WWE News: Daniel Bryan, John Morrison, Zack Ryder—Whose Stock Is Up?

The stars have aligned to necessitate yet another talent-by-talent assessment of booking in the form of a stock watch. 

Always a victim of their own "Even Steven" booking ways, the WWE has been uncharacteristically particular as to who it wants to protect, and who it considers rather expendable.

On this particular list, many stocks in the red could have a tough time finding daylight anytime soon, while some of the surging stocks seem destined for eventual world title contention. 

STOCK UP: Sheamus

This is a no-brainer as Sheamus has impressed on his last few outings on TV and pay-per-view. I seriously cannot remember the last time he lost a match, and after a fearful period where it seemed he was destined to spend his career as mid-card fodder, Sheamus has rebounded better than 90 percent of WWE superstars in his position. 

The Celtic Warrior's stock may be too expensive to load up on at this time as he is seemingly being groomed for eventual World Title contention and is a strong candidate to dethrone the dominant Mark Henry. 

STOCK DOWN: Mark Henry

Don't panic, but it has become more than accurate to ascertain that Henry's stock has dipped mildly in the last few weeks. 

Once a dominant, seemingly infallible monster on his way to an improbable world title win, Henry has since shown vulnerability during his feud with the Big Show.

Even when the Big Show is nowhere to be found, Henry was still a recent victim of questionable booking as he was attacked by a shoe-wielding Ricardo Rodriguez on Raw. 

Henry's stock will be fine for the time being and definitely should not be sold just yet. But pay close attention to the booking of the World's Strongest Man as one could get a pretty penny from Henry as a sell-high option. 

STOCK UP: Wade Barrett

All Wade Barrett has done is win in recent weeks, and his stock still has value as he has not been placed in any storyline of substance lately despite his wins.

Barrett serves as somewhat of a buy-low option, as potential investors could be in line for a big payout once he falls into a long-term program or storyline.

STOCK DOWN: John Morrison

Does this one need any explaining? Morrison's fall from grace since his comeback from neck surgery has been so precipitous, I've recently decided to bring back my Morrison Doghouse Diaries as rumors swirl of his impending departure. 

Should Morrison stick around and gut out yet another run in the WWE Doghouse, the damage may have already been done to this career. Avoid touching this penny stock as any future growth is currently unforeseen. 

STOCK UP: Cody Rhodes

Rhodes continues his surge as he has basically spent all of 2011 in the black. An ugly pay-per-view stock knocked him down a bit, but not enough to discard the vast improvements which he has made this year. 

Rhodes' introduction of the classic Intercontinental Championship earned him style points, and a possible upcoming feud with Booker T for the vintage championship will only help the second-generation star as he makes an almost inevitable climb to the top of the SmackDown roster.

STOCK DOWN: Daniel Bryan

Since winning the Money in the Bank match at the pay-per-view of the same namesake, Daniel Bryan has stumbled severely.

Bryan's briefcase has become an afterthought as he continues to lose matches to the likes of Sin Cara(s), Wade Barrett and Alberto Del Rio. 

Bryan is in no-man's land, and while now may be the time to buy his stock given the likelihood of the SmackDown star successfully cashing in his briefcase, the possibility of Bryan dropping the briefcase also looms. 

STOCK UP: Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler is the Raw equivalent to Cody Rhodes in that he gets better every week and it seems like only a matter of time before the former fluke of a World Champion gets to wear the gold for real.

Ziggler's stock looks like it will take a bit of a hit over the next several weeks as he continues to feud with Zack Ryder—who appears to be in line to capture the United States Championship. 

However, those who stick with their Dolph Ziggler investment may be holding the smart money as Ziggler could be on his way to frying bigger fish following a US Title feud with Ryder. 

STOCK DOWN: Jack Swagger

While Jack Swagger has been featured more prominently than ever lately, he seems to always be on the losing end as the obvious tail-end of the Ziggler-Swagger duo. 

Swagger is still treading water in the midcard despite Vickie Guerrero's best efforts, but the good news is his problems could probably be solved by winning matches while Guerrero garnishes heat for the former World Champion. 

Swagger could benefit from a potential split between Ziggler and Guerrero, although teases of that breakup ceased weeks ago. 

STOCK UP: Zack Ryder

For a while, it seemed that Zack Ryder was in "stop" mode, but with yet another non-title victory over Dolph Ziggler, it seems that the WWE is biding its time before finally rewarding Ryder for making himself a star through his popular YouTube show. 

A United States Championship win would be huge for Ryder given where he was on the card this time last year, and his popularity only continues to grow as his cult following becomes more vocal. 

STOCK DOWN: Air Boom

Tag-team wrestling may once again be in jeopardy as up-and-coming tag-team champions Air Boom's run as champs may be in jeopardy.

After virtually going undefeated as champions, the tandem has lost its last two TV matches on SmackDown and Raw, and with news breaking that Evan Bourne has been suspended due to a violation of the WWE's health and wellness policy, a loss of the tag-team championships may be inevitable at this point.

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