WWE SmackDown: 10 Superstars Who Can Rejuvenate Friday Nights

This past Tuesday night, SmackDown aired live on the SyFy network in what was coined SuperSmackDown, given all the star power featured on the show. After watching the past few weeks of WWE broadcasting, it's come to my attention that many Superstars on Raw aren't getting the rightful spotlight they deserve, mostly due to flagship show being focused more on the bigger stars.

Obviously, this has been the case for years, as SmackDown seems to be the show where younger talent is given more of a chance to shine and display their true wrestling skills, with Tyson Kidd, Daniel Bryan, and many others being prime examples.

Given that the WWE Brand Extension seems to have ended at this point, why not move some of the lesser used Superstars over to Friday Nights to show off their true potential and give the viewers some fresh match-ups?

It's no secret that WWE has ignored the rules before in just randomly transferring Superstars over to the opposite show, so I see no issue in helping these particular 10 Superstars give some more television time while also benefiting the depleted roster on SmackDown.

Following the presentation, make sure to drop a comment as to which any of this tremendous athletes deserve the chance to be moved and as always, your feedback is always appreciated. 

John Morrison

Since moving to the Raw brand in the 2010 WWE Draft, John Morrison has yet to receive that big push everyone thought he would. Sure, he was given a brief run in the spotlight late last year, but it wasn't long enough obviously to solidify himself as a credible main-event star.

Morrison is arguably one of the most athletic Superstars on the dying WWE roster today, yet he lacks the mic skills to carry an actual program.

His most recent heated rivalry with R-Truth produced some solid matches, but since returning from injury a few weeks ago, Morrison has only picked up only a single victory.

Although the Monday Night Delight is favored and opposed amongst the IWC, I believe Morrison deserves at least one World Heavyweight Championship program, and he would more than likely be able to retrieve that chance over on SmackDown.

Friday nights are currently lacking strong faces, and Morrison could be a secure candidate to fill that empty slot while also getting engaged in a feud with the floating Christian.

Santino Marella

From his debut in April 2007, Santino Marella has always been successful in putting the "entertainment" in WWE, whether he's portraying a face or a heel. Marella has taken the role of the comedy on Monday nights, and is one of the few Superstars today never to be drafted.

Being a former two-time Intercontinental Champions, Marella's role on Raw has since been taken a bit more lightly, as he is not showcased as much as he has in the past few years.

He seemed to be getting a huge push late last year following his upset victory over Sheamus, but his tag team partner Vladimir Kozlov has since been released and has been prominently featured on WWE Superstars.

With Hornswoggle currently performing on WWE NXT, maybe the Milan Miracle could replace him as the joker of SmackDown, while also returning to his wrestling roots in possible contention for the Intercontinental Championship.

Zack Ryder

Since taking a higher role in power over the past few weeks, CM Punk has made it clear he intends to get WWE Superstars regular Zack Ryder more television time, as he holds the potential to be something much bigger in the WWE. Ryder received his much-anticipated match on Monday Night Raw in July, defeating Michael Cole in a 30-second contest.

However, Ryder has since only competed in one other match on the flagship show, where he was pinned in a tag team match with Santino Marella the following week. Long Island Iced Z was instead given a spot as SmackDown's assistant to General Manager Teddy Long, appearing on episodes of the show in the past few weeks.

There is no questioning that Ryder is one hell of an athlete, and would be given a much more consistent wrestling role on Friday nights. A possible Intercontinental Championship match with the egotistical Cody Rhodes is highly anticipated by this viewer.

Curt Hawkins

If the YouTube sensation Zack Ryder makes his way over to Friday nights, why not his former tag team partner Curt Hawkins as well?

Curt Hawkins was a part of the SmackDown roster for nearly four years, before being drafted in this year's 2011 WWE Supplemental Draft. Although he primarily competed on WWE Superstars last year, Hawkins has only made three major appearances on television since being drafted this past April.

Unfortunately, his reunion with former WWE Tag Team Champion partner Zack Ryder only lasted a mere two weeks. With the tag team division being recently given new life, a face turn and run for the tag team titles could get his lost career back on track. 

Evan Bourne

Being one of the most electrifying Superstars in the WWE today, Evan Bourne's high-flying style has always been taken for granted by WWE management.

Despite being greatly over with the audience, mostly due to his breath-taking Shooting Star Press finisher, he has never gotten the push he needs to jump-start into super stardom.

Although you can blame it on his apparent lack of mic skills, it baffled me as to why Creative's huge interest in him last summer came to a sudden halt after impressive victories over the legendary Chris Jericho.

I was pushing for at least a United States Championship reign for Bourne, but his most recent WWE Tag Team Championship victory with Kofi Kingston is good enough for this viewer.

Seeing that the tag team champions have the ability to appear on both shows, it wouldn't hurt to permanently move Evan Bourne over to SmackDown where he can further flourish in his rising career.

Having never been a part of the Friday night roster, the blue brand could be a nice change of scenery for the high-risk Superstar. 

Mason Ryan

At the dawn of 2011, the New Nexus was the hottest thing going in the WWE, despite it's controversial change in management. Following the departures of Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel to SmackDown, an empty spot in the vicious stable was left to be filled by the debuting Mason Ryan.

Often judged for his similar appearance to former WWE Champion Batista, Mason Ryan quite honestly doesn't have the mic or in-ring skills to make it big in the WWE as Creative might have hoped given his unique size.

However, I'd strongly suggest sending the Welsh native back to FCW upon return from his injury.

Since the New Nexus subsequently disappeared from television last month, one could only assume Ryan will be left to fend for himself when he indeed does return within the next few weeks.

Although a potential role as a bodyguard for The Miz or Alberto Del Rio has been rumored, why not send him over to SmackDown to further develop and shine as the monster he truly is?

David Otunga

While on the subject of the defunct New Nexus, David Otunga also fits in the category of losing direction since the death of the controversial stable.

Okay, he never really had any direction to begin with given his apparent lack of wrestling skills, but it's unclear where his character might be going following his loss of the WWE Tag Team Championship.

On this past Monday's broadcast of Raw, Otunga and his partner Michael McGillicutty were once again unsuccessful in regaining the gold, which opted them to blame the loss on Jerry Lawler on commentary.

Now, I'm all for Otunga showing his intense side, but feuding with a commentator past his prime is certainly a step in the wrong direction.

Although SmackDown may be the wrestling show, Otunga may be able to improve on the weak areas of his stale character and finally break away on his own.

At this point, it's evident that the only reason he still holds a spot on the main roster is due to his connection with Jennifer Hudson. 

Drew McIntyre

Upon his arrival in World Wrestling Entertainment in the summer of 2008, Drew McIntyre personally signed by Vince McMahon (in storyline), as he saw major potential in the young Scottish superstar.

After capturing the Intercontinental Championship a few months later, McIntyre looked to become a future World Heavyweight Champion.

However, following his first defeat in early 2010, McIntyre would eventually be lost in the shuffle on SmackDown, despite a forgettable team with Cody Rhodes in late last year.

He was able to show he can hang in the ring with the likes of Edge and Rey Mysterio on the road to this year's WrestleMania 27, but a subsequent push never followed.

Although I originally believed his move to Raw in the 2011 WWE Supplemental Draft this year would end up to be beneficial, this did not at all turn out to the case, as McIntyre has been used only a mere three times on the flagship show since being drafted.

Returning home to SmackDown could possibly put him back in World Title contention, or engage in an intriguing feud with the newly turned Sheamus. 

Tyler Reks

Okay, so few of you may be questioning as to who this Superstar is, while others may be wondering as to if this guy is still employed. For those who fit that description, I do not at all blame you.

Tyler Reks returned from a year-long absence from television last October, qualifying for Team SmackDown at the Bragging Rights pay-per-view.

His new dark persona impressed many viewers, but it soon disappeared from SmackDown soon after, as Reks was primarily featured on WWE Superstars during his tenure on the blue brand.

Being strangely drafted over to Raw in the 2011 WWE Supplemental Draft, Reks has yet to be even featured on Raw's portion of Superstar, much less any television time at all.

He wouldn't made an immediate impact back on Friday nights, but anything beats sitting home each week while waiting to receive his eventual pink slip.

The Miz

Last and certainly not least, we have the ever-intriguing, controversial and outspoken Superstar, The Miz. It's no secret I've been pushing for a Miz move for quite awhile now, due to the lack of star power on Friday nights, also adding to the fact that he has accomplished everything he has set out to do on Monday nights.

Since being drafted to Raw in the 2009 WWE Draft, The Miz has broken off as a singles competitor and been able to capture the Unified Tag Team Championship twice, the United States Championship twice, and the WWE Championship following his well deserved Money in the Bank victory last July.

Say what you will about Miz, but the Awesome One has worked his tail off to make Raw a must-see program each week with his humorous promos, as well as his solid in-ring work that has improved immensely over the years.

Although he is currently aligned with fellow conspiracy victim R-Truth, I don't see much else for Miz to do other than a few potential programs here and there.

Personally, I'd love to see a face turn from the Tough Enough winner, as it would be worth a shot with being so over with the audience and all. There's no better place to experiment such a change than on SmackDown, where Miz could shine in a beloved role similar to Edge before he retired earlier this year.

Which of these Superstars would you love to see be sent packing over to Friday nights? Did I fail to include any Superstars that may deserve a shot in the spotlight over on SmackDown?

GSM out.

Visit my web site at Next Era Wrestling and my WrestleRant video blog for more of GSM's thoughts and writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps and more. Follow me on Twitter @SAVE_US_GSM.