WWE Question 10: I’ve posted 20 questions on WWE, TNA and the Indies, inviting readers to answer. Now, I’ll be posting some reader response and commenting on what I think the answer is to each question. Feel free to continue to post responses on any question after the one I’ve already answered (I’ll be going in order). The awesome Andy Wheeler replied to all 20 questions over on Pulse Wrestling. No one knows more about the WWE mindset than Wheeler, so be sure to give him a read. Here’s question 10:
10. How can John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler avoid being pushed down the card and become main event wrestlers?
“Well being on Smackdown and away from Raw(Triple H) really helps.” – Mario
This was the most common answer and might well be the right one.
“Morrison has been bounced all around the place, so it’d be nothing new for him. Ziggler should be put on a rocket to the top when the time is right. He’s the best of the new brigade.” –
I agree fully on Ziggler- he’s a class above in both promos and ring work, but Morrison isn’t far behind and he hasn’t really been bounced around since his ECW Title run showed what he could do.
“They have good timing. Neither of them, especially Morrison, should really run into this problem too much since they'll presumably be hitting the main event just as certain guys are leaving. Again, though, this is just internet hate. Rey Mysterio is still held in high regard in terms of the landscape of contenders, yet he has definitely had a few "de-pushes". - Peter
This one assumes too much time before they leave the main event. Batista and Rey likely won’t be gone for at least five years, while Morrison and Ziggler need to be elevated well before then. Also, don’t forget, the draft will lead to new talents and talent being shuffled around, so they should be elevated before the show is messed up.
“To be honest I can not see either of them stepping up to the top just yet. Morrison can get there at some point in the future but, to be honest, needs to improve at control spots, as does Ziggler. The two, however, definitely have potential but if/when they get to the top they will more than likely get the same treatment as Punk. The WWE just want to make sure that it isn't a fluke and that people do care about the person enough to be paying money to see them in the main events of pay per views.” – A. Dust
This is my kind of argument. Ziggler actually has his control spots well in-hand, I think, and he’s around as good as anyone the WWE has considered pushing. I’d like to see him feed faces more early in matches, but his control is solid to good, he feeds a comeback well, and has the crowd hot by the near falls. Morrison is poor at control, but as a face, that isn’t a huge issue. He can really sell, has great timing, and flashy comebacks. He doesn’t need much more. They aren’t really going to improve their small weaknesses on the mid-card against each other and there aren’t really enough vets to go around and fix their flaws. I’d like to see one elevated now and the other work with Finlay for a bit to begin the transition to the top of the card, on PPV every month. I’d assume that since Matt bombed in replacing Jeff, that Morrison, a far more similar performer to Jeff would get to the upper-card more quickly in Jeff’s spot.
“If they market & improve themselves to the point where WWE (incorrectly) feels they have to push them and fans won't watch unless those superstars are in the main event, then they will always be in the main event. The writers incorrectly believe people wont watch unless Cena is in the main event, thus they keep him there. When in reality just having Cena on the card or having him in a heated grudge feud will be enough.
I doubt HHH and Cena always ask to be in the main event. But the writers feel they need to. In addition, they know it would make Vince McMahon happy. Considering he reads all of the scripts and approves them before they air and he has been approving the garbage we've been getting on Raw recently.” – Nocturn
The first part of this really bothers me, as Randy Orton never got over to that level, nor has Chris Jericho or numerous other main eventers. These men can be elevated organically and move up the card without having to be the next absolutely huge stars.
The second part of this statement is especially important, as it comes down to politics. If Morrison and Ziggler can politic properly, they’ll get to the top… and if not, well, hope you enjoy Batista. If it were performance or being over, we wouldn't have to worry, but there's clearly far more to it than that, even on Smackdown, right CM Punk?
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