WWE's current transitional era is certainly unveiling many issues with the company's development over the past fifteen years. The shift from being a "rasslin company" to being a "NYSE traded entertainment brand" hasn't exactly panned out as expected. Most importantly though, WWE's attempts at signing the best of available talent to the roster hasn't gone well either, which is likely the most concerning issue facing WWE at-present. WWE's Performance Center exists on some level because of the talent signing gaffes of the past decade and many performers underwhelming against expectations. However, that didn't have to be the case. WWE literally has cornered the market on pro wrestling worldwide, and can even given those under contract elsewhere) likely sign whomever they want. In opting for some wrestlers who may be more physically imposing than others, or maybe just not scratching the surface deep enough in other cases, WWE has missed out on some opportunities with performers who could be -- to borrow a term from ECW of yesteryear -- impact players who could've and/or currently should be aiding in smoothing WWE's transition to a new era of excellence. Here's eight wrestlers who deserved an earlier chance at greatness or are deserving of one right now.
Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
