5 WWE superstars who may not be on the roster by next Christmas

We all know of former WWE Champions who, through bad booking, injury, or failed contract negotiations, eventually and unfortunately faded from our screens. We often still hear the cries as the WWE Universe opines over their former favourites on message boards, across social media, and loudly at WWE live events (CM PUNK! CM PUNK!).

When one of our favourite performers leaves the spotlight, it’s often hard for us to cope with the talent left on the roster. How can someone who has held gold and is, without question, beloved by fans be shoved out of a company? Unfortunately, like any job, it happens.

Here are five superstars who we think may not be on a WWE roster next Christmas.

#5 Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler has largely been relegated to putting "over" NXT transplants

Dolph Ziggler has had one of the more tumultuous WWE stints in recent years. The pinnacle of his success occurred on an April 2013 episode of Raw where, as WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio appeared injured, Ziggler marched down the ring and cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and stole the title from the Mexican standout.

This was one of the loudest audience pops we can recall in recent memory. But where does that leave Ziggler now?

Ziggler’s 2017 has been relegated to putting over new transplants from the NXT brand. First, Ziggler took a series of losses to Shinsuke Nakamura upon his start on the main roster.

Now, Ziggler has found himself as resident “welcoming committee” again as “The Showoff” feuds will new WWE Superstar and Former NXT Champion Bobby Roode.

This lacklustre booking, a remarkable fall from grace, and a contract set to expire next year tells us Ziggler may be hanging up his wrestling boots by next October.

But speaking of NXT welcoming committees…

#4 Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura's WWE campaign hasn't been as stellar as one may have expected.

This one may come as a shock to you, but despite your “marking out” for Shinsuke Nakamura, he hasn’t totally lit up the WWE Universe since arriving from the NXT brand in April 2017.

A strange initial push presented Shinsuke with not one, but TWO WWE Championship opportunities at both Summerslam and Hell in a Cell where he was able to challenge the perennial fan-punching bag that is Jinder Mahal, all within his first 6 months in the business!

After losing both WWE Championship contests in lacklustre fashion to the “Modern Day Maharaja,” Nakamura has largely become an afterthought on Smackdown Live programming and on pay per view contests, teaming up more often with Randy Orton is a perplexing tag team than any WWE fan would care to see.

Some strange booking patterns and a contract that is coming towards expiration has us asking, why would Nakamura want to stay anyway?

#3 Brock Lesnar

Lesnar has had a nice run as WWE Universal Champion, but is that coming to an end?

No shock here, but Brock Lesnar’s contract is set to expire in April 2018, conspicuously terminating directly after Wrestlemania 34 where, if rumours are to be believed, he will be dropping the belt to Roman Reigns and relinquishing that “Wrestlemania moment” to the “Big Dog.”

That doesn't necessarily mean Brock is 100% gone from WWE. There is a reported clause in Brock’s contract where it may automatically renew should neither party tell the other they plan on terminating it. But without a title and opportunities elsewhere, we just don’t see “The Beast” sticking around to snack on younger WWE talent any longer.

#2 Sheamus

Sheamus is suffering from a condition that may lead to an early retirement.

This is undoubtedly the most unfortunate of the group, as Sheamus has been nothing but entertaining and accommodating over his long and committed WWE career. From holding individual titles to his current role as ½ of the Raw Tag Team Champions “The Bar,” Sheamus has done all he is required of and more to succeed in the business.

Which is why it is so unnerving for any fan of Sheamus to learn that he is reportedly suffering from Spinal Stenosis, a disease that affects the neck and back by narrowing the spaces within the victim’s spine.

We don’t know how long Sheamus can compete at a high-level or the progression or treatment of this condition, but we hope to see his talent continue to shine on Raw and Pay Per Views for at least another year.

#1 Randy Orton

Orton has won a lot of titles, but is his time coming to a close?

Now we have mentioned superstars that have been booked poorly, but neither Ziggler nor Nakamura has ever publicly made clear they are unhappy with the current situation. The

“Viper” Randy Orton, on the other hand, has had no issue expressing his personal feelings about how the company is booking him.

Just this year, Orton took to Twitter to publicly lambast WWE creative for booking a Punjabi Prison match between himself and Jinder Mahal, alluding to the fact that observers simply can’t see a match taking place between two barriers of bamboo.

After winning the Royal Rumble and ultimately the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania, Orton has devolved by losing three WWE Championship contests to Jinder Mahal and now finds himself doing Shane McMahon’s childish “dirty business” to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn on Smackdown Live.

This complete destruction of babyface Orton has us thinking, how long do we have left of the “Viper?” Our suggestion is either turn Randy Orton heel, where he has shown over his illustrious career to be successful or let the man walk. Because, this, isn’t helping anyone.