WWE is, and always has been a dog-eat-dog company set inside a dog-eat-dog business where superstars must crawl and scratch their way into prominence. When fellow competitors fall to injury or suspension (or worse, talent cuts), especially those at the top of the proverbial ladder, new opportunities open for those waiting in the wings. Recently, WWE announced the suspension of both Chris Jericho and Randy Orton, two of the companys top performers. With a host of changes coming down the line for the sports entertainment conglomerate, could the plight of two men become the fortune for others? Lets take a look at five key WWE superstars who could wind up benefiting greatly from the untimely (although temporary) departure of The Apex Predator and the self-proclaimed Best in the World, and discuss how they could rise to the top.
1. Dolph Ziggler
No man stands to gain more out of Orton and Jerichos absence than Dolph Ziggler. At the beginning of 2012, it appeared as though The Show Off was becoming a staple of the main event scene on Monday Night Raw. After a fantastic losing effort against WWE Champion CM Punk at this years Royal Rumble, Zigglers downward slope back to the mid-card began. Before long, Dolph was teaming weekly with Jack Swagger, fellow client of manager Vickie Guerrero. Ziggler and Swagger simmered through Wrestlemania season and briefly gained some notoriety when they squared off with the Tag Team Champions last month at Over the Limit, but overall, things have remained quiet. The seeds have already been planted for Dolph to ditch his partner (and maybe even Vickie Guerrero) and move on to brighter things. Now is certainly as good a time as any. Dolph Ziggler proves consistently that he is one of the most undervalued talents on the entire roster - with an uncanny ability to look great in in the ring, even in defeat. Not to mention, Ziggler makes finishing moves look absolutely devastating - a trait that is an afterthought to most of this generations performers. Hes a stellar athlete who treats every match as though it is the one that just might break him into superstardom, and now more than ever, that may just be the case.
How to do It: Simply put, Dolph Ziggler needs to win. Infrequent victories while teaming with Swagger depleted Zigglers stock, and now his credibility is being threatened weekly by losing to the likes of Brodus Clay. Zigglers two impressive showings against World Champion Sheamus were good, but not enough. Ziggler needs a break-out moment - perhaps a victory over one of the companys undefeated rising stars like Brodus Clay, or even Ryback. One huge victory could turn everything around for Twitters favorite #HEEL.