'Underutilized' is a word used by many WWE fans to describe Superstars who aren't in the positions they want them to be. The truth is that in WWE, everything is cyclical, and everyone has their role.
These five Superstars, however, are often dubbed as underutilized, but are actually not:
#5. Ricochet - Gets extremely regular TV time in WWE
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Ricochet has been a regular star in WWE programming since his main roster move early in 2019. He was instantly put in important matches and had a United States Championship run in the second half of that year.
While it was a brief reign, it appeared to be a clear indication of where Ricochet's standing in WWE was. In the eyes of many fans, WWE was slowly building him up to be the next big main event star.
However, 2020 came and he emerged as a WWE Championship contender to Brock Lesnar. He was never going to win and was squashed in over a minute at Saudi Arabia. That turned out to be a downward spiral for him, and he was in an odd position from a creative standpoint.
He had formed a temporary tag team with Cedric Alexander, and the two stayed together for a little while post-WrestleMania 36. However, that ended when Cedric Alexander joined The Hurt Business.
As of this writing, Ricochet is currently in a feud with RETRIBUTION - a WWE faction that hasn't been handled well. It isn't a story that fans are invested in, but despite the downward spiral in his position in the company, Ricochet has always been regularly featured on WWE programming.
He might only be in the mid-card now, but things can still change at any point. He certainly has the in-ring ability of a main event star, but his character and story are lacking. Once that's taken care of, he will be in a much better position to be pushed by WWE.
Having regular TV time will help him in the long-run.
#4. Dana Brooke
Dana Brooke has admittedly been one of the most underutilized female Superstars in WWE since her pairing with Charlotte Flair ended. While she was reportedly scheduled for a big push at the time, she wasn't ready.
She worked hard to improve in the following years, but she spent most of that time on the sidelines or in unimportant roles. 2020 was a different year for her, and while she hasn't seen Championship success just yet, she has taken a step in the right direction.
Apart from regular TV time, she has been in a team with Mandy Rose that has benefited her. She has improved a lot, and the regular TV time she has means that she isn't being underutilized as much as fans think.
Don't be surprised to see Dana Brooke emerge as a WWE Women's Champion in the next couple of years.
#3. Dolph Ziggler - WWE's Showoff hasn't been in a big role, nor does he need to be
The case of Dolph Ziggler hasn't been thought about as much as it used to be. 2016 was the last year that WWE had to push Dolph Ziggler to the top, but his incredible run was cut short.
Since then, he has been a regularly featured star, but he has only been in important positions a few times. When thinking about his time in WWE since 2018, perhaps the most important thing he did was being the catalyst to re-introducing Drew McIntyre to the main roster.
In 2020, Dolph Ziggler is in a team with Robert Roode. While he isn't in an important spot, he is always featured regularly and even had a WWE title pay-per-view match against Drew McIntyre - one that delivered in a big way.
Dolph Ziggler in 2020 isn't being as underutilized as many fans think.
#2. The Miz - Hasn't been underutilized by WWE in years
The Miz is perhaps among the most regularly featured WWE Superstars in the last decade. 2016 was the last year where he had an incredible run, but even after that, he has always been regularly featured.
The Miz spent all of 2020 in WWE teaming up with the returning John Morrison. He found success with the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, and another highlight was becoming a two-time Money in the Bank holder.
He failed his cash-in, but there were never any plans for him to dethrone Drew McIntyre. Despite this, he is always regularly featured and in important feuds often.
#1. Chad Gable
We'll be the first to admit, that for the last four years, Chad Gable has been the most underutilized Superstar on this list. It's difficult to accept for many WWE fans, especially when they see a Superstar with clear top-level potential.
2020 has been a relative change in fortunes for Chad Gable, who started getting regularly featured on SmackDown. After he changed his name from Shorty G back to Chad Gable, it's been uphill for him.
For now, he has aligned with Otis, ensuring regular TV time. In the last few months, Chad Gable hasn't been underutilized by WWE.