Allowing part-time wrestlers to come back and win big time matches is a double edge sword, it may work for you now but what happens down the road, say in ten years when The Rock, Undertaker, Triple H and other part-time draws can’t wrestle anymore? The need to build stars for the time when WrestleMania 38, 39, 40 and beyond is past due now. Who will Vince McMahon and Triple H be able to call in to cash in on the big pay-day when they need a star from the past to come beat down the unbeatable heel or face? Other than John Cena the WWE has done a great job at booking for ‘the moment’ but they’ve done a horrible job in the past almost decade building toward the future.
CM Punk headlines a list of guys that are near the cusp of being added to that list I mentioned above. Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, and Daniel Bryan follow closely behind Punk. An argument can be made for Randy Orton and Edge but here’s why they are so sure bet. Edge had to retire early to a legitimate injury, and while it’s not 100% Edge can’t wrestle ever again the WWE surely can’t rest on hopes and dreams that Edge can make a comeback. Randy Orton has had a great career but the past few have been lackluster and filled with wellness policy violation. Some blame can go on the creative team for not knowing exactly what to do with Orton and some blame can go to the fact that the guys I listed above have already over taken him on the main event status, at least in my eyes.
I understand the point of a wrestling promotion is to make money, just like any business, but what kind of business doesn’t think long term? Trust me; I used to be a shirt manager at Taco Bell so I know exactly what I am talking about. Vince McMahon is already a very rich man, and the WWE has been the most powerful wrestling promotion in the world for quite some time. TNA is nowhere near competing with the WWE like WCW did at the beginning of the ‘Attitude Era’ so why not risk it, just a little? The MetLife Stadium is already near sold out before anyone knew that John Cena against The Rock was going to happen twice in a lifetime so the WWE knew the money was there with or without any part-time guy.
To be short and sweet this week, mostly because I knew if I wrote about CM Punk and The Rock I would be reading the same column over and over again this week. I am not against The Rock coming back or any old big name popping their head in every now and then. I AM AGAINST not thinking long-term, not thinking past WrestleMania season. The day they do that the better the buy rates will be for Over The Limit and all the other pay per views that don’t have a cult following already.
Until next week guys, tell a friend, leave a comment, follow me on Twitter @CamDougharty and lets talk Rasslin!
