By Shane McKinley, Torch specialist

"We’re in a crisis period in WWE and we need to build new guys. When Shawn Michaels came back to Raw, he said, 'Whose been built since I left?'..."On Smackdown we’ve built [John] Morrison and [Dolph] Ziggler and Cryme Tyme. The Intercontinental title has been rebuilt now with Rey Mysterio," Jericho said. "But I can’t tell you on Raw who has been built over the last six months. They better do it soon, because when this generation of performers is gone, who will replace them?" - Chris Jericho

Indeed. Which stars has WWE built up? And which ones have become chumps? The grades represent the quality of the buildup of the stars, the potential upside of the individual, and generally how I view them. For this discussion we'll leave behind the established commodities like Triple H and John Cena.

RAW

Kofi Kingston

The way things are going right now, Kofi will be the longest-reigning U.S. Champion simply because he's not involved in serious feuds. Typically a Kofi PPV match involves lumping the rest of the Raw mid-card in it with him. His athletic skills are impressive, but simply put the smiling fake Jamaican's character is somewhat one-dimensional.

Grade: C+

Randy Orton

At times Orton has moments of brilliance (kicking McMahon in the head, kissing Steph) and at other times is made to look like a dumb buffoon at the hands of smart faces far too often. Orton looks pissed off because it seems that his nuts are constantly getting chopped off on Raw. But Orton is WWE's million dollar heel. Facial expression, swagger, and ring savvy? Check. Problem is that his PPV matches for this year have been serviceable at best.

At times, WWE leads us to believe that Orton can become the most ruthless heel in the business, and the next moment he looks like just another pathetic meathead. Yeah, he's threatening and beating up Hollywood actors. But the main knock on Him: He's nothing but a moody male model who wears a lot of baby oil and has rocks for brains. Plus he's always getting pwned by Trips and Cena.

Grade: B-

Carlito/Shelton Benjamin

Put these two guys together because they're basically the same story: Forever stuck in the mid-card. Either one of these two knuckleheads next week could run into walls or sing Hootie songs.

Grade: N/A

Beth Phoenix

Once Santino left her, her stock plummeted. At one time she looked like she could become WWE's version of Awesome Kong. But WWE is too busying playing Mickie vs. Melinazzzz.

Grade: D

Chavo Guerrero

All fans know about him is that he has lost 20 matches to Hornswoggle in a row. Yes, his comedy shtick is for the kids, but if he's ever gonna be viewed as credible again, it's going to be a long-ass road.

Grade: F

Chris Masters

Same old, same old. Perhaps with a spark or a decent feud on Raw he could become something, but as for right now he's just another write-off. Many fans hated him years ago because he was a muscle-bound meathead that was shoved down people's throats by Vince McMahon. But he's new, so we'll give him a chance.

Grade: D

Cody Rhodes

Seen as the weak one in Legacy. I enjoy DiBiase's work and promos much more than Community Theatre Cody. Cody is about as dangerous as a Sunday School service.

Grade: D+

Festus

The phrase "should have stayed on Smackdown" comes to mind. Kane Jr.'s mentally challenged shtick doesn't fly on Raw. His lowest point was him belting out tunes. It's just a bad idea all around for wrestlers to belt out lame tunes. The Rock could get away with it because he's The Rock. A mentally challenged farm boy? Nope.

Grade: F-

Evan Bourne

Oddly, Bourne's best matches are ones found in ECW or Superstars. I still remember his PPV match with Matt Hardy last year, an awesome match with Rey Mysterio, and a sick match with John Morrison. I felt he was more credible during his stint in ECW. They brought him over to Raw, though. Bourne's in the same boat with Kofi, but Bourne's too good to be stuck doing four-minute washes on Raw. His feud with Jack Swagger was dead before it even got started.
Grade: C-

Gail Kim

Um...

Grade: D-

MVP

No, WWE, I'm pretty sure that MVP is still on that "losing streak" he had over on Smackdown. He's the playmaker of the practice squad. When Triple H can beat you with one leg in four minutes, you're a chump.

Grade: F

Jack Swagger

The biggest crime WWE committed this year was what they did with Swagger on Raw. First they had him play cutesy with Randy Orton because Swaggah wanted to "get on Orton's good side." Yeah, how that work out? We remember fondly his match with John Cena during one typical Raw and thought, "here we go." But he's been involved in dud feuds involving MVP and Evan Bourne. Swagger has the look, the wrestling ability, and the character of a future main eventer. But he's already being forgotten on Raw, despite good performances in short promos. Nowadays commercial breaks are longer than Swaggah matches. And more important. Another Trump draft to move him to Smackdown, please.

Grade: D-

Mark Henry

He's a jolly big man who wears a red outfit. His big babyface move was beating up on Randy Orton. Other than that he's another roaming hired gun, meant to beat up Chris Jericho or click his heels with Hornswoggle. They'll probably have something for him down the road. Probably.

Grade: C

Ted DiBiase

I like DiBiase and I think WWE trusts him more than they do with Swagger or Miz. Been involved in better matches than his buddy Cody. His promos are better too. But he's still stuck as a gutless "towel boy" to Randy Orton. Two years down the road we'll see.

Grade: C+

The Miz

Got hot with his good promos on Raw. People wanted to see him face John Cena. And what did WWE do? Portrayed that Miz was nothing but a chump. Cena didn't even break a sweat when fighting him. Miz has got new attire on so that we view him as a "serious grappler," but the appeal of Miz has been his promo and his heel mannerisms in the ring.

We'll see what the Miz does in his rebirth. But man, getting "fired" and getting his job back in a pole match...so stupid.

Grade: D+

ECW

Ezekiel Jackson

Just another beefed up meathead right now. Sick finisher though.

Grade: N/A

Kozlov

I have high hopes with him teaming up with Jackson and William Regal. The man became a punchline with his weekly squashes that just wouldn't end.

Grade: D+

Sheamus

His feud with Goldust, while ugly, is what the doctor ordered to introduce this character. He's Irish. And he likes to write poetry in his spare time. "I came for gold but they gave me dust." Ah.

Grade: D

Tyler Reks/Yoshi Tatsu

I feel like I'm watching Big Bird and Elmo wrestle when watching these guys. I don't enjoy watching their matches and from my fan perspective don't see any upside.

Grade: N/A

Zack Ryder

Despite his dumb outfit, I always look forward to a Ryder match. With some time, he could go for the ECW championship.

Grade: C+

SMACKDOWN

C.M. Punk

On a friggin tear right now. His home is Smackdown. I grimaced when Punk did his "PSA" promos, but him turning evil and vowing to utterly destroy Jeff Hardy makes for great TV.

Grade: A+

Tyson Kidd/David Hart Smith

The star of this tag team is Tyson Kidd. I enjoy how hard Kidd works in the ring and if WWE had a cruiserweight division, Kidd would be on the top of the list. As for David Hart Smith, he's serviceable. Recently the Hart Foundation got a serious push. We'll see how long it lasts.

Grade: C+

Dolph Ziggler

He's doing his best trying to make fans forget his "I'm Dolph Ziggler" joke on Raw. Lot of potential here, but still work to be done in order to get over.

Grade: B-

John Morrison

While his face actions are at times embarrassing ("Boy! I love Michael Jackson too, Teddy Long!") and his promos are clunky; his in-ring action is flashy and exciting. He's about to bust down that door.

Grade: A

Mike Knox

Maybe in time he will just become another Snitsky, but hopefully more. He sometimes wrestles like a drunken bear but I do love me some Fort Knox body splashes. His quiet, disturbing promos are a welcome change from the "I'M GONNA RIP YA HEART OUT" screaming promos ala Rhino. Maybe one day he'll become the next Umaga, which is his highest goal in WWE. Plus, the beard Mr. Fuzzy.

Grade: C-

Cryme Tyme

Remember, WWE fired these guys awhile back. And just recently Cryme Tyme were pushed as top contenders to Big Show and Jericho. I'm uncertain if they are not just one-hit wonders for Summerslam. And their matches are often too formulaic for their own good.

Grade: C-

Thoughts? Reaction? Send feedback to pwtorch@gmail.com

Email is mckinley.torch@gmail.com

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