When some superstars depart the WWE or the world of wrestling in general, it can leave quite a void.
Many superstars come and go, and where many leave our memories just as fast as they enter them, there are those that leave a lasting impression, some that many try to replicate but simply can’t live up to.
Not necessarily the greatest superstars, but the ones that played their roles to perfection.
Let’s take a look at 6 superstars that WWE miss from their programming.
Chris Benoit
Woah, let’s kick this off with a controversial one!
For those of you wondering “who is this man, I’ve never seen him before in my life!”, Chris Benoit was not only a fantastic technical wrestler, but he was an integral figure in some of WWE’s most iconic moments in the early 2000’s (not that they will allow us to remember that of course).
Now what made Benoit so brilliant is the fact that every role he played was done superbly, whether it be a heel in the Radicalz group (along with Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko), or chasing one of the big titles trying to dethrone the likes of Triple H.
I’m sure you’ll agree with me in saying Benoit was never the greatest promo cutter, never known for his mic skills, but that didn’t matter, his in ring work did all the talking for him.
That’s what WWE miss, someone that can captivate an audience without having to have a mouthpiece, that can slip into any feud, any programme and work with about anybody on the entire roster and still make it work.
I find WWE struggle to find matched opponents these days with in ring chemistry to entertain, whereas Benoit was the go to guy to be paired with just about anybody.
It’s just such a shame that his excellent wrestling credentials will forever be overshadowed by his final days.
Jeff Hardy
On his day, one of the best entertainers in professional wrestling. Unfortunately, Jeff, like his brother Matt, has his demons.
A repeated abuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances left WWE with no choice in 2009 but to terminate Hardy’s contract. Injuries also played a part, but as WWE Champion, the company felt Hardy wasn’t much of a role model, and some of his later TNA appearances proved them right.
Away from his personal problems, Hardy was immensely popular with fans and critics, and it’s hard to talk about defining moments with WWE without mentioning his ladder match antics.
His involvement in the TLC ladder matches along with Matt, Edge & Christian and the Dudley Boyz were some of the most gripping and exciting matches in WWE history, revolutionising tag team wrestling.
He had spells as Intercontinental Champion, as well as Tag Team Champion.
A lot of people seem to overlook the fantastic ladder match he had against The Undertaker on an episode of RAW which really elevated Jeff to the next level and transformed him into one of the stars of WWE. There was also an excellent contest for the Intercontinental Title against Triple H on an edition of Smackdown in 2008 that received rave reviews and once again earned Hardy critical respect.
Jeff has proved many times throughout his career that he can go toe to toe with some of wrestling’s biggest names, and not only hold his own, but overshadow them with his talent.
You only have to look at the potential match ups for Hardy in today’s WWE against the likes of Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Finn Balor and Dean Ambrose and itch for his return.
Whether WWE are willing to take another risk with Hardy remains to be seen, but there has never been such an individual character such as his, and a personality to match.
Jim Ross
I personally don’t think JR will ever be replaced. He had a way of calling matches that not only put the participants in the match over, but kept new viewers up to date with the whole story of who the superstars were, why they were feuding without being patronising.
It’s easy to bash Michael Cole, but the biggest downfall of his is that he can’t show emotion like JR could. If a superstar returns, it’s shocking, it’s a big deal and definitely deserves more than Cole’s usual “Oh my!”. Ross would sell each return like it was the biggest return you’d ever seen, which as a viewer made you excited to see what would happen.
It’s very self explanatory the difference in announcing between Ross and Cole, but as a viewer watching on television or the WWE Network, it’s absolutely vital that the announcers are enhancing the programme, adding anticipation and excitement, and for me nobody did that better than JR.
He had a way of selling each and every talent to the viewer, so you
It makes me sad to think that the WWE announcing door has probably closed for JR once and for all, but there is no doubt that some of the most iconic moments in WWE history will forever be remembered by his voice, and his ability to storytell.
Eddie Guerrero
There aren’t many superstars that have EVERYTHING. You know, grappler, high flyer, technically gifted and have the ability to cut a good promo, yet Eddie it all.
Where as it’s easy to talk about a superstar after they’ve passed and overrate them due to their passing, Eddie was much appreciated throughout his time in the WWE. Fans loved him, and loved to hate him.
One of many things Eddie Guerrero guaranteed you, was entertainment value. While some of his feuds were borderline ridiculous (Rey Mysterio’s son, Chyna etc), he made them work, and made his segments unmissable.
You knew when Eddie was part of a PPV because there was anticipation, excitement and again, entertainment value. That great moment at No Way Out after he won the WWE Title for the very first time, he celebrated in the ring and the whole of wrestling celebrated with him in respect of such an incredible talent being rewarded.
John Morrison
Vastly underrated and often forgotten, yet Morrison played a large part in WWE in various positions. As Johnny Nitro he was part of the successful MNM team (along with Joey Mercury & Melina), and really showcased his abilities and talents earning him worldwide acclaim and many fans.
His partnership with The Miz was one taken from nothing and the two built up such excellent chemistry, charisma and entertainment they became one of the figureheads of the WWE tag team division at the time, as well as cementing Morrison as one of the companies most athletically gifted performers.
Once broken out on his own, he went on to be a 3 team Intercontinental Champion as well as being drafted to ECW, holding the heavyweight title.
Currently wrestling in Lucha Underground as Johnny Mundo, he continues to impress, entertain and win titles.
Morrison is another performer that could work with anybody, which he proved having worked with the likes of Kane, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy and CM Punk. His unique character was highly popular with fans before his departure, however unlike many others, Morrison has stated quite firmly that the door to return to WWE is very much still open.
CM Punk
Possibly the most obvious choice on the list, but Punk is without question, a unique character.
His accomplishments within WWE make it impossible to ignore what a fantastic career he’s had boasting being a 3 time World Heavyweight Champion, 2 time WWE Champion, Intercontinental Champion, World Tag Team Champion and ECW Champion. If that wasn’t impressive enough he was the first person to win Money In The Bank twice in a row, claiming the briefcase in both 2008 and 2009.
Punk’s popularity was at an all time high after dropping his (now infamous) “pipebomb”, on a June 2011 edition of RAW, and upon his return to the company as a face, his stock couldn’t have been higher.
Many consider Punk’s promo as the moment he turned into a star, which you could agree, but Punk always had the ability and naturally gifted talent to out perform almost anybody in any company he was a part of on any show.
His microphone work is exceptional, and one of very few genuine heels that can draw a crowd in, only to chew them up and spit them out.
His personality and charisma were one of the brightest things about WWE television, and despite being vocally unhappy with the direction of his character, he was still captivating millions with his storylines with Triple H, The Rock & The Undertaker.
He was bringing in ratings, outselling everyone else in merchandise and was one of the most in demand superstars in entertainment.
From WWE’s standpoint, they were giving Punk everything they could, the longest WWE Championship reign of the 21st century, high profiled feuds, he was the posterboy of the video games and PPV’s, but it still wasn’t what he ultimately wanted, the main event of Wrestlemania.
To say Punk left WWE on bad terms would be an understatement, and the day he walked out and quit on the company left a huge dent in their talent roster. They not only lost a superstar that January in 2014, but they lost an icon. Will Punk ever come back to WWE? Only time will tell, and as guys like Chris Jericho, Edge and Mick Foley have stated, sometimes time is all you need, but with Punk it doesn’t look likely to happen any time soon.
Is there anybody YOU think WWE miss the most?
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