Its Tuesday, which means it is time for another edition of my Pro-Realistic moments. Today, I write about the possible change of the industry in just a few short months. I hope that you all are ready to see the end of the Post-Attitude Era and the birth of the Revolution.
Let's Be Pro-Realistic
How Professional Wrestling Will Be Changed Forever Soon
Now on to our feature presentation...
On March 25th, 2002, the start of the biggest storyline in wrestling history began. Ric Flair & Vince McMahon became the debut General Managers of the first ever WWE roster split. Over the first two years, it was speculated that this split would just end, as it was hotly contested everywhere. People just didn’t know what to make of it. One side argued it could allow more time for new guys, spread around the championships to honor and highlight more stars, and give people a more relaxed schedule. The negative side viewed this as a way to strand stars in one brand, isolating certain viewers, and even diluting the already failing prestige of pro-wrestling itself, especially the championships. What once was thought to be just a storyline, much like the failed Invasion turned out to be, became the way the WWE has conducted its business ever since. But the next 6 months might signal not just the end of this, but the start of one of the most intense periods of wrestling history.
Fast forward to April 2nd, 2006, when a ‘Money in the Bank’ Ladder Match between the two shows was waged between Rob Van Dam, Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Lashley, Matt Hardy, & Finlay. Rob Van Dam became the winner and earned himself a shot at the WWE Championship anytime he chooses. Although he has a match with Shelton Benjamin at Backlash for both the Intercontinental Title and the Money in the Bank, I expect RVD will prevail with at least the Title shot intact. Now this feud is good and all, but it is nothing more than a precursor to a bigger story. Ever since the Invasion of wCw & ECW, then known as the Alliance, Rob Van Dam debuted a clear fan favorite. He experienced Hardcore, Intercontinental, and various Tag Team Championship reigns. RVD has been involved in many main events, and has even feuded with the industry’s top guys, such as Stone Cold, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, and his arch nemesis, Triple H. His credentials for being both innovative and extreme have earned him, for the most part, the respect of the majority of fans out there. RVD has done everything, except become a WWE World Champion.
Rob Van Dam has had his shots, he faced Stone Cold & Kurt Angle in a triple threat for the belt, he has faced Triple H, and now he has his chance with his Money in the Bank. But over the last 5 years, RVD has never felt the gold around his waist. He has become known as a disgruntled employee of the WWE. Their restrictions on what exactly transpires in the ring has been a crippling blow for the one titled the ‘Whole F’n Show’. At the 2005 spectacular known as ECW One Night Stand, RVD returned to the ring (he was injured at the time) and voiced his opinion about how he has been used since he arrived in the WWE. During this very honest speech, RVD showed his true anarchistic attitude deep inside his ‘mellowed’ character he has played on TV. When he recovered, he came back to Raw after their big draft trade. But the RVD that came back wasn’t who we saw at One Night Stand. He wasn’t the Whole Damn Show, but he wasn’t throwing around cheesy one liners either. He has been a little more focused at winning the WWE Championship for the first time. Or is he?
A clear statement following April 2nd has led the world to believe at the returning ECW PPV, One Night Stand 2, Rob Van Dam hinted at facing the WWE Champion by cashing in his Money in the Bank. Right now, before Backlash, there are three possible roots leading to the PPV. Scenario 1, John Cena retains the WWE title and goes on to Vengeance and loses it there to Triple H. John Cena will never step foot into an ECW ring, it just would be stupid. Scenario 2, Edge wins the triple threat for the WWE title. Edge proved his hardcore attitude at Wrestlemania 22 beating former ECW & WWF hardcore legend Mick Foley. Edge going into the PPV with the title would be the middle ground for acceptability. And finally, Scenario 3, Triple H wins the WWE title. It is common knowledge that RVD appears to have been buried by Triple H during their feud. Many feel RVD should have already won the title. Although being cheered now, no one has forgotten that Triple H sent RVD packing to Smackdown after destroying his main event run. Their rivalry exists to this day for the sole purpose of putting RVD over, finally. Triple H entering One Night Stand with the title, only to lose it to RVD would send millions of fans rushing with excitement and shock. RVD would be our WWE Heavyweight Champion...
And this is where it begins. The purpose of this RVD biography was to help paint the picture of his current state of mind. RVD has been held down for the simple fact that he does not belong in the very different style of wrestling that the WWE produces and expects from its wrestlers. According to the backstage talks, ECW is set to return in September. Tommy Dreamer & Paul Heyman are going to be lead bookers and a true-to-the-legend promotion is going to be reborn. Coincidence? I believe we could see a change in the WWE that will rock the wrestling world once again. When pro-wrestling makes a change, its effects are heard for years to come. And I believe RVD will be part of something far greater than winning a heavyweight title.
Rob Van Dam will remain champion for the rest of June, through July & August, and then in September, he will explode. I can see RVD really getting heat from fans for the lack of ‘extreme’ in his matches, even from his return. His predictable matches are part of the WWE trying to make him into what he is not, boring. RVD’s only way to even make it was to first win a 6-way ladder match, and then retain is prize, only to demand his shot at a ‘hardcore venue’. It was due to sheer luck and a series of fortunate events that even got him his title. Because management did not have faith in him, why should he offer any loyalty? Rob Van Dam will piss on the WWE and leave with their title, heading to the newly formed ECW. With him will be the exodus of wrestlers both from the WWE & TNA. ECW will become the ultimate alternative, and RVD will be free to be the Whole F’n Show.
This action of defiance will prompt Vince McMahon to then do something crazy. Since Raw is without a WWE Champion, and talent has left both of his branded shows, he will end the roster split. No longer will Raw & Smackdown be two separate shows, no longer will there be various, disputed champions. The World Heavyweight Championship Title will be the main event, and no longer will there be civil war. Yes, from September until April of the new year, wrestling will change its face. The World Wrestling Federation enjoyed its greatest period of boom and glory when there was one show, one title, one army. The World Wrestling Entertainment industry will have its leading shows, and its web shows to highlight up and coming stars as well as veterans getting a workout. There will be Triple H, Undertaker, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Edge, Batista, Ric Flair, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, and others all on one show ready to unleash phenomenal programming with a solidified and unified roster.
The change will be big, confusing, and scary, but it will be for the future good of the business. Rob Van Dam will have earned the WWE title, as well as been part of the next big revolution. He will be free to live out the rest of his career as the F’n showman that he is, and the fans will be treated to either technical mat wrestling or extreme blood and gore, their choice. TNA will rise up against the WWE, but will do nothing more than stir the pot that is competition. And once again, we will be in the midst of the new golden age of wrestling...
Is this how it will be? No, I’m not a prophet, but I don try to grasp a moving trend. The WWE doesn’t do things for no reason (at least I try to think that way), and the mere coincidences that have begun to line up as of late all point to the eventual end to this brand extension. Smackdown is hurting in the main event while Raw is hurting everywhere but. So only time will tell if this can all happen. At least I know I will be ready for the summer time revolution. Now who could have predicted this in 2002?
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