WWE is presenting Survivor Series this Sunday with a main event of Team Cena versus Team Authority in a 5 on 5 traditional Survivor Series Elimination match. If Team Cena wins the contest, Team Authority will lose their power. Although WWE hyping this match as the most important in Survivor Series history is more than a little exaggerated, it could have some ramifications on future broadcasts of both Monday Night Raw as well as Friday (soon to be Thursday) Night Smackdown.

If WWE pulls the trigger on the Authority losing power, the first question on everyone’s mind would be who takes over? Someone has to helm the ship of WWE programming, and looking through the list of current and past WWE Superstars and Legends, there are quite a few good choices out there. Let’s take a look at a few possible candidates for WWE’s potentially new authority figure

Edge – WWE Hall of Famer Edge hasn’t been seen lately on Raw or Smackdown, so to have the former multi time World and WWE Champion show up in a position of power would be a nice surprise for the WWE Universe. Edge has a natural charisma and a wide performance range, meaning he can always be relied upon to deliver what’s needed on the mic or backstage. He might not be able to get physical anymore, but that’s what the roster is there to do. If chosen, he would be one authority figure that reeks of awesomeness!

John Bradshaw Layfield – When he was wrestling, JBL always came off as more than a little authoritative, so this role for him would be a natural fit. Although JBL has found a place at ringside with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler, it might be a good idea to give the three man team a break for now. JBL has been both loved and hated by the fans, so he could easily make decisions that have the fans feeling both emotions. He can make the law, and enforce it with a stiff clothesline from hell.

The Rock – Let’s get one thing straight before we go any further. The Rock doesn’t need to be live at every Raw or Smackdown to be the new authority figure for the company. He can hand out punishments or make matches via satellite if he needs to. Besides, for the moments that the Rock actually is live, well, one only need look at his past surprise appearances to know that his star power is enough to make this an interesting idea. Regardless of who he needs to get his point across to, you can guarantee the Rock will do so in an entertaining way, in person or not.

Bad News Barrett – Although I much prefer to see Bad News Barrett hitting people with Bull Hammers in the ring, I never grow tired of listening to him deliver bad news outside of it either. If he were to take over as the new authority figure, surely Barrett would be putting his gavel to good use during broadcasts, handing out bad news all night long. Once he’s cleared to wrestle again, watching him enforce his decrees may be just as much fun as watching him deliver them.

Sting – WWE fans have been waiting months and in some cases years for Sting to appear on WWE television as part of something other than merchandise. This might be the perfect chance to grant them that wish. Sting played the role of authority figure in TNA to some success, but given the chance to play that part again with the resources allotted to him in WWE, the potential is even greater. He’s been the moral embodiment of every major promotion he has ever worked for; why not give it a try in WWE? If anyone objects to that, then perhaps it would be time for Sting to break out his bat and lace up the boots one last time, perhaps around WrestleMania, against a vindictive Triple H, angry about being ousted from power?

Zeb Colter – Since the breakup of the Real Americans, Zeb Colter hasn’t had much opportunity to speak his mind, and that’s a shame because he can be quite entertaining, whether he’s making your blood boil with xenophobic rants or giving you a chuckle with his often hilarious protest signs, Zeb Colter knows how to elicit a reaction. Given a microphone and some power it would be easy for Colter to use his many years of experience in the wrestling business to please or enrage the fans with his choices, whatever the situation calls for.

Daniel Bryan – Of all the potential names on the list, this one actually makes the most sense to me. First imagine the reaction from both the WWE Universe and from the old Authority if the Monday after Survivor Series it is announced that Daniel Bryan is taking over? You thought John Laurenitis was all about people power? Imagine Daniel Bryan getting the crowd to help him call the important shots in WWE with loud YES or NO chants! You could even have him show up in a suit and make a joke about finally going corporate. It’s the perfect way to keep Bryan in the mix by flipping the script on the dynamic between him and the old authority. By the time Bryan is all healed up and ready to return to action, the old authority might have had enough of the Yes movement governing WWE. Ask me if I can see Seth Rollins versus Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania with Rollins Money In The Bank Contract on the line against Daniel Bryan’s position of power? The answer is YES! YES! YES!

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