Ten Wrestlers - An Exercise

Here's your assignment:

Today, TNA, WWE, ROH and every independant wrestling company in North America goes bankrupt and has to disband. You've got a shit-ton of cash and you want to start your own wrestling company. USA is happy to give you RAW's old time slot, and you have your choice of whom you want booking. So now, you need wrestlers to fill the roster.

Who are the first ten guys that you'd go out of your way to sign?

Overall Philosophy: I'm building a fed that emphasizes athleticism, good wrestling psychology and storytelling inside the ring. Size doesn't matter; I want to try and obliterate the WWE-image that only the biggest, most statuesque guys could be wrestling superstars. Talent counts more than body type.

I also want guys who can entertain with and without the mic outside the ring, both in serious and comedic storylines and spots. I want the wrestlers to be the show, not GMs, not celebrities, not announcers, but the wrestlers. These are the ten that I think will give me that edge right out of the gate.

Here are mine:

John Cena - There's no denying that the guy is one of the biggest stars in wrestling today. A lot of my problems with him stem from poor booking, not ability. He's an ideal anchor for my new wrestling company.

Chris Jericho - C'mon, you didn't think I'd start a wrestling company and not hire him? He's the most awesome all-around performer this decade, and he'd have been a lock for Wrestler of the Aughts if he didn't take time off. He has great chemistry with Cena as a top heel.

CM Punk - After three years of waiting as a generic but charismatic babyface, Punk's busted out as the hottest heel on any major brand or promotion right now. Of course he's the perfect fit for the fed.

AJ Styles - Free from the storylines and writing that make him look like a chump, I plan to make him look like a Champ. He's got the raw athleticism and good knowledge of how to work to become a top-level main event face. He also has good cocky charisma that can be amped up to arrogant to play a heel if needed or refined into swagger to help him play to the crowd as a face.

Austin Aries - As if I didn't have enough mouthy top-level heels, Aries comes aboard for the near future. If you've ever heard this guy cut a promo, you'd know why. He's the perfect guy to be the Napoleonic cult-like leader for the big heel stable.

Mike Knox - Most of hte tall monsters that Vince has brought in over the years have been dreadful. Knox is one of the exceptions. He has the monster credibility, plus a knack for cutting quirky, creepy promos and a suprisingly agile and diverse working style.

Edge - This is probably my diciest pick with his injury history, but when he's healthy, Edge can bring the goods as a smarmy, opportunistic heel douchebag. The upside is that he can play the face role too, albeit the loner role suits him best if he's being cheered.

Christian - I always thought he was the more charismatic of the two when he and Edge teamed together. He's a natural face and has been carrying ECW crowds ever since he came back. He'd definitely be in the mix in my new company.

Jack SWAGGAH~! - He's a big part of the future of wrestling. He has everything - look, charisma, ability. His lisp is noticeable, but not earth-shatteringly bad. I'll take him and run with him for years and years to come.

El Generico - The last one on the list is a guy who connects with every crowd I see him wrestle. For a guy who doesn't promo at all in English, he naturally draws people to cheer for him with his expressive taunts and gestures and his high-energy style of work. Consider him my investment for the future on the face side.