For The Record 6.28.09: Jack Swagger… Main Eventer?

In the course of time, he has also developed skills that will be transferable to the other brands. First and foremost, he’s a gifted wrestler. He doesn’t need to use his personality to distract fans from poor in-ring skills. That’s always a plus. He’s also a good talker. He speaks with confidence and arrogance. His promos are convincing and entertaining. But most importantly, he’s developed a main event presence. Some wrestlers have it, some wrestlers don’t. I don’t know how to describe main event presence, because it’s one of those indefinable “its” that main event heels like Kurt Angle, Edge, and Randy Orton possess.

One element of that main event “it” factor that those headliners possess is the ability to command attention. Most main eventers have their spots because the fans react to their very presence. They feel like they’re seeing a top star. In my opinion, Jack Swagger commands that kind of attention.

Of course, he may only look like a main eventer because he’s a big fish in a small pond. Yes, ECW is chalked full of great talent. But it’s a slim roster on WWE’s “c”-show. If he were to jump ship to Raw or Smackdown, he would probably start out much lower in the WWE totem pole. The real test for Swagger will be when he’s drafted to Raw or Smackdown.

And you know something? As a performer, I think he’ll pass with distinction. However, there is a caveat…

He’ll only go as far as McMahon lets him. That’s one of the frustrating parts of being a wrestling fan. Pushes aren’t based on merit. Pushes are based on the bottom line through the vision of the promoter. Sure it’s fair, but it’s nonetheless frustrating.

McMahon was reportedly displeased with Swagger’s No Way Out performance in his match with Finlay. There’s even speculation that Jack Swagger was left off the Wrestlemania card as a consequence of that match. It is my hope that the “disciplinary” action ends there. Swagger has much to offer WWE. I hope WWE’s management team sees that.

We do know that Swagger has one legend in his corner… the incomparable Jim Ross. Those who’ve frequented Ross’s blogs in the past will recall his praise for Swagger. Ross has much confidence in the rookie. He even dubbed Swagger as a future member of WWE’s “main event society.” Okay, we in the IWC are probably correct in our understanding that Ross is not involved in the creative process. But if he’s willing to stick his neck out for Swagger, it certainly can’t hurt Swagger’s chances.

That’s why it would probably be best for Swagger if he were drafted to Smackdown next year. Jim Ross is an excellent commentator. He would probably do everything in his power to get him over with the fans. Ross was the main point of contact for Swagger while Swagger was a student at the University of Oklahoma. I’m sure Ross would love to see Swagger succeed. Ross could certainly do his part in the booth.

There are many up-and-coming stars that will have to carry WWE through the 2010s. John Morrison seems to have a Hall of Fame career ahead. The Miz has the potential to be a top heel in the years to come. R-Truth is one of Smackdown’s most charismatic stars. And Legacy’s DiBiase and Rhodes will probably emerge as major stars in the years to follow. Evan Bourne, Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, Vladimir Kozlov, and Zack Ryder are also stars of the future. Out of all those competitors though, I believe Swagger is a cut above the rest. The only person on Swagger’s level, in my view, is John Morrison.

Swagger is reminiscent of Kurt Angle. Both were standout college athletes. Both attained a great deal of success early in their careers (Angle won the WWE Championship in his first year, Swagger became ECW Champion after only four months). Both can wrestle mat-based matches, but also deliver explosive moves when necessary. Both can cut good promos. And both were/are despised by the fans.

I’m not saying Swagger is on Angle’s level… at least not yet. Angle is one of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace a pair of boots. But give Swagger time. He could someday be every bit as good as Angle. That might sound crazy to some people, but I don’t think it’s absurd at all.

In my view, WWE doesn’t need Kurt Angle to return. They’ve got a “Kurt Angle” in the making with Jack Swagger. And like Angle, Swagger has what it takes to be a true main eventer. Just as Angle was the greatest wrestler of his generation, Swagger could emerge as the greatest wrestler of his generation. But that’ll only happen if and when Swagger earns McMahon’s imprimatur. Once that happens, the sky’s the limit for WWE’s premier rookie.

Moving On