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There is little doubt that the current WWE product is red hot to close out 2024, but there are several marquee Superstars on the main roster who would be better off somewhere else.
Top-tier singles performers like Carmelo Hayes and Pete Dunne, as well as Tag Team specialists like Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, are having their talents wasted by WWE Creative.
WWE has been much better since Triple H took more creative control, but each of the following superstars would be better off in AEW or TNA.
Carmelo Hayes
Carmelo Hayes was undoubtedly the top Superstar on the NXT brand while working for Shawn Michaels. Since making the jump to the main roster, though, he has been an afterthought at best.
When given the opportunity, Hayes has put on excellent matches, standing toe-to-toe with top performers like LA Knight, AJ Styles and Andrade. The problem remains that his storylines are lackluster at best and, more often, nonexistent. Hayes should be booked as a top young prospect, not a placeholder.
At just 30 years old, Hayes is a cornerstone piece that the company should be looking to build around. Hayes is wise beyond his years in the ring and on the mic, but his unique style and grace make him a top star. AEW or TNA would gladly pay him top dollar to make the jump to their promotion.
For an owner like Tony Khan, signing someone like Hayes would be reminiscent of signing someone like MJF. That’s the level he would be booked in AEW, squaring off against the best in the world, including Brian Danielson, MJF and Jon Moxley.
Hayes has voiced his support for Triple H, Michaels, and the WWE family, so he likely won’t be leaving anytime soon. With that said, he would become arguably the biggest free agent if he were to test the market.
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn
When Fyre and Dawn joined forces to form a tag team, the WWE Universe was intrigued. With stellar promos and solid in-ring work, wrestling fans have been fully invested in the duo.
Instead of capitalizing on their talent and ability to connect with the fans, WWE used them as a placeholder for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Instead of giving them a memorable storyline, they were left off television until they were needed to put over Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill.
Fyre and Dawn deserve better. Much better.
WWE’s booking of the women’s division has been lackluster at best for several months, but the talent shining in AEW and TNA has never been brighter. Getting to perform with elite performers like Damage CTRL and Belair results in quality matches, but Fyre and Dawn deserve storylines in which fans can invest their time and emotion.
Along with a talented performer like Rosemary, the tag team would instantly become a cornerstone product of TNA, eventually fighting each other for the women’s world title. Wherever they decide to leave WWE or stay when their contracts are up, the tag team championships should be a vehicle for both to enter the women’s world title scene.
Pete Dunne
The hardcore match between Dunne and Sheamus was a highlight of Monday Night Raw and a memorable moment, but another loss has continued to hurt the former NXT UK champion’s credibility.
Dunne was sabotaged almost immediately upon his call-up from NXT, being given an odd schoolboy outfit and the name Butch. Despite the terrible booking decisions, Dunne continued to make the most of every opportunity he was given.
While the WWE Universe hopes that Triple H and the creative team can re-instill confidence from the fans into his character, Dunne will be better off taking his talent to another company and starting anew.
Whether with Khan in AEW or a jump to TNA, Dunne would instantly become a top star and deserves to be interjected into each company’s world heavyweight championship scene.
The odds are that Dunne will stay with WWE, but he could do better elsewhere.
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