wrestling / Columns
High Road/Low Road 04.16.10: Rob Van Dam In TNA
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 Jack Swagger As World Champion:
High Road: 41%
Low Road: 33%
Both Roads: 27%
Chad Nevett: I really enjoyed doing last week’s column and mixing it up by taking the High Road for once. It helped that I’m a Jack Swagger fan and am really behind his run as champ.
Sat: Writing the low roads last week, made me start to think about the low points about his win. So, I basically went from a high road to a both roads because of that.
ROB VAN DAM IN TNA
High Road:
Rob Van Dam left the WWE because he had no interest in working the schedule that the WWE does. I think he should be motivated for a good run in TNA because their schedule is nowhere near the level of the WWE’s.
Low Road:
The downside of the relaxed schedule is always how much in-ring progress will be made in what timeframe. With less ring time, that means RVD will take longer to get back to ring-shape, something that can turn off fans as they suffer through an extended period of Van Dam not performing at the level they want.
High Road:
When RVD joined TNA, I was worried that he going to pushed straight to the top. Thankfully, this has not happened and he is working is way up by being in feuds with the Band and Beer Money. I think eventually RVD will be involved in the main event, but it made no sense to instantly push him to the top spot.
Low Road:
The feuds have seemed random and without a point. He started with an aborted feud with Sting that never went anywhere, moved onto the Band for two weeks, then Beer Money for a few more. None of the programs have any purpose or reason, and the best way to get RVD over again is to stick him in a feud that actually means something rather than pinballing from mini-feud to mini-feud.
High Road:
TNA did the smart thing by putting Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam as a team. While both guys are singles wrestlers, it is important to know that they are not in in-ring shape. RVD has not wrestled regularly for a few years, so it makes sense to bring him along slowly. Being in a tag team allows him to come along slowly, while still be involved prominently in TNA.
Low Road:
Like the feuds, this pairing seems random, like TNA took the two new arrivals and stuck them together because they’re new and like to jump off the top rope sometimes. Considering Hardy’s arrival with Shannon Moore, the pairing comes off as even more random since one week, they were separate and, the next, they were inseparable with no explanation given. I also think that RVD would be better served with a more grounded teammate, someone whose style is more different from his own than Hardy’s.
High Road:
RVD had been the biggest free agent out there since his he left the WWE in 2007, so it is huge deal for TNA to get him. We’ve all been wondering when RVD was going to come back fulltime (if ever) and for TNA to get that person is a huge coup for TNA.
Low Road:
That was a long time ago and while RVD may have been the biggest free agent at one point, that wasn’t the case anymore. Too much time has passed for his return to be a coup. A sizable segment of fandom may have limited knowledge of who he is, especially since he was only a main eventer in the WWE for a short time.
High Road:
I love that Rob Van Dam is in TNA because he is one of those guys that everybody loves and if you are trying to get viewers to tune in, he’s the probably one of the better options out there. His debut against Sting had the entire crowd on its feet. The other thing that Rob Van Dam does well that most of the other wrestlers do not do is that he gets the crowd involved, with the RVD chants and getting the crowd to say Rob Van Dam. RVD is a huge asset to TNA because of these reasons.
Low Road:
Rob Van Dam doesn’t stand out in that regard at all. Have you watched Impact? The fans chant for everything. Yes, they chant along with RVD, but they also chant and yell and cheer for every other wrestler on the show no matter what. RVD just blends into the background in that environment as far as crowd reaction goes.
High Road:
I’ve written this multiple times when somebody new joins TNA, but I think it an important point to also make with Ron Van Dam. His signing creates a lot of interesting matchups against some of the other wrestlers. I think RVD/Styles, RVD/Joe, RVD/Angle, and RVD/Sting (I’m not counting that short match). RVD joining TNA gets them a lot of interesting matches and I see this being a good thing for the fans.
Low Road:
This all comes down to execution and TNA has a history of just giving away good match-ups in bad storylines or nothing matches. RVD’s debut against Sting is a good example. I’d love to see RVD against all of the guys you mentioned, but I’m not sure the execution will be worth it when the time comes.
Are you taking the High Road or the Low Road?
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.
Freddy Neuwendyke Writes:
I’m going both roads here. High in that they are trying to push somebody new with the belt and he does have the technical skills to carry it. Low in that he really hasn’t beaten any established stars so far while champ and it seems more like the feud for his belt is just an extension of Edge versus Jericho with the champ being an afterthought.
Also I do agree his promos are bad. Get this guy a manager ASAP to handle his promos. It’s not the words it’s the lisp. It’s gonna be Bobby “bathturd” Lashley allover again. Such a sin we don’t have guys like Bobby Heenan or Jim Cornette handling the stick anymore. I guess I’m saying bring back managers altogether.
Sat: I agree with the manger thing, but it seems like manager no longer exists. You usually get paired with a diva and then she becomes your girlfriend.
Chad Nevett: I’d love for them to bring managers back, especially since Swagger’s character lends itself to a manager, or ‘coach.’
Antony Ma Writes:
High Road
Although I think swagger has a lot of improving to be done, I think hes heading in the right direction. I thought his promo on smackdown was freaking hilarious. It was dry and serious that it made it really funny to me. I also enjoyed him hogging air time by going around holding the title. I think with the given opportunity and the right push(ala wrestling machine), he will do terrific.
Sat: I’ve heard different opinions on that promo. I for one hated it.
Chad Nevett: I liked it. It wasn’t at the level of other guys, but it was good for Swagger.
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.
ROH Commish Writes:
Low Road.
Should have cashed in at MANIA. Why cash in on a taped show? And Jericho was way more “hurt” at Mania as well.
Adding to it, Swagger won the title and then became a blackhole of charisma. He’s Jack SWAGGER.
Sat: Yeah, Jericho was more hurt at Mania, but I guess you could argue that Swagger was also banged up because he had just won a grueling ten man ladder match. I do see your point though.
Chad Nevett: Well, there was the tease of a cash-in on Raw, but Cena recovered too quickly, setting up the Jericho cash-in. I have no problem with it happening on Smackdown since, honestly, that was more surprising since no one expects anything big like that to happen on the taped show.
[dry roasted] Writes:
Both roads.
I never liked Swagger, ever. But now I find myself liking him more than ever. In that regard, his win has done a lot to improve his status.
On the other hand, he still has a lisp and is basically Biff Tannin Redux. Also, WWE has already botched his reign (no surprise there).
Time will tell, but I have a feeling he will have the belt for at least a few months.
Also I don’t really like the way he won the belt, but then again Jericho is the best in the world.
Sat: I’ve always been a Swagger guy, my main worry with him has been whether the WWE would ever push him.
Chad Nevett: The lisp doesn’t bother me. I didn’t notice it for a while and just isn’t an issue as far as I’m concerned.
The Gold Standard Writes:
Low Road.I hate to go low as I like Swagger and happy he is champ, but I feel the E hurry up and rushed his cash in to avoid taking time to build him up as a credible main eventer.Had they had him cash in like RVD, it would of benefitted him in the long run.I think once he drops the title it will be awhile before he gets another shot.And to top it off I doubt the E has faith to put him over established stars and rather put him over up and coming stars Ex.Morrison, Kofi etc
Sat: I really wish nobody cashes in like RVD did. It made sense for RVD to do it that way because he would the ultimate home field advantage, but besides that everybody needs to cash in on an injured champion.
Chad Nevett: I would love for a face to cash it in ala RVD, but Swagger being a heel means he needs to be a dick. That’s okay with me so long as they don’t book him too weak in his run as champ.
s1rude Writes:
I’m going to go high road on this one, because I think Swagger has a lot of potential, wrestling needs new stars so I’m not going to knock the E for pushing one and, while I can see a lot of things going wrong, they haven’t yet, so I’ll curb my cynicism – for now.
I do have concerns. He could get lost in between Jericho and Edge, especially if he is going to continue with the arrogant, suit-wearing, Jericho with a speech impediment style of his latest promos. Hopefully, creative has learned from the Sheamus experiment and will give him a clean win somewhere in his reign. And dude’s career hangs on what they do after he drops the strap. If Swagger goes back to feuding with MVP, none of this really matters.
Sat: I also hope that the WWE has learned their lesson, but I don’t think they have.
Chad Nevett: I think with Swagger facing Randy Orton, a guy who’s pinned him twice already, that the WWE is looking for Swagger to at least retain through Extreme Rules, which is a good sign.
Guest#9443 Writes:
High Road
Positives:
– There’s a lot of upside to Swagger
– He’ll have some great matches on Smackdown (the wrestling brand)
– Distinct character: Take one look at him and you understand him. He’s a jock/bully/dick. He’s the thing of nightmares to the PG crowd.Negatives:
– Not sure he can be counted on as a “ring general” at this level
– I felt his push lacked a step. He needed a character-defining feud near the top of the card before becoming a contender.
Sat: I think he can be an in ring general, but I don’t see him getting the opportunity too.
Chad Nevett: Swagger has been great in the ring recently with Orton and John Morrison, and I can only see him improving. I don’t think he needs to be a ring general yet, but definitely has the potential.
Big Dick Dudley Writes:
While I agree with more of the low roads in the article, I am going to say High for one reason and one reason alone. It is yet another fresh, young, new talent in the main event mix. Whether he paid his dues, is legit, has ability, whatever. He is added to the top of the card and it is now interesting to watch play out.
Sat: I had a pretty easy time with the low roads last week. I’ve done the low roads a few times when I debated against myself and I had a hell of time with them.
Chad Nevett: I had a little bit of trouble with the High Roads since I’m used to responded to arguments, not making them.
Csonkamaniac III Writes:
LOW ROAD. he’s hasn’t proven he’s a descent worker (i beg any of you to give me a credible example of otherwise), he has a descent look, but no real charisma and what about that listhp?? how are we supposed to buy a guy that hasn’t really ever been in the main event scene, has been buried ever since coming over to raw, had to steal the world title, and gets beat cleanly in his first match as champ?? fuck jack swagger.
Sat: I don’t mind the lisp; I don’t think he is doing it intentionally, so maybe that is why it is not bothering me. He has had great matches with Cena and Triple H; I think he is a decent enough worker to be world champion.
Chad Nevett: Prior to winning MitB, he had some good matches against Christian, John Cena, and Triple H at various points, and, since, he looked great against Orton and Morrison.
hombre Writes:
Well, while I do agree with pushing new guys to the main event, it’s way too early too give him the big strap.
But that is just part of a major problem in WWE these days:
Over the course of the last few months WWE has failed in establishing new faces in the main event, the only new and young guys being John Cena and Randy Orton. Batista as well, but he’s not exactly young anymore. The other main event guys were established already.
Now we come to the problem of the older guys: Shawn Michaels retires, Undertaker will probably do the same in the near future (maybe next year), Batista openly talks about retirement, the question is how long Triple H will still go at the top level. Jericho turns 40 this year, Rey and Edge are in their mid-to-late 30s as well.
Since WWE failed to push new guys to the main event over the last years, ran that stupid push-depush-strategy with guys like MVP, Kofi Kingston, CM Punk or Drew McIntyre and made guys like Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase look like fools compared to Hunter or Orton, they’re lacking young guys to put in the title picture and seem believable enough to compete with the big dogs.
And since WWE Creative is obviously incapable of creating compelling, exciting storylines to establish the new guys (let’s face, which story except Shawn/Taker has been exciting lately?) they use the “shock” element by putting their biggest titles on guys like Sheamus and Swagger. The former one’s reign failed miserably, will the latter one’s do the same?
Only time will tell.
Sat: I think the WWE is seeing that they have no young stars besides Cena and Orton and that definitely has something to do with Swagger getting a chance.
Chad Nevett: Despite the lackluster run on Raw, Swagger has gotten a strong push with the ECW title after only a few months, so the WWE has shown they like this guy and just need to follow through. They just need to remember how they put over Cena and Batista: being a main eventer means beating main eventers.
Violent_Messiah Writes:
Low Road:
Swagger’s long term potential is excellent but this was WAY too soon, no slow elevation or giving him time to mature as a performer, I don`t think he’s ready. If they’re looking for shock value it would have made more sense at Mania after Edge put the beatdown on Jericho. I see this ending up like Ortons first run: win the belt outta nowhere, no proper build, crappy 3-4 week title reign that does more harm than good, back to the upper-card for a couple of years til he’s actually ready.
Sat: The Orton situation was a bit different then this; the mistake there was turning him baby face.
Chad Nevett: Yeah, this is different. I see this possibly being like CM Punk’s first world title reign where Swagger never gets a chance to seem like he deserves the belt. A win over Orton at Extreme Rules could go a long way.
HBK’s Smile Writes:
A hesitant low road that comes down to timing. I like Swagger and thought he was a good choice to win MitB. However, by cashing it in so soon, it neutered what could have been a top-flight feud between those two. The feud could certainly have started better, but it had enough promise and potential to be worthwhile as the top SmackDown feud on its own.
Furthermore, I am of the belief that WM ME matches need some time to seep in to the collective consciousness and as a rule do not like it when titles change hands at the very next PPV. This may be an antiquated way of thinking but it is my opinion. So the Swagger incident in effect made the good Jericho-Edge WM match meaningless altogether a mere five days after WM (and that’s assuming you don’t read spoilers).
Again, this low road has nothing to do with Swagger and everything to do with the timing of it.
Sat: I agree, but the problem here was that the WWE is having a Money in the Bank pay per view and they probably don’t want two briefcases floating around.
Chad Nevett: I have no problem with the quick cash-in since it makes sense. Why would Swagger wait? It’s an inherent weakness in the concept.
KanyonKriest Writes:
Both roads.
On one hand, they need new top-level heels now that Edge and Orton have turned. Swagger is as qualified for this role as just about anybody else I can think of, aside from CM Punk and maybe MVP (if they hadn’t blown his heat).
Still, before ‘mania last week, Swagger hadn’t done SHIT in the past year. Since moving to Raw those many, many months ago, when he had his non-debut against Orton, then that miniature feud with MVP last summer, what did Swagger do? Was he involved in a single angle that had a beginning, middle and end? They REALLY should have had the foresight to build him up before putting the strap on him all of a sudden. They failed completely in that regard.
Sat: Good point about the lack of heels right now. It would have been nice if Swagger had done something noteworthy and not just won out after having such a bad year.
Chad Nevett: I really wish they’d continued that ‘never lose in 2009′ streak rather than abandoning it two weeks later. That would have gone a long way to making Swagger seem like a bigger deal. Or, maybe, a run as the All-American American United States Champion.
Guest#3174 Writes:
High road. Give it time, not everyone blossoms immediately. The loss on Monday to Randy hurt him a bit but hopefully he bounces back with better booking. I’m excited to see a fresh new face in the main event scene and always thought Swagger had the tools to be a big breakout star. He’s like Sheamus but he actually has charisma and skills.
Sat: Yeah, we definitely need to give him some time.
Chad Nevett: Time and some solid wins will get Swagger over the hump.
Guest#5414 Writes:
High Road.
Just like they did with Sheamus, they’ve turned a lower carder into a top upper card/main event level heel almost overnight, that can’t be seen as anything but a positive. Talk about the lack of build up all you want, but Sheamus’ push did wonders for him, and early indications are that Swagger will benefit greatly as well.
Sat: I think it will definitely elevate Swagger, but doing this too often can also hurt as well.
Chad Nevett: Sheamus seems to be sticking around at that level for now and I think Swagger may stay there, too, at least through Extreme Rules.
CM Wolf Writes:
High Road.
Im choosing the High Road because I have no other choice. Vince NEEDS to bring up some of the younger talent. Even his “younger” main eventers are starting to slow down a bit and with HBK retiring and Taker close to retirement, thats a BIG hole to fill. He has to go back to the old way of thinking, “throw everything against the wall and see what sticks”. Vince just simply has no choice.
Sat: I agree. He lost Shawn, he’s close to losing Taker, and Batista seems to be getting near the end.
Chad Nevett: It’s looking bleak as far as the main event goes in the next few years, so elevating guys is a must. The Miz seems on the cusp of breaking through, possibly after dropping the US title. John Morrison is constantly flirting with the main event, too. There are plenty of guys ready to step up, the WWE just needs to give them the necessary pushes.
The Great Captain Smooth Writes:
Both roads. Low, because I’m not sure he is ready for it, his whole rise was a bit too sudden, and there are more trustworthy people who would be better champions. High, because he is somebody new, he can go in the ring, and while I don’t think his ready, I do buy him being champion now more than I bought Sheamus winning when he did. I’m not very confident, but I’m exited to see where this goes for him.
Sat: I buy him more than Sheamus as well. I think one of the reasons Swagger was chosen was because he doesn’t generally screw up in the ring.
Chad Nevett: Swagger had a good run as ECW champion and is solid in the ring. He’s shown that he has the potential to be a main eventer.
Squid Vicious Writes:
High Road
Swagger is awesome, and a championship run is not as far fetched as it seems. Putting him over Orton Monday would have definitely helped his cause. He has all the tools to make a great, convincing champion; if the ball is dropped I blame WWE.
Sat: I definitely think that was a mistake, the WWE should have let Swagger win even if it was by cheating.
Chad Nevett: Since Swagger will defend against Orton at Extreme Rules, I think he’ll get his win back there, making his ability to beat a main eventer seem a little more subtle and earned.
Low Road All The Way! Writes:
Low Road. He is the poor man’s Chris Jericho! Taking both roads for this is a cop out. Have the guts to take a position and defend it!
Sat: We used to not even have the both roads position, but people just kept picking it when it wasn’t an option, so we just went with it.
Chad Nevett: It’s not all black-or-white sometimes. And, if Swagger is a poor man’s anyone, it’s a poor man’s Kurt Angle.
JLAJRC Writes:
A reluctant low road, as I like Swagger and see potential in him.
The problem is that all of the potential we saw in him in ECW was almost immediately squashed once he moved to RAW and he became nothing more than a jobber to the stars. He even lost to Santino. Losing to Orton after winning the belt doesn’t help.
They just need to build him up as a credible threat, which I’m afraid may not happen. I feel we’re gonna have another Sheamus disaster on our hands, where fans will he’s undeserving and whatever future potential he shows will be ignored.
Sat: I see this being better than Sheamus’ run.
Chad Nevett: I like how most people taking the Low Road are behind Swagger, just wary of the WWE’s track record and the timing. That makes me think that Swagger may have an easier time than Sheamus with the crowd, which will help his run as champ no doubt. If the WWE sees the crowd accepting him as champ (while still booing him), they may stick with him longer.
IWC Member #894542 Writes:
Both Roads: Pushing new talent but also butt hurt about Jericho losing the belt.
However Jack Swagger’s Nameplate: Low Road, needs bigger font.
Sat: I noticed the smaller nameplate as well and it is definitely annoying.
Chad Nevett: I didn’t notice that at all. Odd.
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Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at [email protected] or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week’s column.
