There are several performers in the WWE who are almost reaching their full potential, save for that one missing piece of the jigsaw that completes the puzzle. Maybe it is an indication of the WWE’s recent transitional period that nearly all of these wrestlers are routinely appearing at the business end of PPV cards and are already carrying a large percentage of the current workload. Moreover, it is a small matter of concern that the two flagship world champions fall within this category and appear unlikely to break this restriction unless Vince’s current writing patterns shift and place the emphasis on the champions instead of the challengers. Possible, but not likely seeing as both are currently heels and thus can’t move the same volume of merchandise as previous title-holders. So if these two and their contemporaries will be feuding in much the same way for the foreseeable future, they’d better hope that Vince finds those missing pieces and fast ... before fans become bored with their toys and want something new.
As one of the aforementioned champions, Edge should be feeling pretty good about things right now. WWE gold around his waist, high profile victories over wrestling legends on his CV and an onscreen girlfriend who has more chins than Jabba the Hutt. But a quick glance down the list of previous WWE and World heavyweight champions shows that the ‘cowardly heel’ gimmick has never before won either of the top prizes in the WWE and Edge’s chances of holding on to that belt and staying in the main event with this character trait are slim to none. The problem lies in the fact that this flaw suits Edge, but only in opposition to the more established powerhouses also inhabiting Smackdown’s main event scene. No one would believe that Batista or Undertaker would be concerned entering into a contest with Edge so the best outcomes that are offered to him are taking a beating for the majority of the match but escaping with his title by fair means or foul as the broadcasts close. So the conclusion is that, because Edge’s gimmick is a fait accompli, the change has to come in the form of his opponents. Batista could be switched back to Raw to engage Orton and HHH in whatever retro-Evolution shenanigans they can come up with (FYI: shenanigans still totally rule) and Undertaker could traipse off slowly into the sunset and retire like he was performing one of his lengthy PPV entrances. This would leave Edge as the top dog on a brand that includes Mysterio, MVP, Matt Hardy (all of whom are of equal standing or just slightly below) and similar types could be drafted over from Raw (Jeff, Kennedy, Jericho) to create a youthful but experienced roster to prepare many of that number to carry the company in three or four years time. No need to protect monsters who are past their best-by date, everyone putting everyone else over because they all benefit in the end and a viable alternative to traditional WWE storytelling over on Monday nights. Man, I love it when a plan comes together.
Recently I’ve read certain forum discussions regarding whether Chris Jericho’s return was a success or not. Arguable, if a little typical of wrestling fans to question something if it doesn’t equal the greatest heights previously achieved in pro-wrestling. Whilst not exactly a gamble as such, Vince knew that in giving Jericho the next title shot riding solely on the wave of his return pop, he would either emerge with a new(ish) main event superstar or an enjoyable sojourn from the usual suspects, from which Y2J would easily recover. The evidence that McMahon knew this was a win/win situation lies in the fact that Jericho had already experienced the alternative, when he debuted in the WWF in 1999. In much the same way as 2007, Jericho’s (re)appearance was eagerly awaited and performed in opposition to a WWE main eventer (1999: Rock, 2007: Orton). The difference is that back then, once Jericho had interrupted a few more big names, he settled into an initial program with ‘Road Dogg’ Jesse James and gradually progressed up the card reaching the lesser titles within a year. Now that his title aspirations have died down, Chris is getting meaningful airtime in his feud with JBL, which should greatly benefit him in the long run as long as Jericho ups his game (JBL being the ultimate ‘sink or swim’ opponent). To identify what could stymie Jericho in the future, you need to look at what has hampered his progression in previous world title reigns. Size? Possibly, but if ever Vince wanted a media-savvy champion that doesn’t exhibit the assumed physical dimensions of a typical pro-wrestler then now would be that time. Focus? Again, it is a contributing factor that Jericho’s character seems more concerned with being entertaining than being champion but there have been previous title-holders that have gotten over without being maniacally driven (RVD, Guerrero). In fact, there’s nothing really wrong with Jericho’s persona at all. The problem is the push. The WWE should decide how best to use Y2J, put him in situations that highlight that intention and let momentum build in his favour. Even if it takes two or three more years to get there. Instead of flip-flopping his demeanour from one facade to the next (party host, victim, psycho, whiner, apathetic, coward) just because a performer of his versatility can handle various roles. Who knew? The greatest ability Jericho has and it’s the very thing that has stagnated his career. I guess irony can be pretty ironic sometimes.
Seemingly, Randy Orton’s standing shouldn’t need amendment, judging by the gold draped over his madly tattooed shoulder. However, there is a tangible distinction between being champion and carrying the company and right now Orton is merely accomplishing the former. So what do you give the man who has everything? Easy. A loss. Orton’s title run was necessary because a babyface had held the title for too long and fans needed to spend some time ‘hating the champion’. Randy, as champion, brings with him a guarantee of (at worst) a three-star match quality and his diverse history (Evolution, Rated RKO, Legend Killer) means that storylines are easy to build around him, even if they focus more on the challenger’s aspirations than his own. I don’t believe this to be unselfishness, more a product of the environment, but Orton is playing an archetypal heel champion so that the face contenders around him can build some momentum in the run-up to Wrestlemania. The last two WWE heel champions to have extended title-runs whilst simply being the platform for other wrestlers’ talents were Yokozuna and JBL and, in comparison, Orton has neither the size nor the dominance to build a lasting legacy for himself at the same time. Orton is not naturally suited to the monotone, heartless predator role but it was vital in opposition to the precession of affable sympathy-magnets he’d wrestle during the latter half of 2007 (Cena, HBK, Flair, Jeff). From an individual point of view, Randy would be better served losing the title (in the first half of 2008, in a way that keeps him in the main event) and either change direction or demeanour whilst keeping his core character the same. As for what that is, your guess is as good as mine but I think we can all agree that it will probably involve a headlock or two.
One wrestler who doesn’t require a change of direction is Jeff Hardy. If Jeff’s numerous TLC variations and hardcore matches hadn’t cemented a spot in your consciousness then his awesome ‘Whisper in the wind’ from the top of the cage on last week’s Raw should have done the trick. Equally, it can’t be a push that is needed because a WWE superstar can’t get a much clearer thumbs up from management than headlining one of the ‘big four’ PPV’s with a world title shot. To discover Hardy’s missing piece of the puzzle, you need to look at how he has been promoted to get him to this point in his career. And it is the one thing that needs to be undone if Vince wants him to stay in the main event. We’ve all seen them, those signs that proclaim Jeff to be a ‘rock-star’. We’ve all heard Jim Ross on commentary describe Hardy as “enigmatic”. The rainbow-coloured hair, the body-paint, the self-destructive mindset; everything about Hardy’s personality is presented as a mystery that is supposed to be appealing but not understood. Hence the rock-star comparison. Fans see their musical idols at arenas and they want that life. The parties, the glamour, performing in front of thousands. Yet very few would be willing to endure the boring aspects of the job like travelling or waiting for hours while technicians ready their stage equipment. The same applies to wrestling. Jeff Hardy is a veneer. A mask that relies on the imbued emotions of the fans to fill in his blanks. What Jeff’s character needs, if it wants to instil emotions in others, is depth. It is no coincidence that Shawn Michaels’ babyface career took off when the WWE showcased his ‘boyhood dreams’. Or that HHH got over as a face when they bombarded us with clips of him recovering from his first knee injury. John Cena’s WWE title run only took on a sense of emotional worth when the fans divided and people could see his genuine reaction to both the positive and negative responses. If Hardy remains in the WWE main event after the Royal Rumble and into Wrestlemania then they need to drop the mystery and showcase the man behind the persona. Montages, career highlights, exposés; the ideal situation for one of Jim Ross’ in-depth interviews similar to the ones he previously did with Mick Foley or Kane. Anything that can be done so that when fans see Jeff come through the curtain there is no enigma; just understanding and empathy.
The good news for the wrestlers I have mentioned, and the ones I haven’t, is that they won’t have to endure the restriction that was dumped on the WWE’s last new main eventer. While Vince was busy rebuilding his under and mid cards, the fruits of which we are now seeing emerge into the semi-final spots, he was simultaneously hanging John Cena out to dry in the title picture for nearly two years. Odd as it might be to suggest that the person chosen to be the number one guy in the industry was being used as a sacrificial lamb but, rather than being presented as the cream of a potent era, Cena was routinely handed challengers who required carrying (Khali) or who weren’t over as contenders (Booker, Umaga, Lashley). On the occasions Cena was given a feud that could have benefited his reign, he usually found himself against babyface contenders (HHH, HBK, RVD) where the focus of the feuds were the divided crowd reactions he received. In fact, it is no coincidence that the only two challengers that engaged Cena in traditional feuds for his world title are the two people currently chosen to represent the flagship brands (Orton and Edge). That’s why it is vital that Vince keeps this lineage going and pushes people slowly but steadily through the cards and into the spots that are vacated in the coming years. And if he doesn’t, he’ll end up with nothing but rookies and veterans and no way to fill in the missing piece.
Lee
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