By Jon Cudo, PWTorch specialist

TRUE - WWE HAS A DEPTH PROBLEM

In recent months, I have talked about the top stars in waiting like Dolph Ziggler, Wade Barrett, and Cody Rhodes, noting that WWE is in a good position for the next few years on top. The Elimination Chamber and recent TV has revealed a different problem for WWE....depth.

The PPV was built around two Chamber matches, which included Santino Marella and Great Khali. The following night to fill just two hours of TV on a Raw/Smackdown Supershow, they used Santino, Kofi Kingston, and R-Truth twice on the show. We were even treated to a rare Aksana ring appearance. Santino is an effective and over character, but not a top tier player. His appearance was effective, but it also was effective in showcasing the dearth of depth on the roster.

Wrestling is a tough business, with real roster problems just an injury or a suspension away. Ignoring the tag division, U.S. Title, and Intercontinental Title, the undercard can quickly prove disastrous with a Randy Orton concussion, Wade Barrett elbow injury, or Evan Bourne suspension. Which is where WWE appears to be now.

WrestleMania covers the problem with all the TV time given to Triple H, The Undertaker, Rock, and Shawn Michaels. The day after WM28 will be an interesting show since WWE could be moving to a more regular rotation leaning more on the now-weakened mid and undercard.

ALSO TRUE - EVE STILL CAN'T ACT

This could be a long run, since the writing team seems really interested in writing for Eve, despite some clear limitations. Viewers were giving a reminder of the alternative this week when they were fed a Kelly Kelly match on Raw. Of course, that's a false choice, but it's still not fun to think about. One version of purgatory for me is the choice between watching Eve perform Shakespearae and Kelly Kelly in Iron Woman matches with Candice Michelle.

FALSE - JOHN CENA NEEDS TO JOIN THE MILITARY

There has been much crowing over John Cena's over-hyped devotion to the military. Banner hanging, troop visits, camo shorts, and salutes are all a part of Cena's often tedious act. Now, some are calling on Cena to join the military if he really has such a passion for the military.

This all reminds me of the recess playground in second grade. When one kids talks about his new bike, how much he loves to ride it, and how cool the tassels on the handlebars are, then another asks if he loves his bike so much, "Why don't you marry it?"

Cena's military fixation is tiresome, but you can be extremely passionate about something without having to "marry" or become it. I trust that if Cena tried to enter the military the same people would
find fault with him for grandstanding.

For all of Cena's faults and irksome idiosyncrasies, I have never for a second doubted this part of his character is genuine. Is it over the top and borish? Probably. But, it appears to be more real than a fabricated attempted to get over.

TO BE DETERMINED - AUDIENCES WILL CARE ABOUT A GM BATTLE

WWE writers love the corporate drama. For over a year, many of the primary storylines have been centered around job titles, positions, power battles, and board room wrangling. I don't recall any of them working for business. Now, as WWE gears up on WrestleMania, a major angle between Teddy Long and John Laurinaitis is starting up. While both are very good at what they do, I am not sure this is the best use of the talent they will use to tell this story. Making wins and losses matter in
wrestling is important, but the emphasis on winning should be that the wrestlers in the match are elevated, not the GM on the ring apron will have more power.

It just makes the Superstars feel super small as pawns in a power struggle between management. It's hardly the type of thing that sells t-shirts or makes you want to buy a ticket.

It remains to be determined if WWE can create not only compelling TV, but stars out of this formula.

***

Jon Cudo is the newest PWTorch specialist, presenting the "True-False-TBD" format. Jon has worked in the sports entertainment industry for over 20 years, including major league sports teams and Nike. He has been a life-long pro wrestling fan and has attended WWE, WCW, and ROH events in person, including backstage access at multiple events. He grew up in Minnesota and now lives in Cleveland. He runs his own business, www.GameOps.com, a website designed to connect sports teams and event producers with ideas and tools that will enhance the entertainment value for fans attending their events.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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