High Road/Low Road 05.14.10: Abyss As A Main Eventer

Welcome back to the High Road/Low Road!

A brief explanation of the column: Normally, Sat takes the High Road (positive view) on angles, gimmicks, and other wrestling related “stuff” while Chad Nevett takes the Low Road (negative view), but, this week, things are reversed with Chad taking the High Road and Sat taking the Low Road.

Results for the 2010 WWE Draft:

High Road: 23%
Low Road: 46%
Both Roads: 31%

Chad Nevett: This was a big High Road for me. I understand the other side of the argument, but just don’t agree. Smackdown looks more exciting than ever with the possibility of younger midcard talent getting pushes and having a chance to shine on the wrestling-oriented show. At this point, I’m more interested in seeing the WWE build new main eventers than watching the same main event guys trade off on feuds against one another.

Sat: I think it is a both roads just because the only way to really evaluate the draft is to look at the results 3 or 4 months down the road.

ABYSS AS A MAIN EVENTER

High Road:

Abyss has the right build and character to be a main eventer. While he’s specialized in hardcore matches, he’s also shown himself to be a very good big man in the ring, able to put on good matches with more technically-based wrestlers. More than that, he’s good on the mic, always delivering passionate and engaging promos. That it took Hulk Hogan pushing him to put him the main event is surprising.

Low Road:

Let’s not forget that he had a run as World champion before and since that time he has been involved in some the lamest things ever. There was some crazy stuff where he may have shot his father and I also believe that he was James Mitchell’s son. And most likely I am forgetting some stuff. The main point here is that Abyss was a main eventer because he did win the title and if TNA had not done some crazy things then they would not be forced to try to make Abyss into a main eventer again.

High Road:

One of the complaints about Hogan and Bischoff coming to TNA was that homegrown talent wasn’t going to be pushed. Well, here’s Abyss, one of TNA’s homegrown talent and he’s getting a big push. Having Hulk Hogan say that he’ll be the next big thing is a big way to put someone over and it’s exactly what people want Hogan to be doing right now.

Low Road:

I’ll agree that Hogan/Bischoff has done some good things with the homegrown talent. They have definitely done more than I expected. But, that still does not excuse them for bringing in the Band, Val Venis (for a few weeks), giving RVD the title too soon, and Orlando Jordan. From all of the above examples, I think the only thing the fans wanted to see was RVD winning the title and even that can be debated. Sure, they have done some good things, but let’s not make it seem like they have only done good things.

High Road:

The recent revelation that the Hall of Fame angle is less a ‘magic ring’ and more Abyss feeling more confident in himself with Hogan behind him is a better way to present the story and makes it less cartoonish. While the damage may already be done in some people’s eyes, this twist actually makes it easier to get behind Abyss as anyone can imagine what having someone like Hogan in their corner would mean. Of course it would make him more confident and determined!

Low Road:

I’ll agree with you on the fact that it makes more sense that the ring gave him confidence instead of being a magic ring. But, I think the damage has already been done. Having a magic ring is just too cartoonish and it might be the reason that TNA’s rating took a huge nosedive. Only time will tell.

High Road:

While neither Hogan nor Ric Flair are young men anymore, just being the same ring as the two of them helps to put Abyss over. By getting pins on Flair, Abyss is elevated from midcard to main event status automatically.

Low Road:

Beating Ric Flair does not mean a whole lot. First, he took a lot of losses in the WWE, so it does not mean a lot to beat him. Also, how can it be beneficial to beat a guy who is coming back after a two year retirement?

High Road:

Given Abyss’s past, this story probably wouldn’t even rank in the top five absurd Abyss stories. He’s shown as less crazy and more as a leader of his fellow wrestlers, which puts him on the right track to being a sustainable main eventer. Obviously, his character isn’t going to change overnight, but the progression has been in a positive direction.

Low Road:

I definitely prefer this Abyss to the ones we have been seeing. He’s had some crazy stuff going on the past few years and most of it does not make sense. I’ll take this current Abyss because it makes more sense than some of his last few characters.

High Road:

By having him lead Team Hogan, he was the leader of groups involving Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, and Samoa Joe, all main eventers. With him supported by that group, he looks even stronger and like he belongs.

Low Road:

I did not look at him as the leader because he was the best out of those guys. He was the leader of the group because he was Hogan’s guy (more on this in the next Low Road) and only for that reason. The only guy I would say he is probably better than right now is Jeff Jarrett. RVD is better because he’s the champ and Jeff Hardy would potentially be the champ if it was not for the pending drug case.

High Road:

With AJ Styles acting as a Ric Flair proxy in the feud against Hulk Hogan, Abyss is an interesting choice for a Hogan proxy since he doesn’t seem to fit the mould of a Hogan type. It’s great to see TNA going with a legitimate big man that isn’t a ‘roided-out freak.

Low Road:

I look at the Abyss/Hogan pairing a little differently. There really was no other guy that would have worked with Hogan. Hogan is obviously going to prefer bigger guys and Abyss is definitely the biggest baby face in TNA.

Are you taking the High Road or the Low Road?

High Road
Low Road
Both Roads
OR

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.

Chad Nevett: The only e-mail this week was a vote. Well, and another that was a response to the RVD column from a few weeks back. Remember, vote for the current column, not past ones, because, um, once the next column is posted, your vote doesn’t really count. Now, on to the comments!

Sat: I remember receiving an email about a topic that we had a year or so after the fact. I guess people are reading these columns all the time.

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 May 12 at 9:30 am.

Comment Board Poster Writes:

Low Road.

I understand the need to shake things up a bit and move talent around but I would rather do it with invasion angles and run-ins that create angles rather than a draft.

Chad Nevett: I don’t really see how that could affect lasting change rather than provide an angle or two…

Sat: Yeah, I don’t agree with this either.

Guest#1712 Writes:

Both roads.
On the low end, RAW is perhaps too stacked. There are only two hours + overrun of show, minus commercial time, minus there own internal advertising, minus skits, minus guest host. Not a lot of time for the talent there.
Some say it is good for Morrison to get on the ‘A’ show, but why? Maybe he will get a little upper mid-card exposure during the year, but since the rest of the mid card needs some time and the upper card, which is huge, will always get theirs, this doesn’t help him.
High road? Captain Charisma will get more air time even if he doesn’t get that push. He almost has to, since Christian and Punk are the only two decent promo men on the roster. Kofi may get that opportunity.

Chad Nevett: I agree regarding Morrison. He would have been better off left on Smackdown. Then again, we’ll see.

Sat: I think Morrison was the one who was most hurt with this draft.

s1rude Writes:

Leaning low on this one. The muddled RAW scene is balanced out a little by the idea of giving new stars a chance on SD. But while I can see where Show makes sense as #1 contender, it still frustrates me and diminishes the upside.

My main complaint is that the draft has little drama or credibility because the brand split has no teeth. Guys will move around and appear on the other show as creative needs or wants. Superstars and NXT are hybrid shows, and no explanation is made for it. The IWC just assumes that there will be a re-shuffle when SD moves to SyFy, well before ‘mania and the 2011 draft. I’m a wrestling fan – I have no trouble suspending disbelief. But don’t make up rules you only plan to acknowledge when it suits you and expect me to get hyped up about it.

Chad Nevett: I wish they kept the brands separate more as well. It would make the Draft more meaningful. The problem, of course, is that they do need to change/correct things from time to time. And, being wrestling, the rules only mean something when they want them to.

Sat: If the brands were kept separate then the draft would mean a lot, but it seems like after Mania the WWE decides to ignore the brand extension.

The Great Capt. Smooth Writes:

Both roads. Raw is loaded(they’ll be fine), but SD is stripped. I do like the fact that Kofi, Christian, Cody, or MVP can be built up. I read that the WWE was planning on building up SD for their move to SyFy. That may be the true test of this Draft.

Chad Nevett: I’m honestly more excited about watching Smackdown than I have been in a while thanks to the chance to see these talented wrestlers finally get a chance to shine.

Sat: I think all of us will continue to watch SmackDown, the problem is getting the casual viewer to tune in.

ROH Commish Writes:

Low Road. I don’t like the idea that picks are “random”. Doesn’t help that RAW doesn’t have a GM to trade wrestlers with Teddy Long. I’d like the draft to simply be a meeting between the 2 GMs and have the GMs carry the show. The GMs would also gain instant credibility and allow for ramifications for screwing with the GM.

The draft also works the guys as they don’t know they are being moved. Example: Melina crying was legit. Therefore, the draft is another chance for the powers that be to bury talent.

Chad Nevett: It has to be ‘random’ or the only guys to move would be the main eventers. I can understand not telling talent until right before they’re drafted since the surprise element of the show is big and leaks happen. A lot.

Sat: I think the talent should know they are being moved. I like the idea of having GMs pick out of a jar instead of a computer making ht epick.

Guest#7404 Writes:

Low Road.

Raw got stacked. Smackdown was not seeded properly for future stars.

Positives:
– Raw’s main event scene gets deeper
– Raw’s comedy team for the guest host gets new players
– New guys get chance to shine on Smackdown

Negatives:
– Both rosters are imbalanced. Raw is top heavy. Smackdown is swimming in midcarders.
– Advancement on Smackdown is not as impressive since the bar is low.
– Questionable moves.
– Questionable stays.

Chad Nevett: I don’t agree with the idea that advancement on Smackdown isn’t as impressive. I think it is because of the wrestling focus and the fact that it’s the World Heavyweight Championship that’s at stake. I think the WWE might move people up to the main event there where they aren’t going over the top guys like Cena and Orton immediately, but do establish some credibility, so when they do eventually meet those main eventers, them winning isn’t as big an upset. An intermediary step that could be very effective.

Sat: I kind of agree with this comment. RAW is kind of too powerful and it hurts SmackDown.

guest Writes:

High Road: Pairing up Carlito and Primo again is a great move, not only for the tag team ranks, but, neither did anything special after they were split up.

Low Road: Cryme Time split, in general. waste of a team with a ton of talent. Yes, the WWE execs are biased, but, i do believe that Cryme Time deserved a fair shake as a team, and, at least a short run with the belts. teams thrown together like Show-Miz just overall are pointless. those teams need to have at least a few weeks together to really learn how to gel as a team. they can’t and shouldn’t be thrown together and have a title match all in the same night. BIG WASTE OF Talents for some stars, such as Big Show. and, The Miz, as the U.S. Champ, still…….REALLY?? REALLY?? How is it that he still has the U.S. title and doesn’t defend it?? i say strip him of the belt, just like Smackdown did to McIntyre, and put it on a star that knows how to make defenses. we need all of the belts in WRESTLING(WWE, TNA, INDY’S) to all be relevant, or, why even have them?? i say either MIZ defends the U.S. title, along with splitting up the Tag Belts again, would be better for the WWE. as the Tag belts all reside on Raw after the draft. that gives very little smackdown talent a chance to get a fair shot at those belts. The U.S. title wasn’t of any relevance after MVP had it. he was the last one to defend that belt like it should have been. so, again…..why keep a Major Title on a basic mid-carder like The Miz?? Put the U.S. title on someone that’s deserving, such as Randy Orton or someone like that. that’d be the best for all involved, and, put the smackdown tag belts on a deserving team, like Undertaker and Kane, or maybe put the belts on Dolph Ziggler and some shmuck heel. just so all the titles will have some sense of being worth something.

also, why did they bring back the million dollar title, unless they’re planning on making that a relevant title?? other than it being ted’s dad’s belt, big deal. he brought it back, so, it should be looked at, and defended like a regular WWE title. also, bring back the European and hardcore titles, WWE. you have too much under-used talent that those titles could be put on. and, as far as the light heavyweights, there’s a handful left in wwe, but, they keep getting released every few weeks. even if their work’s better than the main players…..what’s the point of even signing them?? the lighter guys seem to get better play in TNA, so, as far as the lightweights go, don’t bother with WWE. just skip them in all, and go to Florida, where you guys will get a chance to show your skills.

and, releasing former big time players…..why?? Mickie James was one of the better female draws. pointless release….PERIOD!

Chad Nevett: The Miz defends the belt on Monday. The Million Dollar Championship was never relevant and was always a vanity belt used as a prop. I don’t think the WWE needs any more championships, they just need to put a sharper focus on the secondary belts.

Sat: I think this Monday will tell us a lot about the plans for the U.S. Title. I think it would be a bad idea to split up the titles. There is not enough tag teams to carry two divisions.

panatha Writes:

Both roads.

Sure, Smackdown got raped and Raw is now completely stacked, with no room for the evolution of promising midcarders like Morrison, R-Truth or DiBiase. But you can’t deny that both brands look like they have potential to provide quality TV and wrestling.

We can see a lot of new things like Orton vs Edge, Orton vs Jericho, Sheamus vs Morrison, Punk vs Christian, Swagger vs Kingston, Swagger vs Big Show etc. etc. etc.

Chad Nevett: As I said, I’m looking forward to Smackdown more now, while Raw continues to be Raw. I think the draft was a good thing for Smackdown and some of the wrestlers that deserve a bigger spotlight and push.

Sat: One of the top guys on RAW is eventually going to have to move because they is only so much you can do.

Guest#1435 Writes:

Jericho, Edge or Morrison I’m gonna have to.

Smackdown’s been a great show but it got stripped down again, Big Show? hasnt had a good match in years. Kelly? girl be fine but she cant work to save her life! Rhodes? as generic as they get. Masters? Hornswaggle?
The only decent guys SD! got were Kofi, Christian and MVP but lost Edge, Jericho, Morrison, Natalya, Hart Dynasty (thank god they got the belts so they can be on both shows for now)

Chad Nevett: I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen of Cody Rhodes on Smackdown. When not working with Randy Orton or Ted DiBiase, he seems to loosen up a bit and show himself a bit more. Him moving the Smackdown should, hopefully, allow him to obtain a unique identity in the ring.

Sat: Cody has a definite shot to advance on SmackDown, hopefully he can manage to establish himself.

Viewer Writes:

both roads

Smackdown got good talent that could be pushed and Raw got main event talent to help improve ratings.

By the way, do you think Dolph Ziggler should have won by disqualification because Hornswoggle was throwing “weapons” at him before the countout so Ziggler wasn’t able to get in.

Chad Nevett: I don’t get upset over Hornswoggle matches anymore. They’re jokes. I’m just happy Ziggler choked him out. That was required.

Sat: I think Hornswoggle should have got disqualified, but maybe the ref felt sorry for him or something.

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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.