The whole General Manager thing on Raw has been a joke for almost two years now. I guess the WWE thinks it's found a solution in the person of John Laurenitis.
It's become Standard Operating Procedure for the WWE to take someone who has legitimate heat with the fans (Vince McMahon, Michael Cole) and turn him into a character, banking on their legit heat to carry their "make believe" persona.
It certainly worked with Vince McMahon because for all his flaws, the guy's a somewhat talented performer who was willing to take risks. It backfired horribly with Michael Cole because even though the people really hated him, there was no pay off because he was just gawd awful at everything except being an obnoxious prick.
With Laurenitis, I believe their plan has worked. As a the interim GM, his character is able to make decisions that can affect every aspect of the show. So his personality or his actions are not the only pay-off.
The Smackdown GM position meanwhile, has been an afterthought during that same amount of time. But now that both positions have gotten back into the limelight, Teddy Long has made quite a resurgence as a performer.
I'm sure because of his age, he's probably looking to retire soon and maybe this whole "Team Johnny v Team Teddy" storyline is just his way of going out with a bang (there's the next Aksana joke) but, he's done such a good job I'm not ready to see him go!
So here's my idea (and trust me, it's motivated by more than just keeping Teddy Long on tv):
- The match at WrestleMania is NOT for control of both shows. It's just a "bragging rights" match. Or, you could even come up with another stipulation like, winner gets to "borrow" ONE talent per month from the opposing GMs roster AND gets to choose which talent from his own roster to give to the opposing GM in exchange. Whatever, as long as you keep the shows separate with TWO GMs.
-Smackdown wins at WrestleMania. Oh, the possibilities! Scheming to get certain wrestlers moved, the hype surrounding a wrestler's return, plots to get a wrestler to stay with the new show, etc.
-Next night on Raw, Johnny Ace (because "Ace" is easier to type than "Laurenitis") is so furious that he bans all mention of Smackdown on Raw. Have him come out while Cole and Lawler are recapping the 'Mania tag match and make the announcement.
-Teddy Long does the same thing on Smackdown. Recaps of Raw take up so much time during Smackdown and they're totally pointless! Anyone who cares enough about the WWE to watch Smackdown is already watching Raw and knows what happened! Have Teddy, like Johnny, come out during the "Raw Rewind" and just shut it down (I bet it'd get a huge pop).
-Make Smackdown live on Tuesday nights PERMANENTLY! The reason it's the WWE's "B" show, is because it's treated like a "B" show. Give it the same prestige of live tv. And moving it to Tuesdays would give the fans' anticipation a chance to build. Reminding us all week long what happened on Monday adds to the whole unappealing sensation of the weekly shows just running together. Do something worth talking about each week and you won't have to remind us what happened. We would REMEMBER ON OUR OWN and be talking about it anyway!
So what's the point? Why go to all this trouble? What do I hope the WWE would accomplish by making these changes?
-Add prestige to everything about Smackdown: the titles, the talent, the storylines. On the rare occasions that Smackdown is mentioned on Raw, it's regarded as an afterthought. It's not mentioned as being something separate and special. The WWE could change that and start promoting it as if they actually cared about it OR, they could use this more creative method of attaching the show to some kind of controversy. Telling people, "Don't watch Smackdown" when it is a WWE product, might just cause some people to check it out out of nothing more than curiosity.
-Add prestige to Raw: the titles, the talent, the storylines. Right now, everything's mixed. Smackdown is just "WWE's other show." But by making them separate shows essentially competing against each other, you create the illusion of competition. Of course we all know that it's all WWE, but we also know that wrestling's "fake" and that doesn't stop us from suspending our disbelief long enough to enjoy a good match. Right now, the titles don't mean anything. Nobody cares about the talent. But how about just a few Daniel Bryan promos in which he refers to himself as the "real heavyweight champion of the wrestling world?" Have CM Punk allude to Bryan sarcastically without mentioning his name. Because both shows have "banned" each other, and no longer share tv time or talent, to the point that they are no longer allowed to even NAME talent from the other show, it gives the audience a feeling as if they have some kind of "insider" perspective on the whole thing because they are free to watch what transpires on BOTH shows.
Basically, what this boils down to is just a device to generate interest and boost ratings. Right now it's "bad guy versus good guy" wrestling and it's not holding anyone's interest anymore than it did in the 80s or 90s. What adults find entertaining are real world situations. Something that they can relate to. Reality tv shows centered around family drama have their niche because everyone understands family drama. Competing companies resorting to tactics like refusing to acknowledge each others' existence is something adults can relate to because it happens in the real world all the time!
Creating this scenario gives both shows a foundation upon which to build better stories. For example, Lord Tensai is going to debut. Well, that's great. He'll be interesting for about two weeks and then no one will care. But if two rival shows are competing for his services, then it automatically becomes something more interesting anytime a new talent debuts.
I'm not saying we need to go back to the ridiculous atrocities of the Attitude Era like people getting freaky with corpses or giving birth to hands, but we certainly need more "reality" than what we're getting.
Last word on this post, something HAS to be done about the announcers. Remember the good old days when announcers like Gorilla Monsoon, Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, Jesse Ventura, etc would actually talk about a wrestler's strenghts? Listen to UFC broadcast and nearly every single fight you'll hear Joe Rogan or Mike Goldberg point out something that each fighter does well.
When's the last time you heard ANY announcer on a WWE tv show do that for ANY wrestler, including the top stars? Take Primo and Epico, the tag team champions. The announcers don't even talk about them like they're real people! It's like, "here's Primo and Epico and these guys currently hold the tag team titles." No wonder nobody cares about the talent! What are they good at? Primo is a fantastic wrestler but you wouldn't know it by listening to the announcer team! To his credit, Booker T tries but he sounds so horrible that people plug their ears when he talks and don't hear what few good things he says.
For ANY program to work, the terrible announcing has to change.
Aaaaand, that's all I got for now. Discuss!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
My Take on WrestleMania 28 in a nutsack
(See what I did there? The title? Ah, nevermind.)
Quick disclaimer: I'm not a know-it-all kind of smark who thinks every idea I have is good. This is mostly self-therapy but maybe you find it interesting too and it gets you talking, either to me or your friends. I don't think I'm the end-all, be-all so don't shred my post with a fine-tooth comb as if I do, ok? Everybody cool? Ok, let's go!
THE ROCK v JOHN CENA
I'm fine with it. Well, that's not exactly true. I'm fine with it as long as it results in change. Real change, not President Obama-type change which is, no change.
I look at this match like Hogan-Andre at WM3. It was the WWF's attempt at legitimizing Hulkamania. And it worked. Up to that point, Hogan was looked upon as a bit of a fraud because although he'd beaten everybody he was matched up with, he hadn't beaten anyone who was transcendent. Someone who was more of a celebrity than he was. Andre was the ONLY guy who fit that bill. If anyone knew any other wrestler besides Hulk Hogan in 1987, they knew Andre the Giant.
Hogan, in his prime. Cena, in his prime. Andre, past his prime. Rock, past his prime. Thankfully, unlike Andre, Rock can still move and we're going to get a decent match. Where the trouble lies, is if the WWF drops the ball with Cena the way they did with Hogan AFTER the match is over.
Any momentum Hogan gained from beating Andre was quickly lost thanks to him becoming too formulaic and corny. Prior to WM3, Hogan's matches were much more unpredictable. His promos were much more passionate and chaotic. Go watch some of his stuff from 1984-1986. He was just a wrestler then. He wasn't this transcendent goody-two-shoes superman that no one could identify with. He was just a competitor, with a bit of a cocky chip on his shoulder who hated losing and if he didn't like you, he punched you in the face.
Cena's situation's a little different because he's already become that boring, formulaic, corny, goody-two-shoes that no one can relate to. Which is why I'm saying, if he beats the Rock, and drops the whole "Super Cena" gimmick and just goes back to being a regular guy, you might actually see a turnaround and the people start getting behind him again.
But, if things stay the same and in the aftermath of WrestleMania 28, we can't even tell that it happened, then it was a colossal waste of time. Sure, it may result in some pay-per-view buys, but that wasn't enough to keep WCW alive and it won't be enough to keep the WWE alive either. (Yeah, I went there! It's DEAD, son!)
TRIPLE H v UNDERTAKER
Am I the only one who hopes this is Taker's last WrestleMania? The "Streak" means more than any championship in the WWE right now but it's getting close to becoming just as insignificant as those belts considering, the guy only wrestles once a year. What's so special about beating him, really?
If it is his last Mania, how sad is it that he's wrestling Triple H...FOR THE THIRD TIME???
A problem that has ALWAYS existed in wrestling is veterans hanging on too long and not being willing to put younger talent over on their way out. This match is a classic example of that.
My idea? Undertaker vs. Sheamus. Sheamus has all the tools to become a top star for the WWE for a long time. Similar to Taker, he's got a great look, he can do some special things for a big guy, and he's got charisma. I believe Taker deserves to retire undefeated at Mania, but what's special about beating a guy you've already beaten twice who barely wrestles himself??
The storyline was already written for them. Taker was pushed to the limit last year. The Streak is more vulnerable than it's ever been. He's ready for a hungry young lion to come along and overthrow him. Sheamus pushes him even further than Triple H did (without all the garbage rest spots btw) but in the end, Taker proves there's something "supernatural" about the Streak that prevents him from losing at WrestleMania BUT Sheamus earns respect for putting on a great performance and nearly winning.
If the match is executed the right way, it could greatly benefit both guys. Taker rides off into the sunset with the Streak intact; Sheamus moves on with more prestige.
What about Triple H, you ask? Well, for that we have to look at...
CM PUNK v CHRIS JERICHO
Why does Jericho deserve a title shot? Wasn't he the guy who was jobbing to Evan Bourne before his last hiatus? So what if he wins a battle royal after NOT winning the Royal Rumble?
For all his history and talent, I just don't buy him as a World title contender. I don't think very many other people do either. They're trying to get fans to take him seriously with the whole alcoholism angle but it's not working.
Why not instead have CM Punk tie up the loose ends from last summer when he was feuding with Triple H? The whole angle took that awful detour with Kevin Nash but just like they brought Rock/Cena back to the forefront, do the same for Punk/HHH. Punk was already feuding with a staff member, John Laurenitis. Instead of Undertaker coming out when Johnny was set to be fired, have Punk come out and confront Hunter.
And this time, have Punk win. Not just win, but win convincingly. Not just win the match convincingly, but win the feud convincingly. Along the way, you could work all sorts of angles. You could have Triple H just go full on heel boss with it and throw guys like David Otunga or even Funkasaurus at Punk. Fun angles, unorthodox angles, things that no one expects just to shake things up and make them interesting for crying out loud!
The key is, Punk goes over and you've legitimized him. He becomes the same kind of people's champion that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was. He beats Jericho and really, when it's over, who cares? But, he overcomes the odds and beats the "boss" who last year nearly ended "the Streak" and the torch has officially been passed.
Right now, the torch is being passed alright. Triple H and Undertaker are tossing it back and forth like a game of Hot Potato and they're refusing to let anyone else play.
Would I have Jericho do anything at Mania? I would've had him manage Dolph Ziggler or Wade Barrett. When he was Barrett's Pro on NXT, he was the best manager professional wrestling had seen since Bobby Heenan. In that role, he's a threat because he's still in fantastic shape and can contribute in ways most managers couldn't. He's a legitimate threat outside the ring but he can do all of the other things that managers do to aid their charges not only during a match but during promos as well.
Even though I think Wade Barrett is a great talker and Dolph is passable, having that extra mouthpiece just bolsters their ability and adds an extra dimension to their character and helps make them INTERESTING.
At this point, beating Chris Jericho in a match means nothing. Managing is really the only way he can be productive in the business anymore.
DANIEL BRYAN v SHEAMUS
Daniel Bryan is the best heel the WWE has had in a long, long time. He's such a good bad guy that he could believably mow through the entire roster of good guys. He's already on his way having beaten the Big Show. He needs to move on to someone more legitimate than him.
And his name is Randy Orton (See what I did there? Ah, whatever.)
Seriously though, Orton has always come right up to the edge of transcending the business but has continually come up short. What's that tell you? He just hasn't got it. There's something internal that's missing.
However, he's still very popular and regarded as a top babyface. So to legitimize Daniel Bryan and establish him as one of your stars of the future, he needs to continue moving through the company's top babyfaces, meaning Randy too.
They could've easily had Orton win the Rumble. They could've sold his injury and his comeback to win it in his hometown. It would've made a great story. I think fans right now, would be behind Orton winning the belt at Mania more than Sheamus. I honestly think if Sheamus does win, some fans are going to turn on him because of what a white hot heel Daniel Bryan has become. I don't think fans are ready to see him lose yet. They're trying hard to push Sheamus now that he's won it, but his Rumble win was so unexpected that it's really struggling to build the necessary momentum for people to care, especially with Bryan so far ahead of him in terms of overness.
But Orton's a different story. He's always over because he's been so firmly established as a top guy. It's easier for fans to believe in him as a legit threat.
Bryan beats Randy, Randy continues to "hover" around the top of the card to be fed to more up-and-coming heels. Bryan moves on. I wouldn't mind seeing him turn the Miz face and the two of them feud. What I'd REALLY like to see, is a very slow, incremental build to a "Super Bowl" type match at next year's Mania between Punk and Bryan that unifies the World title but, one thing at a time.
Speaking of Randy...
RANDY ORTON v KANE
The backstory they cooked up at least gives this match-up some meaning I guess, but in the end, who really cares? Who cares if Orton beats Kane or if Kane beats Orton? What does it accomplish? Answer: nothing!
Kane is like Randy in that, while still very popular, he's never become that transcendent guy. So, like Randy, he needs to become high-end enhancement talent. Have him put some of the younger talent over.
Why not a feud with Zack Ryder that doesn't involve Eve or John Cena? Cena essentially fought Zack's battle for him against Kane. What, after all Kane put him through, Zack doesn't want a little revenge of his own? Getting the best of a feud against Kane would help Ryder regain some of the momentum and credibility he lost in that terrible love triangle.
It doesn't have to be a total job out by Kane. He could even win at Mania with the story being that Zack doesn't have the killer instinct to beat him. That he's just a goofball who can't be taken seriously ("Bro, seriously?"). You drag it out for awhile with Zack getting pushed further and further down until one day he's able to finally break the lid off and do what it takes to beat Kane. I don't know; it makes sense to me.
CODY RHODES v BIG SHOW
I'm sure some of you will hate me for this but, I've got no problem with Show beating Cody for the I-C title at Mania.
He's been such a team player for so many years, jobbing out to wrestlers and non-wrestlers alike, and this may be his last chance to have something positive happen for him at 'Mania. He's played a part in getting so many young guys over, he deserves to have his moment in the sun.
Of course, in the process, he can still make Cody look good and I'd ultimately like Cody to regain the title from him. But give Show his moment, I've got no problem with that as long as it's not some ridiculous squash. He has to just barely win. That's the only way to make it meaningful.
KELLY KELLY & MARIA MENOUNOS v BETH PHOENIX & EVE TORRES
I'd totally scrap this match. I'd fire Kelly Kelly and Eve. I wouldn't have Maria Menounos involved at all unless it's to get totally flattened by Beth and saved by another diva who can actually wrestle. Tamina Snuka? Natalya? AJ?
Actually, I wish Mickie James, Gail Kim, Jillian, and Winter (Katie Lea) were still with the company, then they'd have some options. Not sure what Kharma's situation is but if she's available, she'd be an option too. Have Beth come out and start beating up poor Maria Menounos, only for Kharma to appear and beat Beth for the title.
The divas shouldn't be there simply for their looks. They need to be marketed to the most obvious target demographic, young girls. Take a cue from the WNBA and start using the divas as role models. Reach out to a target audience and start reaping the benefits of merchandise sold and tickets and pay-per-views purchased. It won't be enough to carry the company of course, but I'm sure it would result in more revenue that can actually be tied to the divas' presence than they're currently bringing in.
TEAM TEDDY v TEAM JOHNNY
A twelve man tag match is a little ludicrous, especially considering how little time they're sure to get. I'd prefer a five-on-five Survivor Series style elimination match.
Realistically, this is probably the best those involved in this match can hope for. There's only so much time and so many spots on the card. I'd prefer to see the tag champs involved rather than Christian, who I think is way past his prime, looks horrible, and has no credibility as anything other than midcard enhancement talent, and Jack Swagger who, for all his talent, just doesn't deserve this spot. He's done NOTHING to elevate himself since his debut.
Reward those who've earned it with a spot on the card. Primo, Epico, and Rosa Mendes have EARNED a spot in WrestleMania. Dolph Ziggler has EARNED a spot in WrestleMania. David Otunga, Mark Henry, R-Truth, they've all earned a spot in WrestleMania with the way they have elevated themselves over the past year.
Santino Marella? Kofi Kingston? They're kind of in the same boat as Swagger. They certainly have their "niche" but do they really deserve to be featured in this match? The reason they're in it is because the WWE hasn't worked to develop anybody else so right now, these are the only names that fans care enough about to support.
But what if the WWE had implemented the program I suggested in a previous post featuring Trent Barreta? Then he could be one of the young talents featured in this match. But right now, it wouldn't make sense to include him because no one knows who he is.
How about Brodus Clay? He's a PERFECT fit for Team Teddy! And he's certainly earned a spot on the card.
Overall, I'm not crazy about the idea of ONE General Manager over both shows, but a 10-man tag is probably the best way to get the most talent featured on the card, and the stipulation at least makes the match meaningful.
Last word on this match, there's still time for it to happen, the Miz as the last member of Team Teddy after he continually fails to make Team Johnny, Teddy Long just offers him a spot, which leads to a face turn and sets the Miz back on track to the top of the card where I personally feel he belongs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So here's MY 'Mania:
MAIN EVENT: JOHN CENA v THE ROCK
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: CM PUNK (c) v TRIPLE H
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: DANIEL BRYAN (c) v RANDY ORTON
THE STREAK: UNDERTAKER v SHEAMUS
GRUDGE MATCH: ZACK RYDER v KANE
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: CODY RHODES (c) v BIG SHOW
IMPROMPTU DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE: BETH PHOENIX (c) v KHARMA
TEAM JOHNNY (Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, David Otunga, Primo & Epico) v TEAM TEDDY (The Miz, R-Truth, Brodus Clay, Trent Barreta, *not sure who the fifth member would be; write your own ending, I guess)
Discuss!
Quick disclaimer: I'm not a know-it-all kind of smark who thinks every idea I have is good. This is mostly self-therapy but maybe you find it interesting too and it gets you talking, either to me or your friends. I don't think I'm the end-all, be-all so don't shred my post with a fine-tooth comb as if I do, ok? Everybody cool? Ok, let's go!
THE ROCK v JOHN CENA
I'm fine with it. Well, that's not exactly true. I'm fine with it as long as it results in change. Real change, not President Obama-type change which is, no change.
I look at this match like Hogan-Andre at WM3. It was the WWF's attempt at legitimizing Hulkamania. And it worked. Up to that point, Hogan was looked upon as a bit of a fraud because although he'd beaten everybody he was matched up with, he hadn't beaten anyone who was transcendent. Someone who was more of a celebrity than he was. Andre was the ONLY guy who fit that bill. If anyone knew any other wrestler besides Hulk Hogan in 1987, they knew Andre the Giant.
Hogan, in his prime. Cena, in his prime. Andre, past his prime. Rock, past his prime. Thankfully, unlike Andre, Rock can still move and we're going to get a decent match. Where the trouble lies, is if the WWF drops the ball with Cena the way they did with Hogan AFTER the match is over.
Any momentum Hogan gained from beating Andre was quickly lost thanks to him becoming too formulaic and corny. Prior to WM3, Hogan's matches were much more unpredictable. His promos were much more passionate and chaotic. Go watch some of his stuff from 1984-1986. He was just a wrestler then. He wasn't this transcendent goody-two-shoes superman that no one could identify with. He was just a competitor, with a bit of a cocky chip on his shoulder who hated losing and if he didn't like you, he punched you in the face.
Cena's situation's a little different because he's already become that boring, formulaic, corny, goody-two-shoes that no one can relate to. Which is why I'm saying, if he beats the Rock, and drops the whole "Super Cena" gimmick and just goes back to being a regular guy, you might actually see a turnaround and the people start getting behind him again.
But, if things stay the same and in the aftermath of WrestleMania 28, we can't even tell that it happened, then it was a colossal waste of time. Sure, it may result in some pay-per-view buys, but that wasn't enough to keep WCW alive and it won't be enough to keep the WWE alive either. (Yeah, I went there! It's DEAD, son!)
TRIPLE H v UNDERTAKER
Am I the only one who hopes this is Taker's last WrestleMania? The "Streak" means more than any championship in the WWE right now but it's getting close to becoming just as insignificant as those belts considering, the guy only wrestles once a year. What's so special about beating him, really?
If it is his last Mania, how sad is it that he's wrestling Triple H...FOR THE THIRD TIME???
A problem that has ALWAYS existed in wrestling is veterans hanging on too long and not being willing to put younger talent over on their way out. This match is a classic example of that.
My idea? Undertaker vs. Sheamus. Sheamus has all the tools to become a top star for the WWE for a long time. Similar to Taker, he's got a great look, he can do some special things for a big guy, and he's got charisma. I believe Taker deserves to retire undefeated at Mania, but what's special about beating a guy you've already beaten twice who barely wrestles himself??
The storyline was already written for them. Taker was pushed to the limit last year. The Streak is more vulnerable than it's ever been. He's ready for a hungry young lion to come along and overthrow him. Sheamus pushes him even further than Triple H did (without all the garbage rest spots btw) but in the end, Taker proves there's something "supernatural" about the Streak that prevents him from losing at WrestleMania BUT Sheamus earns respect for putting on a great performance and nearly winning.
If the match is executed the right way, it could greatly benefit both guys. Taker rides off into the sunset with the Streak intact; Sheamus moves on with more prestige.
What about Triple H, you ask? Well, for that we have to look at...
CM PUNK v CHRIS JERICHO
Why does Jericho deserve a title shot? Wasn't he the guy who was jobbing to Evan Bourne before his last hiatus? So what if he wins a battle royal after NOT winning the Royal Rumble?
For all his history and talent, I just don't buy him as a World title contender. I don't think very many other people do either. They're trying to get fans to take him seriously with the whole alcoholism angle but it's not working.
Why not instead have CM Punk tie up the loose ends from last summer when he was feuding with Triple H? The whole angle took that awful detour with Kevin Nash but just like they brought Rock/Cena back to the forefront, do the same for Punk/HHH. Punk was already feuding with a staff member, John Laurenitis. Instead of Undertaker coming out when Johnny was set to be fired, have Punk come out and confront Hunter.
And this time, have Punk win. Not just win, but win convincingly. Not just win the match convincingly, but win the feud convincingly. Along the way, you could work all sorts of angles. You could have Triple H just go full on heel boss with it and throw guys like David Otunga or even Funkasaurus at Punk. Fun angles, unorthodox angles, things that no one expects just to shake things up and make them interesting for crying out loud!
The key is, Punk goes over and you've legitimized him. He becomes the same kind of people's champion that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was. He beats Jericho and really, when it's over, who cares? But, he overcomes the odds and beats the "boss" who last year nearly ended "the Streak" and the torch has officially been passed.
Right now, the torch is being passed alright. Triple H and Undertaker are tossing it back and forth like a game of Hot Potato and they're refusing to let anyone else play.
Would I have Jericho do anything at Mania? I would've had him manage Dolph Ziggler or Wade Barrett. When he was Barrett's Pro on NXT, he was the best manager professional wrestling had seen since Bobby Heenan. In that role, he's a threat because he's still in fantastic shape and can contribute in ways most managers couldn't. He's a legitimate threat outside the ring but he can do all of the other things that managers do to aid their charges not only during a match but during promos as well.
Even though I think Wade Barrett is a great talker and Dolph is passable, having that extra mouthpiece just bolsters their ability and adds an extra dimension to their character and helps make them INTERESTING.
At this point, beating Chris Jericho in a match means nothing. Managing is really the only way he can be productive in the business anymore.
DANIEL BRYAN v SHEAMUS
Daniel Bryan is the best heel the WWE has had in a long, long time. He's such a good bad guy that he could believably mow through the entire roster of good guys. He's already on his way having beaten the Big Show. He needs to move on to someone more legitimate than him.
And his name is Randy Orton (See what I did there? Ah, whatever.)
Seriously though, Orton has always come right up to the edge of transcending the business but has continually come up short. What's that tell you? He just hasn't got it. There's something internal that's missing.
However, he's still very popular and regarded as a top babyface. So to legitimize Daniel Bryan and establish him as one of your stars of the future, he needs to continue moving through the company's top babyfaces, meaning Randy too.
They could've easily had Orton win the Rumble. They could've sold his injury and his comeback to win it in his hometown. It would've made a great story. I think fans right now, would be behind Orton winning the belt at Mania more than Sheamus. I honestly think if Sheamus does win, some fans are going to turn on him because of what a white hot heel Daniel Bryan has become. I don't think fans are ready to see him lose yet. They're trying hard to push Sheamus now that he's won it, but his Rumble win was so unexpected that it's really struggling to build the necessary momentum for people to care, especially with Bryan so far ahead of him in terms of overness.
But Orton's a different story. He's always over because he's been so firmly established as a top guy. It's easier for fans to believe in him as a legit threat.
Bryan beats Randy, Randy continues to "hover" around the top of the card to be fed to more up-and-coming heels. Bryan moves on. I wouldn't mind seeing him turn the Miz face and the two of them feud. What I'd REALLY like to see, is a very slow, incremental build to a "Super Bowl" type match at next year's Mania between Punk and Bryan that unifies the World title but, one thing at a time.
Speaking of Randy...
RANDY ORTON v KANE
The backstory they cooked up at least gives this match-up some meaning I guess, but in the end, who really cares? Who cares if Orton beats Kane or if Kane beats Orton? What does it accomplish? Answer: nothing!
Kane is like Randy in that, while still very popular, he's never become that transcendent guy. So, like Randy, he needs to become high-end enhancement talent. Have him put some of the younger talent over.
Why not a feud with Zack Ryder that doesn't involve Eve or John Cena? Cena essentially fought Zack's battle for him against Kane. What, after all Kane put him through, Zack doesn't want a little revenge of his own? Getting the best of a feud against Kane would help Ryder regain some of the momentum and credibility he lost in that terrible love triangle.
It doesn't have to be a total job out by Kane. He could even win at Mania with the story being that Zack doesn't have the killer instinct to beat him. That he's just a goofball who can't be taken seriously ("Bro, seriously?"). You drag it out for awhile with Zack getting pushed further and further down until one day he's able to finally break the lid off and do what it takes to beat Kane. I don't know; it makes sense to me.
CODY RHODES v BIG SHOW
I'm sure some of you will hate me for this but, I've got no problem with Show beating Cody for the I-C title at Mania.
He's been such a team player for so many years, jobbing out to wrestlers and non-wrestlers alike, and this may be his last chance to have something positive happen for him at 'Mania. He's played a part in getting so many young guys over, he deserves to have his moment in the sun.
Of course, in the process, he can still make Cody look good and I'd ultimately like Cody to regain the title from him. But give Show his moment, I've got no problem with that as long as it's not some ridiculous squash. He has to just barely win. That's the only way to make it meaningful.
KELLY KELLY & MARIA MENOUNOS v BETH PHOENIX & EVE TORRES
I'd totally scrap this match. I'd fire Kelly Kelly and Eve. I wouldn't have Maria Menounos involved at all unless it's to get totally flattened by Beth and saved by another diva who can actually wrestle. Tamina Snuka? Natalya? AJ?
Actually, I wish Mickie James, Gail Kim, Jillian, and Winter (Katie Lea) were still with the company, then they'd have some options. Not sure what Kharma's situation is but if she's available, she'd be an option too. Have Beth come out and start beating up poor Maria Menounos, only for Kharma to appear and beat Beth for the title.
The divas shouldn't be there simply for their looks. They need to be marketed to the most obvious target demographic, young girls. Take a cue from the WNBA and start using the divas as role models. Reach out to a target audience and start reaping the benefits of merchandise sold and tickets and pay-per-views purchased. It won't be enough to carry the company of course, but I'm sure it would result in more revenue that can actually be tied to the divas' presence than they're currently bringing in.
TEAM TEDDY v TEAM JOHNNY
A twelve man tag match is a little ludicrous, especially considering how little time they're sure to get. I'd prefer a five-on-five Survivor Series style elimination match.
Realistically, this is probably the best those involved in this match can hope for. There's only so much time and so many spots on the card. I'd prefer to see the tag champs involved rather than Christian, who I think is way past his prime, looks horrible, and has no credibility as anything other than midcard enhancement talent, and Jack Swagger who, for all his talent, just doesn't deserve this spot. He's done NOTHING to elevate himself since his debut.
Reward those who've earned it with a spot on the card. Primo, Epico, and Rosa Mendes have EARNED a spot in WrestleMania. Dolph Ziggler has EARNED a spot in WrestleMania. David Otunga, Mark Henry, R-Truth, they've all earned a spot in WrestleMania with the way they have elevated themselves over the past year.
Santino Marella? Kofi Kingston? They're kind of in the same boat as Swagger. They certainly have their "niche" but do they really deserve to be featured in this match? The reason they're in it is because the WWE hasn't worked to develop anybody else so right now, these are the only names that fans care enough about to support.
But what if the WWE had implemented the program I suggested in a previous post featuring Trent Barreta? Then he could be one of the young talents featured in this match. But right now, it wouldn't make sense to include him because no one knows who he is.
How about Brodus Clay? He's a PERFECT fit for Team Teddy! And he's certainly earned a spot on the card.
Overall, I'm not crazy about the idea of ONE General Manager over both shows, but a 10-man tag is probably the best way to get the most talent featured on the card, and the stipulation at least makes the match meaningful.
Last word on this match, there's still time for it to happen, the Miz as the last member of Team Teddy after he continually fails to make Team Johnny, Teddy Long just offers him a spot, which leads to a face turn and sets the Miz back on track to the top of the card where I personally feel he belongs.
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So here's MY 'Mania:
MAIN EVENT: JOHN CENA v THE ROCK
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: CM PUNK (c) v TRIPLE H
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: DANIEL BRYAN (c) v RANDY ORTON
THE STREAK: UNDERTAKER v SHEAMUS
GRUDGE MATCH: ZACK RYDER v KANE
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: CODY RHODES (c) v BIG SHOW
IMPROMPTU DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE: BETH PHOENIX (c) v KHARMA
TEAM JOHNNY (Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, David Otunga, Primo & Epico) v TEAM TEDDY (The Miz, R-Truth, Brodus Clay, Trent Barreta, *not sure who the fifth member would be; write your own ending, I guess)
Discuss!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Elimination Chamber 2012
Instead of just plugging Santino Marella into the Smackdown Elimination Chamber as a replacement for Randy Orton, have a gauntlet match on Smackdown instead.
Have Santino be like the third entrant. He gets a huge pop of course, and beats one, maybe two opponents. Now the crowd is really excited because they think Santino is going to get his big chance.
Then out comes U.S. Champ Jack Swagger, who beats Santino. Crowd gives a collective sigh because the one guy they could get behind has been eliminated. Now it's time for the last entrant in the gauntlet match and it's... Trent Barreta!
Have Cole hate on Trent, saying he's got no chance and doesn't even deserve to be there. Booker sells the fact that it would be a great underdog story if he won. Show a close-up of Swagger smiling because he thinks he's got this in the bag.
Next, you have Trent and Swagger steal the show. Trent gets in some flashy moves at the start to get the crowd behind him and Swagger narrowly avoids being pinned. Then Jack cheats to gain the upper hand and unloads with the heavy artillery, pummeling Trent for several minutes.
Swagger goes for the anklelock and just as is appears Barreta's about to tap, he gets to the ropes. Swagger's clearly frustrated (maybe have him drop the straps on his singlet; I know it's a Kurt Angle rip-off but who cares, I think it would totally fit) and has had enough. He sets up Trent for the gutwrench power bomb. But as Jack lifts him, Barreta is able to counter with a creative pinning combination and get the win. Crowd erupts! Trent quickly slides out of the ring and celebrates. Swagger throws a tantrum. The ultimate underdog has made it into the Smackdown Elimination Chamber and a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.
So the night of the pay-per-view, interview Trent Barreta backstage. Have him talk about how this is a dream come true, opportunity of a lifetime, etc. In the match, have it come down to Barreta and the champion, Daniel Bryan. Bryan has just eliminated the last contender and as he turns he realizes Barreta, who is laying on the opposite end of the ring after getting the crap kicked out of him, is still in the match. Like Swagger, Bryan smirks at the prospect of an easy win. Then he and Barreta proceed to tear the house down.
Trent starts out sluggish, having absorbed lots of punishment throughout the match. But after some stiff offense by Bryan, Barreta starts to fire up. Hopefully, the crowd would be solidly behind the challenger at this point thanks to his ability to survive and also a few high spots sprinkled in throughout the match, and start chanting for him. Trent goes on the offensive and pushes Bryan to the absolute brink, even scoring a 2 and 0.9999 count. Just when it seems like he might actually pull off the upset, Bryan is able to cinch up the LeBell Lock. Trent fights it for as long as he can but eventually has to tap out. Bryan's celebration is hastened by his exhaustion and the fact that he realizes that he narrowly escaped with his title so, he's not elated about the win. He doesn't do his "Yes! Yes! Yes!" but instead, hurries backstage, clutching the title belt.
Barreta meanwhile, struggles to his feet, selling everything that he's just been through and leaves to a standing ovation.
From now on, Daniel Bryan refuses to answer questions about Trent Barreta and gets angry whenever anyone tries to press the issue. This underlying tension would be the basis for a rematch months, perhaps even a year down the road.
Meanwhile, on the next Smackdown, Trent Barreta comes out to another huge reaction from the crowd but is interrupted by the U.S. Champion Jack Swagger who claims Barreta got lucky in the gauntlet match and that he'd never beat him one-on-one. So a match is set up for the two of them that night.
Traditional wisdom would dictate that the match be non-title and that Barreta win. However, I say, let's do the opposite! Have the match be for the title and have Swagger win by cheating. This sets up the rematch which I would save for WrestleMania. The build up to Barreta winning the U.S. Title could be what the build for Zack Ryder winning it should have been.
The benefits of this storyline:
-The Smackdown Elimination Chamber has a storyline that makes it compelling rather than just the other Chamber match.
-The World Heavyweight Championship gains prestige because of how hard Bryan had to fight to keep it, and the excitement of Barreta possibly winning it.
-The U.S. Title gains importance because of a compelling storyline attached to it and the fact that Barreta actually values winning it.
-Talented workers like Swagger and especially Barreta, have something significant to do that actually helps establish them as stars of the future.
-The subplot between Barreta and Bryan gives the WWE something that they can develop at any time should a challenger for the WHC be needed.
Have Santino be like the third entrant. He gets a huge pop of course, and beats one, maybe two opponents. Now the crowd is really excited because they think Santino is going to get his big chance.
Then out comes U.S. Champ Jack Swagger, who beats Santino. Crowd gives a collective sigh because the one guy they could get behind has been eliminated. Now it's time for the last entrant in the gauntlet match and it's... Trent Barreta!
Have Cole hate on Trent, saying he's got no chance and doesn't even deserve to be there. Booker sells the fact that it would be a great underdog story if he won. Show a close-up of Swagger smiling because he thinks he's got this in the bag.
Next, you have Trent and Swagger steal the show. Trent gets in some flashy moves at the start to get the crowd behind him and Swagger narrowly avoids being pinned. Then Jack cheats to gain the upper hand and unloads with the heavy artillery, pummeling Trent for several minutes.
Swagger goes for the anklelock and just as is appears Barreta's about to tap, he gets to the ropes. Swagger's clearly frustrated (maybe have him drop the straps on his singlet; I know it's a Kurt Angle rip-off but who cares, I think it would totally fit) and has had enough. He sets up Trent for the gutwrench power bomb. But as Jack lifts him, Barreta is able to counter with a creative pinning combination and get the win. Crowd erupts! Trent quickly slides out of the ring and celebrates. Swagger throws a tantrum. The ultimate underdog has made it into the Smackdown Elimination Chamber and a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.
So the night of the pay-per-view, interview Trent Barreta backstage. Have him talk about how this is a dream come true, opportunity of a lifetime, etc. In the match, have it come down to Barreta and the champion, Daniel Bryan. Bryan has just eliminated the last contender and as he turns he realizes Barreta, who is laying on the opposite end of the ring after getting the crap kicked out of him, is still in the match. Like Swagger, Bryan smirks at the prospect of an easy win. Then he and Barreta proceed to tear the house down.
Trent starts out sluggish, having absorbed lots of punishment throughout the match. But after some stiff offense by Bryan, Barreta starts to fire up. Hopefully, the crowd would be solidly behind the challenger at this point thanks to his ability to survive and also a few high spots sprinkled in throughout the match, and start chanting for him. Trent goes on the offensive and pushes Bryan to the absolute brink, even scoring a 2 and 0.9999 count. Just when it seems like he might actually pull off the upset, Bryan is able to cinch up the LeBell Lock. Trent fights it for as long as he can but eventually has to tap out. Bryan's celebration is hastened by his exhaustion and the fact that he realizes that he narrowly escaped with his title so, he's not elated about the win. He doesn't do his "Yes! Yes! Yes!" but instead, hurries backstage, clutching the title belt.
Barreta meanwhile, struggles to his feet, selling everything that he's just been through and leaves to a standing ovation.
From now on, Daniel Bryan refuses to answer questions about Trent Barreta and gets angry whenever anyone tries to press the issue. This underlying tension would be the basis for a rematch months, perhaps even a year down the road.
Meanwhile, on the next Smackdown, Trent Barreta comes out to another huge reaction from the crowd but is interrupted by the U.S. Champion Jack Swagger who claims Barreta got lucky in the gauntlet match and that he'd never beat him one-on-one. So a match is set up for the two of them that night.
Traditional wisdom would dictate that the match be non-title and that Barreta win. However, I say, let's do the opposite! Have the match be for the title and have Swagger win by cheating. This sets up the rematch which I would save for WrestleMania. The build up to Barreta winning the U.S. Title could be what the build for Zack Ryder winning it should have been.
The benefits of this storyline:
-The Smackdown Elimination Chamber has a storyline that makes it compelling rather than just the other Chamber match.
-The World Heavyweight Championship gains prestige because of how hard Bryan had to fight to keep it, and the excitement of Barreta possibly winning it.
-The U.S. Title gains importance because of a compelling storyline attached to it and the fact that Barreta actually values winning it.
-Talented workers like Swagger and especially Barreta, have something significant to do that actually helps establish them as stars of the future.
-The subplot between Barreta and Bryan gives the WWE something that they can develop at any time should a challenger for the WHC be needed.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The 50 Greatest Wrestlers of All-Time
For those who don't know me other than as a casual acquaintance, No, I do not take myself so seriously that I think I can write some definitive work about this subject. But those who DO know me, know that I love wrestling. So this is strictly for my entertainment and hopefully yours if you decide to finish it.
The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment for those who don't know) recently made one of their videos, "The 50 Greatest Superstars of All-Time" available for instant viewing on Netflix. I think this has resulted in more people watching it than if it was just a DVD for purchase. So it's sparked a little conversation among my friends and family on Facebook and I thought I'd chime in with my own list (I chose to do only a Top 10 because I just ain't got that kind of time!). But first, a brief explanation...
Scott Hall (also known as Razor Ramon) said he'd rather be in the ring with someone who was over than someone who could work. Being over for a wrestler means he's popular, whether it's because he's a "good guy" ('babyface' or 'face' for short)and the people love him, or because he's a "bad guy" ('heel') and the people love to hate him. Either way, he's "got" the people. Being able to work means a wrestler may not necessarily "have the people" but he can put on such a good match that when the people watch him in the ring, they are usually entertained. Now why would Hall say he prefers be in the ring with a wrestler who is over, as opposed to a wrestler who can work? Shouldn't a wrestler want to be in the ring with the guy who is going to help him have the best match possible?
The answer is simple. When you're in the ring with a guy who is over, you don't have to do anything! Wrestlers are businessmen. Their job is to make maximum money while taking minimum risk. Because wrestling involves an element of athletics, there's always an element of risk involved even though it is a performance art and not an athletic competition (in other words, wrestling is "fake" for those of you still stuck in the 80s). But when a wrestler is over, you're practically assured of making money and increasing your value even if you don't "tear the house down" with a great match. The harder you have to try in the ring, the greater your risk becomes.
Through the years there have been some phenomenal athletes who performed as wrestlers who could "tear the house down" on any given night. But you ask the average person on the street to name some of them and they'll most likely draw a blank. But you ask them to name a popular wrestler, and there'll probably be one or two guys who will come to their mind right away whom wrestling "purists" will tell you were not great workers, but they knew how to get over.
I like to consider myself a wrestling purist. I LOVE to watch great wrestling. But I also appreciate the importance of a wrestler getting over. The more over a wrestler is, the better it is for the business as a whole. The more fans come to see the "main attraction" the more money the business makes and the more money that wrestler makes. Then there's the "trickle down" effect. In essence, if you're part of the company, you're a part of helping the "main attraction" get over and the more money he brings in, the more the company is bringing in and it then trickles down to you. That's why these guys don't really beat each other up. They're working together to put on a performance that's going to make the both of them money. When someone gets hurt, it hurts the entire product because now he can't perform.
But a great worker can have great matches his entire career and ultimately not make a dent in the bottom line. It's the guys who get over, through a combination of looks, charisma and crossover appeal, that elevate the business of pro wrestling and deserve to be recognized as the Greatest Wrestlers of All-Time. That being said, here we go...
1) HULK HOGAN. Ask someone to name a professional wrestler and even if they don't know a thing about wrestling, they know the name Hulk Hogan. He's still the only wrestler ever to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It's understood that he had a lot of help getting to that place (the promotional genius of Vince McMahon, owner of the WWE, as well as all of the opponents he faced) but that's the case with every wrestler. Hogan knew how to get over perhaps better than any wrestler in history and deserves credit for it. In the 80s every kid believed in the power of Hulkamania, even me and Hogan was not one of my favorites. Bottom line, he did more to eleveate the business of professional wrestling than anyone.
2) ANDRE THE GIANT. Before Hulk Hogan was a household name, there was one other wrestler who everyone knew and that was Andre the Giant. Billed as being 7'5" tall, Andre was really only 6'11" but he had a condition called giantism that caused him to look more like a giant than a tall, lanky basketball player of similar height. This made him an attraction everywhere he went. And at a time when Hulkamania was struggling to get off the ground for lack of a reputable opponent, Andre became a villain to challenge Hogan for the WWF World Title at WrestleMania 3, which is still the largest event in wrestling history. Andre put Hogan over in that match and legitimized Hulkamania. He was the only person who could and therefore, deserves nearly as much credit as Hogan does for the way the wrestling business benefitted.
3) THE ROCK. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson came along during a period when wrestling was experiencing another boom in business. And he contributed to it as much or more than anyone by being more charismatic than perhaps any other performer in the history of the business. Incredibly funny, he not only mastered the art of improvisation in his interviews (promos), but he also realized the importance of catchphrases. The fans could get involved with the Rock more than they could with anyone before or since because they all knew he would eventually say, "If you smelllllllllllllllllll what the Rock is cookin'!" giving them a chance to say it right along with him. And there were nearly a dozen others. Like Hogan and Andre, he has tremendous crossover appeal, resulting in the most successful acting career a wrestler has ever enjoyed. The fact that he is African American and a featured star also helped draw a whole new demographic of fans that in the past never had a main event performer of his caliber to support.
4) STEVE AUSTIN. The boom period in wrestling that The Rock contributed to was really started by the emergence of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Austin was the central figure in ushering in the "Attitude Era" in the WWF, when wrestling became more "real" with grittier, edgier storylines and less cartoony. It has since regressed back to a more "kid-friendly" product, proving that the change was more trendy than revolutionary but it did result in the most lucrative period that the wrestling business has ever enjoyed because it made wrestling something "cool" to watch instead of something you were expected to grow out of. The popularity of catchphrases that the Rock ran with also began with Austin who would end his promos with "...'cause Stone Cold said so!" and it wasn't long before the fans were joining in.
5) RODDY PIPER. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper still gets a big reaction to this day. His trademark Scottish kilt and bagpipes are two of the most recognizable character symbols in wrestling. He was at the forefront of the WWF's push to gain more mainstream media exposure through his rivalry with Hulk Hogan, the whole "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection" of the mid-80s and the WWF's association with MTV. Whenever the WWF needed one of its stars to interact with a celebrity, they always called on Piper who could always hold his own in any verbal sparring match and most importantly, generate the public's interest in the product. Working with mainstream stars such as Muhammed Ali, Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper, he has to be given just as much credit for the first WrestleMania being the commercial success that it was as anyone. He was an innovator as well with his legendary interview segment "Piper's Pit" (which has spawned a seemingly endless supply of imitations over the years) proving that a wrestler could get over without actually being in the ring. Several other superstars have used this same method to similar success in furthering their own careers. Not as large or massively muscled as his rival Hogan, it was easier for fans to identify with Piper, as evidenced when he exceeded Hogan in popularity briefly prior to his 1987 retirement when he became a babyface.
6) "GORGEOUS" GEORGE. A true pioneer, George Wagner was just a wrestler like all the others of his day until he started to tap into the persona that would eventually come to be known as "Gorgeous" George. It was the first time anyone had incorporated showmanship and personality into wrestling and it is the reason wrestling continues to do big business to this day. Eventually, someone else probably would have done the same thing that George did, but the fact that he realized this in the 1930s makes him a true visionary. More than all of the technical wrestlers of his day, George was a household name, even being mentioned on the I Love Lucy show. His innovations have continued to benefit the business of professional wrestling to this day.
7) BUDDY ROGERS. Similar to how "Gorgeous" George brought showmanship to the forefront, the original "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers brought the art of the promo. The first of the really great talkers, Buddy became a huge draw everywhere he went and became not only the NWA World Champion (at the time the highest honor in the business) but also the first WWWF (now the WWE) World Champion. He would be the only man to hold both titles until his successor "Nature Boy" Ric Flair won the WWF World Title in 1992 nearly thirty years later! Since his time, the ability to deliver a compelling promo has become almost a necessity in a wrestler getting over. Another of his innovations was "The Look." Rogers was the first wrestler to really recognize the importance of maintaining a certain physique and style. Wrestlers to this day are able to get exposure that they might not normally get simply by possessing the right look.
7) RANDY SAVAGE. The best worker on this list so far, and probably the second-most recognizable personality of the 80s other than Hogan. The "Macho Man" had tremendous crossover appeal, as evidenced by a successful commercial and voice-over career. He was one of the first wrestlers on the big stage who could appeal to both the mainstream public with his charisma and over-the-top persona, and the die-hard wrestling fan with his in-ring ability. With the addition of Miss Elizabeth, Savage was not the first to make a beautiful woman his manager, but he was undoubtedly the most successful at using her presence to further his character's drawing power. Their on-screen relationship opened the door for storylines involving women and romance being central in main event matches at big events.
8) JAKE ROBERTS. Jake "The Snake," once maligned by purists for brining a python to the ring and draping it over his defeated opponents, is now widely respected as a legend and an innovator. In an era of cartoonish characters who would yell and scream, Jake was a man of average build who spoke softly but could back up everything he said, not because he could beat his opponent to a bloody pulp, but because he possessed the DDT: a move that was like a secret weapon he could strike with at any moment to defeat even the largest wrestlers. Even when he was still wrestling way past his prime, fans believed in him as a competitor because of that one move. It is a testament to his understanding of ring psychology. At a time when a lot of acts tried to incorporate animals, Jake was the only one who was able to do it in a way that came across as cool not corny. That combined with his unique persona, really revolutionized the industry for wrestlers who were different to make an impact.
9) VINCE McMAHON. Wrestling is built on rivalries. And the greatest rivalry of all time was also another reason for the the boom period the business experienced during the emergence of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Vince McMahon, as a performer, really got involved in a storyline for the first time and even though everyone knew he owned the company and Austin was working for him, he was able to make the audience suspend their disbelief and just enjoy the conflict between the two. His portrayal of the unfair, arrogant, overbearing boss was the perfect foil to "Stone Cold's" renegade persona that the fans identified with so completely. The feud was revolutionary in that it really made more of the inner workings of the business part of the entertainment itself and opened up opportunities for the drama to play out in venues other than a wrestling ring.
10) THE UNDERTAKER. Since "Gorgeous" George, gimmicks have always been a part of wrestling. The right gimmick can take a wrestler from mediocre to the main event. Mark Callaway, while a talented athlete and performer, was just another wrestler when he adopted the gimmick of The Undertaker. A little cartoonish and silly at first, few probably dreamed that it would go on to become the most successful gimmick of all time. Unlike Hogan, Andre, or the Rock, who are simply amped up versions of themselves, the Undertaker is a character. Most character gimmicks lose popularity over time but Callaway has been able to adapt the gimmick to fit the changing times and interests of the fans and has become a legend who transcends the business as a result. The Undertaker is truly proof that while he's not nearly as charismatic or athletic as others on this list, the right gimmick can result in a legendary career.
There you go. My Top 10. Some might argue that there aren't more pure wrestlers on this list but like I said before, being a great worker doesn't always translate into more money. The purpose of this list is to identify those wrestlers who have done the most to further wrestling's mainstream credibility and drawing power.
Feel free to comment. I'd love to know what you think. Later peeps! ;)
The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment for those who don't know) recently made one of their videos, "The 50 Greatest Superstars of All-Time" available for instant viewing on Netflix. I think this has resulted in more people watching it than if it was just a DVD for purchase. So it's sparked a little conversation among my friends and family on Facebook and I thought I'd chime in with my own list (I chose to do only a Top 10 because I just ain't got that kind of time!). But first, a brief explanation...
Scott Hall (also known as Razor Ramon) said he'd rather be in the ring with someone who was over than someone who could work. Being over for a wrestler means he's popular, whether it's because he's a "good guy" ('babyface' or 'face' for short)and the people love him, or because he's a "bad guy" ('heel') and the people love to hate him. Either way, he's "got" the people. Being able to work means a wrestler may not necessarily "have the people" but he can put on such a good match that when the people watch him in the ring, they are usually entertained. Now why would Hall say he prefers be in the ring with a wrestler who is over, as opposed to a wrestler who can work? Shouldn't a wrestler want to be in the ring with the guy who is going to help him have the best match possible?
The answer is simple. When you're in the ring with a guy who is over, you don't have to do anything! Wrestlers are businessmen. Their job is to make maximum money while taking minimum risk. Because wrestling involves an element of athletics, there's always an element of risk involved even though it is a performance art and not an athletic competition (in other words, wrestling is "fake" for those of you still stuck in the 80s). But when a wrestler is over, you're practically assured of making money and increasing your value even if you don't "tear the house down" with a great match. The harder you have to try in the ring, the greater your risk becomes.
Through the years there have been some phenomenal athletes who performed as wrestlers who could "tear the house down" on any given night. But you ask the average person on the street to name some of them and they'll most likely draw a blank. But you ask them to name a popular wrestler, and there'll probably be one or two guys who will come to their mind right away whom wrestling "purists" will tell you were not great workers, but they knew how to get over.
I like to consider myself a wrestling purist. I LOVE to watch great wrestling. But I also appreciate the importance of a wrestler getting over. The more over a wrestler is, the better it is for the business as a whole. The more fans come to see the "main attraction" the more money the business makes and the more money that wrestler makes. Then there's the "trickle down" effect. In essence, if you're part of the company, you're a part of helping the "main attraction" get over and the more money he brings in, the more the company is bringing in and it then trickles down to you. That's why these guys don't really beat each other up. They're working together to put on a performance that's going to make the both of them money. When someone gets hurt, it hurts the entire product because now he can't perform.
But a great worker can have great matches his entire career and ultimately not make a dent in the bottom line. It's the guys who get over, through a combination of looks, charisma and crossover appeal, that elevate the business of pro wrestling and deserve to be recognized as the Greatest Wrestlers of All-Time. That being said, here we go...
1) HULK HOGAN. Ask someone to name a professional wrestler and even if they don't know a thing about wrestling, they know the name Hulk Hogan. He's still the only wrestler ever to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It's understood that he had a lot of help getting to that place (the promotional genius of Vince McMahon, owner of the WWE, as well as all of the opponents he faced) but that's the case with every wrestler. Hogan knew how to get over perhaps better than any wrestler in history and deserves credit for it. In the 80s every kid believed in the power of Hulkamania, even me and Hogan was not one of my favorites. Bottom line, he did more to eleveate the business of professional wrestling than anyone.
2) ANDRE THE GIANT. Before Hulk Hogan was a household name, there was one other wrestler who everyone knew and that was Andre the Giant. Billed as being 7'5" tall, Andre was really only 6'11" but he had a condition called giantism that caused him to look more like a giant than a tall, lanky basketball player of similar height. This made him an attraction everywhere he went. And at a time when Hulkamania was struggling to get off the ground for lack of a reputable opponent, Andre became a villain to challenge Hogan for the WWF World Title at WrestleMania 3, which is still the largest event in wrestling history. Andre put Hogan over in that match and legitimized Hulkamania. He was the only person who could and therefore, deserves nearly as much credit as Hogan does for the way the wrestling business benefitted.
3) THE ROCK. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson came along during a period when wrestling was experiencing another boom in business. And he contributed to it as much or more than anyone by being more charismatic than perhaps any other performer in the history of the business. Incredibly funny, he not only mastered the art of improvisation in his interviews (promos), but he also realized the importance of catchphrases. The fans could get involved with the Rock more than they could with anyone before or since because they all knew he would eventually say, "If you smelllllllllllllllllll what the Rock is cookin'!" giving them a chance to say it right along with him. And there were nearly a dozen others. Like Hogan and Andre, he has tremendous crossover appeal, resulting in the most successful acting career a wrestler has ever enjoyed. The fact that he is African American and a featured star also helped draw a whole new demographic of fans that in the past never had a main event performer of his caliber to support.
4) STEVE AUSTIN. The boom period in wrestling that The Rock contributed to was really started by the emergence of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Austin was the central figure in ushering in the "Attitude Era" in the WWF, when wrestling became more "real" with grittier, edgier storylines and less cartoony. It has since regressed back to a more "kid-friendly" product, proving that the change was more trendy than revolutionary but it did result in the most lucrative period that the wrestling business has ever enjoyed because it made wrestling something "cool" to watch instead of something you were expected to grow out of. The popularity of catchphrases that the Rock ran with also began with Austin who would end his promos with "...'cause Stone Cold said so!" and it wasn't long before the fans were joining in.
5) RODDY PIPER. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper still gets a big reaction to this day. His trademark Scottish kilt and bagpipes are two of the most recognizable character symbols in wrestling. He was at the forefront of the WWF's push to gain more mainstream media exposure through his rivalry with Hulk Hogan, the whole "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection" of the mid-80s and the WWF's association with MTV. Whenever the WWF needed one of its stars to interact with a celebrity, they always called on Piper who could always hold his own in any verbal sparring match and most importantly, generate the public's interest in the product. Working with mainstream stars such as Muhammed Ali, Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper, he has to be given just as much credit for the first WrestleMania being the commercial success that it was as anyone. He was an innovator as well with his legendary interview segment "Piper's Pit" (which has spawned a seemingly endless supply of imitations over the years) proving that a wrestler could get over without actually being in the ring. Several other superstars have used this same method to similar success in furthering their own careers. Not as large or massively muscled as his rival Hogan, it was easier for fans to identify with Piper, as evidenced when he exceeded Hogan in popularity briefly prior to his 1987 retirement when he became a babyface.
6) "GORGEOUS" GEORGE. A true pioneer, George Wagner was just a wrestler like all the others of his day until he started to tap into the persona that would eventually come to be known as "Gorgeous" George. It was the first time anyone had incorporated showmanship and personality into wrestling and it is the reason wrestling continues to do big business to this day. Eventually, someone else probably would have done the same thing that George did, but the fact that he realized this in the 1930s makes him a true visionary. More than all of the technical wrestlers of his day, George was a household name, even being mentioned on the I Love Lucy show. His innovations have continued to benefit the business of professional wrestling to this day.
7) BUDDY ROGERS. Similar to how "Gorgeous" George brought showmanship to the forefront, the original "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers brought the art of the promo. The first of the really great talkers, Buddy became a huge draw everywhere he went and became not only the NWA World Champion (at the time the highest honor in the business) but also the first WWWF (now the WWE) World Champion. He would be the only man to hold both titles until his successor "Nature Boy" Ric Flair won the WWF World Title in 1992 nearly thirty years later! Since his time, the ability to deliver a compelling promo has become almost a necessity in a wrestler getting over. Another of his innovations was "The Look." Rogers was the first wrestler to really recognize the importance of maintaining a certain physique and style. Wrestlers to this day are able to get exposure that they might not normally get simply by possessing the right look.
7) RANDY SAVAGE. The best worker on this list so far, and probably the second-most recognizable personality of the 80s other than Hogan. The "Macho Man" had tremendous crossover appeal, as evidenced by a successful commercial and voice-over career. He was one of the first wrestlers on the big stage who could appeal to both the mainstream public with his charisma and over-the-top persona, and the die-hard wrestling fan with his in-ring ability. With the addition of Miss Elizabeth, Savage was not the first to make a beautiful woman his manager, but he was undoubtedly the most successful at using her presence to further his character's drawing power. Their on-screen relationship opened the door for storylines involving women and romance being central in main event matches at big events.
8) JAKE ROBERTS. Jake "The Snake," once maligned by purists for brining a python to the ring and draping it over his defeated opponents, is now widely respected as a legend and an innovator. In an era of cartoonish characters who would yell and scream, Jake was a man of average build who spoke softly but could back up everything he said, not because he could beat his opponent to a bloody pulp, but because he possessed the DDT: a move that was like a secret weapon he could strike with at any moment to defeat even the largest wrestlers. Even when he was still wrestling way past his prime, fans believed in him as a competitor because of that one move. It is a testament to his understanding of ring psychology. At a time when a lot of acts tried to incorporate animals, Jake was the only one who was able to do it in a way that came across as cool not corny. That combined with his unique persona, really revolutionized the industry for wrestlers who were different to make an impact.
9) VINCE McMAHON. Wrestling is built on rivalries. And the greatest rivalry of all time was also another reason for the the boom period the business experienced during the emergence of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Vince McMahon, as a performer, really got involved in a storyline for the first time and even though everyone knew he owned the company and Austin was working for him, he was able to make the audience suspend their disbelief and just enjoy the conflict between the two. His portrayal of the unfair, arrogant, overbearing boss was the perfect foil to "Stone Cold's" renegade persona that the fans identified with so completely. The feud was revolutionary in that it really made more of the inner workings of the business part of the entertainment itself and opened up opportunities for the drama to play out in venues other than a wrestling ring.
10) THE UNDERTAKER. Since "Gorgeous" George, gimmicks have always been a part of wrestling. The right gimmick can take a wrestler from mediocre to the main event. Mark Callaway, while a talented athlete and performer, was just another wrestler when he adopted the gimmick of The Undertaker. A little cartoonish and silly at first, few probably dreamed that it would go on to become the most successful gimmick of all time. Unlike Hogan, Andre, or the Rock, who are simply amped up versions of themselves, the Undertaker is a character. Most character gimmicks lose popularity over time but Callaway has been able to adapt the gimmick to fit the changing times and interests of the fans and has become a legend who transcends the business as a result. The Undertaker is truly proof that while he's not nearly as charismatic or athletic as others on this list, the right gimmick can result in a legendary career.
There you go. My Top 10. Some might argue that there aren't more pure wrestlers on this list but like I said before, being a great worker doesn't always translate into more money. The purpose of this list is to identify those wrestlers who have done the most to further wrestling's mainstream credibility and drawing power.
Feel free to comment. I'd love to know what you think. Later peeps! ;)
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