Otis has the potential to be an interesting character on the WWE roster

Otis may not be the man to defeat Roman Reigns, but he’s a performer that continues to resonate with fans. 

Characters and personalities are a big part of professional wrestling. Even more so in the WWE, where superstar status is the goal, but not always the outcome. The company has several names on the roster who could reach a higher level, but are often limited by the positions the company puts them in. Everyone can’t be a Roman Reigns or Becky Lynch, but there’s space for more to be larger-than-life characters. One such as Otis, and in him the WWE has a talented individual that could rise the ladder if given the opportunity.

Otis almost can’t help himself but continue to get over with the WWE fan base. Heavy Machinery was a semi-popular tag team, and even though they did not get the run many wanted both in NXT and on the main roster. But where things took off for Otis was when he was paired with Mandy Rose and surged to the Money in the Bank that same year.

Otis has shown the ability to draw in the fans

Creative squandered the moment, as it often does, and Otis was pushed down the proverbial ladder once again. Fast forward to 2023 and he’s once again a popular character. He and Chad Gable as Alpha Academy continue to excel as a pair, and Otis is one of the featured aspects of the acts. Even as an individual performer, fans continue to cheer for him simply because he embodies so much of what WWE has elevated their brand of a WWE superstar.

The numbers support this. Look back to September of 2022, when Braun Strowman and Otis battled in a singles match on SmackDown. That match brought in 2.7 million viewers. The video of that match has 953 thousand views on YouTube as of April 14. Otis doesn’t have to be the man to defeat Roman Reigns, but that doesn’t mean WWE doesn’t have someone that could benefit from a sustained push.

The angle of Otis and Maximum Male Models can go a few ways. Otis can leave Gable, with the opportunity to turn Otis and MMM babyface or Gable instead. WWE shouldn’t split Alpha Academy, as the team has greatly benefited Gable as well, but what if Otis had the chance to go on a singles run of his own? Think about Otis versus GUNTHER for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. That could turn out a lot better than initial thoughts.

Or what if WWE decided to elevate Otis as a heel? Could they book him like Vader and see how far he could go in that role? Imagine that version of Otis being a threat to Carmelo Hayes in NXT. There are several different ways things can go.

WWE would benefit if company leadership took time to think outside the box with who could bea star and who could not. Otis is one of the individuals on the roster who has more upside than he’s given credit for. Let this man cook, and he may come back with the type of meals WWE fans and the company enjoy.