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When Triple H turned heel and started the authority with his wife Stephanie Mcmahon, the storyline looked promising. The faction ran its course and was supposed to end at Survivor Series last year, but the WWE reversed their decision and brought the faction back for another run.
Since then, not much has changed. The group, now comprising of HHH, Stephanie, Seth Rollins, Big Show, Kane and J&J security have stagnated as an act. Despite Seth Rollin's impressive run, the group have been stuck in meaningless storylines. The constant rematches with the likes of John Cena, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns did little to help the matter, and now is the time to start winding down the run of the Authority. We take a look at eight potential figureheads who could take over the on-camera power role (as potentially the General Manager) that the Authority currently holds.
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1) AJ Lee
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Yes AJ Lee quit the organization two months ago. However, in the world of professional wrestling, nothing is forever and AJ Lee could potentially be tempted to return once the lawsuit between her husband CM Punk and WWE Physician Chris Amann is over.
AJ Lee has arguably the best promo skills among the female athletes, thus putting her in the best position to carry off the authority person despite her diminutive figure. Her slightly deranged on-screen personality will also be able to translate to some unpredictability, which could potentially mean she might favor the faces one week and the heels the next.
AJ Lee had a brief run as general manager of Raw in 2012, but that phase was marred by haphazard booking. She began her Raw GM career by bizarrely leaving Daniel Bryan at the altar after the culmination of their romantic relationship. She was also regularly portrayed as not being good enough for the job, with both Paul Heyman and Vickie Guerrero demonstrating interest in taking over. Less than four months since taking over that role, they removed the GM position from her and she moved back to the love triangle storylines that WWE have rehashed countless of times.
With the #givedivasachance movement, this move, if done correctly can be used by WWE as a PR and marketing tool on empowering women. The divas will also get an opportunity to get more exposure.
2) Daniel Bryan
With Daniel Bryan’s injury problems, it might be wise to move him to adopt a backstage role. Becoming the authority figure will allow Bryan to recuperate and recover while still maintaining an on-screen presence. This may be vital in ensuring the longevity of his career.
Daniel Bryan’s character arc has been the ultimate underdog, and who doesn’t love an underdog who eventually rises to the top of the corporate ladder.
Daniel Bryan as the authority figure also has different potential story arcs. They could go with the angel where he slowly gets disrespected by Seth Rollins (or whoever is the WWE Champion) and returns to the ring to gain respect, or he could slowly develop a Napoleon complex before returning as a heel.
3) Corey Graves
This is an outside shot, but Corey Graves seem to be on the fast track towards a career as a television personality. After his in-ring career was cut short by injuries, HHH gave him a chance to continue in the business. He is now a commentator on NXT and a regular on pre-show panels.
The authority figure on television is the biggest role for a non-wrestling television personality, and it will be a big vote of confidence should they give Graves such an opportunity. However, this could be trial by fire and a successful run as general manager could lead him to become a permanent fixture on television.
4) Dean Ambrose
Since bursting onto the scene as part of the Shield, Dean Ambrose have provided the WWE with some of the best WWE comedic moments. From the ALS bucket challenge on Seth Rollins to the priceless reaction on his face when Seth Rollins get pelted by goo, Ambrose timing and delivery have made him a hit.
Dean Ambrose could benefit from a short run as general manager, playing a role littered with comedy as well as a serious no-nonsense general manager. Ambrose is the closest thing in today’s WWE to Stone Cold Steve Austin, who managed to strike the right balance between being incredibly funny and being a man to be feared in the ring. While Stone Cold’s general manager run came at the tail end of his career, a run for Ambrose could provide him a break from meaningless mid-card feuds and propel him into the main event.
5) Booker T
Would you rather see Booker T in a few segments a show or hear him for the entire show? Personally opinion may differ, but Booker T is a television personality first-and-foremost, and moving him away from the commentary booth may help improve the commentary, which has been one of the WWE’s weakest elements.
Booker T can fill that role as general manager when called upon, as demonstrated in his stint as the general manager of Smackdown. He was strict and impartial, and did not insert him unnecessarily into storylines. This would be useful for telling those stories as it will put the focus on the wrestlers and the general manager will be used as a vessel to explain how matches are made.
After the segment with HHH where Booker T was told he was fired, only to have it reversed, he would serve as a perfect general manager to fill the job once HHH and Stephanie McMahon are sent packing. He could also be involved in a storyline where he wrests control from them.
6) JBL
It can be argued that JBL has been even worse than Booker T on the commentary booth. He often strays from what’s happening in the ring and his petty squabbles with the rest of the commentary team have not been the most effective use of his personality.
JBL also has experience as an authority figure, as the general manager of NXT. In segments as general manager, you can tell his genuine passion in trying to protect the brand and it will be interesting to see how it translates on a bigger platform. JBL can also toe the line between being a good guy and a bad guy effectively.
7) Sting
Now that Sting has had his Wrestlemania moment, he can move on to other aspects of wrestling. During his feud with HHH, Sting barely had the opportunity to speak. Becoming the authority figure would be able to flesh out his complete character further in front of the WWE universe. Newer fans are unaware of his true career, thanks to bad storytelling from WWE leading up to the match at Wrestlemania. Getting increased exposure will allow him to grow, and we can see him serve as both the decision-maker as well as the mentor.
Prior to joining WWE, rumours about Sting potentially becoming the general manager ran rampant, and Sting succeeding WWE will bring the storyline that they began last Survivor Series full circle.
