High Road/Low Road 12.18.09: Luke Gallows & CM Punk
Posted by Chad Nevett on 12.18.2009
In this week's edition of the High Road/Low Road, we look at the partnership between Luke Gallows and CM Punk. Was this partnership a good idea or a bad idea? Find out what we have to say and let us know 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 Chad Nevett takes the Low Road (negative view).
Results for Sheamus as the Number One Contender:
High Road: 53%
Low Road: 26%
Both Roads: 21%
Chad Nevett: I was very surprised at last week's results since I am still very much a disbeliever of the Sheamus push. But, the general response seemed to be less in favor of Sheamus and more in favor of change, which I can respect. I just wish it were good change not change for the sake of change.
Sat: I'm also surprised by the results. I was expecting this to be low road all the way.
Luke Gallows and CM Punk
High Road:
I thought Festus had shown that he had the potential to be a very good big man for the WWE. The main problem was the stupid gimmick that he had been stuck with. I think out of all the options, the explanation that the WWE gave was the best one and that was that he was out of it because he had an addiction. It basically adds something to the current angle with CM Punk and it is a reasonable explanation to why Festus was so crazy.
Low Road:
And how does addiction to prescription medication make one respond to the sound of a bell ringing exactly? The explanation makes little to no sense and works against CM Punk's character as a result. Despite everything, Punk's character is rooted in telling the truth about dangerous substances and that message is hurt by attributing false consequences to the dangerous substances he speaks about. I know we're not supposed to overthink things in wrestling, but this is ridiculous.
High Road:
This point I am about to make has not been mentioned and I am shocked that it has not been. I thought the timing of CM Punk's introduction of Luke Gallows was smart because it happened the week after CM Punk got all of that contraband dumped on him by R-Truth. Basically that moment had to be a humiliating one for Punk and he retaliated by getting some backup.
Low Road:
CM Punk shouldn't need backup to take on R-Truth. While the logic is supposed to be that feuding with Punk will elevate R-Truth, the opposite is true, especially when Punk needs to introduce an enforcer to make sure he doesn't lose matches. The introduction of Luke Gallows makes Punk look very weak.
High Road:
I think that we can all agree that CM Punk's promos on SmackDown have been awesome to watch. I think that CM Punk has doing a good job in keeping people interested in what he is saying, but eventually it was going to get repetitive. I think the WWE avoided that problem by having somebody actually buy into CM Punk's prophecy. Add the fact that with a drug addiction, Luke Gallows was crazy as Festus and by following CM Punk's straight edge lifestyle, Luke Gallows has become a normal person. This definitely gives some validity to CM Punk's promos.
Low Road:
The biggest problem is that Luke Gallows doesn't come off as a normal person or as a particularly well-adjusted one. His dress is an odd paramilitary look and his attitude is bad. He doesn't come off as much better living the straight edge lifestyle, something which Punk has done. A nicer, softer version of the character would have been a stronger way to go: a babyface that's seen as a heel because of Punk's preachy attitude and his devotion to Punk. He's just a random thug right now.
High Road:
Luke Gallows as Festus showed a ton of potential and I think that he could be a good big man for the WWE. It was a smart move to associate Luke Gallows with CM Punk because it assures that Luke Gallows will get over with the fans. And I think the past few weeks have shown that having Luke Gallows associate with CM Punk has gotten him over with the fans.
Low Road:
I agree that Festus/Gallows has always shown a lot of potential, but this angle doesn't bring it out entirely. Right now, he comes off as a hired thug more than a legitimate big man that's to be feared. Any and all heat he's currently getting is spill-over from Punk and, without Punk, he'd flounder. He needs a stronger, unique gimmick if he's to get over, not simply being someone's lackey.
High Road:
This storyline with Luke Gallows has only started, but I think it has a lot of potential for growth. In the future, we could see Gallows and Punk get into an argument and maybe see CM Punk start to drug Gallows to keep him under his control. Or we could see somebody else drug Gallows.
Low Road:
That sounds awful, quite frankly, and unlikely given the WWE's focus on PG programming. While there is potential, any introduction of someone drugging Gallows will make this angle an early candidate for ‘worst storyline of 2010,' especially if that someone is CM Punk.
High Road:
A minor high road here. It is nice to see SmackDown get another tag team. I was getting sick of seeing Cryme Tyme and the Hart Dynasty every week.
Low Road:
CM Punk has been in tag teams in the past and he works better alone. Even when tagged with Kofi Kingston (who is better than Luke Gallows), there was little excitement. Teaming up a proven singles main eventer with a reworked former tag wrestler isn't the solution to the lack of tag teams on SmackDown or in the WWE in general, particularly when the teaming is obviously a temporary one.
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: I guess we had no emails this week. Onto 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.
Sat: My comments were written before TLC because of a very busy week.
The Gold Standard Writes:
Low Road. I think its way too early. Hes barely being built and hasn't defeated any big time players yet. Plus I think it shows a bad example as people will believe hes getting a push because hes butt buddies with Triple H. I think after he jobs to Cena a few times he will be a flop and slowly go down the card (See Koslov)
Sat: It was difficult for me to come up with High Roads last week. I think if the WWE had spent a month developing Jack Swagger as a threat, that would have worked a lot better.
Chad Nevett: Swagger would have been my pick, but the WWE seems cold on him now because they don't think he's getting over enough. Considering the way they've booked him, is that a surprise to anyone really?
Guest #3549 Writes:
High Road (reluctantly)
Positives:
- New main event challenger
- Sheamus is reportedly very dedicated to his career (even impressing HHH) and he may surprise us.
- This will build Sheamus as WWE's fallback monster once Kane retires.
- This will give Sheamus credibility when/if he's placed in Raw's Elimination Chamber match
Negatives:
- Sheamus is unproven
- No one believes he has a chance of winning
Sat: I agree with your positives. I think the main problem is that it is way too soon.
Chad Nevett: Well, he won... and I still can't believe it. Lansdell summed it up rather well in his live recap of the PPV: "Winner: Sheamus via WHAT THE FUCK."
Denton56 Writes:
Low Road: My biggest problem is this. When Cena wins, no one will be surprised. If Sheamus wins, no one wants to see him as champion. It's nice to mix up the contenders, but a guy should already be over before he contends for a title.
Hell look at Stone Cold. He was MASSIVELY over before even winning the IC title from Owen Hart. And then that match made him even MORE over to finally win the world title six months later.
The WWE is telling us to care about Sheamus and not telling us why. At this point the best you can hope for is a classic between the two, but what are the odds on that one.
Sat: I agree, but is it also not time to switch things up and not have the same four guys fighting each other.
Chad Nevett: I had hoped that they would build him strongly after he won the title shot, but they didn't. Instead of having him face guys like Jack Swagger and the Miz deliver some good matches, they simply had him beat up Santino and Mark Cuban... oh, and back down from Cena's challenge to fight for the belt on Raw. So, he's a chickenshit monster heel now?
Eboney Writes:
I think one thing a lot of people are overlooking is the big time stip of the match. Sheamus doesn't have to PIN or make Cena TAP. He just has to make sure that SHEAMUS isn't the one that goes through a table. For all we know Cena can get over confident and accidentally put himself though a table.
With that being said, I am not a fan, but I do feel for Sheamus. He is like the first guy to be put in a main title match in his first year since.. Since.. I don't know. Yet, people are complaining still about how they need to make "new" stars. Maybe they should jsut chill out and give it a chance?
Sat: Good point, but I understand why people are freaking out.
Chad Nevett: I don't blame Sheamus for his push and try not to hold it against him personally since I think he does have talent and could be a main eventer in the future. It's simply that tossing someone into the main event like this rarely works out for anyone in the long run, so why risk it when there are other midcarders much more prepared to step up?
Phil Writes: Writes:
seeing Sheamus all over sportscenter because of mark cuban has made him seem a bit more serious.
Sat: I think that has definitely helped. The one thing is that as the weeks have gone by, Sheamus has become a much more of a legitimate contender. Problem is that this only started a few weeks ago.
Chad Nevett: You mean getting pushed down by a basketball team owner is what it takes to seem serious?
The Great Captain Smooth Writes:
Both roads, leaning low. High, because he is new and looks like he could kick somebody's ass. Low, because he's unproven. Even if he wins, people won't buy him just yet. In the future, maybe. Finally, it has happened all too fast. Ventura's tourney was a good start, but it should have been two weeks of matches and then the battle royal on the third week. It gives the fans more time to see him go over other wrestlers, would allow more non-RAW wrestlers to get a look from the fans.(Ryder, Yoshi, Escobar), and it looks like a much bigger prize than a cheap one-week win. It's not that I hope he fails, but I just don't know what to expect. I've never seen him in a championship match, let alone a PPV one.
Sat: He definitely looks like a legitimate contender, but the problem is that it is too soon.
Chad Nevett: I still don't buy him a legitimate contender, mostly because they didn't build him properly. He's beaten up jobbers, civilians, and won a tables match, which, again, doesn't make him seem big and tough and on the same level as John Cena or any of the other main eventers.
B.W.G. Writes:
High Road:
None of the young guns could be inserted into this match and look any more credible than Sheamus. Swagger's treated like a joke, Kofi would get screwed by anyone in Leagacy, and Miz would have his earlier losses to Cena this year just rubbed in his face.Why not give someone who (like Swagger) is likely to end up right back in the midcard after the RR rematch (and loss) a chance to show his shit? He was highly touted and heavily pushed in FCW, so let's see he can transfer all of that into justifying this current push (and any future pushes they might give him). Personally, I know I'm curious to see if he can go. Plus,it means that when, as someone else here has said, he does get into the Raw EC match, he can get pinned by someone other than the champion and look somewhat credible against that someone in the ensuing feud.
Sat: I can go back and forth on this all day and as I mentioned last week, I think you give him an opportunity and see what he can do.
Chad Nevett: Shouldn't someone prove they can go before they get a shot at the title, though? That was the question that keeps popping up for me.
PK Writes:
High Road (conditional).
I think it's really interesting that the item being described was Sheamus as the number one contender but the initial points felt more like an argument of Sheamus in a tables match. But really, the argument could have (maybe should be), who else is there?
If you look at the superstar roster on WWE.com, the heels (as being currently booked) are the Miz, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Chris Masters, Jack Swagger, Big Show and Legacy.
Big Show is tied up with DX. Randy Orton has a killer feud with Kofi Kingston. Miz's recent "feud" with John Cena makes him a non-viable choice. And Jack Swagger is currently chasing the title being held by the Miz.
Now it is too soon for Legacy to breakup and there is no other way that a member of Legacy gets a shot at the title before Randy Orton.
So Chris Master versus Sheamus in a program? No offense to Chris Masters but Sheamus is the fresher and more refreshing matchup of the two. Especially since Sheamus looks bigger than John Cena and Chris Masters definitely does not. So Sheamus is the clear choice.
Now, I say High Road conditionally because if John Cena proceeds to squash Sheamus mercilessly, then this will only hurt Sheamus' standing. But, if the match is done well, and Cena does a good job making "monsters" look good, then this could really help Sheamus' standing even with a loss.
A lot of people forget how much the IWC loved Cena after his loss to Kurt Angle in 2002. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAJdjeV3ZuA
Sheamus could definitely get a huge rub from this match. If he wins, as unlikely as that would be, it would shake things up tremendously and change the landscape. Again, very unlikely.
Sat: I think this is a every good point. It really depends on the match that Cena has with Sheamus. If it a squash, it is a low road, if it a competitive match, then a high road. Though, it is going to be difficult to have a competitive match because it is a tables match.
Chad Nevett: The match at TLC was good and helped put Sheamus over more, but I'm still not convinced, especially after the lackluster follow-up on Raw. That's twice now we've seen Cena challenge Sheamus to a fight right there and then, and twice that he's backed down. That's fine for a cowardly heel, but Sheamus is supposed to be a big, strong monster of a heel. Either pull the trigger on that or try something else.
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.
Gallows is a good big man, and CM Punk has so much heat garnering from his constant tearing of Hardy that it works. I wish the tag team titles weren't linked so they could hold the belts and use them to show the success of "straight-edge." to piss off the fans more.
Posted By: Tony. (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 12:07 PM
High Road.
It seems most of the Low Road points are the result of microanalyzing too much. Gallows can come in as "saved by CM Punk" and just look intimidating because all eyes are on Punk anyways. All Gallows has to do is not talk much and ride on Punk's coattails. I don't suspect a "forced drugging" angle because it makes no sense at all. Whoever "saves" Gallows would get heat, not a boost. And why throw away Punk's gimmick on a lackey like Gallows? I imagine either Punk will browbeat Gallows about his past problems until Gallows fights back and became face or Gallows will get sacrificed by Punk in some situation like a beatdown or something like that.
I know WWE has done some head-scratching moments, but I don't think they'll have any wrestler who's gimmick is that he's on drugs. After all, RVD was never pushed that hard and dropped after his pot bust.
Posted By: ThePants (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 12:35 PM
High Road.
I like the look of Gallows new persona & Punks the perfect guy to get him over, plus Punk just comes across as such a good leader.
Posted By: jbardo (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 12:36 PM
High Road. I like the idea of them teaming up. New tag teams are always a good idea. This one can make it. Good idea wwe.
Posted By: Nick (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 12:53 PM
High Road with this. Since Punk is currently shut out of the WHC scene. Why not have him and Gallows pursue the Unified TTC? While they aren't as over as Jerishow, they could really be hated because they beat DX for the belts. And Punk is every bit as preachy as Jericho.
It's too bad that the WWE doesn't expand the tag team division. A few guys who are currently lost might be able to get over in a good program that way.
Posted By: mogamer (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 02:00 PM
High Road
There really is no doubt in my mind on this one. Festus was a good big man with some strong, athletic moves. I don't think he'll ever be main eventing PPVs in 1-on-1 matchups, but as an enforcer, it adds to CM Punk's chicksh** heel character.
When Brian Kendrick first brought out Big Zeke, I was excited because it looked like it had the potential to be a classic big muscle/genius pairing that has worked time and again. This here, has even more potential as both Punk and Gallows are far better performers all around than Kendrick and Zeke respectively.
Think back to when Shawn Michaels first introduced Diesel to the WWF. Michaels was a cocky heel, shooting off his mouth and stepping behind Big Daddy Cool when somebody steps to him. I can see this being a very similar pairing.
Honestly, I would love to see these two take the tag straps off DX. HHH/HBK aren't going to lose the belts to just anybody, and I'm hoping they aren't held hostage when they inevitably feud against one another. The better call would before Punk and Gallows to go after the belts which would continue to elevate the championships, keep Punk relevant and bring Gallows to the forefront.
This could also set up for a GREAT Punk vs. Michaels feud where we all know that Punk's character could tear down Michaels past transgressions and lead to some career-making matches for Punk.
Posted By: Kyle (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 02:03 PM
High Road. I dont see that this will necessarily pan out to become one of the greatest ideas ever but at the same time I dont see thing turning out to be less than average. Average isn't bad...after all 50% of everything is average right?
Posted By: The Beef!! (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 02:23 PM
High Road.Although the E has once again make me not care about Punk again thanks to booking at least he's being seen as someone who can elevate others.This past summer he really made Jeff Hardy the most over face in the company with their compelling matches.Having him pair with Gallows will do wonders for Gallows in the long run.Hell with the eventual split Gallows could go to ECW and being a contender.Hes not a generic big man and has an interesting moveset.I think an awesome scenario for the rumble would be have Punk and Gallows work as unit where Gallows does all the work while Punk sits back and then eliminates Gallows.In any event Punks a good worker and I hope it pays off soon.
Posted By: The Gold Standard (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 02:24 PM
"Swagger would have been my pick, but the WWE seems cold on him now because they don't think he's getting over enough. Considering the way they've booked him, is that a surprise to anyone really?"
It's really not about how they're booking him. It's his personality and that annoying lisp. He's cocky...wow, that's been done to death. He's boring. I'll give Swagger the fact that I love the gutwrench powerbomb as a finisher but that's all. This guy is just boring. I'd rather watch the Miz, at least he's entertaining and cuts a great promo.
Posted By: Tbone3771 (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 03:37 PM
Both Roads
Echo the points most High Roaders here have stated, but feel that properly elevating Gallows through this angle will take some careful manuvering on Creative's part, and I have no faith in them to do it properly.(i.e.,Punk's booking in the last couple of months).
Posted By: B.W.G. (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 04:51 PM
High road. It gives Gallows a chance to alters his character even more from this point on and we may get to see what other skills the guy might have. Just imagine if Punk was around when Eugene, Warrior, Doink, etc. were in the WWE. Honestly, I can see them getting Punk to "save" other wrestlers who might need a gimmick makeover and form a stable. Jimmy Wang Yang? Hurricane? Slam Master J?
Posted By: The Great Capt. Smooth (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 05:18 PM
High road.
It this enough to get Festus over on his own? Not yet. However, we sit and complain that Sheamus didn't get enough build up while complaining that Luke Gallows is getting built up.
This is just one step in the development of Luke as a monster. When people start buying into him, then he can have a feud with CM Punk.
The explanation of Punk's control over him shouldn't be drugs either. It should be mind control, more Raven than RTC.
Posted By: Guest#1373 (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 06:03 PM
High road, mostly because I don't feel having a lackey/follower is bad for Punk and it gives Gallows something positive to do. More specifically, there were very few ways for Festus to have evolved out of what could have easily been a career-killing gimmick, despite his respectable in-ring talent. By becoming Punk's acolyte, this has opened up myriad possibilities for future character development that would have not been feasible otherwise.
So bottom line, it rehabbed Gallows' career with a slight benefit to Punk (or at worst no real harm). That equals High Road for me.
Posted By: HBK's Smile (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 06:41 PM
High Road
Positives:
- Eliminates one-dimensional Festus character
- Accentuates Punk's role as cowardly heel
- Could help Punk eventually get win over Taker and other mega-faces
- Sets precedent for Punk "straightening out" other wrestlers
Negatives:
- I would have preferred someone other than Festus/Gallows, but it made for a greater transformation. If Punk was to just get an enforcer (without saving), I'd pick Vance Archer.
Posted By: Guest#4127 (Guest) on December 18, 2009 at 07:35 PM
High Road. This really would've been better had Punk still been WHC, then he'd have some muscle that could've made it difficult for guys like Batista and the Undertaker to beat him without the threat of interference.
Posted By: Orlando (Guest) on December 19, 2009 at 12:25 AM
high road all the way when u have really hard to make a point then that point is not worth bringing up and that the low road did this time no real argument so he tried really hard to make a point
Posted By: Guest#1011 (Guest) on December 19, 2009 at 03:12 AM
"And how does addiction to prescription medication make one respond to the sound of a bell ringing exactly?"
The thing is he regularly mixed his meds with biscuits AND gravy. Dangerous combination, man.
That aside, HIGH ROAD. Mostly high road, it's kinda early and depends on how he books it. If booked incorrectly, he could be out of the job in a few months like Cena's bodyguards, B2 and Red Dogg.
They need to book him like a monster. I'm thinking of Hollywood Hogan's bodyguard, The Giant. Or DX's bodyguard, Chyna. Or Reverend D-Von's bodyguard, Batista. You immediately knew these guys were trouble.
I don't see Gallows as trouble yet, but I went high road because he could be. If you watch his debut match as Festus, you'll see how dangerous he was. Without meds, they need to book him as dangerous x 10. Have him squash wrestlers and go on a long winning streak. Have him no sell everything like debut Undertaker. Let him destroy Slammaster J in a Sycho Sid/HBK sorta way. Have wrestlers look nervous when Punk's about to tag him in. Do this for a few months, then have Punk lose control of him, start building his character/vulnerabilities and that should get him to the next level of the road.
Posted By: y2kev (Guest) on December 19, 2009 at 05:21 AM
Low Road
Posted By: BPN (Guest) on December 19, 2009 at 11:35 AM
High Road,
It adds something to the one dimensional festus character, while giving festus an actual chance to have a proper debut not under a shitty gimmick. if they brought back Nick 'Eugene' Dinsmore and went this route as well, Dinsmore would be able to actually showcase his wrestling ability. Sure the story is convoluted and doesn't make that much logical sense, but WWE is aimed at kids, and really, kids aren't concerned about the logical fallacies of a wrestling storyline.
Posted By: Shio (Guest) on December 19, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Both Roads. The explanation for his behavior as Festus is embarrassing. But if they're smart from here on out and ignore the past and focus on Gallows as a straight-edger converted/saved by Punk, they can add an interesting wrinkle to Punk's character and salvage a decent wrestler from a comedy gimmick. The sooner the R-Truth (stupid name, btw) feud is behind them both the better. And the E needs to never, ever even consider a storyline that has wrestlers drugging themselves or each other.
Posted By: s1rude (Guest) on December 19, 2009 at 11:33 PM
High Road
Posted By: Gozzo (Guest) on December 20, 2009 at 01:00 AM
High Road.
I think this will give Gallows a chance to get over a bit better and actually be a better character.
Posted By: Doc (Guest) on December 20, 2009 at 09:18 PM
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