Welcome to Dirty Jose's corner of the WWE Universe. As promised, today I bring you my list of the hottest properties in the WWE Universe, starting with the top 5 superstars on Raw. Before I get started, I want to list some of my criteria for such a list. These include:
Appearances: Looks aren't everything, but then again they are. This isn't to say that I judge superstar worth on polished looks or toned muscle alone. My feelings and opinions on a superstar's appearance are tied to their gimmick. Some people can have everything going for them otherwise, but if they don't look the part (or seem too dolled up and "faked" for the part) it's all for naught.
In Ring Ability: They can't all be zingers, but if a superstar consistently delivers "phoned in" matches, I (and many other fans) will quickly lose interest. Can the superstar deliver a quality match without resorting to similar spots night after night? Can a superstar participate in matches outside their comfort zone (like, say, former superstar Kurt Angle in a Hardcore match) and still perform superbly? Sometimes an aspiring superstar is held back by their inability to deliver original and exciting matches consistently, and other are pushed to the top due to their ability to deliver amazing matches with anybody.
Charisma: A great face makes you hope against hope. A great face makes you feel like they fight for you. A great face keeps people watching and buying tickets so that they can see their hero overcome the odds. A great heel makes your blood boil. A great heel surprises you with each dirty trick, even if it's expected of them. A great heel keeps people watching and buying tickets so that they can hopefully see the villain get his comeuppance. Some superstars, like Triple H, have mastered playing both sides of this coin. If a superstar can't inspire you either way, even if they have excellent technical skills, most fans will never really care enough to pay attention.
Mic Skills: In my mind, this makes or breaks any potential superstar. A superstar's charisma is linked to his abilities on the mic. My thinking is that any time between matches should be enticing enough to keep you watching. Comedy bits and PPV ads aside, the biggest platform a superstar has to push himself is his time on the mic. Former superstar Ken Kennedy grew a substantial fan following based mainly on his mic skills. The biggest names in the business all have learned (some even mastered) the art of the promo. Working the mic requires a degree of improvisation skills, or else the entire segment will feel "scripted" and fake, and at worse becomes a joke reel to be viewed on the internet (See also: Ken Patera).
With that out of the way, we proceed to the meat and bones of the post. I present to you...
Dirty Jose's Top 5 Hottest Properties: Raw
5. Kofi Kingston
Kofi has been on WWE television since his ECW debut in 2007. In two years he has already reached the World Tag Team Championship (with CM Punk), the Intercontinental Championship, and currently the US Championship. His leaping abilities are mind boggling, as is his stamina. Kofi's matches are almost always exciting, and he is a favorite amongst fans of "Cruiserweight" wrestling. He has a likable persona on screen and on the mic, with a face and smile that dare you to resist his charisma.
While I won't say (nor do I believe) that the WWE lacks enough diversity of ethnicity in the locker room, it is heart warming to see this Ghanian native do so well with only two years on TV, with an even brighter horizon in front of him.
In the future, I'd like to continue seeing more of Kofi in the mid-card scene to flesh out who he is and what he's about. I'd also like to see less of the Jamaican aspect, as I feel that it is terribly shallow and risks having him remembered as "that Jamaican guy" as opposed to the wonderful talent he is. I haven't seen him in any meaningful feuds recently (besides his all-too-brief program with MVP, a fellow face on Raw), but signs point him being involved with Big Show throughout the summer, and this could be a big boost for Kofi's career.
4. Jack Swagger
Maybe I should just get out of the way now that I hold a softer spot in my heart for the bad guys than I do the good guys. Maybe it's because I feel that villains define the heroes. Maybe it's because I respect the ability to turn any crowd against you, even if they liked you beforehand. Either way, Jack Swagger shows signs of being a potential top heel in the company in his future.
He's got the Bob Backlund-esque "All American Boy" looks, but with the twinkling of Kurt Angle's "all about me" narcissism in his devilish grin. He's an accomplished amateur wrestler, and it shows in ring. He's still rather new, having debuted on ECW in 2008, but still was deemed worthy of the ECW Championship within his first year on television. He's been in angles with some of the best, including Christian, Tommy Dreamer, and Matt Hardy, and hasn't shown any sign of slowing down yet.
Recently traded to Raw, Swagger now has room to grow and evolve. A one off match on the 2009 Raw Draft Special, versus John Cena, showcased both his growing mic skills and his established mat skills, and was to many fans the highlight of that 3 hour episode and a sign of the greatness to come. He has recently started a program with MVP, who I think complements him well, and if given the proper time and patience can catapult both superstars to the next level of superstardom.
3. MVP
Some gimmicks make the superstar (See also: Undertaker). Others hold them back, forever leaving the superstar "typecast" in the mind of the fans (See also: IRS, Bossman). MVP falls in the middle, as his persona as a Terrell Owens-type sports star with an eye for the bling and big money contracts seemingly leaves little room for expansion. However, MVP has shown excellent in ring ability and skill at working the crowd, and this has been enough to cement him as a solid and gifted talent.
MVP has been on WWE television since 2006, and has recently been showing signs of being ready for the next level and WWE has apparently noticed this, placing him in matches with top heel Randy Orton amongst other top tier players. His US Championship match with Kofi Kingston (which he lost) was an instant classic, one of the best matches on Raw in the year so far. He has also helped establish the annual "Money in the Bank" match at Wrestlemania as a celebrated tradition.
MVP shows many signs of being top tier ready. I'd like to see him amongst the "big boys" in the company by the end of the year, perhaps even starting his first big run for a title. I feel that, like Kofi, more of who MVP is needs to be explored, with less focus on the "bling bling" heel gimmick he debuted with. He is currently beginning a program with Jack Swagger, and a part of this angle revolves around revelations about MVP's criminal past (based on real life events), and I feel this is exactly the kind of character development he needs. As I stated earlier I feel that "Swagger Vs. MVP" can be a catalyst for greater things in the future for both superstars.
2. John Cena
You either love him, or you hate him. Either way, John Cena does not care. He will perform just as admirably, and will feed off of the crowd's energy, whether he's booed or he's cheered. I was skeptical at first regarding Cena, especially during the "freestyle" days of his gimmick (B2 = worst use of Barry Buchanan ever?). But with each match I saw him in, each promo segment I heard him deliver, I found myself growing more and more fond of him. His charisma and connection to the crowd are his biggest assets. He also displays incredible feats of strength and athleticism, being able to hoist even Big Show atop his frame.
Cena has done much to help carry this company in the last few years. He is arguably THE face of the WWE today. The pop his entrance music alone generates is reminiscent of the days of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. He is a perfect example of how to grow beyond the limits of your gimmick and succeed. I also must point out a promo he and Edge did for Backlash 2009 on Smackdown that was hands down one of the best I've seen. The timing and the delivery from both men excited me about the match in a way I hadn't been since Rock Vs. Austin at Wrestlemania X-7.
So where to go from here with Cena? Since his debut against Kurt Angle in 2002, he has gone on to win 10 championships and net a Royal Rumble victory. I feel that removing him from the World Heavyweight/WWE Championship picture right now would be a mistake, but he (like Randy Orton) needs fresh faces to compete with. With rumors of Chris Master's return, and additions like Jack Swagger to the Raw roster, he may get those fresh challenges soon.
1. Randy Orton
I did say I liked the villains, didn't I? In my book, Orton pretty much has it all. He has the looks of a WWE superstar. He has the charisma and mannerisms of the perfect heel. Aside from issues involving his hypermobile shoulders, he is rock solid in the ring.
His charisma lies in the fact that you almost want to like him. He debuted as a face, but made the conversion to heel, joining Triple H's Evolution stable. Being dumped from the stable increased his "tweener" appeal; as a fan you wanted to cheer him on against Triple H, but he was still as arrogant and conceited as he was within that group. His partnership with Edge (dubbed "Rated RKO") completed his vilification, and he's never looked back.
So what can be done to further improve Orton? First of all GET HIM AWAY FROM BATISTA AND TRIPLE H! I have never seen a feud get milked dry for so long. It's apparent the fans are sick of any combination of Triple H, Batista, and Orton. References back to Evolution worked well shortly after it's demise, but we are now 4 years from that stable (not counting it's one night only reunion in 2007), and figuratively speaking, the well has run dry. Orton has been a victim this year of a storyline which fails to do his character justice, and a rotation of the same 3 opponents (Triple H, Shane McMahon, Batista, rinse, repeat). The addition of Stephanie to the angle came close to bordering on tasteless. Orton can still overcome this, though, with quality matches and feuds with other, newer superstars. MVP, who already had an excellent match with Orton this year on Raw, springs to mind, as does ECW superstar Christian. And there's always the tease of a face turn...
I also promised a list of superstars in danger of fading into the distance, and while not as extensive as the top 5 list, I'd like to point some out to you:
1. Big Show
I've been a fan of Show since his days as The Giant in WCW. I feel there should always be a place for a "big guy" in the company. Big Show has the ability to make anyone look good, which is a vital component of creating new stars or reviving old ones. That being said, there is sadly never enough material for Big Show to keep him around. His recent feud with Cena started out strong, but became grounded when it was stretched out a little too long (when they should have delivered a full on "Cena Vs. The Miz" program). An actual legit title hunt (regardless of whether he wins it or not) and a expertly crafted feud to close out the year (perhaps with Orton?) will do much to keep "The Show" cemented in our minds as a very real threat, which in turn will help him put over new talent without looking like a jobber.
2. Santino Marella
Everyone has some guilty pleasures; one of mine is Santino. The guy can put on a well enough match, but he is usually used as comic relief. Comedy bits in the WWE go one of two ways: into certifiably bankable gimmicks, or into infamous examples of how the "WWE is ruinin' 'rasslin". Santino/Santina versus Beth Phoenix? Gold. Santino/Santina versus Vickie/Chavo Guerrero? Fail. I feel Marella has the skills (and the uni-brow!) to walk the line of humor and athleticism, but he needs the support of the creative team to do so. PIG PEN MATCHES DO NOT SELL TICKETS/PPV'S.
3. The Miz
Superstars that gain recognition while a part of a tag team or a stable have it the worst. Inevitably, some of them float, and some of them sink. The Rock left The Nation to go on to bigger and greater things. D'lo Brown left The Nation to go on to "Lo Down", and it was still downhill from there. This isn't a knock on superstars that have trouble finding a niche after leaving a team (respect is as due to D'lo as it is to The Rock). It's just a fact that some superstars just never recover from the break up of the team/stable. The Miz had a good thing going with Smackdown superstar John Morrison, but after their breakup on the 2009 Raw draft special, Morrison has continued to shine on friday nights despite the lack of a solid feud (Shelton Benjamin does NOT count). The Miz, meanwhile, has been partnered in matches with or against Cena and Big Show and keeps feeling like the weak third wheel. His recent feud with Cena was especially bad, as his mic segments were slow and underwhelming, and his matches all felt like a squash match at best. This isn't to say Miz is not worthy of a push, but I feel he needs to be a bit lower on the ladder for the time being. MVP, Kofi, Primo, Santino, and newcomer Evan Bourne all seem like perfect opponents to build up The Miz as more than "Marty Jannetty 2.0".
NEXT TIME: Whew, that took awhile. But I've still got more to go, as next time we shift the focus to Smackdown. The recent loss of Edge to injury leaves a huge opening in the top tier, and no shortage of superstars ready to fill in at the top of the card. I'll give you my list of the top 5 superstars at Smackdown, including some that are ready for the big time, and I'll pick out which guys need some backstage support. Also, my thoughts on the WWE Divas, and why I haven't included them in these lists. Have fun & go crazy, and please feel free to let me know your opinions.
-Dirty Jose-