Hot
Kane- The hottest thing in the WWE right now imo. Ever since the Taker angle started Kane is becoming the focal point of Smackdown, and with him looking stronger as WHC by the week I think 2010 could end up being quite a good year for Kane. He could always cut pretty good promos, and as of late they have been increasingly awesome.
Randy Orton- Next to Kane the hottest thing in the WWE imo. He is quickly getting just as many, if not more cheers than Cena on a weekly basis. I feel that if his popularity keeps climbing the way it has been the past 3-4 months he could be that face to take the top spot when Cena does in fact turn heel, if he does. However, I dont think he should be given the WWE title just yet, I think they should hold off on that for a few more months.
Fortune- Say what you want, I love this stable. I always felt that Flair could play the mentor/manager role extremely well. Some may call it a Evolution/Horsemen ripoff but what hasn't been ripped off at some point before? It's really helping Beer Money and Kaz become more established as upper carders and is helping AJ stay involved in a storyline, but not being involved in a major feud. To many times when he isn't in the title picture it feels like he gets demoted. Currently it isn't the case.
The Miz- Mr. Money in the Bank. His promos and matches are solid, and he is only getting better. I see him holding onto the case for awhile, much like Edge initally. I think 2 or 3 high profile feuds (maybe Orton or Jericho?) would really help him immensely in his inevidable world title run after Cashing in the money in the bank briefcase.
Lukewarm-
Sheamus- He is doing a fine job as a top heel on RAW, I just want to see him finally start to look dominant. Every title defense he has had he never wins cleanly, I cant take someone serious as a monster heel without going over clean on atleast one face. His match with Orton at SUmmer SLam is going to be extremely important in his devlopment into a top heel.
Cody Rhodes- I never thought I'd say this, but he is showing some glimpses of the family charisma. His little vignettes and promos are pretty entertaining and he is solid in the ring. I am curious to see where his 'Dashing' character takes him. I see a IC title push towards the end of the year.
Kofi Kingston- This past week on Smackdown he got a bit EDGIER, if you can call attacking Ziggler edgy, but he is quickly becoming a SHelton Benjamin type of mid carder: extremely athletic but otherwise pretty dull. I think he really needs to establish some kind of character to avoid becoming extremely dull.
Dolph Ziggler- I like that he is getting a bit more intense, but his whole Angle with Vickie just seems awkward and at times forced, they really haven't done much other than go down to the ring together. I need to see something more than that.
Chris Jericho- I love Jericho, I really do. But it's obvious that he doesn't have alot left in the tank. He is starting to look sluggish and lazy. He is starting to become a glorified jobber, I am not against him helping establish guys like Bourne, but he needs to also at the same time keep that credibility as "The Best in the world at what he does" in order to make those guys look as good as he does in terms of kayfabe.
Not-
Christian- He is quickly losing any credibility he had when ECW was cancelled. I felt that after ECW was cancelled he could have easily transitioned into an upper carder with potential to be in the main event by now. But he is falling into that Matt Hardy level where the fans love them, but they are obviously not ever going to be world champions in the WWE, which is kind of sad because he is one of the most talented guys on the roster imo.
Desmond Wolfe- What happened to him? 6 months ago it was looking like he was going to be world champion within 3 months, and now his presence is almost non existant.
The Hart Dynasty- What have the done worth mentioning since winning the straps? Feuding with the Usos? I love the Harts and everything but they have so much potential not tapped yet. I feel that they could help ressurect the almost non existant WWE tag division if given a chance.
John Cena- I am by no means a Cena hater, nor am I a Cena fan, but he is getting hard to watch. I find it hard to take him seriously as the "WWE General" in the "war" with the Nexus. His promos are getting increasingly corny and hard to watch and his matches are getting pretty horrid as well. I respect everything he does for the WWE but, I think that he is drained, I feel that a few months off would do Cena some help.