10 Wrestlers Who Should Replace Shelton Benjamin As SmackDown's New Star
4. Apollo Crews
If you made a list of wrestlers who’ve benefitted most from the 2016 Brand Split thus far, Apollo Crews would be near the top. Lost in a series of directionless feuds after being called-up, Crews doesn’t quite look revitalised on SmackDown, but he’s definitely growing into his skin as a performer.
His performances over the past few weeks have more than caught the eye, and if he can be the one to finally give the hated Intercontinental Champion The Miz his long-overdue comeuppance, his popularity could explode.
If WWE aren’t going to bring an outside worker in, they could do much worse than push Crews into the role originally intended for Benjamin. Yes, his character work needs refinement, but he’s a thrilling athlete who knows how to entertain between the ropes. If SmackDown can focus on his in-ring abilities rather than his lacklustre charisma, they can make a star of Apollo Crews, even if the upper-midcard is likely his ceiling as a performer.
Crews would make a great Intercontinental Champion. SmackDown’s midcard isn’t as crammed with in-ring standouts as Raw’s, and there’s nobody to overshadow him. Competing against the likes of Miz, Baron Corbin and Kalisto will help Crews build his own identity and really establish himself on the main roster going forward.