5 WWE Superstars who can fill HBK's shoes
It’s a topic of conversation WWE fans have every so often.
Who is going to replace the superstars they grew up watching? Regardless of the era, the promotion or the country, fans want to remember the ones who got them interested in the business, made a lasting impression and to this day, remain one of their favourites.
I’m old school, in that I grew up watching the sweet science of Dory Funk, and the brawler’s mentality of Harley Race. But when I think of current WWE superstars, finding a suitable replacement to fill that role is next to impossible.
The older gimmicks of the 1970s and 1980s will never be replaced, but it’s fun to think out loud who might fill a similar role in the current business.
No one is ever going to replace Shawn Michaels. The “Heartbreak Kid” is one of WWE’s genuine greats. His charisma and in-ring ability make him one of the greatest of all-time. Some argue he is better than Ric Flair and more popular than The Rock. As I have said before, that’s a topic for another time and place.
For now, let’s concentrate on Michaels as the wrestler and the impact he has had on the business. There will likely never be a “Shawn Michaels” again. He cannot be duplicated. While imitation is the greatest form of flattery, there are a few wrestlers, who could replicate the image but never take away from the real thing.
Michaels was as much a total package as there ever was one in this business.
Here are five wrestlers who could fill Michaels’ shoes if they were packaged correctly.
#1 Dolph Ziggler
If you asked this question three years ago, Ziggler’s name would have been first on the list. I still think he is capable of filling that type of role. Watch Ziggler in a match. Watch his tendencies and his in-ring ability and how he sells a match.
There are very few wrestlers on the current roster, who sell a match much like Michaels and as an old-school guy; I see some of the same facial expressions and tendencies. Add to that the “superkick” finisher, and there is a lot to like about Ziggler’s chances, to once again claim a world title. I also would not be surprised if he turned heel once again.