There are some who never thought that Daniel Bryan had “the look” to be pushed by WWE and win the heavyweight championship, but they were wrong. Others still believe that no matter how talented a wrestler is, their look may keep them down. Well, the latest rumor going around is that WWE has no plans on pushing Kalisto, no matter how popular or talented he is.
Just two nights ago, Kalisto of the Lucha Dragons won a Slammy Award on Monday Night Raw , and it was incredibly deserving. As recapped by WWE.com , Kalisto won the “OMG!” Shocking Moment of the Year, and it was one that could not have been a better choice.
The moment took place at WWE TLC just earlier this month during the Tables, Ladders, & Chairs Match for the WWE Tag Team Titles. Kalisto performed a Salida del Sol on Jey Uso off of a ladder and through another ladder in the ring.
INJURY REPORT: @SinCaraWWE dislocates shoulder in match against @WWEBigE on @WWE #RAW https://t.co/wrBRMBugG0 pic.twitter.com/faTHGZ0JFq
— Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) December 29, 2015
Yes, it was that insane looking, but seeing it happen was even better.
The Lucha Dragons have made a huge impact on the WWE main roster even though they have yet to win the Tag Titles. They are incredibly popular with the fans and are making bigger names for themselves with each and every single match.
It’s already been said that Kalisto will end up being the bigger star of the team, if they are ever split up. Sin Cara is great in his own right, but Kalisto just has that certain something that could elevate him higher and higher in WWE.
Well, it may not really matter what many think.
According to Wrestling Rumors , WWE has no real plans to push Kalisto going forward. Not only do they not plan on pushing him, but there are apparently no plans to do anything significant with him at all.
#TheNewDay is furious at @KalistoWWE , and challenges @SinCaraWWE to a match vs. @WWEBigE RIGHT NOW! #RAW pic.twitter.com/G89ZB4sXbX
— WWE (@WWE) December 29, 2015
Kalisto is just 5-foot-6 and weighs in at 170 pounds. WWE is looking for a big star in the Hispanic market, but the member of the Lucha Dragons just doesn’t have the size that they are looking for in a big star.
Alberto Del Rio was brought back to WWE a couple of months ago, and he’s their big name with the Hispanic market. The relationship between Rey Mysterio and WWE is still on good terms, but he recently debuted with Lucha Underground so he’ll be there a while, at least.
It appears that WWE wants someone with either Del Rio’s size or the merchandise sales of Mysterio. The thing is, Kalisto may be able to get to the merchandise sale levels of Mysterio if he was given the chance to be a main event player.
When you look at the line, Mysterio’s stats aren’t much different from that of Kalisto. The former world champion is also 5-foot-6 and weighs in at 175 pounds.
“Moments like these motivate me to keep fighting!” – @KalistoWWE #SLAMMY #RAW pic.twitter.com/YPudolqY6E
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 22, 2015
That little message was in Kalisto’s acceptance speech on Monday when he went up to accept his Slammy Award. Maybe that is something that is in response to these very rumors that he won’t be going any higher in WWE.
Sure, he may not be in the WWE World Heavyweight or mid-level title picture right now, but one has to think that he’s certainly got the Lucha Dragons in the tag title mix.
Yes, WWE has doubted smaller performers in the past, but some have really gone on to have prosperous careers — Bryan, Mysterio, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero. Kalisto may never end up being elevated into the main event scene, but he will be pushed to at least the tag titles, and it could be sooner rather than later.
[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]