WWE is always looking for the next big superstars.

Over the years, there have been several big names such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Steve Austin, and Andre The Giant. The sports entertainment company is currently looking for the next top guy to take over for John Cena who has been the top star since Steve Austin decided to retire following his singles match against The Rock at WrestleMania 19 back in 2003.

Cena’s future in the WWE as the top guy is slowly but surely coming to an end and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has one guy in mind for that role, which is Roman Reigns. His plan has not worked over the last few years as the male audience has rejected him.

When the sports entertainment company needs the next top star the most in a very long time, we thought it would be a perfect time to look at the top 6 unlikely fan favourites.

Those stars are James Ellsworth, The New Day, The Rock, Michael Cole, Mick Foley, and Daniel Bryan.

Ellsworth had his initial WWE run, as one of Adam Rose's "Rosebuds" whenever the company came into the Baltimore area. He was first introduced to the WWE Universe when he had his first WWE singles match on the July 25, 2016 episode of Raw as an enhancement talent, being quickly defeated by Braun Strowman. Ellsworth gained some praise and subsequently developed a cult following due to his meek appearance and enthusiastic pre-match promo. He declared that "any man with two hands has a fighting chance" before being easily defeated by Strowman. However, his time with the WWE came to an end this week when he was released.

The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods) features some great comedy routines, extravagant costumes on pay-per-view events, and some of the most entertaining tag team matches WWE will ever see. They are slowly but surely building up their resumes and solidifying themselves as one of the greatest tag teams of all time. With feuds against teams such as The Usos and The Wyatts, not to mention four Tag Team Championship reigns under their belts, The New Day is continuously one of the most entertaining and successful parts of WWE today.

The Rock is regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He picked up his popularity in the mainstream while working in the WWE from 1996 to 2004 and was the first third-generation wrestler in the company's history. He returned to WWE part-time from 2011–13 and continues to make sporadic appearances for the company. During his time with the company, he is an eight-time WWE Champion, two-time WCW/World Champion, two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion and a five-time WWE Tag Team Champion. He is the sixth Triple Crown Champion in WWE and won the 2000 Royal Rumble.

Michael Cole started with the WWE in mid-1997 after being recommended to company officials by Todd Pettengill. He climbed up the corporate ladder by being a backstage interviewer to the lead commentator on SmackDown and eventually as the top commentator in the WWE. Although he has not been a favorite to the WWE Universe for the majority of his time, when he had to act like himself when Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack live on Raw, fans embraced Cole and accepted him being the voice of the WWE.

Mick Foley has worked for various wrestling promotions including the WWE, WCW, ECW, TNA), NWA, and GWF. Vince McMahon had to be convinced by Jim Ross to hire Foley and it was a risk that paid off. Foley has been a babyface for the majority of his time in the WWE and one of the most recognizable wrestlers in the history of the WWE.

Daniel Bryan has been an underdog for his entire career. From his days on the independent scene to when he arrived in WWE. Although the company wasn’t fully behind him at first, he has overcome the challenges that were put in front of him and became a fan favorite. Despite that his run on top in WWE was short-lived, he no doubt made a mark on the history of the sports entertainment company. WWE built up the SmackDown brand following the WWE Draft last year as the fun show with Shane McMahon serving as the commissioner and Bryan has the general manager.