is so overlooked, because it failed to appeal to the older generations, which are the ones who grew up with attitude and ruthless aggression.  Instead of Stone Cold bashing beer cans and doing whatever his heart desired, you instead saw John Cena saying, "poopy" on a consistent basis. 

That is an argument for another day, however today I am here to discuss the new era of WWE and who will lead the charge, like Cena and Hogan before them.  I compiled a list of five superstars that could all fit the mold of leading the new generation.  I ranked them 5-1, one being the best.  The scale was determined by impact on WWE, in-ring skills, charisma and mic ability. 

Before I start the list, here are a few wild cards that almost made the top five: Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Wade Barrett, Sheamus and Alex Riley.

5. Cody Rhodes

Number five is, Cody Rhodes.  The former Legacy member that was waiting on Randy Orton's every whim, is now on the brink of a main-event push and at the highest point of his career so far.  Currently on Smackdown, Rhodes's gimmick is one that has curiosity and intriguing factors; very comparable to Mick Foley's gimmick changes. 

He went from Dashing Cody Rhodes, to handing out paper bags to those that are ugly in the crowd; Un-Dashing Cody Rhodes.  Recently, in the Smackdown MITB ladder match, he shined on many occasions and did have my vote to win it all.  Right now, he is teaming up with his former Legacy partner, Ted DiBiase and on Smackdown last night; they defeated Ezekiel Jackson, current Intercontinental champion, in a handicap match. 

Rhodes, 26, has a bright future in the WWE.  My prediction is he will be World Heavyweight champion by the end of the year.  Speaking purely of his vastly improving ring-work and above-average mic skills, Rhodes has all it takes to become a superstar in the WWE. 

4. The Miz

Number four on my list, is the most must-see WWE champion of all-time, the Miz.  Starting from his days with MTV, his aspirations of becoming WWE champion one day were ridiculed and laughed at.  In ECW, he created one of the better tag-teams in recent memory with Raw superstar John Morrison. 

Being drafted to Smackdown brought him WWE tag-team gold.  From the Dirt Sheet, to the spotlight, his draft to Monday Night Raw launched the career of the Miz we all know and possibly enjoy today.  A one-time WWE champion already, the Miz is a solid main-event player. 

Programs with John Cena have really solidified his in-ring skills and his mic work.  Miz is arguably the second-best mic worker in the company, behind only, well I'll save him for later.  His ring skills are good, but they do need improvement. 

Miz's key quality is his ability to tell a story with his match.  While WWE champion, he entered a feud with Jerry "the King" Lawler, who cannot wrestle a full match anymore.  He sold everything to perfection and really took that feud and ran with it.  My last words on Miz, expect a multi-time World champion in the near future. 

3. Alberto Del Rio

Number three on my list, is Alberto Del Rio.  It was his destiny to become WWE champion and to make my list, of course.  The Mexican Aristocrat has impacted the WWE, so quickly in the past year that he is of main-event status already along with his above average in-ring skills and exemplary mic skills. 

From Christian and Edge and now to John Cena, one year definitely makes a difference.  Oh, I forgot his main event match with Edge at Wrestlemania 27.  Del Rio now holds the MITB briefcase.  As we all saw on recent episodes of Raw, he teased a cash-in, but never started the match. 

We have no clue when and where he will cash it in.  Wrestlezone.com broke a story linking Del Rio with a title push this fall, due to the Mexican tour slated for that time frame.  If this be true, his destiny will be complete. 

2. Daniel Bryan

Number two on my list, is the American Dragon, Daniel Bryan. The former Ring of Honor star, is now shining bright on WWE soil.  Arguably, the best wrestler (and the IWC darling) is now finding success.  At the MITB PPV, Bryan won the Smackdown briefcase in an upset. 

Fans counted him out, based upon his recent booking and immediately had Sheamus winning.  That all changed and now we are entering a new era, a wrestling era.  Bryan will soon debut new technical submission maneuvers that certain MMA stars will be jealous to watch. 

Last night on Smackdown, we saw a potential feud with a frustrated Wade Barrett.  Wade is mad at the fact he isn't making enough money and that he should have been the Money in the Bank winner.  Bryan came out and cut a brief promo on his journey from NXT and Nexus to Smackdown.

He claimed he is going to main event Wrestlemania 28, by cashing in his briefcase that night.  Judging by his mic skills last night, they have improved.  It also seems Bryan is getting over with the crowd, despite his entrance music. 

The American Dragon has a bright future in WWE and by the looks of this new era, he will join this next man and lead the charge. 

1. CM Punk

CM Punk, or Phil Brooks, is the man to lead us into the new era of WWE.  I will be frank with all of you, I'm not going to sit here and discuss the recent storyline and rise of Punk.  We all know the situation and I'm sure had read countless articles talking about it. 

I'll leave you guys with this; Punk is the best talker and one of the top wrestlers in the company.  The WWE has this attitude of signing six foot four, 250 pound muscle giants that could throw Hornswoggle from the endzone to endzone.  Punk is an anomaly and that's what makes him so intriguing to watch. 

Punk's character is also one we have not seen before.  He is a rebel who speaks his mind.  The personality of Phil Brooks is the character of CM Punk.  As he has declared many times, his addiction is pro wrestling and he loves the wrestling industry.

Like Stone Cold said on Twitter two weeks ago, he will write his own chapter in WWE history and we are all excited to watch it.  Who knew a punk from Chicago wrestling in Indy promotions would become the WWE's next biggest star. 

Is CM Punk the next face of WWE?  That may be a bold statement, seeing as John Cena and Randy Orton own that title right now.  If this is truly the "Summer of Punk", maybe this could be the "Era of Punk". 

Conclusion

CM Punk has WWE by the horns and is about to drive them into the next era.  It needs a name don't you think?  I won't guess, because simply I couldn't come up with anything.  I'm going to leave it to you guys.  Tell me the new era and who you think will lead the charge, whether it is CM Punk or somebody else. 

Please join me next time as I look into the men that are John Cena and Randy Orton.  They are the company's two biggest investments and the IWC hates them for it.  Please comment below and start the great debate! 

Thanks for the feedback and reads they all mean so much.

That's right.  I'm a Paul Heyman guy.