10 WWE Stars Who Could Replace Shane McMahon As SmackDown Commissioner

9. Maria Kanellis

Another solid candidate is Maria Kanellis.

Watch Maria's performances since returning to WWE alongside husband Mike, and you'll see similarities to one Stephanie McMahon. Kanellis is sneering, patronising and rarely makes a mistake on the mic. Those are qualities WWE may view as essential in the Commissioner role.

A storyline involving nepotism is also ripe for use if Maria did bag the authority gig on SmackDown. Mike needs something to sink his teeth into, and a feud caused by his lover's favouritism seems like the kind of angle that'd work. Perhaps Maria could even put together her own cabinet of wrestlers going to bat for her, with Mike as the centrepiece.

With some work, Maria's condescending nature could garner the same kind of heel heat Vickie Guerrero once did. It's worth a shot, because she (much like her hubby, for that matter) isn't doing anything of note on TV right now other than occasional appearances. Maria's talent deserves more focus, especially as she won't be wrestling any time soon.