By Jon Cudo, PWTorch specialist

TRUE - WWE CAN USE BULLIES IN STORYLINES

WWE catches flack whenever a character acts like a bully due to their affiliation with the Be A Star campaign. However, this is an unfair criticism. WWE should be commended for their involvement, which seems genuine and significant. Bullying is a serious issue in schools, and their PSA (public service announcements) are well intentioned and effective.

When WWE writes a story that includes a Superstar acting as a bully, it doesn't violate nor negate their good work so long as bullies are heels and are reacted to in the same ways prescribed by Be a Star.

This is quite different than WWE babyfaces like Rock and John Cena using homophobic rhetoric in promos and on Twitter. In one case, WWE is showing negative behavior as inherently bad done by bad people, in the other they are quietly endorsing bad behavior by allowing it and having alleged babyfaces take part.

Bullies are a classic character in wrestling and using them while advocating for Be A Star doesn't conflict with the message or make WWE hypocrites. In fact, it may be an effective way to showcase how to act and react to a bully.

I highly doubt the writers of "Mad Men" would be criticized if the program ended with an anti-smoking PSA at the end of each show...so perhaps people can lighten up on questioning WWE for this non-contradiction.

ALSO TRUE - JACK SWAGGER & DOLPH ZIGGLER SHOULD CHASE THE TAG TITLES

There were flashes of tag team-style moves this week with Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler. It also appears their respective singles pushes are on-hold currently. Instead of awkward handicap matches, this duo should chase and capture the Tag Team belts. It gives them something to do and elevates the belts, and WWE needs both.

FALSE - BROCK LESNAR MADE APRIL 9 A SUCCESS

Much has been made about April 9. It was the first post-WrestleMania Weekend Raw. It was a date when then The Rock would be gone, along with Taker, Triple H, and HBK. It was show where WWE would have to play with their standard issue Superstars and begin to build from within. Until they added Brock Lesnar.

Brock appeared in the closing moments of the April 2 show and was the centerpiece of April 9. Once again, WWE created the present by tapping into its past. John Cena wasn't making a future star or elevating someone on the roster, he was being elevated by another part-time star from the past.

This is not to say that Brock-Cena won't do big business or further build Cena, but it begs the question who will WWE recycle in to storylines in 2025 when they want to bring back a big star from the early 2010s? Big booms in business have always come from new stars. Always. It's hard to see where that opportunity to create a new boom period will come from when so much of oxygen in the room is being used by Brock, Rock, Undertaker, and Triple H.

April 9 wasn't devoid of new talent and pushes, but it seemed like WWE has bigger plans for Lord Tensai and Brodus Clay than anyone else. In their limited appearances, it doesn't appear either are going to generate business. The Funkasaurus has now shown his in-ring work is not ready for the main event, in fact he is barely ready for prime time.

The repackaged Albert has some interesting qualities, but this gimmick isn't going to get him over if he's not even willing to go all the way with it. He's no more Japanese-killer than Rikiski was a Sultan. His average stereo-type costume along with his mouth-stud piercings, the left-over chain, and tribal tattoo create a killer with a half-ass cartoon gimmick that fits more in 1986 than 2012. There may be something there, but he's off to a bad start.

TO BE DETERMINED - BROCK LESNAR'S IN-RING STYLE

The return of Brock Lesnar has been interesting TV, but perhaps the most interesting part of a former UFC champion returning the the WWE ring is what will his matches look like?

Will he return to a standard WWE-style match or will he lock up and take down opponents as if he were using UFC training to compete? Or, perhaps he will tell a story by switching back and forth. For example, starting matches in WWE-style, then reverting to UFC takedowns and strikes if he can't finish his opponent.

There is an opportunity for WWE to tell a story about their product compared to UFC through Brock Lesnar. It could convolute the rest of the story, or it might come off as a petty strike at UFC. Whether they use such a story and if it's successful remains to be determined, and it will add to the intrigue of Brock's matches.

***

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 Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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