Who's the next Man?

[jm29195]

Its a heel's job to be a dick but its not WWE's job to anger masses. The Hassan thing that ended his push was filmed the same day as the London bombings and it was deemed a terrorist attack on Undertaker.

 

Not to be pedantic but the angle was filmed BEFORE 7/7. It was Sky who showed it on (or a day after) 7/7 and failed to edit it out who should get the blame IMO.

 

But yes, I agree the whole Muhammed Hassan was very badly handled.

 

Sky was not to blame here, it was WWE all the way.

 

The Hassan angle was shot at the Smackdown taping on Tuesday 5 July. The London bombing was on Thursday 7 July. WWE has control over the content of their US broadcast and the angle was broadcast in full on Smackdown on the US air date of 7 July. This caused outrage with the network who basically got the Hassan character banned from Smackdown and caused WWE to kill it off at the Great American Bash.

 

I can't (and didn't) comment for what happened in US, I don't remember. However surely if the episode was film, edited and handed over to the TV network, surely there is fuck all WWE can do after this point?

 

Sky has ultimate control over the content of the content of non-live WWE shows in the UK. Sky did edit completely the Hassan angle from the Smackdown broadcast which first aired in the UK on Friday 8 July. This did not stop WWE replaying most of the Hassan angle in the highlight package for the Hassan/Taker match on the UK live broadcast of Great American Bash a couple of weeks later.

 

However you're defenitely wrong there. I watched that angle on Sky TV, so I therefore do hold Sky accountable to some degree.

 

To be honest I feel slightly sorry for WWE in that they filmed this angle, and by the time the London Bombings happened, I (presumed) the tape and the ability to edit it out of the broadcast was out of their hands at the time. However saying that, I thought that the Hassan character was stupid and insensitive from day one.

 

I agree that the Hassan angle was stupid and insensitive - however I am sure that Sky did take the angle off the Smackdown broadcast in the UK. Sky have before and continue to exercise their right to content control, and have removed more risque WWE angles in the past (3MW beating up the lesbians, and Trish barking like a dog spring to mind) and I am sure Powerslam reported on WWE repeating the angle at GAB after it had previously been edited off Smackdown - could be wrong though - can anyone else remember what was shown either way?

 

I found this extract from the Torch 17/07/05:

 

1. WWE Smackdown features terrorist angle on day of London bombings

WWE taped an angle on Monday, July 4 to air on the Thursday, July 7 edition of

Smackdown that utilized strong terrorist symbolism. It turned out that the morning before

the episode aired on UPN, terrorists bombed London subways and busses, killing dozens

and injuring hundreds. Rather than edit the program

[ShortOrderCook]

Cena didn't get the rub off anyone, he worked his way up.

 

Don't be silly tiggers. Eddie and Kurt did plenty to make him appear a big deal on his route to the top. Not to mention the Triple H thing solidifying him as THE MAN.

[tiger_rick]

Cena didn't get the rub off anyone, he worked his way up.

 

Don't be silly tiggers. Eddie and Kurt did plenty to make him appear a big deal on his route to the top. Not to mention the Triple H thing solidifying him as THE MAN.

 

Yeah, point poorly made. Will try again. Cena didn't have a "pass the torch" moment from anyone. He didn't go over a particular mega-star to establish himself. He worked his way up through a lot of great talent. He was well established as the next guy by the time he knocked of Trips.

 

Point wasn't to suggest that Cena somehow got their on his own. More to dispute that it needs the rub of Cena to have a chance of establishing a new guy. It would obviously help but isn't imperative.

[Carbomb]

Cena didn't have a "pass the torch" moment from anyone. He didn't go over a particular mega-star to establish himself. He worked his way up through a lot of great talent. He was well established as the next guy by the time he knocked of Trips.

 

Point wasn't to suggest that Cena somehow got their on his own. More to dispute that it needs the rub of Cena to have a chance of establishing a new guy. It would obviously help but isn't imperative.

 

That's where I disagree. I've mentioned it before, when they had Punk beat Cena in MITB last year: until that moment, Cena and Batista were the last main-eventers to get that proper, main event-cementing match, like Triple H got over Cactus Jack, Austin had against Bret, 'Taker and Warrior had against Hogan, Bret had against Flair (I think), Brock had against Rock, Batista had against Triple H and Cena had against JBL.

 

I agree it's not imperative, as other main eventers have risen gradually, like Orton, Edge, HBK, Big Show, Eddy, Benoit, etc. But it felt like almost every main-eventer WWE attempted to create after Cena and Batista's 'Mania moments failed through lack of commitment, like Swagger, Van Dam (alright, he later demonstrated he didn't deserve it), The Miz or Rey, and, for a while, Punk. There were Edge and Orton, and I suppose Hardy, but they were already on what could be described as an almost-guaranteed upward trajectory, with Orton being in Evolution, Edge feuding with quite a few top-liners and Hardy having that sort of rare natural charisma you just can't teach (and which I'm sure would've gotten him to the main sooner if he hadn't been such a fuck-up).

[Donedude]

I think ryback

[Vamp]

I think it's going to somebody none of us have ever seen yet.

 

Cena pretty much came out of nowhere himself didn't he...the austin/rock era had ended not that long ago,there was still a roster of incredible talent to keep the shows going, but there was definatly a void back then as well, then quite randomly some young dude walked in to challenge Kurt angle in that "whoever can beat me" sorta storyline back then, wearing boring ass trunks,claiming he had "ruthlesssss aggression ?" yeah sure he had a great physique but did any of us really, REALLY, knew we were looking at wwe's next face then & there ? i doubt it, he was just another jacked up guy appearing in a segment.

 

I suppose that might be true to an extent but I think it was pretty clear early on that the WWE were keen on giving Cena the opportunity. They knew he had the potential, and I think at the time you kind of knew that they felt that way. Of course then it turned out that Cena was an incredible talent.

[PunkStep]

I dunno, until that fancy dress party I don't think they intended on giving him a 'big' run after all. They were definitely keen on him initially, hence why they stuck him on PPV so soon after debuting with his blander than bland gimmick- but he soon got lost in the roster. And then he dressed up as Vanilla Ice, and the rest is history. He was on fire after that and they just kept throwing fuel onto him until he became the mega-star he is today.

 

Edit: The Bleacher report also discuss the same subject- 'What if WWE replaced Cena'

Scary thing is the amount of comments below that suggest Ted Dibiase as the new man. Christ on a bike.

[IANdrewDiceClay]

Dave Meltzer was talking today on the audio update about Sheamus. Apparently they see him as the new face of the company in the near future. "They realise Cena's all beaten up and they need to prepare for the future" is what he said and Sheamus (who's not that much younger than Cena, but far less broken down) is the bloke Triple H is in love with.

 

Obviously there has been a million "WWE's chosen one" types that have died on their arse, but they aren't half running with Sheamus at the minute aren't they?

[Doog]

I really can't stand Sheamus, I just dislike everything about him. I can see why they see him as the man and his upside but personally I don't like him. He's only a year younger than Cena as well, not so beaten up admittedly but it's a bit late to be the new main man as such.

 

They really might be onto something with Ryback though. Them ''feed me more'' chants when he was facing up to Punk last night was an awesome visual and crowd reaction, it felt like a superstar making moment right there. He's definately very over at the minute.

 

I really thought at one point The Miz was going to be the face of the company, he has the perfect story, a decent family friendly look etc and was putting into fuckloads of work. Shame the way that's gone really.

[IANdrewDiceClay]

I could never see the Miz being the face of the company. As far as he's come, he'll always run into the wrestlers small penis mentality that he doesn't look like he can win a fight and all that gummings. WWE is a company that has plans on day one and by day seven its a completely different idea and there is a cage involved with both men losing. If someone even had the idea that Miz was the next guy, a few road agents, the internet, one or two writers and a few wrestlers would be enough to change Vince McMahons mind on it. Where as Sheamus has Triple H on his side, he knows how to play the media game and he's big bloke who can work. Their opinion of Miz was clear when he worked that WrestleMania with Cena and was a complete after thought. Or Survivor Series where he and R-Truth might as well have been replaced by the Beverly Brothers.

 

Sheamus has that John Cena and Triple H style psychology as well. He tears through people, sells for a bit and them hits his finisher and always wins. I couldnt imagine Miz finishing off the Big Show clean with he Skull Crushing Finale to close a PPV.

[Doog]

Oh aye looking at what we know now Miz was never really going to be the man. He was fighting a losing battle from the start really because as you say it only takes a few of the right people to dislike you backstage and be in Vince's ear and that's that. Whilst his story is good from a fans point of few to invest in, in the world of pro wrestling it's also a killer for him with the guys backstage with the whole ''not paying your dues'' and that. Whilst I agree Miz doesnt have that psychology that Trips and Cena had, neither did Shawn Michaels in the sense that he would steamroll opponents and always win etc, not that im saying Miz is anywhere near as good as HBK of course, more an example that the smaller lad defying the odds as such and winning rather than steaming through opponents does work too if they wanted to take the company in that sort of direction. I think Miz could of worked in that sort of sympathetic babyface role thats not really the rough and tumble brawler that Triple H, Cena and Sheamus were/are.

 

I realise HBK was one of a kind and that, but there's a few similarities there to see how it could work. Sheamus has had Triple H behind him from day one by all accounts so he was always going to have a chance of being the face of the company if he caught on. I think Sheamus is perfect for this era as well, the kids clearly love him and his character is clearly positioned towards them, he puts the work in as well. I just don't like him myself, never really have.

 

On the Miz though and possibly slightly off topic I think there is huge potential in a face run should they decide to turn him. Like I mentioned his story is something you could see people investing in, it might be a better slot for him at the moment with Cena possibly looking to take more time off and Orton wanting to turn heel again.

[Sheffbag]

I think ryback

I think Vince feels the same but he is devoid of personality and what happens after his first loss? he just becomes another Sid with less promo skills

[Winston]

 

Hey, why not!

 

'The USA Guy' Derrick Bateman

 

Look, size, charisma, athleticism..

 

With the right booking he could be a perfect replacement for Cena.

[wrestlingmatters]

I have always liked Batemen and hope he progresses well instead of getting stuck in the shuffle.

[Loki]

Liberal With His Fists is a great catchphrase.