Over the course of wrestling history, there have been superstars the fans have felt aren’t getting a fair shake. While not every superstar can be a world champion or is championship material, that doesn’t mean they can’t be used properly. The WWE over recent years has been a yo-yo when it comes to who should be pushed, and how he or she should be pushed. They then scratch their heads when some stars can’t get over the way they might have in the days of yesteryear. Or worse, ask for their release.

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While Vince likes to claim that fans have the power, the writers and bookers all cater to his whims. Totally understandable when he’s footing the bill. But that doesn’t mean that plenty of people haven’t been miscast or abused along the way. Here are 10 Wrestlers WWE Misused This Decade.

10 Luke Harper

There are some fans of Luke Harper that think he’s the second coming of Bruiser Brody. Whether or not that’s true, the guy is tremendous in the ring. Just watch his matches with another member of this list, Dolph Ziggler, or his matches with Dean Ambrose. Combine his in-ring skills with a lot of his facial expressions and Harper definitely has all of the makings of a top-flight nasty heel. He seemingly is only missing someone at the tippy top of the brass pulling for him.

9 Dana Brooke

Blond, buxom, built, and beautiful - Dana Brooke certainly has the look of a WWE Superstar. But as far as the Women’s Evolution has come and as popular as the ladies are, there are still seldom few spots for the women in wrestling.

Dana has always done her best to make the most out of who they put her with. Although each time she’s been booked, it hasn’t been the right fit - she’s not Arn, she’s not Alexandra York, she’s her own woman. Perhaps WWE should turn her loose with the Flex Appeal bit.

8 Rusev

While a lot of fans have bemoaned the current storyline, Rusev isn’t being misused here, since he’s helping himself with the story. But what about everything before that? Rusev was built up as a monster and rolled out into WrestleMania on a tank, only to get stamped out by Cena for several months. Then the Bulgarian Brute got himself back over with Rusev Day, and for whatever the reason the WWE brass didn’t run with it. That’s misused twice, and the guy has only been on the main roster for five years.

7 Bray Wyatt

We all love the Fiend, but we also mostly liked everything Bray Wyatt was already doing. The Max Cady, Cape Fear vibe mixed with the supernatural and backwoods cult had fans instantly hooked and consistently behind the Wyatt family from the moment they first debuted. Much like Rusev, Wyatt was built up strong until he was taken out by John Cena and bad booking at WrestleMania XXX. While he was able to recover somewhat, he had been used poorly up until the debut of the Fiend.

6 Dolph Ziggler

What hasn’t been said about the abomination that has been Dolph Ziggler’s career? First the positives. He has been a consistent part of WWE for nearly 15 years and earning a living, which anyone would and should celebrate. But a man with his skill level and passion should be heralded so much higher on the card.

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The fans know that he’s Shawn Michaels-level great, but the brass has never booked him to be on that level. Hopefully, he’s enjoying a boatload level salary to compensate for the fact that he could be making so much more for himself and the company.

5 Cesaro

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Every so often, WWE brass remember the kind of talent they have in the former Mysterious Ice Cream, Cesaro. Similar to a Bret Hart or a Curt Hennig, the Swiss Superman can have any kind of match with anyone and always entertain the crowd. While he might not necessarily have the charisma to carry a world title, there’s no reason why he can’t be dominating the mid-card as US or Intercontinental Champion.

4 Shinsuke Nakamura

There was a moment in time that Shinsuke Nakamura was the hottest wrestler in the world - no small fete for a guy who barely speaks English and works primarily in Japan. But it happened and helped propel the Artist to a WWE contract. He came to NXT first and the NXT crowd adored him. Vince, seemingly not so much. In the ring, there’s not a better (perhaps even stranger) performer. The fans were primed for him at WrestleMania, but AJ Styles was in the middle of a beyond-the-banner year. Shinsuke as a heel just hasn’t done a whole lot since.

3 Emma

Misused - thy name is Emma. A product of Lance Storm’s school, the Aussie bombshell was more than capable of getting it done in the ring. But she was paired as a dancing fool with Santino instead, which is not a bad gig - you’re getting a decent paycheck. When NXT and the women started getting traffic, Emma was given a few opportunities. But after having a great match with Asuka, she was seemingly reprimanded for looking too strong against her and unceremoniously released.

2 CM Punk

He’s back, woohoo! But before he became the certified Best In The World, Punk was being sorely misused. As detailed in his WWE documentary, no one that mattered seem to have any faith in the guy’s ability or look - except Paul Heyman.

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Having Paul Heyman in your corner is like having cement shoes. It didn’t do the guy any favors, which is why it took him nearly leaving to get a shot at the top of the card.

1 Finn Balor

Like all of the other New Japan guys that came in, the former Prince Devitt has a ton of hype behind him, hype that was realized in NXT. Before he was injured in the inaugural Universal Title match, Vince McMahon was willing to go with the Demon King. But the WWE Universe passed him by during the road to recovery. Once he came back, his momentum was gone, and he wasn’t booked as anything but a little guy. Perhaps his new lease on life returning to NXT will remind everyone just how good he is.

Next: WWE Championship Reigns: 5 Wrestlers Who Didn't Have Enough (& 5 Who Had Too Many)