A limb-snapping former champion or a gyrating beefcake? 5 WWE stars who may never have a main-event run under Triple H
With so many WWE Superstars between RAW, SmackDown, and NXT, there will always be a cross-section of performers who never enjoy a main-event run.
Officials already pre-determine which stars receive unlimited title opportunities. Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair, Brock Lesnar, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, and Seth Rollins are either champions or always challenging for titles.
Other stars like AJ Styles, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, Bayley, and others pivot in and out of the title scene when needed. WWE will push who it sees value in, often leaving some without a chance to ever win a major title.
With that as the indicator of a run atop a division, the next five WWE stars may never have a main-event run under Triple H. However, it does not mean that the following stars aren't worthy of that treatment.
#5. Shayna Baszler has fallen short in every singles title chase
Shayna Baszler dominated the competition in NXT. She won the title twice and was booked as a near-unstoppable force. That booking should have continued on the main roster, but having her bite Becky Lynch's ear in her first official appearance as a member of RAW set a strange tone.
The Queen of Spades fell to The Man at WrestleMania 36. In every title challenge after her initial push, Baszler has suffered the same outcome.
WWE also pushes the former MMA star as a serious threat because she is truly one of the few stars who could legitimately injure someone.
Despite that fact, the booking has always made Baszler seem like she has just enough bite to be a threat but not enough power in that bite to be a singles champ.
#4. Indi Hartwell hasn't found footing on the main roster
Indi Hartwell was popular in NXT but enjoyed more of a niche popularity as opposed to setting the world on fire. Some may say it doesn't matter how someone gets over as long as they get over.
The problem was Hartwell never stood out for her in-ring talent or mic skills. She was in a tween romance angle during the height of NXT 2.0. Her NXT title win seemed more like a nostalgic consolation prize due to the uncertainty with Roxanne Perez's health.
Hartwell hasn't stood out in her nearly two years on the main roster and has already been leapfrogged by Tiffany Stratton and Lyra Valkyria. The roster in NXT will only get better and better. Since she has yet to make a dent, Hartwell may never do so under Triple H.
#3. Otis always entertains the WWE Universe
Otis is a unique performer. He plays the lovable teddy bear brilliantly. When he's a heel, he excels as the no-nonsense muscle. WWE tried to give the unlikely beefcake a shot at the main event when he won the 2020 Money in the Bank.
In a time when Lesnar, Rollins, Bobby Lashley, and Roman Reigns dominated the title scenes, the beefy Lothario stood out. He stood out, however, for the wrong reasons.
Otis was a former tag team specialist who came out of a high-school romance storyline with Mandy Rose. It was a bold choice to have him win a guaranteed title shot, but WWE realized the mistake by having the Miz win the case from him.
Aleister Black or AJ Styles would have been better choices to win that year, but bookers did what they did. Otis can win a mid-card title in his career, but a main-event run under Triple H would be hard to achieve.
#2. Kairi Sane joined Damage CTRL upon her WWE return
Like Baszler, Kairi Sane ruled NXT during her initial run with the brand. She was a highly-touted international signing, following in the footsteps of Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura.
The Pirate Princess is a complete performer but may never enjoy a run with one of the women's major championships. The top four or five of the division is set in stone, and her smaller size may hinder upward movement.
She's an exciting performer who excels in a team. For that reason, she may be used in a tag team for most of her WWE career.
#1. Chad Gable can hang with anyone
Chad Gable's biggest spotlight in the singles division likely played out this year. He relentlessly pursued the Intercontinental Championship while both Gunther and Sami Zayn held the belt.
His in-ring talent and charisma as a character have never been in question. It's the hierarchy in any promotion that will likely prevent a main-event run under Triple H.
If that is defined as being featured in main events, Gable has achieved that this year. Despite his skills, Chad Gable may never reach that main-event run as a major champion that many fans, analysts, and contemporaries feel he deserves.