10 Wrestlers Who Should Replace Shelton Benjamin As SmackDown's New Star
The Gold Standard has fallen, but who should take his place?
Just as quickly as Shelton Benjamin’s return to WWE SmackDown was announced, the former Intercontinental Champion’s dream was snatched away from him. Benjamin took to Twitter over the weekend to announce that he would be unable to make his comeback when WWE’s stringent medical tests revealed he had a torn rotator cuff, forcing the former World’s Greatest Tag Team member into a long, gruelling recovery process.
It’s a big blow for both sides. Benjamin has been wrestling in Japan for years now, and while his exposure to puroresu has helped him develop immensely as an in-ring competitor, his Pro Wrestling NOAH homebase is a million miles away from the WWE Universe’s conscience. This was a fantastic opportunity for an athlete on the wrong side of 40, one that may never arise again.
For WWE, they’re missing out on a talented performer that fans still remember from his previous 8-year run with the company. Widely-regarded as one of the most underused WWE wrestlers in recent memory, Benjamin was always an exciting, eye-catching athlete, and his presence would have added some much-needed beef to SmackDown’s ultra-thin midcard scene.
Benjamin’s injury leaves a big gap to fill, and without a new addition or two, SmackDown will remain a top-heavy, imbalanced show with little that separates the main eventers and enhancement guys. Here are 10 wrestlers who should replace Benjamin as SmackDown’s new star.
10. Ricochet
Widely regarded as the best American high-flier in pro-wrestling today, Ricochet is an ultra-athletic phenom.
Whether performing at home, abroad, or as Lucha Underground’s “Prince Puma”, Ricochet’s stunts and acrobatics have set the indy wrestling scene ablaze in recent years. He’s one of the most attention-grabbing and gif-worthy performers on the planet, and if you don’t believe us, check out his insane NJPW clash with England’s Will Ospreay from earlier in the year.
WWE have reportedly been interested in acquiring Ricochet for quite some time now, and it’s understandable why. Very few wrestlers move with his grace and poise, and Ricochet has mastered the art of high-flying wrestling. He’s far from a one-trick pony, either: Ricochet’s high spots might grab the attention, but he’s also an accomplished mat wrestler who links moves together soundly and logically.
His Lucha Underground contract remains a big issue. Allegedly containing a clause that prevents their employees from appearing on a rival TV show until all their taped performances have aired, this would stop Ricochet from appearing on Raw or SmackDown until 2017. Still, WWE are the biggest company in the business, and if any company can mount a successful legal case against such a restrictive clause, it’s Vince & co.