10 WWE Acts That Are Running Out Of Steam

It's just, a little push...

The Miz Awesome
WWE.com

Royal Rumble season tends to bring out the best in main roster performers, so consider this list an early-2019 cautionary tale rather than simply an observation of those currently treading water on Raw and SmackDown Live.

Theoretically, WWE stars should look at any opportunity as the opportunity considering how few actual ones are offered out in the current climate, but the entire roster knows - and can look to history to confirm it - that there's no better time of year to shine brightest.

Vince McMahon doesn't just take additional risks on the Road To WrestleMania - he actively steers into them. Rumble winners haven't had the best of luck at the 'Show Of Shows' in recent years, but that's as much to do with McMahon losing faith at the last rather than because they'd failed to live up to their billing on the way.

There are countless Superstars feeling substantially less-than special at present, but let this introduction be some optimism in the face of the pessimistic individual reflections littered throughout the entries. There's no better time of the year to reinvigorate those that otherwise appear completely without hope, and equally no finer point to ensure a push goes to plan rather than to pot.

10. The IIconics

The Miz Awesome
WWE

The IIconics occupy a weird space within the SmackDown Live women's division at present in how they're both theoretically two of its biggest stars but receive almost zero assistance from the booking staff to make this perception a reality.

Neither Peyton Royce nor Billie Kay are quite the in-ring workers of some of their contemporaries, but a lack of lower (and mid) card in a league solely focused on its top prize renders them mostly trapped in a jobber-to-the-stars capacity despite their ability to talk circles around the bulk of their opposition.

Only Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are comparable on the microphone - but 'The Man' and 'The Queen' couldn't be seen to even be wasting their time on the Aussie duo based on their most recent blue brand exploits.

Sadly for the NXT graduates, a prominent run in the Royal Rumble seems unlikely for either, but WWE shouldn't cave to their instincts and split them up as they would normally do. There will come a time where great heels will be needed to combat the beloved babyface topline, and it should be these two that get the opportunities.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett