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THE CORNER CUBE: Jericho talks Congress and steroids, two PPVs - your thoughts
Nov 30, 2007 - 6:55:57 PM |
By James Caldwell, Torch columnist
Updated throughout the day, Torch columnist James Caldwell's new weekday blog focuses on hot topic current events and issues from around wrestling. Caldwell writes from his corner cubicle after a sudden department re-location to the other side of the office. It's law firm office politics.
Updated Friday, November 30 (last update: 6:55 p.m.)
Chris Jericho has an interview with CBS News's Entertainment website on his return to wrestling, autobiography, and steroids in wrestling. Jericho recaps his story of needing to leave the business for two years before having that itch again. Regarding steroids in wrestling, Jericho said he once took them early in his career, but they didn't make a difference in his wrestling ability.
Regarding steroids in sports, Jericho said, "It's a problem that needs to be dealt with and (the WWE is) dealing with it. They should make steroids illegal and get Congress involved if that's the way to go."
Considering that steroids are already illegal, it's not a bold statement, but Jericho is one of a select few people currently earning a paycheck from WWE, TNA, or another organization in the wrestling business who has advocated Congressional involvement in rooting out steroids.
The larger issue, which has been highlighted in the Torch Newsletter the past few months, is that the process of mixing and matching performance-enhancing drugs to generate the desired "enhancement effect" without detection through a drug test. This has become such a prevalent issue in wrestling that a simple rallying cry of "hey, let's get rid of steroids!" is way, way in the past. That's nothing against Jericho, who is bold enough to put the words "steroids" and "Congress" in the same sentence. It's a general attitude across the general public for a simple answer to a very complicated issue.
The means of achieving enhancement is much more sophisticated than the general public understands when people are just now receiving a very basic education on steroids through the CNN special on Benoit, through the month-long coverage on wrestling following the Benoit family deaths, and through the Barry Bonds and George Mitchell sagas.
So, to say Congress should be involved in monitoring steroids doesn't mean much if the exact drugs aren't identified, and if the drug testing policies in various sports aren't beefed up to keep up with a much-more sophisticated process of delivering enhancement through a chemistry-lab-mixture of drugs.
***
There are two PPVs this weekend. ROH has a $15 PPV debuting tonight with a ladder match that people can't stop raving about. TNA has a $30 PPV on Sunday with the return of The Outsiders in a mega-six-man tag match. If you have access to ordering both PPVs, what are you going with this weekend? One? Both? Neither? Drop your thoughts in The Cube inbox on what you're planning on ordering this weekend, and what's going into your decision.
***
It seems everyone in TNA has a little different character that plays off a pro wrestling "fan" stereotype. A.J. Styles and Eric Young are the "fanboys" who get excited at the sheer sight of a wrestler. Styles's mancrush is on Christian. Young's mancrush was on Sting a few weeks ago when Sting was in the same ring as him.
Chris Harris plays the "Internet fan" whose sole job is apparently to complain about everything. Jay Lethal plays the "wannabee wrestler" who dresses up like his favorite wrestler and goes to a show in a Hulk Hogan costume or sends in a photo to WWE Magazine sporting Shawn Michaels's signature ring gloves.
Then, there's Tomko. He's just too cool for everything. Mike Roe and I discuss this nearly every week on the C&R audio update (cheap plug alert: this weekend, we'll break down last night's Impact, preview the PPV, and offer anecdotes containing great wisdom on pro wrestling).
Tomko's sole role in this company is to mock the writing. He rolls his eyes when Christian offers a classic promo cliché. He offers current event references such as "too much TMZ" last night to counteract the dated references throughout the show. He just stands in the background peering down at the writing with scorn and contempt. He's just too cool to sell for anything on the show.
It used to be subtle. Now it's just part of his entire character. Does it work? Well, if you're sitting there watching the show and becoming frustrated with the writing, just take comfort in the fact that there's one character who watches the show unfold with the same frustrated feelings that you have.
Updated Thursday, November 29 (last update: 6:55 p.m.)
The votes are in: turn Lashley heel when he returns. I don't think it's so much a wonderful argument from The Cube, but common sense considering there are more credible faces than heels on Raw, and Lashley is simply limited as a babyface in size, stature, and speaking ability. Turn him loose as a heel, say the readers...
John Earley, Torch reader: As a wrestling fan, I have always wanted to see this angle where an injured wrestler comes back bent on destroying the roster, since no one seemed to care about him while he was gone. I always envisioned it as a way to break up a successful tag team if they went that route, where one partner is out for a period of time, the other partner goes on to achieve singles success, and when the injured partner returns, he turns on his old partner and they have a feud. This angle could work with Bobby Lashley returning with a "Silent Assassin"-type persona. Maybe give him a mouthpiece (Estrada, Santino, Matt Striker, Teddy Long, The Coach, etc.) to establish Lashley's change, and just let Lashley run roughshod over the faces on the roster. Unless Lashley spent time improving his mic skills and delivery, I think it'd be best to let a manager use Lashley as his enforcer, as Lashley's soft voice doesn't project as a heel. I think Lashley could get over as a heel for a period of time, before possibly turning back to a face, since it's obvious WWE wants him to be one of the top babyfaces.
Matt Smith, Torch reader: Bobby Lashley MUST be turned heel if he is to get a fresh start when he returns from injury. You can argue that his goodwill as a face wasn't that strong in order for people to care about a turn, but if done carefully that shouldn't be an issue. First and foremost, he MUST be assigned a mouth piece. He has the look, the athletic ability, and can be led in a match by those capable of working with a broom stick. But, the second he opens his mouth, the aura is killed. Who should do his talking? I'd push for Mike Mizanin to have an expanded role and make him a cocky sonofabitch manager because that's a guy people can naturally hate, like the role Daivari had. Let him build Lashley up and let Lashley concentrate on upping his game in other areas. I think he can be something special, but he has to be put in a position where he can become just that. If they just toss him back into the mix as the exact same face he was prior to getting hurt, that will be a big opportunity lost.
JC: When I think of a talking manager for Lashley, I immediately think of Kenny Bolin when Lashley was in OVW. Oh, how he made Blaster Lashley seem like a million bucks. I don't know if Miz would have the same level of credibility talking up Lashley, but in an era where you can count the number of male managers in wrestling on one hand, Miz isn't a bad choice. It would actually be a unique opportunity for Daivari to return to WWE in a role that isn't the same old foreign heel talker. Allow him to be more of a business manager for Lashley - managing his interests, opponents, appearances, title matches, etc. Miz could certainly play that role if they go back to his management storyline with Extreme Expose, which they've practically abandoned in the time since his association with Morrison.
***
Donald Trump couldn't remember his name on a radio show. His name has gone unmentioned on Raw for months. Bobby Lashley has been MIA for some time and he's set for a return. That is, if you like to read into WWE Magazine clues. The latest issue - the one with Chris Jericho smiling for his yearbook photo on the cover - has a story on the rash of injuries in WWE this year, complete with a timeline of when wrestlers were out and when they returned. They have Lashley's timeline ending with December 2007.
So, let's just assume Lashley is dropping by the Raw 15-year anniversary show for his big return. With the balance on the Raw roster shifting toward the babyface side (always pending a Triple H heel turn), I would advocate Lashley coming back as a heel to tip the scale. The storyline is quite simple.
No one sent a Get Well card to his hospital room. No one called to check on him. No one seemed to give him a second thought. Now, Lashley is going to give the fans a healthy dose of beat downs on their favorites like Jeff Hardy and Shawn Michaels to teach them a lesson. After all, Lashley was starting to get the anti-babyface resentment from audiences leading up to his injury.
What about you - how should Lashley return from injury? Agree or disagree with me? Drop your thoughts in the Corner Cube inbox.
***
Here's some more feedback from yesterday on ECW TV viewing habits, with my comments following reader feedback.
Bucky Blarr, Torch subscriber: To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure why I tune into ECW week after week. I guess I keep waiting for things to pick up (even though it never does). As I was watching the Nov. 27 edition, I started to think, 'Why am I able to sit through the same thing week after week with ECW, yet no matter how hard I try, I cannot get into TNA that much?' TNA seems to have better talent than ECW, but I prefer ECW. I've been a wrestling fan since the late 60's, but I cannot figure out what the hell they are doing w/ECW, as I really liked the first few months of ECW.
JC: There are times when ECW will insult your intelligence, such as when Tommy Dreamer dressed up as Paul Heyman for Halloween and the announcers played completely dumb, or when Viscera showed up after the mini-contender tournament and took the #1 contender slot. But, for the most part, ECW TV will not insult your intelligence. It's very straight-forward. You know what you're getting. There aren't too many surprises. TNA Impact is often times very over-the-top where you might be excited after watching a good wrestling match, but they'll immediately go backstage for a zany Kurt Angle skit or cut to a video package of Don West acting like a goofball with Sonjay Dutt. There are a fair share of lows to offset the highs, which can be more frustrating for viewers that just watching a predictable, light show every week. My diagnosis is that the excitement at certain points on Impact is easily tempered by the over-scripted non-wrestling segments that produce a frustrated and exhausted feeling not usually found while watching ECW.
Mike, Torch reader: I agree that ECW has been too much of the same old same old for a long time now. That's why I was especially perplexed when you gave last night's tag match such a low rating. Despite their incredibly dumb gimmick, Jesse and Festus both turn it up a notch when they're in the ring. That match was constant motion anytime they were in control. And the uneasy alliance between Miz and Morrison lends some new intrigue, too. Morrison can hold his own if he's in there with somebody who wants to work. It was one of the best matches I've seen on WWE TV in a while. I think you might have shortchanged them a bit dismissing it as nothing special. I couldn't blame you if ECW in general made you kind of fall asleep and miss that one good match, though.
On the whole, though, I tend to TIVO the ECW show and fast-forward through a lot of it. It's been kind of the same episode ever since RVD and Sabu left. C.M. Punk is probably the prime reason I keep up on ECW, but he doesn't have a lot to work with there, and he may be miscast as a babyface. I was already bored with Kane and Mark Henry on Smackdown; bringing them to ECW does nothing for me. Bringing in young, fast, and hungry workers like Shelton Benjamin and Jesse & Festus could definitely change my attitude.
JC: The main issue I had with the Miz & Morrison vs. Jesse & Festus match was that the isolation on Jesse seemed to last forever with Miz and Morrison not exactly executing an Anderson-style textbook double team on the babyface in peril. I think Festus is a fine act and he grows on me with each appearance, but that isolation just didn't do much for me. I think what's missing from the story of Team Biscuits & Gravy is a back story on their relationship. Now, we don't need a life story like Abyss in prison, Sting visiting the Hall of Records, and nothing ever coming from the story, but just some background on the relationship. Brothers? Cousins? Jesse is the assigned handler of a wrestling-crazed fan who just happens to be slow and turns into a wrestler when he hears a bell? What are the ABCs on the relationship? I think that could enhance the tag team and give a little more depth to their matches.
Sean, Torch VIP member: For me routine doesn't necessarily kill it for me. I like seeing the same stars from ECW with continuations of feuds. What I don't like is this whole new Smackdown invasion bulls---. Last night, I was so upset with ECW that I wanted to throw something. Kane and BDV needs to end. I'm sick of these no talent wrestlers taking up space for the good athletes on ECW. How about the simple fact that their own champion, C.M. Punk didn't even appear at all on the show? That's terrible. I'm happy Shelton is on ECW, but it's also very clear he needs more mic work. My problem with this Smackdown thing is that it's OK to see ECW stars getting more exposure on Smackdown, but I feel it shouldn't be the other way around. ... I used to watch ECW all the time, mainly because it was an entirely new roster and there was a sense of surprise because I'd never seen these stars before. Now that Smackdown has the majority of the matches, it pisses me off and leaves me to change the channel.
JC: I've taken some flack from readers for suggesting a return of Sid Vicious for the endless Kane vs. Viscera feud, but there has to be something done about the never-ending Kane vs. Viscera feud. I don't find it offensive, poorly executed, or boring. In fact, I think the Extreme Rules match was mildly entertaining on Tuesday night. The whole feud is just unbelievably repetitive. Someone needs to come in and stop the Groundhog Day effect on this feud and change up the scene. It doesn't matter whether it's Sid or someone else in this situation. ... I agree that not having Punk on the show is a disservice to the ECW audience. A simple promo (not a repetitive straight edge video package) from Punk about his upcoming appearance on Smackdown would have done just fine if he wasn't going to wrestle on ECW.
Updated Wednesday, November 28 (last update: 7:45 p.m.)
Here's a sample of the reader response on today's mid-week question on your ECW viewing habits, with my comments following each comment.
Tim Davis, Torch subscriber: I do try to watch it weekly because it tends to have the most actual wrestling content by percentage for WWE programming each week. However, you're right as far as the familiarity goes, as most weeks I may flip channels during the show (after all, The Office reruns are on TBS) or switch over to the new Smackdown game on my PS3. I must say the recent addition of Shelton Benjamin to the show will keep me watching personally, as he is one of my favorite guys to watch.
I will also admit that I probably go out of my way to watch ECW more than Smackdown, even. Although with Edge back, that may change.
While I do watch Raw from beginning to end without fail each week, ECW is one I will stay tuned as long as the matches look good. For example, last night, I watched the first 45 minutes, but tuned out for the Kane-Big Daddy V match since that feud is endless. But anything with Morrison, Punk, Shelton, or Elijah has me hooked. I also miss Steven Richards, as his little run during that mini-tournament for a title shot was a lot of fun. All they need is a couple more additions and I'd definitely stay watching ECW more religiously. I'd be all for moving the cruiserweight division to ECW, along with London and Kendrick.
JC: ECW definitely has a Big Four right now with C.M. Punk as champion, John Morrison as the better-half of the tag champs in the ring, and the law firm of Benjamin & Burke delivering quality wrestling on the undercard. I agree that Stevie Richards is a solid talent to utilize on TV, especially as an opponent to one of the three heels in the Big Four. That mini-tournament was one of the few "big concepts" WWE has come up for ECW, and it made for good TV three weeks in a row. More of those mini-programs established by Armando "where did I go?" Estrada could add something unique to the broadcast.
Sam Robinson, Torch reader: Personally I watch ECW nearly every week because I am a huge fan of the smaller, more athletic guys like Punk, Morrison, Burke, and now Benjamin. I watch every week much like you out of pure habit it seems. That, and my love for anything wrestling, though I also agree that it is nearly the same every week and needs some spicing up at least once in a while. While Shelton Benjamin is a welcome addition to what is looking like WWE's X-Division and Monster show, how long will it be before he gets stale just like everyone else on a roster that's this small?
The talent exchange is a great way to spice things up, had it has to be done right. Does anyone else notice the lack of main event SD stars coming over to Tuesday nights? All ECW is getting is their mid-card trash (some of whom, like Moore had been in ECW before) and what's left of their tag division. I want to end with a question, one that is purely rhetorical. Who else feels sorry for CM Punk, being the champ of a "Fed" that Vince could really care less about, when he deserves more than this?
JC: It is funny seeing Shannon Moore come over to ECW in the talent exchange when we remember that hyper-dancing music and his peculiar backstage promos last year. ECW could be the Monsters and Midgets...er...Monsters and Athletics show with a healthy balance of 10-15 minute X Division-style matches with Punk, Shelton, Morrison, and Burke, then the big man match-ups that fit Vince McMahon's style of heavyweight-style wrestling. Just keep the monsters separated from the athletic wrestlers and build two divisions that appeal to two fanbases.
***
ECW TV is essentially the same every week. The same characters - even the same characters from Smackdown. The same match-ups. The same talking points on commentary from Joey Styles and Tazz. Bringing over Shelton Benjamin was a welcome change of pace to get another athletic, young heel on the show to balance against the larger veteran heel, Big Daddy V.
With the overall sense of familiarity or you-know-what-you're-getting sense to the show, does that familiarity make it easier to watch the show or does familiarity breed contempt? I watch the show mainly out of habit for my live report, so I'm not watching the show with the mindset of looking for a reason to stay tuned to the show instead of looking for alternative programming if there's a sluggish match.
What keeps you tuned in to ECW? Or, what tunes you out? Does it depend on the advertised main event or who the special guests are from Smackdown? Have you completely stopped watching ECW? Drop me a line with your thoughts on your viewing habits for a very basic and familiar show on Tuesday nights.
Updated Tuesday, November 27 (last update: 4:20 p.m.)
Booker T. was the guest on TNA's monthly conference call this afternoon and he talked about why he left WWE for TNA. The straw that broke the camel's back for Booker was WWE not defending him after the Signature Pharmacy report linked him as a customer to the Internet drug retailer. He denied ever purchasing anything online from the pharmacy. He also said he tried to talk to Dr. Black, who oversees the WWE Wellness Policy, but he said Dr. Black did not return his calls.
Related to TNA, Booker said he would like to work with TNA on creating a "developmental territory" at his PWA school in Houston. If the terms work out for both sides, it could give TNA wrestlers a chance to get some regular work in during the week, and give Booker more exposure for his school and monthly shows. By the way, Booker's next show is Thursday night in Pasadena, Tex. featuring Abyss as the special guest.
When Booker was with WWE earlier in the year, he didn't want to run PWA as a training school for WWE because he didn't want to give up too much control to WWE, similar to OVW in Louisville.
The additional exposure through TNA at the expense of TNA having a hand in the training process could give PWA more financial flexibility to buy TV spots, and allow them to run the shows on a more family-friendly night of the week such as Friday or Saturday night. The issue is that running shows at the Pasadena Convention Center later in the week is more expensive than in the middle of the week - when they're currently holding shows - and when fewer families can come out.
Related to TNA match-ups, Booker said he wants to work with the younger stars and not take their spots. That's always the company line for any new big name coming in, but I think the majority of stars coming in believe that. The problem is how TNA scripts the big names coming in. Kurt Angle loses clean to Jay Lethal on PPV. An hour later, Lethal is a jobber doing a run-in. The next show, Lethal loses clean to Christopher Daniels. Two weeks ago, Kaz pushed Kurt Angle to the limit for the World Title. A week later, there was no mention of Kaz.
It's one thing for the wrestlers to be gung-ho about giving their main event rub to the younger stars and following through on their mission statement. It's another thing for TNA to fill in the blanks in the storyline to actually make it mean something.
***
Right now, we have a poll running on who Ric Flair should face at WrestleMania for presumably his retirement match. Leading the voting right now are Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, Triple H, and Undertaker. (By the way, three votes for Snitsky? C'mon!) I'm scratching Hunter from the top three candidates because we've seen them feud plenty of times, and I'll look at HBK, Steamboat, and Taker.
Shawn Michaels. Michaels vs. Flair is one of those dream matches that could headline Mania with a babyface vs. babyface match-up. Michaels thrives on the big stage with a big-name opponent, with Summerslam 2005 vs. Hulk Hogan coming right to mind. Michaels will create the movement while the fans will cheer for everything Flair does. Potential star rating: ****
Ricky Steamboat. This is very intriguing for two reasons. For one, WWE fans haven't seen Steamboat in the ring in nearly two decades, but he has one of the all-time best Mania matches on his resume against Randy Savage at WrestleMania III. The second reason is that Flair vs. Steamboat will be remembered as one of the best feuds of all time. Steamboat might not be in prime shape, but neither is Flair. It wouldn't be a headline match like Flair vs. Michaels would be, but it would be the perfect cap to Flair's career. Potential star rating: ***1/2
The Undertaker. They could sell this match alone on Taker's streak vs. Flair's six-month run to stay in the business. Flair loses, he retires. Flair wins, The Streak is over. Flair and Taker already had their "dream match" at WrestleMania 18, but enough time has passed to where WWE could revise history and call this a first-time meeting. (If they can honestly say Snitsky has never been pinned on Raw, then they can easily discard a PPV match from 2002.) I like the mini-streak vs. The Streak, but I'm concerned about match quality compared to the other two top vote-getters. Potential star rating: ***
***
The unofficial Flair Retirement Tour started last night in Charlotte, and most likely will commence in Orlando in WrestleMania unless plans are different than what I'm reading into. I could go Howard Dean and list all of the cities Flair is going to barnstorm with Mike Huckabee on the way to Orlando, but I'll save the effort.
Unfortunately, Flair won't be appearing on Raw in Charlotte each week, so the honeymoon of his big return won't last all the way through to March. There will have to be substance and careful attention paid to each of Flair's appearances. First of all, there has to be a reason for Vince McMahon antagonizing Flair with the ultimatum. It seems McMahon is now being a jerk just for the sake of being a jerk. Touching on their previous feud several years ago in the infancy of the brand split would be a start.
They also have to mix Flair into some tag matches. Flair, who is a hair shy of 60 years old, can't be defeating younger, more athletic wrestlers in singles matches every week. It just doesn't make sense over the long-haul. But, the best benefit could be realized by teaming Flair with some of the younger, athletic babyfaces who can get a rub from working with Flair. After all, McMahon didn't say Flair had to personally win every match. He just couldn't take the loss.
Something that Greg Parks touched on last night in our Raw audio analysis is that Flair vs. Orton worked because Flair was in jeopardy and they played that up with the backstage pep talks. The Retirement Tour will work only if Flair is in constant jeopardy.
With McMahon setting the bar so high with Flair taking on the World champ in his first match back, they have to avoid the drop-off factor from Flair facing lesser talent. Fans won't buy into Flair being in jeopardy against someone like Rory of the Highlanders, which would hurt the dramatics of a match. And, let's face it, the drama of the Flair vs. Orton story is what carried last night's match. Without the drama, there wasn't much there.
The keys will be keeping Flair in jeopardy, - gasp! - letting him talk, and setting up quality match-ups that will keep fans interested, but won't compromise the roster, all the way to Mania.
Updated Monday, November 26 (last update: 6:15 p.m.)
Rumors of a return by Sid Vicious (Sid Eudy) have been swirling for seemingly years following his return to the independent scene after the infamous snapped leg in WCW in 2001. (Viewer beware on watching the video if you've never seen it before.)
Vicious appeared on Live Audio Wrestling last night and said he's been in talks with WWE for a possible return. If Vicious is healthy, in good shape, and Wellness-compliant, I think the time is right for him to get a look on the roster. He's never been the greatest worker, but the gimmick of the big beady eyes, intense stare, and that music has always been his calling card.
Frankly, I'm tired of watching Kane vs. Big Daddy V every time I turn on the TV. With Kane being the only legit big man babyface they have on the roster until they figure out what to do with Festus long-term, a babyface return for Vicious to feud with Big Daddy could add some intrigue to the ECW brand. There's always a feud with Khali on Smackdown or Umaga and Snitsky on Raw that could bring some life to the Monster Division.
I'd like to see if Vicious has anything left in the tank after several start-and-stop main event pushes in WWF and WCW over the past 15 years. Right now, his legacy is that snapped ankle on live WCW PPV. I think he deserves another chance to re-write his story on national TV.
***
I've withheld comment on the Impact Turkey Bowl from Thanksgiving night because the show was almost too mind-numbing to produce clear thought. I will say that after turning off the DVR 30 minutes into the show because I couldn't take any more of the juvenile writing, I was mildly entertained when I watched the final 90 minutes.
Granted, entertained doesn't translate into "I'm excited for PPV." (I can't believe TNA has a PPV in six days, as it seems like they were in week 2 of a six-week build up.) The show featured a round of slapstick comedy that got a laugh, but made me care absolutely zero about any PPV match.
Rellik and Black Reign are supposedly two monster heels in a thumbtack match, but everyone was so scared of their presence at the Angle family household that no one paid any attention to them. And Eric Young ended up with Reign's wig. Shouldn't Young have ended up in a vice? Then, Awesome Kong was turned into this creepy freak eating plastic food, rather than having her character reinforced as a killer heel set on ripping Gail Kim's head off.
In an effort to establish personalities for this Bad News Bears cast of zeroes, TNA turned everyone into shells of their wrestling characters. The wrestlers should be gearing up for a round of hard-hitting fights on PPV next week, yet the only thing fans will remember about Rellik and Reign is the silly mouse causing a stir all throughout the house and Kurt Angle having a serious case of indigestion.
I was upset Kaz was not on the show to follow-up on his near-title victory against Kurt Angle last week. And then I thought about it. It's probably a good thing he wasn't on this show to be associated with this silliness when they're trying to build him up as a serious main eventer.
***
Ric Flair returns to Raw tonight in Charlotte. It's been an interesting journey back for Flair, who gave his notice about five months ago when frustrated with his lack of push after being drafted to Smackdown. You might recall the last we saw of Flair on TV was Khali's hands wrapped around Flair's head.
Now, with another five months on the road to WrestleMania, is tonight the start of the Flair Legacy Retirement tour or another one of those moments where the babyface gets pounded, humiliated, beat up, or ribbed in his hometown?
WWE would be best-served avoiding the babyface humiliation, as Flair can still contribute in a significant way based on his star-power and legacy. If Flair is built up as a major star, the Raw brand will have arguably its best line-up in months.
The roster has been depleted throughout the year with injuries and suspensions to Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Bobby Lashley, Mr. Kennedy, Umaga, and Jeff Hardy. Now, they have a top five of Chris Jericho, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Jeff Hardy, and possibly Flair. That's potential for five important matches on PPV from Raw each month if WWE builds up individual feuds for their big five.
It's been an interesting five months between Flair and WWE, but now it's time to make right on what Flair can contribute in possibly his final stretch in the wrestling business.
Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
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