2006 is here and as we ring in a new year, we symbolically think of new beginnings, New Years’ resolutions, fresh starts, new focus, et cetera. In two separate year-end polls, both the InsidePulse wrestling department writers AND our cherished readers chose Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as 2005’s promotion of the year. This means that WWE has left us feeling like they could be doing more.
TODAY’S ISSUE: My hopes for WWE in 2006.
Some of the things I’d like to see on WWE programming in the coming year are:
Friday Night SmackDown!
1. As custodians of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, I wish SmackDown! would attempt to feature the cruisers in some real storylines, and allow them to perform as cruiserweights, rather than smaller heavyweights. Daredevil, risk-taking, high-flying action defines the division, so having them simply emulate the larger wrestlers kills the style and uniqueness of the lighter weight class. Let’s face it, you want heavyweight boxers to throw the big knockout punch, but the smaller men are known for their speed, agility, quickness and intensity. Forcing cruisers to modify their offense neuters the division and takes away the entire appeal of watching lighter wrestlers in the first place.
With performers such as Kid Kash, Brian Kendrick, Paul London, the Mexicools, Jamie Noble, and Rey Mysterio on the roster, there’s no reason TNA’s X Division should be so far superior to WWE’s Cruiserweight Division. Take the reigns off, Vince. Let these men soar, and watch the interest in your Friday night product soar with them.
2. Instead of having established superstars like Booker T. and Chris Benoit (both of whom are former World Champions) battle for the United States Championship, they should use that title to help build some of the strong mid-carders, and elevate them to the next level. Grapplers such as Ken Kennedy (prior to his injury, of course), Paul Burchill, Orlando Jordan (who really NEEDS some image enhancement after the way Benoit dominated him for months), Bobby Lashley, and Matt Hardy could benefit from being in the US title hunt, and they could also provide lots of exciting matches and compelling television/pay-per-views by battling for the strap.
3. Build up some strong heels for Batista to feud with. Who is Batista’s greatest threat right now? Who’s the man who will plot, scheme, form alliances, and stop at nothing to wrest the big gold belt from the dominant champion? Nobody. I realize the tragic loss of Eddie Guerrero hurt storylines as much as it hurt so many people on an emotional level, but creative needs to regroup and recover. JBL lost convincingly to Big Dave over and over, so he’s not ready to challenge for the belt again anytime soon. Lashley would be an interesting choice, but he’d need a Goldberg-like run along the way, and that takes time. See the above point about the US strap; if Lashley got to devour several opponents en route to a US title victory, a champion-vs.-champion match could be highly intriguing down the road. Booker T. makes a great main event heel, but as I said earlier, he’s mired in the whole “WCW Nostalgia Show” at the moment. That leaves the UnderPartTimer, the Boogeyman (give me a break), William Regal (this could work, especially with aid from his protégé Burchill, if Vince cared enough to build him up), and Benoit. Now there’s an interesting concept. Turn Benoit heel, and refashion him as a dangerous threat to the wounded champion, based on his intensity, experience, mat-wrestling skill, and newfound heel attitude. The more I think about it, the more I like it. I’d like to see Randy Orton as more of a threat to Big Dave, but creative can’t seem to make RKO into a legitimate contender for some unknown reason. The man was the youngest world champ ever (according to current kayfabe) and he’s always just on the outside of the title picture looking in.
Monday Night RAW
1. Kurt Angle is one of the greatest all-around performers in the history of the business. Please take the bling-bling belt off of Eminem and place it around the waist of Our Olympic Hero. It could restore some of John Cena’s fire to chase for the belt (which would be returned to the original version, without the spinning faceplate) rather than sitting in a rut, playing Austin’s role from 1998, only not as well. A babyface General Manager could also put that overdone “authority figure vs. champion” angle to bed already. Angle would immediately improve the in-ring aspect of the RAW title scene, and considering all he’s giving to the business, after all the times he’s “played through the pain”, he deserves to be champion again.
2. The Women’s Division is in dire straits. Hopefully the Trish Stratus/Mickie James feud will spice things up a bit, but then what? Other than Queen Victoria, there’s nobody left for either gal-pal to feud with after that storyline plays out. I’d love to see WWE bring back some of the more capable free agents they’ve released in the past, like Molly Holly, Jazz and Ivory. There IS enough talent out there to present a legitimate women’s division, if creative would only get serious about it.
3. I recently wrote about the first edition of “The Cutting Edge”. I thought it was exciting and controversial, and the segment made great use of a rich resource at WWE’s disposal. There are so many experienced, talented veterans on the payroll, and this angle exploited that advantage, but then creative let things cool significantly. We should be seeing Michael “P.S.” Hayes backstage every week, talking about how angry he is, and how he’ll get Edge back if it’s the last thing he ever does. I’d like to see more come from this hot opening angle. Since Ric Flair now seems to be involved, you have one of the greatest in-ring performers and possibly THE best promo man ever. He and Hayes ought to hook up to battle Edge. Flair and Hayes might even consider forming a new stable of younger men to mentor and guide through their careers as payment for taking out Edge on their behalf.
4. For crying out loud, will SOMEBODY please recognize the mother lode of talent within Shelton Benjamin? How the Hell does a guy like Carlito deserve a big push while Benjamin sits on the proverbial sidelines? Benjamin has a great look, athleticism to spare, agility, speed and several innovative offensive maneuvers in his arsenal. He’s been a consistent performer on the big stage for years, and he’s not injury prone. What else does he need? How does WWE’s creative department NOT recognize his potential?
Well, here’s to a happy new year. I won’t hold my breath for any of these suggested improvements, but you never know; Vince might just give us all a holiday treat. Best of luck to our loyal InsidePulse readers in 2006…
We now return you to your regularly scheduled reality.
p.s. – What’s the difference between “new” and “brand new”? What about “first” compared to “very first”?
