WWE News: Austin Critical of Del Rio and Orton, 5 Others Who Need to Step Up

This past week, WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was critical (no, he did not rip them) of fellow former WWE Champions Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio. 

While promoting his upcoming movie Tactical Force, Austin had the following to say about Orton:

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“I’m interested to see where Randy Orton goes next. His promos need work, and right now, he’s a little one-dimensional. The crowds are digging him, but there’s still another step on the ladder for him to climb to."

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He followed this up with similar sentiments about Del Rio:

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“Alberto Del Rio reminds me of Gino Hernandez from the old [Dallas] Sportatorium. [He is] another one who needs to work on his promos—I don’t like them worth a shit right now—but he has great ability."

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Austin's criticisms of Del Rio and Orton are rather accurate.  While both aforementioned superstars are indeed talented, neither have ever cut a string of fantastic, memorable promos and both seem to be resting on their laurels. 

Del Rio and Orton are not the only WWE superstars who need to step their game up.  Multiple rising stars are at a crossroads in their career, and it is critical that they improve quickly before sports entertainment passes them by.

5. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler is slowly, but surely, improving as a top-flight heel on RAW.  The WWE seems to have put immense time and resources into his star-making process, and it is just starting to pay off. 

Ziggler is quite generic, and much of his persona is heavily borrowed from WWE Attitude Era star Bad Ass Billy Gunn.  However, he is the longest reigning active champion in WWE, and he continues to improve in the ring and on the mic by the week. 

Ziggler is still one great match or promo away from consistently rubbing elbows with main eventers.  It is important that such a moment come sooner than later.

4. Jack Swagger

After over a year in no man's land and after receiving a start-and-stop push as World Champion on SmackDown, Jack Swagger is finally being highlighted on the flagship show of RAW. 

The immensely talented athlete has been paired with Vickie Guerrero in an angle that may squeeze Dolph Ziggler out, allowing Swagger to be the sole beneficiary of Guerrero's heat-seeking antics. 

Should Swagger remain with Guerrero in the long term, this will benefit his character as he can just concentrate on wrestling, where he excels, while Guerrero does all the talking to make up for his shortcomings on the mic.

3. Ted DiBiase Jr.

After two failed pushes and a forced babyface turn, Ted DiBiase is right back to being irrelevant on the WWE card.  DiBiase does not need a new gimmick or any further major changes at this point, but he needs something. 

Once upon a time it seemed that DiBiase was destined to be the breakout star of the Legacy stable; however, since the breakup of that group he has severely struggled to find his footing in the WWE.

2. John Morrison

I don't even know where to start with John Morrison.  Morrison's sole purpose on RAW seems to be as the babyface who takes the job when the bigger RAW stars are in need of some enhancement.

Morrison is good at putting other guys over, and he can use his parkour style to leap on and off furniture, but that's about it. 

At the end of the day, Morrison lacks charisma and has still yet to prove himself to be a good promo guy.  These are two setbacks that are extremely crippling to any aspiring WWE star.

1. Kelly Kelly

The WWE is trying with Kelly Kelly, but if they want the WWE Divas division to matter again, it would probably be optimal that a Diva who can work hold their top women's title. 

Kelly Kelly seems to slow down the action whenever she's in the ring with a more talented worker, a la Beth Phoenix, and when she competes against another Diva who can't work the entire match falls apart. 

Kelly Kelly shouldn't necessarily lose the Divas Championship just yet, but she sure needs to improve in the ring so that matches for that title can mean more, thus increasing the credibility of the Divas Championship.

Here's a list of WWE superstars who are surging up the WWE's ranks, compliments of B/R Video. Follow Big Nasty on Twitter @ThisIsNasty to discuss.