From The Other Side: Responding To Reader Feedback
Posted by TWV Guest Columnists
on 10/03/2006
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Guest Column By Raul Smith
Today's column really is all about reader feedback. Because I got much more feedback from my last column than I really anticipated, I'm going to have to devote an entire column to just feedback and when you start reading, you'll see why.
First, on the topic of my idea to create a fourth roster full of "ratings draws," as I called them, somebody brought up a very interesting point. They asked, "What if, say, Edge were to defeat John Cena again for the WWE Championship? What happens to Edge and Cena in this little plan?" The answer, good friend, is really quite simple: just take Edge off of the ratings draws roster and put Cena on. Only problem with that scenario is I never really put Edge on the ratings draws roster to begin with, but I see where you're going with that. It's really a very good point you brought up and one I forgot to elaborate on last time, so thank you.
Somebody also responded to my take on Kurt Angle signing on with TNA and my saying that Kurt's signing with TNA is similar in magnitude to Hulk Hogan signing with WCW back in 1994. My view in this manner, apparently, is a view not really shared by very many fans, as they view this as Kurt endangering himself and his fellow wrestlers; that he should just sit out for the next six months and heal up so that he's not risking his life.
Listen, I'm trying to give the man and the company the benefit of the doubt. Sure, right now, I'm taking this announcement and all the quotes from both Angle and TNA president Dixie Carter at face value, but that's because, as sad as this is for me to say this, I'm getting really sick and tired of WWE creative and their sorry, piss-poor excuses for storylines. The only way, and it's highly unlikely at this point that this scenario will even work, but the only way WWE creative will wake the hell up and start actually writing better storylines for their wrestlers is for an outside company to start posing a serious threat and my feeling – as well as my hope – is that TNA signing Kurt Angle may have just started the ball rolling.
Think back to 1994 for just a minute. WWE was having major drug issues, just like they are now, and they were writing some pretty poor storylines, just like they are now. Before Hulk Hogan first signed onto WCW, they were nothing. They were just the Ted Turner "minor league" wrestling promotion that nobody ever really watched. As I've said repeatedly, history is repeating itself and at this rate, TNA will pose a dangerous threat to WWE's dominance within five years from now. Before the end of the year 2011, TNA will be right up there with WWE.
As for Kurt Angle's signing with TNA "endangering himself and others," I don't see it that way. As I said when Kurt was first released by WWE, the reasons that Kurt would even entertain the thought of signing with TNA would be that it's a less-hectic work and travel schedule and he'll get paid a decent amount of money, but nowhere near what he was making in WWE. Besides, from what I can gather, their drug testing policy is just as strict as WWE's "Talent Wellness Program." Kurt had to have known this before he signed on the dotted line and I'm sure he factored in that the only way Dixie Carter felt comfortable bringing him into TNA was if Kurt would seek professional help on how to manage pain a lot better. So I hope he rides that ship and I have a feeling that exactly what will happen is that he'll right his own ship and dominate in TNA; like I said last time, congratulations in advance for World Heavyweight Championship #7.
On to another reader feedback regarding my comments on Friday Night SmackDown!: they said that my comments were dead-on and that at least I'm not senselessly bashing Smackdown; that I actually praised a few wrestlers. Now, I have no idea, honestly, who "senselessly bashes SmackDown!," though I'm sure it's not without blame on SmackDown!'s part, either. All I did was take an honest look at what I saw on my first opportunity to watch Friday Night SmackDown! for the first time in four months. I looked at everything objectively and half the stuff I saw I liked and the other half I didn't you can add the Rey-Chavo-Vicki fiasco to the long list of horrible storyline ideas, as well as suggested incest storylines). But, I'd like to add one more comment and if you want to call this "senselessly bashing Smackdown," go right ahead:
I hate Jimmy Wang Yang's character and find it absolutely insulting!
Now that I got that out of the way, thank you, whoever it was that sent me that, for the kind words. I promise I will not "senselessly bash SmackDown!" or WWE every chance I get.
Which brings me to my final piece of business today and that is the "Future World Champions" list. Somebody e-mailed me asking me why I have a list of wrestlers that I feel could be World Heavyweight Champions someday if just given the right direction and the right amount of face time. In short, this is my way of saying that these are wrestlers that I know can make a positive impact on the business somewhere down the road and it doesn't matter if they are in WWE, TNA, Ring of Honor, whatever; they will win a major championship, or World Heavyweight Championship, at some point in their careers. The reason I bring up the "Future World Champions" list is because I have an addition to announce later on, after watching a remarkable performance this past week. That will make the list total four now. But first, let me run the list down for you once again.
Samoa Joe: Arguably the safest pick of all the remaining wrestlers across the board (WWE, TNA, et cetera) that have yet to win a World Heavyweight Championship even once. He just has the complete package: he's got charisma, ring skills, mic skills, an appeal to the fans, and the intangible "it" factor. He's a guy that TNA can actually build the company around and a guy that I personally would love to see wrestle against Kurt Angle sometime. Wouldn't that be an awesome match?
Carlito: A guy whose bandwagon I actually started jumping on at New Year's Revolution earlier this year when he competed in the Elimination Chamber match. He also has many of the qualities that Samoa Joe has and is certainly a guy that I can actually see one day headlining WrestleMania. Hey people, it's not
that far-fetched of an idea. I can actually see that happen before WrestleMania 27. Plus, I think he's been watching a few classic Eddie Guerrero matches, just judging from the fact that he did say when Eddie died that Eddie was like a role model to him; now, I see Carlito do a few moves that Eddie did back in the day. Also, he is a member of that new breed of wrestlers that will take over the company someday when Triple H decides to call it a career. Among others are John Cena and Randy Orton.
Shelton Benjamin: Shelton worries me right now. But I think if this guy had an opportunity in TNA, he would just tear the iMPACT! Zone up! He too is a man I once saw as a member of that new breed of wrestlers that can take over WWE one day. However, management keeping him off TV for a while there and now putting this ridiculous gimmick of "I'm being held back because I'm black," which also is insulting at best, has given me pause. And the near future's not so bright either, Shelton, so you can stop wearing shades. House shows for the next several weeks have him teaming up with his buddy Charlie Haas once again. I don't have a problem with that; in fact, I applaud that decision, especially since the only tag teams on RAW right now are the Spirit Squad, the Highlanders, and Cryme Tyme. That just doesn't help Shelton's development chances very much.
Former Member Of "Future World Champions" List - Charlie Haas: I had Charlie on this list shortly after it was discovered that his real-life wife, Jackie Gayda, bolted to TNA. My feeling at the time was, "Could you just imagine if Charlie Haas was in TNA? That guy would just tear it up there!" But he went knucklehead and re-signed with WWE; biggest mistake of your career, Chuck!
And now, the newest member of the "Future World Champions" list...
Bobby Lashley
In fact, I said last time that I couldn't see why WWE would put this guy in the main event at No Mercy against King Booker. Actually, now, I can see it. The two of them work so well together and Lashley is somebody that management is really high on lately. I'm still worried that pushing this kid this far this fast will inevitably turn him into a man of similar character to that of Bill Goldberg or Brock Lesnar, and eventually he'll be run completely out of the wrestling business because of it. Although considering he did attend Air Force Academy, now that I think about it, it does wash away a few of my worries about this guy because it shows that the man has discipline and inner strength, something nobody ever accused Goldberg or Lesnar of having.
Possible Consideration For "Future World Champions" List - CM Punk: The reason he's getting possible consideration is because from what little we've seen of the guy on TV, he has natural charisma, a fan following like no other newcomer, and a great mix of martial arts and wrestling holds. Oh, and the guy can talk too. But, so far, I've only seen him wrestle the newly-unemployed Justin Credible, former bWo member Stevie Richards, Christopher W. Anderson, "The Reject" Shannon Moore, and I think some no-namer whose name I can't remember anyway. I like how he talked last week about wanting to face the big boys in ECW, the Big Shows, RVDs, and Sabus of ECW. But, for now, a good program with Mike Knox should certainly do the trick and don't tell me that's not where they're headed, because judging from last week, all signs point to the ever-jealous Knox picking a fight with CM Punk.
Now, with all of that said, feel free to send me your questions, your comments, your concerns, your complaints, your compliments, and your emails, no matter how sour or sweet, to the address listed below. And until the next time I show up, you are encouraged to read, to learn, and to not "senselessly bash SmackDown!"
I'm taking this time to congratulate Kurt Angle on becoming the soon-to-be seven-time World Heavyweight Champion because the way TNA is building him up, he's bound to win the championship. I haven't seen this much build-up for a wrestler in TNA since Christian Cage.
Eddie Guerrero 1967-2005
May you rest in peace, but never rest in our hearts
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RaulCBK@comcast.net.
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