While CM Punk may return to the WWE one day, it seems the "Second City Saint" has finished up his career as a full-time world travelling pro wrestler, closing in on eight years with the company. A whole new generation of Superstars are being groomed every week, poised to take over the McMahon dynasty full of smart phone applications and over-the-top Networks. This week we take a look at the top ten WWE Superstars, and potential future Superstars who might bring pro wrestling into the world of tomorrow.
Choosing these ten up-and-coming stars (and a handful of other surprises) is more than a matter of who's won championships, independent wrestlers with cool move-sets, and Twitter followers. WWE's top brass looks for the "complete package" when selecting future icons. Sometimes it's a matter of size (e.g., Batista, Undertaker), or naturally gifted athleticism (e.g., John Cena, Kurt Angle), while for others it's a larger-than-life charisma (e.g., The Rock, Hulk Hogan). But while every one of those guys excels in their given category, their developed skill sets bleed into the others and form the perfect combination of talent that made all of them legends.
It's important to note that finding success in the future may not necessarily mean holding the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Now that there is only one world title, and likely soon to be one midcard title, championship gold can't be the only way to measure greatness. Jake "The Snake" Roberts will be inducted into the 2014 Hall of Fame class without ever winning the big one. Roddy Piper, Ted DiBiase and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat all fall in line here as well. You'd be a fool not to include any of these guys in your "best ever" lists.
All that being said, who is in line to carry the WWE product in the coming years?
