Is it just me, or has the steam of the Save_Us viral campaign been lost?
There was an instant build leading up to No Mercy, and everywhere one looked on the net, within the wrestling fan community, there was quite a bit of excited talk. But the resolution seems to now be targeted for Cyber Sunday (perhaps), which will making more sense given the theme of the campaign, is still perhaps too long of a tease.
The Save_Us campaign was, in its first week or so, clearly the strongest idea the creative team has had in a long time. Initially there was some intrigue, whether or not Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, or even a new Hart Foundation was behind the reveal. Now however, HBK has returned, and the much talked about Hart Foundation Redux seems put off for the time being with the departure of one of its potential members. So all signs point to a Jericho return- something that will be greeted in a very positive manner by the fans.
WWE needs an infusion of talent, even returning talent, and Jericho fits the bill. With the loss of John Cena for perhaps close to a year, and some recent departures and other injuries, the ranks of the elite WWE roster is really thin.
The Michaels return is a first step. A Jericho return, and hopefully soon thereafter a return by Edge would put two main event talents back into the mix. But the future still looks shaky.
I recently watched a few pay-per-views from 2001 on DVD. The thing that stood out most was how in 6 years, most of the participants are no longer with the company, either retired, in another company, or sadly, passed on.
What will be the state of the roster in another 6 years. Certainly there are quality stars on the roster now among the under-30 set: The Hardys, MVP, Kennedy are the stand outs. Orton and Edge are also top draw who have already moved to main event status. Beyond those few however, there doesn't seem anyone on the horizon that can carry the company after HBK, HHH, and Undertaker have hung up the boots. Even someone like Batista who is a top star is actually quite old comparatively.
So, while the WWE has pushed Cena to the top and he has worked strong in the spot, I feel creative needs to work hard to bring some talents up to that type of level.
They seem to want to push Morrison and Lashley (when he returns) and this is fine. But in the process they need to keep pushing CM Punk, Matt Hardy, Kennedy etc, so that in a moment of injury or disaster there are people ready to step forward.
It isn't just about "superstars stepping up" as is notoriously the fall back position. How the talent is produced plays a big part as well. It is one thing to say "Well Jeff Hardy is a fine athlete but he needs to prove he can carry the ball", however he has to be handed the ball before he can prove anything.
The possible return of Chris Jericho will be met with much excitement, but it shouldn't come at the expense of other stars in the making.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
No Mercy Review
For the first time in a long time, a WWE Pay-Per-View was filled with intrigue that had little to do with current angles on the weekly programming. With the injury to John Cena, not only the main event at No Mercy, but the immediate future of the RAW brand (and the company at large) was in limbo. Additionally, the rumors of a possible return of Chris Jericho, lent a sense of surprise that made the show a must buy.
While the Jericho return was non-existent (either put off for another time, or simply an unfounded rumor completely), the show on the whole proved highly satisfying.
It cannot be overstated how much the company has placed its forseeable future in the hands of Cena. He had been the WWE Champion for a full year, and despite the division among fans over his character's popularity, Cena has shown himself to be quite capable of carrying the WWE mantle. For whatever one may feel he lacks in ring-skill, and I for one think that criticism is overstated somewhat, one cannot deny that Cena is one of the hardest workers in the company and he seems to have the right sort of attutide to be the top star. Therefore his injury is not just a normal absence. Furthermore, the recent loss of the company's other top draw, Edge, leaves the WWE without, arguably, its top two stars.
Creative had its hands full, then, heading into the No Mercy show. How would they resolve the title situation would go a long way into setting up the second half of the calendar build to Wrestlemania.
The opening and Orton v HHH
Putting the title on Randy Orton to begin the show was a smart move. It created instant heat on Orton, and set up the rest of the show as an 'historic' night. The immediate match between Orton and HHH for the title was a nice surprise and the two men found just the right tone for the match. They had a great deal to do in this match beyond simply tell the story of the individual match itself. They had to open the show with an exciting match, something that is very important to the way the audience will respond to the rest of the program. They also had to make compelling the HHH vs Umaga match that would follow later, and build to the eventual main event rematch. While do this, they also had to leave something out there unresolved to that the main event had some higher point to attain. That is a very difficult set of tasks and Orton and HHH found the right balance. Orton losing the match in a clean roll-up pin after making a mistake, made his shock at losing so quickly after being crowned a legitimate reaction. The interplay between HHH and Vince backstage which would lead to the other two matches was spot on as well.
Cade/Murdoch/Kennedy v London/Kendrick/J. Hardy
The unannounced 6-man tag match was a continuation of one story and the start of another. The match allowed for the further expansion of the tag team division race with Kendrick & London and the tag champs, Cade & Murdoch continuing their rivalry. It also allowed for the beginning of a new feud between Hardy and Kennedy. These are two solid workers who are on the cusp of being top tier stars with the right push. The match was short, which was to be expected after the long opening and championship match, but it provided for some excellent spots which are always going to take place when Kendrick, London and/or Hardy are involved.
ECW Champ CM Punk v Big Daddy V
Unfortunately this match was a disappointment. Punk was returning home to Chicago and his match lasted only a few minutes as it finished with a DQ and a Big Daddy V beatdown of the champ. Now that former champion John Morrison has returned from his suspension, he and Punk will likely continue their program and I expect Morrison to regain the title likely at the next PPV, Cyber Sunday. Morrison is a guy the office loves, and I'm not sure they are sold on Punk yet. I hope they'll keep the title on Punk for a while and let him grow into it as it would serve not only to push him as a top guy, but it raises the level of the brand as a whole if they have more than one solid top draw.
HHH v Umaga
The first title defense of HHH's 11th title reign comes roughly 40 minutes after he won the belt. I expected he'd retain as I was fairly certain at that point the plan was for an Orton rematch and vicotry in the main event. He scored a clean win over Umaga, which I think was a result of a non-finish in the previous match, but Umaga put a post-match assault on him that set up the weakened champion having to overcome even more in the main event scenario. The match was good, if short, but I would have preferred to see it and the previous match booked differently.
The idea I'm sure was that Punk should not score a clean win over BDV because to do so would eliminate him as 'the monster'. But Umaga is also a 'monster' and at this point he is on a bigger stage therefore it makes more sense to me to keep him intact. The way they booked the matches, Umaga looks rather weak. It would have made more sense to have Punk score a clean win, following some sort of interference by Matt Striker, which would have still kept BDV strong, and then have Umaga lose control and destroy HHH which would keep them both strong.
Rey Mysterio v Finlay
This match started well, but ended in yet another no contest as Finlay 'faked' an injury and then attacked Mysterio after the match had been stopped. Again this ending may have been the result of its placement in the show, but it did not have a big time PPV feel. So it was a mild disappointment. Clearly this is a feud that is just beginning and I like the pairing, but I think Creative could have done a bit more with this installment.
Women's Champion Candace Michelle v Beth Phoenix
The time had come for a title change in the women's division. After the victory Candance scored at the last PPV, I assumed this would be Phoenix's chance to run with the title. She beat Candance fairly easily, as she should, and the only issue now is do they have someone they feel can run with Phoenix. The obvious person is Mickie James, but they have not pushed her of late so it could be they will let Candance continue the feud for a bit. I wonder if the rumored call up of Nattie Niedhardt in a new Hart Foundation might also be a possibility in the future. Whatever the decision, the Diva division is in desperate need of some additional blood.
World Heavyweight Champ Batista v The Great Khali
This Punjabi Prison match was a step back even from the last one. I like the idea and the design of the 'prison' is something that can work every once in a while (though something needs to be done to improve the visuals since the shot from the hard camera gives a fairly blocked view). Essentially the match had one big spot, the Batista leap from the inner to the outer cage. Normally a match with one big spot would be a huge disappointment, however, given the situation of the workers involved (two big men) and the fact that they could not afford to lose another top draw, I can understand holding down the action. However this match is billed as brutal and barbaric and there was nothing in the match itself to prove either claim. Batista retaining was an obvious choice, and I'm certain the feud will continue until Edge returns.
HHH v Orton rematch (last man standing)
The fact that they retained the stipulation was an added bonus, and something that likely needed to be done given the two had just wrestled to a clean pin a few hours before. HHH and Orton really worked hard, and the back and forth action allowed both men to be seen as strong. The finish was likely as it should be. Orton has the capability of being a top heel, and has the arrogant personality that is perfect for playing off of. Given what the rumors are about his backstage behavior it is a bit suprising they put the title on him, and perhaps a big risk, but if it helps to rein him in and improve the situation then it is worth it. Orton is very popular with the audience, and has a number of made feuds waiting for him beyond HHH. Sadly, I think the Cena injury forced Creative to move in a different direction that perhaps they needed to go.
If over the course of the next year, they can elevate a few stars to the top tier, it would only serve them better when Cena returns. I have always been of the belief that raising the level of championship contenders is good for the title and the product as a whole. The more viable champions you have, the more matches can be made and the more it protects against such tragic losses due to injury.
While the Jericho return was non-existent (either put off for another time, or simply an unfounded rumor completely), the show on the whole proved highly satisfying.
It cannot be overstated how much the company has placed its forseeable future in the hands of Cena. He had been the WWE Champion for a full year, and despite the division among fans over his character's popularity, Cena has shown himself to be quite capable of carrying the WWE mantle. For whatever one may feel he lacks in ring-skill, and I for one think that criticism is overstated somewhat, one cannot deny that Cena is one of the hardest workers in the company and he seems to have the right sort of attutide to be the top star. Therefore his injury is not just a normal absence. Furthermore, the recent loss of the company's other top draw, Edge, leaves the WWE without, arguably, its top two stars.
Creative had its hands full, then, heading into the No Mercy show. How would they resolve the title situation would go a long way into setting up the second half of the calendar build to Wrestlemania.
The opening and Orton v HHH
Putting the title on Randy Orton to begin the show was a smart move. It created instant heat on Orton, and set up the rest of the show as an 'historic' night. The immediate match between Orton and HHH for the title was a nice surprise and the two men found just the right tone for the match. They had a great deal to do in this match beyond simply tell the story of the individual match itself. They had to open the show with an exciting match, something that is very important to the way the audience will respond to the rest of the program. They also had to make compelling the HHH vs Umaga match that would follow later, and build to the eventual main event rematch. While do this, they also had to leave something out there unresolved to that the main event had some higher point to attain. That is a very difficult set of tasks and Orton and HHH found the right balance. Orton losing the match in a clean roll-up pin after making a mistake, made his shock at losing so quickly after being crowned a legitimate reaction. The interplay between HHH and Vince backstage which would lead to the other two matches was spot on as well.
Cade/Murdoch/Kennedy v London/Kendrick/J. Hardy
The unannounced 6-man tag match was a continuation of one story and the start of another. The match allowed for the further expansion of the tag team division race with Kendrick & London and the tag champs, Cade & Murdoch continuing their rivalry. It also allowed for the beginning of a new feud between Hardy and Kennedy. These are two solid workers who are on the cusp of being top tier stars with the right push. The match was short, which was to be expected after the long opening and championship match, but it provided for some excellent spots which are always going to take place when Kendrick, London and/or Hardy are involved.
ECW Champ CM Punk v Big Daddy V
Unfortunately this match was a disappointment. Punk was returning home to Chicago and his match lasted only a few minutes as it finished with a DQ and a Big Daddy V beatdown of the champ. Now that former champion John Morrison has returned from his suspension, he and Punk will likely continue their program and I expect Morrison to regain the title likely at the next PPV, Cyber Sunday. Morrison is a guy the office loves, and I'm not sure they are sold on Punk yet. I hope they'll keep the title on Punk for a while and let him grow into it as it would serve not only to push him as a top guy, but it raises the level of the brand as a whole if they have more than one solid top draw.
HHH v Umaga
The first title defense of HHH's 11th title reign comes roughly 40 minutes after he won the belt. I expected he'd retain as I was fairly certain at that point the plan was for an Orton rematch and vicotry in the main event. He scored a clean win over Umaga, which I think was a result of a non-finish in the previous match, but Umaga put a post-match assault on him that set up the weakened champion having to overcome even more in the main event scenario. The match was good, if short, but I would have preferred to see it and the previous match booked differently.
The idea I'm sure was that Punk should not score a clean win over BDV because to do so would eliminate him as 'the monster'. But Umaga is also a 'monster' and at this point he is on a bigger stage therefore it makes more sense to me to keep him intact. The way they booked the matches, Umaga looks rather weak. It would have made more sense to have Punk score a clean win, following some sort of interference by Matt Striker, which would have still kept BDV strong, and then have Umaga lose control and destroy HHH which would keep them both strong.
Rey Mysterio v Finlay
This match started well, but ended in yet another no contest as Finlay 'faked' an injury and then attacked Mysterio after the match had been stopped. Again this ending may have been the result of its placement in the show, but it did not have a big time PPV feel. So it was a mild disappointment. Clearly this is a feud that is just beginning and I like the pairing, but I think Creative could have done a bit more with this installment.
Women's Champion Candace Michelle v Beth Phoenix
The time had come for a title change in the women's division. After the victory Candance scored at the last PPV, I assumed this would be Phoenix's chance to run with the title. She beat Candance fairly easily, as she should, and the only issue now is do they have someone they feel can run with Phoenix. The obvious person is Mickie James, but they have not pushed her of late so it could be they will let Candance continue the feud for a bit. I wonder if the rumored call up of Nattie Niedhardt in a new Hart Foundation might also be a possibility in the future. Whatever the decision, the Diva division is in desperate need of some additional blood.
World Heavyweight Champ Batista v The Great Khali
This Punjabi Prison match was a step back even from the last one. I like the idea and the design of the 'prison' is something that can work every once in a while (though something needs to be done to improve the visuals since the shot from the hard camera gives a fairly blocked view). Essentially the match had one big spot, the Batista leap from the inner to the outer cage. Normally a match with one big spot would be a huge disappointment, however, given the situation of the workers involved (two big men) and the fact that they could not afford to lose another top draw, I can understand holding down the action. However this match is billed as brutal and barbaric and there was nothing in the match itself to prove either claim. Batista retaining was an obvious choice, and I'm certain the feud will continue until Edge returns.
HHH v Orton rematch (last man standing)
The fact that they retained the stipulation was an added bonus, and something that likely needed to be done given the two had just wrestled to a clean pin a few hours before. HHH and Orton really worked hard, and the back and forth action allowed both men to be seen as strong. The finish was likely as it should be. Orton has the capability of being a top heel, and has the arrogant personality that is perfect for playing off of. Given what the rumors are about his backstage behavior it is a bit suprising they put the title on him, and perhaps a big risk, but if it helps to rein him in and improve the situation then it is worth it. Orton is very popular with the audience, and has a number of made feuds waiting for him beyond HHH. Sadly, I think the Cena injury forced Creative to move in a different direction that perhaps they needed to go.
If over the course of the next year, they can elevate a few stars to the top tier, it would only serve them better when Cena returns. I have always been of the belief that raising the level of championship contenders is good for the title and the product as a whole. The more viable champions you have, the more matches can be made and the more it protects against such tragic losses due to injury.
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