For The Record 12.28.08: Questions and Issues for 2009

Will Vince McMahon regret making Jeff Hardy his WWE Champion?

Jeff Hardy has finally captured the WWE Championship. Kudos to the “enigma” for reaching such a milestone. However, we can legitimately question whether Hardy has what it takes to be one of WWE’s top champs.

Yes, there is no denying that Jeff Hardy has loads of charisma. He is a dare-devil that does things that “others just can’t do.” He appeals to a vast cross section of WWE fans. But there is a major difference between being the people’s champion and being the company’s champion. Before he won the WWE Championship, Hardy had the luxury of thriving as an upper mid-carder. When he was suspended for a wellness violation before Wrestlemania XXIV, it was frustrating and disappointing for WWE and its fans. But WWE was able to solve the problem of the Money in the Bank Match with relative ease. They gave CM Punk the nod and ultimately the Big Gold Belt. It wasn’t too difficult for WWE to change plans because Jeff Hardy was in a multi-man match. He was one of six competitors in a featured attraction. But what if Jeff Hardy was scheduled to be in a headlining one-on-one match? What if Jeff Hardy was booked in a world title match at the biggest show of the year? It would have been a major embarrassment to McMahon and company.

What is particularly interesting—and puzzling—about WWE’s decision to put their richest prize on Jeff Hardy is they could be setting themselves up for a public relations nightmare. Since the Chris Benoit double murder-suicide, the media has had a field day with pro-wrestling. Don’t think for a second that Nancy Grace or Geraldo Rivera would hold fire if Jeff Hardy is caught with a third violation. Just imagine the New York Times, USA Today, and Sports Illustrated headline: “WWE Champion Terminated After Wellness Violation”and newspaper articles related to drugs and professional wrestling. I’m sure ESPN would have some fun with a WWE World Champion being terminated at the top of his game. And what would this do for WWE’s efforts to become family friendly? Do parents really want their kids to revere someone like Jeff Hardy, especially if he is fired for drug use?

Jeff Hardy has the weight of a company and an industry on his shoulders. If he screws up, it will be a black mark on pro wrestling and WWE. If he succeeds, his will be a great story of redemption. There are no concerns over whether Jeff Hardy can draw. He is a very compelling character with a very unique style. But he is also a risk. I’m sure that is why WWE decided to give him the title at Armageddon instead of a major Big 4 pay-per-view. If WWE is wise, they won’t give Jeff Hardy enough time to screw up. However, McMahon has a track record of rolling the dice. He might just be crazy enough to keep the WWE Championship on Jeff Hardy through Wrestlemania (if Jeff Hardy can handle the weight of his responsibilities that long).

I don’t dislike Jeff Hardy. I wish him the best. I want him to succeed. If he drops the title without any major infractions, I will among millions of other wrestling fans who will breathe a sigh of relief. But until that happens (and if it happens), we will be witness to one heck of an interesting and somewhat controversial reign.

Will Kurt Angle return to WWE?

There is some speculation that Kurt Angle will return to WWE in 2009. Such a move would have significant consequences for TNA and WWE.

TNA would take a hit if they lost Kurt Angle. Angle is one of the greatest wrestlers of ALL TIME. He is the total package. He’s a former multi-time world champion, an Olympic gold medalist, a superb promo talker, and an exceptional worker. He also has the drive to be the best… wrestler… ever… For TNA to have such a coveted wrestling icon and not experience more growth says more about Jeff Jarrett and Dixie Carter than it does about Kurt Angle. Angle gave TNA 110% and has put over their product on every occasion. Losing Angle, TNA’s greatest star, would be a major blow for the company. Angle has been TNA’s main centerpiece and protagonist since 2006. They better bid high to keep Angle; he’s worth it.

WWE could benefit from the move, but also face the risk of having a ticking time bomb under contract. But before we talk about the risks of bringing back Angle, let’s look at the benefits. Kurt Angle is a proven star. He has earned the title of “legend.” And just imagine the classics Angle could have with Jeff Hardy, Evan Bourne, and CM Punk. Think about such possible rekindled feuds as Angle-Michaels, Angle-Mysterio, and Angle-Jericho. How much could guys like Vladimir Kozlov, MVP, and John Morrison benefit from working house shows with Angle?

However, like I said, there is some risk with bringing back Kurt Angle. Angle wants to be the best; but he wants it a little too much. When I think about wrestlers who I fear will be found dead from a heart attack in a hotel room, Kurt Angle comes to mind. Just imagine what kind of press that would garner. And I understand that tragedy could befall Angle in TNA. But if it were to happen in WWE, things would get really ugly.

Angle strikes me as a guy who goes full bore, 100% of the time and will take any substance to keep himself going. Hopefully WWE would address those issues before giving Angle a contract. One of the best ways they could help Angle is by giving him a reduced schedule with limited house shows and allowing him to maintain a good work/life balance.

Will TNA take it to the next level?

TNA is the #2 wrestling promotion in America. Sure, the gap between the number one and two companies is incredibly wide, but TNA is #2 nonetheless. However, TNA has to ask themselves whether they are comfortable where they are or whether they want to make some real headway.

TNA has ridiculous amounts of potential. That’s what is so painful about watching Impact. You would think that a show with Kurt Angle, Booker T, Mick Foley, Samoa Joe, Rhyno, AJ Styles, Eric Young, and Christian Cage would make for some good television. But you’d be wrong. With the talent of their roster, they are STILL an inferior show to ECW! I have a friend who watched TNA on Christmas night and said he couldn’t bear to view it for 20 minutes. And he is one of the most dedicated fans of wrestling that I know. He has watched countless hours of WWE, WCW, NWA, ECW, AWA, and USWA. And yet, he could only stand to watch TNA for 20 minutes. Yikes!

How can TNA turn it all around? I’m not exactly sure. I’m not Paul Heyman or Eric Bischoff; none of us are. All I can do is speak for myself and say what I think TNA should do to make themselves more palatable. First of all, they need to get better commentators. Mike Tenay and Don West are awful. They try their best and I’m sure they have great wrestling minds. But TNA needs new, less annoying voices. The next thing TNA might benefit from is turning their six-sided rings into the more conventional four-sided rings. Six-sided rings are just a tad goofy for traditional American fans. Why turn off any traditional (and potentially loyal) fans by making the rings look so absurd?

TNA in my view should also put forth more reality-based storylines and segments. WWE tries very hard to protect kayfabe (except for WWE 24/7’s Legends of Wrestling). But TNA could be a little different. They could put forth kayfabe storylines but also use insider terms or mention WWE programming on a weekly basis. Remember, “controversy creates cash.” If TNA wants to create a buzz, they should break kayfabe a bit more often and get the fans talking. For TNA, candor will do a lot more for their success than kayfabe.

Will those things fix all of TNA’s problems? No way. They need better writers and sharper booking. But to even think about reaching that next level of success and giving WWE competition, they need to work on the fundamentals. If TNA can get a four-sided ring and better commentators, they will be taking a huge first step toward making their programming acceptable to the common, and traditional, fan.

Will Wrestlemania XXV build towards the future or be a nod to the past?

Wrestlemania XXV will be a spectacle. A landmark event to say the least, the Lone Star state will be treated to an event of epic proportions. Not since Wrestlemania XX has a show been so monumental. For such a significant platform, WWE has some decisions to make. They can saturate their show with retrospective looks, or showcase their current crop of performers and catapult a few up-and-comers to superstardom.

So what will be the aim of Wrestlemania XXV? How will it be booked? It seems that everyone wants to see Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker. Another dream match that millions of fans are clamoring for (though not I personally) is Hulk Hogan vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, or at least Steve Austin in some sort of match. We are also sure to see WWE honor its Hall of Famers and devote much attention to a celebrity gimmick match. While Michaels, Taker, Austin, Hall of Famers, and celebrities might get buyrates, that doesn’t necessarily mean the show will be a success in the long term. For such a landmark event, WWE should also be focused on giving fresh young talent as many rubs as possible.

Wrestlemania XX was one of WWE’s all time best shows. Yes, some might disagree, but I don’t care. What made it so great was that it cemented Eddie Guerrero’s spot as a main eventer and a WWE Champion. It also gave us the classic (though tainted) moment of Eddie Guerrero and new World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit hugging to close the show. That moment will live on in infamy and up until the Benoit murders, was my favorite Wrestlemania moment. That night also saw Christian score a huge win over Chris Jericho. We also saw The Rock and Mick Foley put over Evolution as two future Wrestlemania headliners (Orton and Batista) got the ultimate rub. John Cena opened that event with a huge victory over the Big Show and the Cena push has continued to broaden even to this day. And all of this was accomplished without Hulk Hogan or a celebrity angle. WWE looked within to make Wrestlemania XX unforgettable, much like they did at Wrestlemania X.

Will the upper card or even upper mid-card matches be dominated by established main eventers, or will such men the likes of Mr. Kennedy, John Morrison, Shelton Benjamin, or Matt Hardy get a taste of the big time? Who knows, perhaps McMahon lacks the confidence in his young stars and wants to give the spotlight to proven commodities. If that is the case, those younger talents have a far heavier responsibility to improve than McMahon does to push them.

WWE will have a golden opportunity to launch the careers of hungry and popular superstars at Wrestlemana. Sure, WWE should give the past some respect. But it’d also be great to see some fresh faces at the top of the card and what better place is there to put some new main eventers on the map than the most momentous event in recent memory, Wrestlemania XXV?

Will Matt Hardy win a world championship in 2009?

In my view, the wrong Hardy won the WWE Championship. Matt Hardy is far more reliable, level-headed, and technically sound than his brother. He is also better on the mike. Matt Hardy has all the tools to at least be a decent short term champion. Before I go on, I know some will say that the ECW Championship qualifies as a world championship. I disagree. It is a belt that represents a fringe organization from the 90s. That’s not to put down all of those competitors who poured their hearts and souls into Paul Heyman’s promotion. But ECW appealed to a rigid segment of the wrestling population. Its appeal was not broad enough to build and sustain a wrestling organization the size of WWE, WCW, or even TNA. Thus, I just can’t call the ECW Title a world championship. Though I will say, because of how the Intercontinental Championship has been treated the past few years, the ECW Championship is slowly emerging as the third most prestigious title in WWE.

Matt Hardy fans can take heart in the fact that one year ago today, CM Punk was the ECW Champion. And as we know, in June of this past year, Punk won the World Heavyweight Championship. It is possible that Vince McMahon likes to see how potential world title contenders handle being at the top of a small brand like ECW. If they do a satisfactory job and build a following, perhaps it gives McMahon confidence that those potential main-eventers-in-waiting are fit to seize bigger titles.

I am torn over the Wrestlemania main event. Part of me would love to see Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship where Jeff would put Matt over. But at the same time I don’t know if keeping the WWE Championship on Jeff Hardy for that long would be worth the risk. Of course, that seems like a moot point because Matt Hardy is the ECW Champion and one would assume that he won’t be in the Royal Rumble if he still has the “gold” at that time. However, I suppose he could at some point lose the ECW Championship and win in the Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out. I’m getting ahead of myself though. I doubt Matt Hardy will be challenging for a world title at Wrestlemania. I can’t even say with with conviction that he deserves the spot. I just think it would make for an unforgettable Wrestlemania moment. Wishful thinking on my part.

The question over whether Matt Hardy will win a world title is still open for debate despite the desire of millions of fans. Vince McMahon might not be ready to confer on to Matt Hardy such an honor. But I guess we’ll just see what happens. I am very much looking forward to 2009.

And that’s it for this week. Happy New Year everyone!