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CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL BLOG: On Miz, Brock, Rock, Moxley, and how a year-long build for one match could affect WWE going forward

Apr 4, 2012 - 11:05:51 PM
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By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor
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Caldwell's blog first appeared in the Torch VIP Forum's newly-redesigned Blog section. VIP members have first access to PWTorch Staff Writers's blogs, as well as access to their own Blog interacting with other VIP members and Torch Staffers. Find out to subscribe for a VIP membership at PWTorch.com/govip.

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-- I just watched The Miz as the host of MTV's Challenge Reunion show. The man is completely in his element on that show. I feel his TV character has gotten stale playing the same obnoxious, predictable, overbearing, loudmouth heel. You know exactly what he's going to do and say. On MTV, Miz's heel character was toned down, but he was still the star of the show and took control of the moment. WWE needs to find a new way to feature him, as he's too valuable not to be featured prominently.

-- Perhaps the year-long build to Rock-Cena spoiled us on WWE taking their time building anticipation for a WrestleMania-level match-up, but I'm concerned about Brock Lesnar reportedly being contracted to two appearances per month. PER MONTH? Throw in Brock advertised for the next PPV in a few weeks - he's not going to just play timekeeper - and I'm not sure if he'll make a difference in post-Mania business a few ratings for the curiosity of seeing him back in WWE. As Bruce Mitchell wrote about in his Torch Newsletter column this week, he's not being built as Brock Lesnar, the UFC fighter, "invading WWE" as a former PPV box office draw for UFC. Once the nostalgia wears off, will people still be willing to pay money to see Brock?

WWE surely has a plan in-mind, right, with all of these scheduled appearances? And, will Brock be motivated when one of the main reasons he left WWE was because he couldn't stand the schedule? Will he be able to last one year without getting burnt out? This one feels off, but, as Jon Cudo would say in his Specialists column, it's To Be Determined.

-- Which brings us to The Rock, whose next TV appearance in unknown. Perhaps in-between movie shoots, he'll make an appearance before Summerslam leading to a PPV return match. Against who, though? The clear Summerslam choice would be C.M. Punk, as Rock-Punk would seem like a drop-off from Rock-Cena at WrestleMania 29 to the general public, especially when Rock said in interviews leading to Mania that Cena is the only wrestler he would have come back to face at Mania.

Punk keeping the WWE Title all the way to Summerslam should restore some value to a title that Rock and Cena initially said they would be competing for at WM28 before that was completely dropped from the equation. If the title is re-built by the time Summerslam hype comes around, Rock-Punk makes a lot of sense to match Rock's vow to become WWE champion again.

-- Finally, Jon Moxley. I was talking to Sean Radican about Moxley (Dean Ambrose) tonight and I concluded that Moxley is going to be a top heel on the main roster by the end of the year...or stuck somewhere on NXT or whatever random WWE show claims they're launching this year. Moxley's confrontation with Mick Foley was brilliant and his recent interactions with William Regal in FCW and on Twitter have been great. Moxley is a different kind of cat and would be a refreshing heel addition to the roster. And, not just one of these WWE heels who "dances like a fool" to get basic, no-money heat. But, a heel who could be the 2004 version of Randy Orton in an intense "Legends Killer" program with Mick Foley.

Foley hinting at a WM29 Hall of Fame invite in the same video that Moxley confronted him could be symbolic of a year-long build to the Hall. It would at least give Foley something to do beyond playing Santa Claus, would introduce Moxley to the audience in a believable and impactful manner, and could make some money along the way. Watch out for Mox in 2012.

-- Be sure to check out Greg Parks and me on Thursday's PWTorch Livecast reflecting on WrestleMania Week and looking at what Brock's return means for the next year. It's a fascinating time for studying this industry, especially in the weeks following a year-long build for one wrestling match between Rock and Cena.


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CALDWELL'S LIVE REPORT - 7/12 Lone Star in Houston, Tex.: Alberto El Patron no-shows, Dreamer vs. Hoyt new main event; plus Duggan, Snitsky, Cabana vs. Mahal, Joey Ryan, Rowe vs. Hernandez, Ivellise, Catrina, Houston Carson, one title change, more
CALDWELL: A Top 10 for 10 Years - Hall of Fame, George, Sweet Tea, Studio B, Duke, Three-Pack, and you!
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