10 Wild Outside Bets To Win Wrestler Of The Year 2022

9. Shane Strickland

Released before they were ever given a chance to succeed, Hit Row stood no chance on WWE's main roster.

This isn't a comment on the group, but their presentation. Cheerleading for King Woods in their second SmackDown appearance spoke volumes. Conflicting reports on who was going to be the singles star, who'd be the tag team, and how they'd be pushed raised another red flag, before B-Fab's release foretold their grim future. A fortnight later, Isaiah 'Swerve' Scott, Top Dolla, and Ashante 'Thee' Adonis were gone too.

While all four could have bright futures in wrestling, expect 'Swerve' to blow up as soon as that non-compete expires. Amongst the most talented people to be let go by WWE over the past two years, he is a complete performer with headlining potential, who was already working at an elite level during his Shane Strickland days. From the look and charisma to skill and athleticism, he ticks all the boxes for a mainstream television wrestling star - and he'll likely become one in 2022.

Of all the wrestlers cast aside by WWE recently, Tony Khan should be racing to sign Strickland before all others. Nobody is better suited to make an immediate splash on AEW's upper-midcard and main event scene.