I haven't done one of these in awhile, but... I am now. I think that wrestling right now is about ready to catch an upswing in the industry again. Think about it, they have an influx of these new stars who are almost ready to hit the main event and you have a mix of very good teachers who can train them. Not just that, but these older veterans seem to be hitting their second wind. It seems as if the whole industry is gearing up to move another notch. These new and old wrestling stars mixed in with good competition makes it seem as if ratings will sky rocket and we'll see the new version of the crotch chop everywhere. The point of all this is that I'm going to run down stars (and you can take this as a guarantee) that will be huge in the upcoming success of the industry. Since the mainstream audience is mostly gathered by TV shows, I'll stick with WWE stars for the moment and work my way through WWE rising Stars, then Teachers, then TNA rising stars, then teachers in due time. Starting with the WWE rising superstars...

We have the "Most Controversial Champion" John Cena. Whether or not you love him or hate him, he is ratings gold. Sure, he's not the most talented wrestler, but neither was the Hulkster. Not only does this guy draw merchandise from women and children, but he draws ratings for all the guys who want to see him lose. This man is win-win either way you cut it and as long as you keep tuning in to watch him win or lose, then it doesn't really matter. However, character aside, you have to give him credit in the fact that he is a workhorse in terms of outside activity which does draw some viewers into the wrestling world. Look at him; he is everywhere. He's at car shows, on magazines, online, sports events... you name it and this guy is doing everything he can to promote. He is a media beast and just his appearance everywhere does a lot to just get people interested. Now, if he improved his wrestling skill in the future and gave him more time on the mic, you can see this guy hit even bigger major superstardom.

Carlito, the apple chomping man. This man right here is another child born of wrestling legends. From the minute he set foot in the WWE, you have to admit you've been captivated by his style. I've heard things where he was not so hot in OVW, but naysayers in the past seem to have turned around for him. He is currently undergoing a very tricky change to a face character and this makes it interesting to see if he can retain that coward, wrestling style and still be good. I believe he can pull it off. He seems to be currently in the process of refining his character; raising certain qualities while getting rid of some. I don't doubt that by the end of next year, he'll be main eventing.

Eugene Dinsmore, a technical genius in the ring. Well, with the Eugene character, he's a technical savant. I don't see him making it very far saddled with the "mentally challenged" character. If they turn him heel, make him cut a promo about how he's been lying all along, and then let him build a new character in the same manner as "The Shooter" Dean Malenko, you'll be grinning. He can be one of those ushering in a new age of pure wrestling.

Paul Burchill. Coincidentally, this man is also one of those technical geniuses. Hailing from England, Paul Burchill has made a name for himself world wide. His new character, Pirate Paul Burchill is not horrible, but most likely seems as if it will be discarded later on. I don't think the WWE intends to hold onto the character for too long, though I could be wrong. Either way, he makes it work for the moment. Regardless of whether or not he's a pirate, a ninja, a barber, warlord, a barbarian, or a gobbledy gooker, he will be key in terms of pure wrestling in the future. It doesn't matter if WWE lets him go, someone else is going to snap him up.

Edge. Though he's has been around for awhile, it is more than safe to consider that he is the number one bad guy in wrestling. He's got legitimate hate on him and he knows how to keep it hot. When Edge returned off the injury list, he was very bland and generic. However, he had more than a second wind when the Lita/Hardy/Edge scandal hit. Knowing how to run off of this, he has proven himself to definitely be a very versatile wrestler in any match, entertaining in any moment, and definite future gold around his waist.

Shelton Benjamin... what do you really need to say about him? Though still very young and has room to still improve in wrestling, no doubt he is a beast to contend with. This guy can go all over the ring and still go run some laps afterwards. What is also great is that his mic skills are improving. He seems to be more and more confident and this leads to better and better promos. Though some guys need to actively practice and train, I think he's one of those natural talents that just grow better just from sheer repetition. Another year and I expect him to start main eventing.

Masters... I'm still a little iffy on this man. He has improved bounds and steps, but he still does not seem to be mid card belt contendership. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if he stays healthy though. Also, is it just me or has he shrunk a bit since they said they would start doing drug testing?

Let's talk about our resident psycho, Mickie James. This girl has wowed audiences on the independent scene and is certainly doing the job here. She does indeed deserve the women's title and after a good solid reign by Trish Stratus, these two are proving to bring back respect to it. These two women are hard hitting and have better matches than many of the men on the roster. I consider their match at WrestleMania one of the better ones of the night. If she doesn't get an ego and can keep herself on the good side of behavior, I expect her to only raise the bar. Heyyy Mickie, you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind...

The Spirit Squad...they made this gimmick work. It's absurd, it's stupid, it tugs at no heart strings, doesn't allow anyone to relate to them...and yet their damn good. I don't know if its because of their characters, but they bring a lot energy. A LOT OF ENERGY. They seem to be having a lot of fun with it too; every single week they go out to try to top the silliness of last week and are having a ball doing it. You can also seem some legitimate wrestling skill in them too. Those leg drops are a thing of beauty. I should also make mention that they resurrect the stable concept again. It makes sense on a whole lot of levels. More people in one group = more energy, more variety, more to bring to the table while decreasing injury rate, decreasing dissatisfaction with TV time, and just bringing a lot of talent in at once. Go Mikey! Go Kenny! Go..uh..on Donner, on Cupid, On....well, I don't know their names, but Go Spirit Squad!

Maria Kanellis, cute as a button and she's made another literally dumb character work. A fan favorite in my opinion and if they have someone like Finlay train her as he did for the other divas, she's going to a permanent main stay of the WWE. I like her, I bet everyone else does too.

Bobby Lashley. Wow. I mean... wow. He's got a great appearance, a great style, and a decent wrestler. I say decent wrestler only because there seems to be something about him in the ring that seems off. It's as if he's 2 seconds off in every move he does so you get the feeling that his actions are not smooth and flowing. You can definitely see a stutter step in his actions, but that can be taken care of. Even if he never gets on the mic again, if he clears out that little hesitation, you've got a faster rising star than most of these people on the roster. I'm not just saying because I like him, but the WWE has always preferred larger men and he is fitting the bill. When he gets more seasoned, the WWE is going to push him to the moon. Then he'll apply the Dominator to the moon. Then tidal waves will start occurring due to the destruction of the moon. Then the world ends. Therefore, Bobby Lashley = End of the World.

Trevor Murdoch, a fresh face, fresh appearance, fresh style...and now he's Siskel and Roper. I liked his in ring style and his character, so what are they doing with him? He's funny, but why is he not wrestling? WHY?! WHAT DID HE DO?!

Mike Mizanin- very new to the roster and I'm not sure what he brings yet. However, I'm willing to see since he seems to be willing to give a lot to the wrestling industry itself. Either way, he's going to bring in audience who enjoys reality shows just to see what he's doing. Because..he's the...Moz? Maz? Ahh. the Miz.

Paul London and Brian Kendrick- This is hard one to call and not because their not talented. Ever since the WWE cut down on moves, it has impacted the cruiserweights a good deal, especially for these two guys who made a name for themselves in ROH and across the world with their high flying moves. If the WWE let up a bit on their restrictions, you're going to see people start cheering for smaller men more and more. This, is a good thing. Either way, they are and will be stars and only raise the bar for cruiserweight matches.

This brings me to Shane Helms, who has been on the roster for a very long time, but with this new character brings a very serious tone to his matches. This is good as he no longer has to take silly bumps or not be taken seriously in the ring. Ever since he's taken the cruiserweight belt, I feel as if he's bringing in a lot of good with his style. Also, he can sell like no one else. He takes moves so well that it is very enjoyable to watch him in the ring. I expect after he's done with the current belt, he'll move onto the US title belt.

The Great Khali.... does not deserve to be on the list. He is another big man who can't move. There are plenty of big men who can't move. In fact, I know the perfect way to bring in the very best of the Big Men Who Cannot Move. I actually met him and have passed by him many times. He's the telephone pole down the street. You can't lift him, you can't hurt him, and best of all, if he falls on you, its over. The WWE should hire him. The Great Pole-y. Anyways, Big Show at least has moves in the ring. I don't like the Great Khali and neither should you. So, if you do like him...you're a very bad person.

MNM- They are tag team champions for a reason. They bring back memories of when tag teams were abundant and very good. They have great chemistry, a great manager, and everything is just done well with them. I don't have much to say except that they need more air time.

Mr. Ken Kennedy- though currently injured, he is nothing short of the future main eventer. Just a look at his promos and his in ring work is proof that legends are still in the making today and that wrestling is not over as an industry.

Randy Orton- with this fiasco currently on his list, it's hard to make a call on him. If he hadn't gotten in trouble this past month, I would have boldly made the declaration that he would be a multiple time heavyweight champion. However, with the recent buzz about him, its hard to say how soon its going to happen. If he does return, then expect the title belt around him in 2 years.

These are the Rising Stars of the WWE, I didn't expect it to go so long, but there you have it. Nothing but goodness served up on a wrestling plate and the future is bright.

I know this is unrelated, but I have to toss these comments in here. I think Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon have very good character play between them and with this recent God Kick that Vinnie Mac is on (though sacrilegious and offensive), I think it's hilarious. I was laughing when Vince entered the church wanting to pay by credit card. How about when Shane was reading the commandments and works of Mr. McMahon and stopped because "Dad, this is getting weird." The loud and outspoken tyrant and the quiet, but still evil son. It's good to see Shane O Mac back on TV. Also, ever since Sharmell came on TV with Booker T, I've seen nothing but energy from him. Being with his wife has totally renewed him and bought back promos that are in high energy, and you know he is having fun with it.

That's it for now. No more. Please, no more.

by Jasper..