High Road/Low Road 07.04.08: JR Moving to Smackdown

Posted by Sat & Uncletrunx on 07.04.2008

Long regarded as the "Voice of Raw", Jim Ross' move across to the Blue Brand is certainly a major shake up as far as the commentary teams are concerned. Is it a positive move or a negative move? Read the column and let us know.

Welcome back to the High Road/Low Road!

A brief explanation of the column: Uncletrunx takes the Low Road (negative view) on angles, gimmicks, and other wrestling related "stuff" while Sat takes the High Road (positive view).

The Results for Triple H to SmackDown:

High Road: 87.5%
Low Road: 12.5%
Both Roads: 00%

J.R. to SmackDown

High Road:
J.R. needed to go to SmackDown because now was the perfect time for Michael Cole to go to RAW. For me to explain why this needed to happen, I am going to throw a scenario at you. Let us say that Michael Cole had been moved to RAW when J.R. retired. If this had happened, then Michael Cole was going to look second rate because he was only moved to RAW when J.R. retired. But, now because he was moved to RAW with J.R. as an active announcer, it does not make Michael Cole a second rate announcers.

Low Road:
I have no problem with the work of Michael Cole. However, following the loud chorus of boos on Monday when JR tried to give an endorsement to Cole, I'm not convinced that I'm in the majority here. Even with JR's backing, the crowd didn't take to Cole. They may do with time, but I believe that the only way to replace JR on Raw was with someone who was equally respected by the fans as a commentator. That man, sadly, is not Michael Cole.


High Road:
I would have had problems with this move if the WWE had moved J.R. from RAW if he was not making mistakes while he was announcing. But, he is making mistakes and they are going to get worse as he gets older. RAW is live, so there is no opportunity to correct these mistakes before it airs. SmackDown is taped, so J.R. would have the opportunity to have some post production work done. I think that this move to SmackDown will help J.R. become a much better announcer.

Low Road:
So, either JR is getting worse and was moved, or he's moved to be the new voice of Smackdown because it's going to a new network. If the former, I don't see it as a positive move for JR, as he slowly begins the slow journey off TV. If the latter, it highlights one of the big problems WWE have; they need to have people tune in to see a commentator, as they're failing to make real stars.


High Road:
One of the things that has driven me crazy about this is that people are saying that J.R. is the voice of RAW and he should not have been moved. But, here is the thing. The WWE is a business, so they have to make smart business decisions. Here is an analogy. Let us say your team has this aging star that has been on your team forever. Do you let him keep playing while he is struggling because he has been with your team forever or do you bring up the hot prospect that can make the team better? I would bring up the hot prospect. Now, of course, Michael Cole is not a hot prospect, but he is definitely better than J.R. My biggest fear for Michael Cole is that people are just going to trash him because J.R. is gone from the booth.

Low Road:
I think we saw the start of that backlash against Cole on Monday. As for the business analogy, smart businesses don't tell their employees that they're transferring them in a public arena, with no prior warning and then leave them to sort out their own arrangements. The "aging star" can rightly feel angry about such treatment, and I don't see it being a way to keep employees happy and motivated. JR himself said that he almost quit. That cannot be a good result for WWE.


High Road:
J.R. to SmackDown is a huge benefit to SmackDown because I think that the J.R./Foley team is going to be awesome. These two are friends outside of the business and are both great talkers. This leads me to believe that this is going to be one of the best announce team that the WWE has. And Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler isn't a shabby team either. I seem to remember them announcing the 2006 Royal Rumble Match and they worked well as a team.

Low Road:
JR and Foley could indeed be a great team, and has a lot of potential. However, I have to say that Cole and Lawler is not a team which inspires me. Not because there's anything wrong with it, but I feel Cole does his best work with someone openly hostile next to him (JBL, or Tazz early in his commentating career) rather than when doing his jokey old pals act. Lawler is somewhat stale at the moment; if he reverts to more of a heel announcer role the team could be great but I don't see it being as good as Cole and JBL were.


High Road:
The WWE is going to a new network with SmackDown, so it makes sense to have some stars on the show that is switching stations. The reason that this applies for J.R. is that he is probably known by more of the older fans, so hearing his voice might make them want to watch the show. Second, J.R. has been a part of most of the major stuff in the WWE, so when the highlights are being shown on a commercial, J.R.'s voice is going to also be heard. It would make sense then for him to be announcing the shows. The thing to note with this is that J.R. might be able to get some of the older fans to tune in, but it is going to come down to what happens in the ring that keeps the fans tuned in.

Low Road:
I agree totally with your last sentence in theory. Sadly, in WWE it's seen to be the peripherals which get people to tune in. JR is a great announcer; his induction into the hall of fame shows this. However when you're relying on the commentator to sell the show, it speaks ill of the star qualities of the in ring talent.


High Road:
We are always talking about how a change of scenery is going to have a positive impact on a wrestler's career. The same should be true for announcers? J.R. has been on RAW forever and I do not recall him ever doing a SmackDown. I think that with him in a new environment, he should be able to shine.

Low Road:
He will if he feels the change is a positive one. However, given WWE's shabby treatment of him in making the move, I can't help but feel that the change of scenery may be a risky move. JR could shine in his new environment but not if he's working with a grudge.


High Road:
I thought that J.R.'s performance on SmackDown was definitely one of his best performances in a while. There were basically no mistakes and it seemed like he had something to prove. If J.R. continues to announce like he did this past week, then it will just be another reason to watch SmackDown. I will say that J.R. and Foley had some small issues, but I think that with time, they will be able to overcome those issues.

Low Road:
I hope so. I really want this to work out; I think JR is a great announcer, Foley has a ton of natural charisma and could, with time, be an all time great behind the table. However the way it was handled by WWE gives me cause for concern.

Are you taking the High Road or the Low Road?

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Low Road
Both Roads
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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.

Drew Writes:

I read your article on HHH being drafted. I'll actually be tuning in to Smackdown to see what becomes of it.

There's one thing though that I first thought of HHH being on Smackdown, and it goes along with HHH having new feuds. It's a possibility of a HHH vs Undertaker feud. I said in early 08 that these 2 need a feud soon because I think both will easily be out the door within a year or two's time.

Undertaker might still be doing great matches and still be a fan favorite, but he is still his age. He's been wrestling for well over 2, maybe close to 3 Decades, he could easily be heading for Retirement soon.

Like wise, you mentioned HHH getting Injuries a lot more frequently. He's also getting in that age range and he's had both his knees hurt pretty bad, I could see him also retiring with in a few years time because his body at the rate it's going can't keep doing this.

That's why it should be done soon. The storyline could be relatively simple. HHH, despite all his success, has always lived in Taker's Shadow. Despite winning twice as many titles as Taker, people talk about his wins more then HHH's. Not to mention that HHH created Evolution, a great dominate stable, yet every member of Evolution, including HHH himself has been a number on Undertakers WM Scoreboard. Put it short, it would HHH finally getting the thorn out of his side.

And the feud can go the one place it should go.....Hell in a Cell. These 2 men have dominated this match, HHH has won more, yet Undertaker has made more memorable moments inside it. The kings of the cell could finally resolve years of feuding and battles inside it, deciding who's better, The Game or The Deadman? Plus, both are Vets, so both can lose and be fine.

That's what I'm hoping for, what do you think?

Sat: I think that we will see this feud eventually and there are just so many ways that they could do this feud. Your example is just one way and there are probably many more that could work.

Uncletrunx: If the Hell in the Cell feud leads to an epic match in the cell (Wrestlemania main event?) following a well constructed buildup, I'm all for it. It could be a truly classic feud and a potentially great send off to one or both men. You watch, we'll end up doing a column on it and I'll have to find low roads…

Comments:

411 has added a new feature. Below are the comments for last week's columns and our responses. The comments that will be included will be the ones that pertain to this week's column. Also, your comment will not be included if you are commenting on another reader's comment. The comments are as of Saturday Afternoon Pacific Time.

Rey Writes:

HHH to smackdown is just like when the brand extension began. Raw was Austin's show and SD was Rock's show. as stated above, i think we above about to see two supermen run through two shows.

Sat: Good point. But, for awhile Cena was running RAW and Batista on SmackDown. Now, it's just a different person running SmackDown.

Uncletrunx: I'd rather see some booking which wasn't a straight copy of the Hulkamania formula. The beauty of Smackdown was that they avoided a dominant superman champ in the past. Now, ironically, it looks like Raw is the show mixing it up a bit, with Punk as champ while Smackdown runs the risk of being what Raw used to be.

J.D. Writes:

who wants to bet that there will be a SD main event of La Familia vs HHH for a title shot, where hunter overcomes the odds?

Sat: I think that we will see this happen at one point, but let's see if La Familia remains intact after the wedding.

Uncletrunx: I hope not. Really, I hope not.

David Writes:

High Road. I think there needs to be a serious shake-up and this could be the beginning of it...if done right.

Sat: HHH moving really shook things up. Even if he had not moved, this would have still been an awesome draft.

Uncletrunx: It has potential, that's for sure. I just don't like the idea of HHH running roughshod over the whole roster as he did all too frequently on Raw.

MC42 Writes:

The main purpose of the draft was to make SmackDown big for the switch to MyNetworkTV. Moving Trips over definitely helps with that and they have an easy, perfect feud that can last to SummerSlam if Edge screws Trips out of the title this Sunday. Once the initial MNTV hype is over, expect to see Haitch back on the A-show.

Sat: I agree with this and I see HHH coming back to RAW after winning the Rumble.

Uncletrunx: I'd hope that the HHH move is a permanent move. Having him hop back to Raw that rapidly will show that Smackdown is in reality the 2nd brand. Plus, I'd like to see HHH vs Undertaker again.

Zack Writes:

High Road. This is off topic but people are wondering "What will happen with all of the world titles?" I have thought about this. HHH will beat Cena and bring the WWE Title back to SD with him. Batista beats Edge (as if we need to see that)and brings the WHC back to Raw. But what about the ECW title? Mark Henry was drafted to ECW in the supplemental draft, because of that, the ECW title match has been changed to a triple threat between Henry (ECW), Big Show (SD),& Kane(C)(Raw),that means that Henry will somehow win the title and bring it back to ECW. It all Works out in the end. However, I dont want that to happen. I think somehow they should put the WWE title on Raw (without Supercena winning it)and Keep the WHC on SD. Let Batista, Rey, Cena, JBL, and the rest fight over it. Over on Smackdown there are many things to do with the WHC. Personally I think That KENNEDY...........KENNEDY can really shine with the WHC on SD. I think Edge should keep the WHC and feud with KENNEDY........KENNEDY, after what happened with KENNEDY and Edge last year I think it would be a really good feud

Sat: Moving HHH to SmackDown has really had me interested in the title picture because there are numerous ways that they could go and nothing has been leaked so far. It really has be intrigued for Night of Champions.

Uncletrunx: I'm intrigued for the longer term. I'd love to see HHH vs Edge as long as Edge doesn't end up utterly buried.

KanyonKreist Writes:

High road! Triple H hasn't done anything interesting since 2003 and almost any change with him is something I consider to be a good thing at this point. Now if they can only supply the Raw roster with some heels....

Sat: You make an interesting point. RAW is low on heels and it has a very large amount of faces with Cena, Mysterio, Batista, Punk and HBK I guess.

Uncletrunx: I think they've got to turn someone on Raw, and someone major. Batista is a possible candidate, and the rumours of a Punk heel turn have been doing the rounds recently. Either could work, done properly.

CM Wolf Writes:

You guys are WAY overthinking this. Like it or not, Triple H is the best, most consistent BIG MATCH performer in the company today. He was already on the track to the title when he and Steph hooked up so lets drop the marriage to get ahead shit.

Seems to me like Triple H was moved to SD for the exact same reason JR was....to help put SD over on a new network and at the same time give both men some new challenges in their respective careers. Im sure both of them are sick of wrestling/calling the matches with the SAME people.

Sat: I don't think either of us touched on the marriage thing, but I think that there is some truth to it. Not really in the beginning of this career, but getting the title coming back from an injury was suspuscious. Nobody else has ever gotten the title right away coming back from an injury. And I wouldn't say that HHH Is the most consisent big match performer in the company. I would put HBK and Cena (pre injury) ahead of him.

Uncletrunx: Overthinking things is the way of the internet columnist. It's what we do!

Sid Writes:

triple h is triple h..i dont think cena can win the belt from him..hunter will keep the belt on smackdown and rule..edge will lose and get frustrated the whole year..like his old days with triple h in the show..taking the spotlight and giving edge the gimmick of a mad man

Sat: HHH has put over both Batista and Cena, I think that he will do the same for Edge eventually

Uncletrunx: I hope so. I think Edge needs it to push him up a level. I know Undertaker put him over at the end of their feud but it came after a whole lot of nothing for Edge and I feel he needs another major win to cement himself at the very top long term.

Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at [e-mail] or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week's column.