Although most IWC deem these (ins) stars/former stars to be talentless, can any 1 actually deny their success?

I would not put JBL and Lashley in that list. They could wrestle. JBL was good during his days in the APA. And he was a hell of an entertainer in his arrogant rich businessman gimmick (which won Best Gimmick from Wrestling Observer once - what Alberto del Rio imitates now) and also a good commentator. Lashley had amateur wrestling background, and is now in MMA proving that he can fight for real (a place where you just can't put guys like cena because they will be used for mopping the floor if they enter it).