High Road/Low Road 8.28.09: The Hurricane
Posted by Chad Nevett on 08.28.2009
The Hurricane has returned to ECW! Is he the superhero we all need, or is this an old gimmick which should have remained in the past? We'd value your opinion so hit the link and tell us what you think.
Welcome back to the High Road/Low Road!
A brief explanation of the column: Sat takes the High Road (positive view) on angles, gimmicks, and other wrestling related "stuff" while Uncletrunx takes the Low Road (negative view).
Results for The Hardys Reuniting:
High Road: 40%
Low Road: 40%
Both Roads: 20%
Gregory Helms as the Hurricane
High Road:
When Gregory Helms returned from his injury, he was not the same. I think he lost a lot of the steam that he had built before the injury. I think that before his injury, he had the potential to be a top mid card star for the WWE. He had done a lot for himself as the longest reigning cruiserweight champion. Since his return, he had been very bland, so a change back to the Hurricane can be good for him.
Low Road:
A change of gimmick to something exciting and less bland could well do him wonders. However, I don't think that picking the Hurricane back up is going to help him in the longer term. It may give him the nostalgia pop, but to me, it's very lazy booking, in a similar way to "creative" throwing DX back together every few months is lazy booking. Soon enough even the nostalgia pop will stop. What's next; bringing back the Bushwhackers? New creative ideas are needed, not just rehashing things which worked years ago.
High Road:
The one thing that is intriguing about Gregory Helms as the Hurricane is that he has a ton of potential is possibly selling some merchandise. As we all know, Rey Mysterio's masks sell like crazy. I see the same thing being a possibility for the Hurricane, but obviously not to the degree of Rey Mysterio.
Low Road:
Rey Mysterio is light years away from the Hurricane. The Hurricane is essentially a comedy character, Rey is a championship contender. Given the right gimmick, Helms could also be a championship contender. However, being saddled with the Hurricane, something he left behind years ago, is not going to get him there.
High Road:
As I mentioned above, Gregory Helms was very bland when he came back. He was also not getting a reaction from the crowd. But since he has redebuted as the Hurricane, he has been getting a great reaction from the crowd. His first match on ECW against Paul Burchill showed that the change in character has got the fans interested again.
Low Road:
The question that has to be asked is how long it will last. Returning to the Hurricane gimmick has given him a crowd reaction, but will he still be able to get such a reaction in a few months? The Hurricane gimmick will become stale very quickly and then Helms will be back where he was before.
High Road:
I like the Hurricane character because you guaranteed to see some good comedy. I like how he pretends to not be Gregory Helms while it is obvious that it is him. I also found the opening of his entrance video to be hilarious when he mentioned that we are all in need of a super hero.
Low Road:
Comedy has its place but it won't push Helms up to the next level; if he was approaching the upper card before his injury, it will be where he wants to return. A comedy gimmick recycled from the past will not do that for him.
High Road:
The one good thing that the Hurricane has going for him is that he is on ECW. I think that the odds were good that the Hurricane would have failed on RAW or SmackDown because those shows are really crowded. On ECW, I think that he will be featured prominently and I think he will be able to pick up some of the steam that he lost because of his injury.
Low Road:
I think this just shows the level the gimmick is pitched at. It would fail on RAW or Smackdown because it isn't good enough for those shows. I can't see the Hurricane still being on ECW in six months either.
High Road:
The WWE has been going in the PG direction and trying to draw in kids. I think the Hurricane character is something that the kids will be interested in.
Low Road:
PG can be good if it is done in a creative way. This is not; it is a recycled gimmick which is being used for a cheap nostalgia pop. It isn't good enough to get onto either of the main shows and will do Gregory Helms no favours in the longer term.
Simply write "High Road", "Low Road", or "Both Roads" in the comment section.
E-Mails:
These are all of the e-mails that we received this week. We do not respond to the actual e-mail, but the reply to your e-mail will be below.
Sat: For the first time in a few weeks, we only received voting emails.
Uncletrunx: Then let's get to the comments!
Comments:
Below are the comments for last week's columns and our responses. Every comment will not be included because it makes our lives a lot easier. The comments section was last looked at on Sunday Afternoon Pacific Time.
The Gold Standard Writes:
Low Road. Matt Hardy reuniting with Jeff and turning back face will do nothing for his career. When Jeff leaves Matt will probably come close winning the World Championship but won't. If he stays face I see an IC title run more likely and if he turns heel probably the same thing.
Sat: I think that if the WWE wants Matt to replace Jeff, I see Matt Hardy becoming the world champion.
Uncletrunx: If Matt hardy was going to be the top guy on RAW or Smackdown, it would've happened by now. This will not elevate him.
JWestmoreland Writes:
Both roads, just because it hasn't played out yet. I'll have a better idea of which road to take after Summerfest.
I guess whether its a swerve or Matt is really a face again though, I guess the idea is to try to give him a rub through Jeff, before he leaves, which I think only works for Matt as a face.(He already turned on Jeff at the Royal Rumble, how much good could another attack do?
Sat: I think that after SummerSlam, there will be no argument if this is a high road or a low road. I did this column this week, so we can find out what people think heading into SummerSlam.
Uncletrunx: I agree that we need to see what happens but I don't see either outcome being positive. Either Jeff is made to look an utter fool as he falls for the most obvious swerve in history, or WWE ignores the whole buildup to Wrestlemania.
BobbyC Writes:
Both Roads (which is a first for me).
I don't know where they are going with this. Although it's obvious that Matt will turn on Jeff (probably at SummerSlam), McMahon and company love nothing more than to not deliver on something the IWC is clammoring for.
If the reunion happens, and there are no twists and turns, then this is a Low Road. It would be lazy booking to try and get Matt over as his brother's protector especially since he spent a good few months trying to destroy him.
High Road if they use this (as expected) to elevate Matt's heel status. Him turning on his brother - beating him down and "ending" his career - this would make him the most hated man in the same demographics as those that love him (ages 7-15).
Sat: I am thinking that a swerve is not coming, but the thing that is intriguing is that anything could happen.
Uncletrunx: Matt becoming an even nastier heel is one of the few positives which could come out of this. However, it is too obvious a storyline, and WWE already has several heels who would be too similar to Matt. Punk, Edge and Jericho are already filling that role; Matt would struggle to pass any of them.
Jbardo Writes:
Low road, i dont want to see Matt win the world title as i dont think hes quite good enough which may happen if he stays face & fueds with Punk after Jeffs gone.
I really hope its a swerve & he takes out Jeff.
Sat: I don't think Matt Hardy would make a bad champion.
Uncletrunx: I agree with the comment; I don't think Matt is world champion material.
John Writes:
High Road. Matt still could pull off the big swerve and attack Jeff at Summerslam. After all Matt's reasons for hating Jeff are somewhat similar to CM Punk's.
The other benefit is that Matt could get his muched deserved push and be the one that avenges his brother.
Both have reasonable angles to come out of this reunion and I for one believe this is the most interesting thing going into Summerslam.
Sat: This is definitely the most interesting thing going into SummerSlam.
Uncletrunx: I disagree. I see both outcomes as low roads for the reasons I mentioned above.
Code Red Writes:
Low road. I like both guys a lot (even Jeff contrary to the general hate he gets from the IWC), but it seems like nothing but a short term mark out moment. Jeff might be leaving soon and I doubt Matt will get any future push out of this.
Sigh, I miss Team Xtreme - Matt, Jeff and Lita. Can't believe it was nearly 10 years ago.
Sat: I can't believe how many people are not expecting Matt to get a big push out of this.
Uncletrunx: I can understand it perfectly. As an aside, it's interesting that Lita gets a mention; adding her to the mix could be the one way to make this angle interesting.
Hay Horn Writes:
*yawn*
High road. Matt Hardy has to be a face to make money and if he stays heel it fucks Punk over.
Mainstream fans believe in Matt Hardy as a face, not as a heel.
Critically or creatively, most people or analysts think Hardy is a better heel than face, and, that may well be correct logically.
However, the fact is that the mainstream view him as a face, and that is what they want.
So to make cash, and make the mainstream audience who pay you buy in, you have to make him face.
If you heel him up and swerve, you take Punks heat, weakening Punk, and put Hardy in a position that the mainstream fans dislike.
Keeping Matt heel, and screwing Jeff at the ppv, is probably more storyline logical, better critically and makes Jeff fans hate Matt for a while. However, you've just lost your #1 face, put Matt where casuals don't want him, and stolen Punks' heat, cuz he was not the man that retired Jeff.
Worse, you have two m.e heels at the top of the card, with your de facto top face(Rey) in a programme with someone else, and you have to hotshot the undertaker in there with no build with Matt, and try to make Morrison/Punk the major feud.
You have to bite the bullett, accept the Matt turn fucked up, and put him where he needs to be as best you can.
Because otherwise you just fucked Punk's heat and gave it to someone else for storyline, when the mainstream fans dislike it.
Emotional storyline and fan's desire ain't the same as the storytelling logic in this case. This is a case where the correct thing logically and from an individual story p.o.v is totally wrong for the overall picture.
Sat: I think that what you say is correct. If Matt turns, Punk loses his heat. If Matt does not turn, Matt and Punk will both benefit.
Uncletrunx: To me, it looks like a lose / lose situation.
The Great Captain Smooth Writes:
No road yet. It's just too early. I really don't want to see Matt turn heel again. People would see that coming, so just have him stay on Jeff's side. As far as a reason for the reunion goes, they could have Matt come out and talk about the medical problems that he has been going through. He would go on to say that one night Jeff called him to see that he was okay and for the past month or so, they have been trying to mend fences. Jeff could easily go down with a kayfabe injury at SS and perhaps Matt could take Jeff's place in an angle with Punk. Maybe Matt could even win the Rumble and go on to win a "big" belt at WM 26. To top that off, Jeff could come out to the ring and embrace his brother in a rather emotional moment. Then BAM! A Twist of Fate to Matt by Jeff and we have a shocking heel turn. Just kidding, while it would have people talking, I wouldn't want to ruin the moment.
Sat: I can't see Matt winning his first world title at WrestleMania, but I do see him winning the world title.
Uncletrunx: I just can't see Matt as a world champion and certainly not as the big Wrestlemania moment.
Showster Writes:
I have to go low road simply based simply on promo time and interviews,as a face matt was lost in the shuffle on every show including ecw,i am a big fan of matt and hate jeff's pandering to everyone with free spirit BS but then again i hate hippies as a plague to all mankind.
That being said does anyone,casual fan and smark alike really think they are ready to hand matt goldie when jeff is not around?
If and a big if at that,he can recapture his Mattitude V.1 persona momentum i can see it but we are what five years removed from matt's best gimmick and the 'E has shown little to no faith in the guy with aborted program and derailed push after derailed push,how does the number#2 heel on SD get drafted in mid fued to become a buttom rung mechanic to the undercard on Raw?
His job was to make Vickie Guerrero look good,terrible for the easily more technically sound,oratorically gifted hardy.
Sat: I think that there are not that many faces on SmackDown, so Matt should be okay.
Uncletrunx: Having Matt as a top face simply because there aren't very many of them is not a good enough reason.
Marijuana Boulevard Writes:
High Road
It's simple. Matt got sent back to SD! and Jeff is leaving. If they do nothing and slot Matt in somewhere else as a heel, and when Jeff leave's, Matt will always have his brothers ghost hanging over him. Whether Matt avenges his brother, or helps take him out, it takes the giant glass elephant out of the room, and Matt as a character can continue to evolve.
Sat: I think that Matt is going to be so much better without Jeff Hardy on the roster. When both Hardys are around, Jeff is always going to get the attention of the WWE. Hopefully that will change soon.
Uncletrunx: Giant Glass Elephant? Is that something Jeff will jump off?
Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at satuncletrunx@gmail.com or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week's column.
It very much seems like you want us to take the low road, but when the Hurricane gimmick went away years ago, I didn't think it was necessary. He could have done a heel turn and just become a supervillain. I think that his run in ECW could potentially culminate with him becoming ECW champion as the superhero to save us from the "Evil League of Regal's Evil" after Christian, Tommy Dreamer, and maybe Shelton Benjamin fail to dethrone his title reign that I see starting at Breaking Point.
High road for me.
Posted By: Empire Of Ownage (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 12:46 PM
High Road. It's time to acknowledge the glass ceiling for Helms. He will never be World Title material or anything near it. For him to have a future in WWE, it will be by filling a niche, which The Hurricane does. It's his best bet at staying employed and contributing something to the product, even if that contribution is comedy and kiddie fans.
Posted By: HBK's Smile (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 12:54 PM
i'm taking high road for a reason you guys almost got to... the wwe is pg and the last time helms was hurricane, all the little kiddies weren't even born. so for all us old-heads can remember just 2-3 short years, we do. hurricane is something new and funny and a superhero to these kids. wwe is for the kids, not us anymore
Posted By: andrew (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Helms is back as the Hurricane? Hell yeah! The gimmick was taken away from him way too soon. Granted, had he kept it I would have been sick of it by now, but I always liked it.
I'm glad it's back, not to mention that Helms seemed to love the gimmick as well. At least he'll be invested in this and people will care.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Low Road.I think The Hurricane is just around to be gimmick to appeal to the younger audience.In any event I don't see Hurricane becoming ECW champion, but then again you never know with Vince.I just think its a shame that hes not on Smackdown or Raw causing he could be a great midcard face challenging for either the IC or US title.
Posted By: The Gold Standard (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 01:41 PM
If Helms really delivers in the ring, I think he could outgrow the superhero character.
I agree that "The Hurricane" is a comedy act, but "Hurricane Helms" could potentially be US or IC Champion. And I'd really like to see that version of Helms up against the likes of Morrison and Punk someday.
Once the double-identity thing plays itself out and Helms is exposed as the Hurricane, a more serious tone to his character could earn him some championships. The change of character would be similar to Hunter Hearst Helmsley becoming Triple H.
Of course I could be wrong. Helms might be a green Goldust.
Both roads.
Posted By: guest (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 01:48 PM
High Road. The Hurricane stands out from the crowd in a way that Gregory Helms can't. It gives creative lots of options to work with, from a heel putting someone in danger to make H go save them to creating a super villain, to trying to have a sidekick again. Then there's the mask, where taking it off can be a good point of psychology in a match. Of course, you can't have much faith in creative, but it looks like the Smackdown/ECW team is starting to wake up to the possibilities.
The Hurricane gimmick should be good enough for Helms to get onto either of the main rosters; the problem is WWE management can't see it. The idea that a gimmick wrestler can't win a world title should have gone away with the death of the Attitude era. And even if he stays in the midcard, or even on ECW, the gimmick gives him a character that can run for years. He could be the new Koko B Ware.
Posted By: Sly Reference (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 02:13 PM
High road
Posted By: BPN (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 02:18 PM
High Road - Santino and Lawler are the most over guys on RAW. Comedy has its place but good comedy can get the crowd eating out of the palm of your hand. HHH, Shawn Micheals, John Cena, and many of the past huge names, from Stone Cold to The Rock, were elevated alot through their own comedy gimmick. Make us laugh and we'll love ya for it. Let us down and we have a short attention span anyway. Besides, green is my favorite color. *shrugs*
Posted By: Burnout (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 02:46 PM
Vertibreaker FTW!!!!!!
Posted By: Best move EVER (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 03:04 PM
One simple change would be awesome for a heel turn.
Red Hurricane gear. Enough said.
Posted By: Mick (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 04:52 PM
I vote High Road. People only liked him when he was the Hurricane, not as plain old Gregory Helms. Frankly, this gimmick is the only thing keeping him employed.
Also, since he is in the same boat as Goldust as a respected low-card veteran who can still get some pops even while jobbing, I can see him filling that niche nicely on ECW.
Posted By: JLAJRC (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Hurricane sucks, I'm just sayin'.
Posted By: Guest#3133 (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 05:09 PM
High road. I get that the gimmick won't make people a world champ, but I do think there is a place in wrestling for the over-the-top characters that make the fans smile. Honestly, I feel the same way about Hurricane as I did about Boogeyman. They should be mantles that can be passed down, wagered, stolen, won, bought, etc. as a way to get as many people over as possible. Maybe he can even have a sidekick. I can just picture Helms as The Hurricane and Hornswoggle as The Tropical Depession.
Posted By: The Great Capt. Smooth (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 05:24 PM
high road!
Posted By: Sham (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 05:38 PM
High road. He doesn't look EXACTLY like the Hurricane of old. With the longer hair he looks more like a Hurri-badass to me. I'd love to see Helms hold the ECW title, as Hurricane or not.
Posted By: Crazy (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 06:43 PM
HIGH road
Posted By: Chad (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 07:12 PM
High road
Posted By: nanoman (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 11:05 PM
The Hurricane gimmick should be good enough for Helms to get onto either of the main rosters; the problem is WWE management can't see it. The idea that a gimmick wrestler can't win a world title should have gone away with the death of the Attitude era. And even if he stays in the midcard, or even on ECW, the gimmick gives him a character that can run for years. He could be the new Koko B Ware.
Posted By: Sly Reference (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 02:13 PM
WWE Hall of famer Koko B Ware
Posted By: Koko B Ware (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 11:07 PM
low road
Posted By: Guest#1601 (Guest) on August 28, 2009 at 11:09 PM
whatsupwitdat?????????????
Posted By: ud (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Curry Man is way better than the Hurricane
Posted By: Space Cowboy (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Low road-
The Gregory Helms character was bland on return as a babyface - the Helms character was most succesfull in his cruiserweight heel run, coming back as a generic babyface wasn't going to do anyone any favours - but neither is stepping backwards 3 years to an old gimmick. The reason he dropped the hurricane was because of how stale it became - how long before the character becomes boring and stale once again?
Posted By: David (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 06:13 AM
"One simple change would be awesome for a heel turn.
Red Hurricane gear. Enough said"
They could tease his identity for over a year then distract people with Red Mighty Molly.
High road for Mick's idea alone.
Posted By: THE Blind pugh (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 07:21 AM
Maybe Hurricane could recruit Typhoon as a tag-team partner?
Too bad Earthquake and the Texas Tornado are dead...
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 11:32 AM
I think I would prefer him as Gregory Helms on ECW and as a heel. Go after the ECW belt and maybe form a team with say.. Zack Ryder and go after the Unifed tag team belts as well. He was pretty good as a heel on Smackdown before his injury.
At the same time, ECW need more Face stars, outside Christian and Dreamer, no one is super over with the crowd, they could possibly try make Hurricane like the John Cena of the show. He isn't as popular as Mysterio but his merchendise can make a bit of cash, especially the masks.
Both roads.
Posted By: Guest#5573 (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 11:50 AM
High Road
If Sharkboy, Curryman, etc are considered fin in TNA why not Hurricane in WWE?
Posted By: Wright (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 03:34 PM
High road. If done right, The Hurricane can be built as a legitamite threat. Remember when he beat the Rock? Remember when he was able to go toe to toe with Triple H?
Posted By: thepsychedelia (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Low road. I remember seeing Helms live when he was with 3 Count and all the amazing moves he did there. But I've never liked the Hurricane because he has to do a Hurri-pose between moves now.
At the same time, I found Gregory Helms pretty bland too. I still think they should've made an evil "purple" Hurricane instead with a league of heels working for him. That, or bring back Sugar Shane Helms and the Vertebreaker! :)
Posted By: 2kev (Guest) on August 29, 2009 at 11:17 PM
What was wrong with "Sugar" Shane Helms? It is a testament to Helms' ability that he got the stupid Hurricane gimmick over, but the fact that WWE threw away a VERY marketable gimmick (Helms was one of WCW's only bright spots in the dying days) is something I never truly understood.
Posted By: Tom (Guest) on August 30, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Low Road. Greg Helms whipping out the swank pretend shining wizard and generally being awesome when he was the longest reigning crusierweight champ had legs. arguably, the character was a pretty generic heel, but he put on wrestling clinics with matt hardy before going on the shelf. his character was no worse than ziggler and that guy is getting an ic title mega push. To me, helms could have been like a modern day D'Lo Brown had he not lost all momentum after he got injured.
Posted By: Shio (Guest) on August 30, 2009 at 03:02 AM
High Road. The Hurricane is the type of gimmick that everyone likes. I mean, he's the WWE's superhero for gods sake. It puts some other emphasis on ECW besides the Title match.
Posted By: Guest#3563 (Guest) on August 30, 2009 at 01:51 PM
High Road.
This appears to be the only way Helms can really get over as a babyface, so why not? Bottom line, the gimmick works.
I just wish he didn't look so much like Delirious now, with all that hair in his face...
Posted By: KanyonKreist (Guest) on August 30, 2009 at 02:42 PM
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