Ratio king, top champion & more – 4 WWE stars Adam Pearce must sign after SmackDown got Bron Breakker & Jade Cargill

Both Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce are successfully managing their respective WWE shows. However, when it comes to recruiting in-demand free agents, Aldis is outperforming Pearce.

Despite being evenly matched for some time, the two general managers’ paths diverged earlier this year. Following the impressive returns of Randy Orton and CM Punk at WWE Survivor Series 2023, SmackDown was able to secure former while RAW acquired The Second-City Saint. However, following this year’s Royal Rumble, Nick Aldis stepped up his game significantly, leaving fans questioning the role of Adam Pearce.

The SmackDown authority figure successfully acquired top talent such as Bron Breakker, Tiffany Stratton, Naomi, and Jade Cargill, a rising star in the women’s division. Meanwhile, Pearce’s most notable signing since January has been Andrade.

It is high time for Scrap Daddy to display his talent-scouting abilities and prove to his SmackDown rival that his eye for talent is still impeccable. Here are four superstars that he should consider signing in the near future.

#4. Carmelo Hayes: Rising Star in NXT

Nick Aldis’ recent signings suggest that he is actively seeking out future stars. As such, it would greatly disappoint him if Pearce were to acquire one of the highly anticipated up-and-coming talents in the company.

Carmelo Hayes, who is the subject of discussion, has held titles in both NXT and North American divisions. Additionally, he has emerged victorious against several present SmackDown contenders including Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller multiple times.

Considering the fact that he is still under 30, it would be wise for the RAW GM to actively pursue him. The GM should aim to finalize the deal immediately following Hayes’ grudge match against his former partner, Trick Williams, taking place this Saturday.

It goes without saying that this acquisition would immediately reestablish Pearce’s reputation as a sought-after free-agent.

#3. Mia Rodriguez

Undoubtedly, the women’s roster on both flagship shows is currently at its strongest. However, aside from Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley, many of the women on RAW lack significant momentum at this time.

Despite this, several WWE SmackDown women have become some of the most highly anticipated parts of Friday Nights. This is precisely why Pearce needs to revitalize the women’s division on his show. While promoting the current roster is a viable option, bringing up a talented star from NXT may prove to be even more impactful.

Roxanne Perez entered the scene to make her mark. After her debut on NXT in 2022, she has been determined to demonstrate her potential as a top contender on WWE’s main roster. From holding a title to switching from a good guy to a villain, she has faced off against the rising stars and more.

Immediately following WrestleMania, Adam Pearce should officially welcome Perez as the newest addition to the WWE RAW roster. This would be a suitable reaction to Aldis’ recent spree of recruiting new talent.

#2. Dijaković

In recent years, there have been many memorable achievements among WWE Superstars. These include Cody Rhodes winning back-to-back Royal Rumbles and Roman Reigns joining the ranks of the top-five longest-reigning World Champions in the company’s history.

Despite all of his achievements, one that did not receive much attention was Dijak’s resilience in portraying the T-Bar character. Playing such an eccentric role for several years could have spelled the end of any performer’s career. However, the six-foot-seven star managed to make a comeback in 2022 when he returned to NXT and successfully reinvented himself with a Terminator-inspired gimmick.

Ever since, Dijak has been involved in a plethora of intense matches and storylines on Tuesday evenings. In addition, his talent for ‘ratio-ing’ wrestling enthusiasts on X has solidified his presence as an engaging figure on various social media platforms. As a result, even those who are not die-hard fans have begun to express their desire to see more of him, as evidenced by the fan signs seen at recent RAW events.

Therefore, Pearce currently holds an excellent chance to demonstrate his ability to recognize current trends. His task is simply to add Dijak to a roster that already boasts some of the most talented big men in the industry.

#1. The Reigning WWE NXT Champion: Ilja Dragunov

Despite their confusion, fans of WWE RAW are hoping that Adam Pearce will redeem himself by signing Ilja Dragunov after allowing Bron Breakker and Jade Cargill to join the rival brand. This could be his chance to make things right.

The current NXT Champion, known as The Invincible One, has been on an unstoppable rampage. His intense training videos and unwavering determination every time he appears on TV make it clear that he will be a dominant force once he makes his way to the main roster.

It is undeniable that Nick Aldis would make every effort to secure Dragunov’s signing to WWE SmackDown. His recent track record of signing talented individuals is a testament to his persuasive abilities.

Moreover, while Aldis may not have been able to offer the Russian star this opportunity, Pearce could. As The Unbesiegbar, Pearce had already dethroned Gunther as The Intercontinental Champion in NXT UK, putting an end to The Ring General’s longest title reign. Given the chance to do it again, this time on the main roster, Pearce would undoubtedly seize the opportunity.