10 Wrestlers Who Could Have Been Franchise Players For WWE

10. Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes’ May 2016 release may go down as one of the most disappointing in WWE history. Coming from a legendary bloodline, you’d have thought his sharp skillset, undeniable pedigree, and charisma would have made him a shoe-in for long-term WWE success, but it wasn’t to be.

Rhodes always outshone his partner Ted DiBiase Jr., in Legacy, and he was a midcard highlight throughout his “Dashing” and Rhodes Scholars days. Cody and his brother Goldust’s feud with Triple H and Randy Orton should have catapulted Rhodes to main event level: instead, WWE saddled him with the catastrophic Stardust gimmick, a decision that eventually led to Cody’s release a few months ago.

Though not exactly a Shawn Michaels-level performer, Cody could hold his own with anyone in the company. His microphone performances were always on-point, and by the time the Rhodes brothers defeated Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns at Battleground ‘13, their popularity was stratospheric.

Sadly, WWE opted to bury Cody under a cheap knock-off version of his brother’s gimmick. He has appeared for a number of independent companies since leaving WWE, but unless he returns, Cody will forever be remembered as one of the greatest what ifs in recent WWE history.