Guest Vitamin X Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 I was watching Smackdown! tongiht, and pretty much only watched the Rocky promos which were absolute fucking GOLD in my opinion. He manipulated that crowd easier than putty. But then it struck me- of course as a Jericho mark, it upsets to me to know that when a heel has THAT much goddamn charisma and THAT much potency in his heel promos, it's hard for a face to get over. Think about it, when it's time for Rock to build up a feud towards any face he's going to put over, he is so good as a heel that he will just verbally decimate anyone he faces. Jericho hasn't been allowed to do that, yet somehow he still manages to get faces over time and time again (*cough* HHH *cough*) because he's awesome, but not too awesome on the mic. He hasn't been that good on the mic since WCW and early in his WWF run, and both times he unwillingly turned face. Now we all know how Eastern Canada is, they cheer for whatever is good in wrestling, and boo what they hate, not easily manipulated by whatever WWE tells them. They have no problems cheering heels or booing faces. With that said, what does everyone think is going to happen with Rock's heel character? by the way I'd like to state for the record... Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy = I hate you Jeff.
Guest RavishingRickRudo Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 While I enjoyed the Rocks delivery and Facial Expressions and Mannerisms, I didn't like the content. Him saying "you all think I sold out" "why do you boo me" "oh, so you want me as the bad guy, ok fine" is way too blatent. They should be/could have been a lot more subtle. The Rock should still think that the people love him, THAT is real vanity, ego, and dilusion. Putting on a fake smile will get more boos than looking really angry at the crowd - the fans boo'd the rock because he was full of shit, along with being hollywood. But then again, they only have so much time to make him a heel, so I guess they had to hotshot it... It's really disappointing because it could have been SO MUCH MORE enjoyable.
Guest bravesfan Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 Think about it, when it's time for Rock to build up a feud towards any face he's going to put over, he is so good as a heel that he will just verbally decimate anyone he faces. His opponent has to be upper-midcard or better, which means that opponent already has great heat. Rock's heel schtick on the mic did "decimate" faces week in and week out, but it was always a strong face that could hold their own on the mic (Foley, Austin) or one that had fans solely behind them (HHH in '98). Anyone else, and they're dead in the water. Put simply, don't put him in there with someone that can't hold their own heat-wise or mic-wise. They'll be burned in the process. With that said, what does everyone think is going to happen with Rock's heel character? They'll boo him. Canada LOVES Hogan, so the "whatever is good in wrestling" facet goes out the window pretty quickly.
Guest bravesfan Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 While I enjoyed the Rocks delivery and Facial Expressions and Mannerisms, I didn't like the content. Him saying "you all think I sold out" "why do you boo me" "oh, so you want me as the bad guy, ok fine" is way too blatent. They should be/could have been a lot more subtle. The Rock should still think that the people love him, THAT is real vanity, ego, and dilusion. Putting on a fake smile will get more boos than looking really angry at the crowd - the fans boo'd the rock because he was full of shit, along with being hollywood. But then again, they only have so much time to make him a heel, so I guess they had to hotshot it... It's really disappointing because it could have been SO MUCH MORE enjoyable. EDIT: Didn't read your last 2 sentences. That pretty much summed up my explanation of the non-subtlety of the whole turn.
Guest Jobber of the Week Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 Think about it, when it's time for Rock to build up a feud towards any face he's going to put over, he is so good as a heel that he will just verbally decimate anyone he faces. Jericho hasn't been allowed to do that, yet somehow he still manages to get faces over time and time again (*cough* HHH *cough*) because he's awesome, but not too awesome on the mic. Whaaa? "Come on, Austin! You coward, come on out here and face the Champ!" Whoever else got away with calling Austin a coward before? Last time I checked, even pussy heels who backed down later weren't allowed to risk burying Austin like that. That much said, if Rock becomes a wimp (and he seems like it, juding by how he kept walking in circles and avoiding Hogan) it doesn't matter how much trash he talks if all he has is a few signature moves and jobber offense. Rock was really popular in 99 both as heel and tweener (he didn't really turn serious face until Royal Rumble 2000) but was jobbed out like crazy except for that Kiss My Ass match with Billy Gunn. The thing was that Rock was made to look strong until he either suddently jobbed out of the blue, or was beaten while dong his People's Elbow showboating. Getting hit with a chair while bouncing off the ropes in his little routine cost him so many matches. So, anyway, all they have to do is make him look cowardly. I'm suprised they're going along with this heel turn though, considering how Hollywood, which isn't very aware of wrestling, generally will automatically want a babyface instead of a heel in their next big movie. I guess Rock's made him bones in film though and the studios aren't scared of promoting a bad guy.
Guest Kotzenjunge Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 Funny how while having a good worker in there with a bad one will result in the good one carrying the bad one to a watchable affair, but a good mic worker against one below him just results in disaster. Rock is just too successful, dammit!
Guest Jobber of the Week Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 Yeah, but Rock is a near-master at comical selling, such as a punch like an atomic bomb went off in his face (the master of comical selling, of course, is Scott Hall and his goofy ass crazy selling.) He just needs to sell Hogan's chokes and backrakes like it's the end of the world long enough until Vince runs in.
Guest Spaceman Spiff Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 he is so good as a heel that he will just verbally decimate anyone he faces His face mic work didn't exactly put heels over, either.
Guest RenegadeX28 Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 Those promos were awesome. What topped it off was the spitting on Hogan's face. He went up that ramp with such an arrogant smile. It was beautiful.
Guest humongous2002 Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 Well since there has been rumors about Rock going to RAW, well i think he should put over Booker, who by the way has good mic skills.
Guest Shanghai Kid Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 Rock would kill everybody on Raw in a mic war except Austin. RVD? Rock would tear him a new asshole. Booker? He couldn't keep up with the Rock. Only people on Raw that could keep up is Jericho, who is a heel, and Austin, who is the most popular face of all time....anybody else will turn Rock face.
Guest oldschoolwrestling Posted February 21, 2003 Report Posted February 21, 2003 This is similar to Flair back in the day. He was a master on the mic and he could be facing someone who had no chance like a Ricky Morton, but there was so much proper build up that the fans wanted Morton to win and Flair made the payoff worth it, even though he was far superior to Morton in every way. In the long run it built up everyone.
Guest Vitamin X Posted February 22, 2003 Report Posted February 22, 2003 It's so hard to imagine Flair as good on the mic, as pretty much the whole time I've been watching wrestling (pretty much the mid-90's up until now, with a few tidbits of the late 80's thrown in ) I just imagine him a slurring old man. I'm sorry but speech impediments make it hard for me to take someone seriously on the mic. **awaits old school smark backlash on that one**
Guest Vern Gagne Posted February 22, 2003 Report Posted February 22, 2003 Rock would kill everybody on Raw in a mic war except Austin. RVD? Rock would tear him a new asshole. Booker? He couldn't keep up with the Rock. Only people on Raw that could keep up is Jericho, who is a heel, and Austin, who is the most popular face of all time....anybody else will turn Rock face. I'd agree about Austin, has long as What isn't involved at all.
Guest Jobber of the Week Posted February 22, 2003 Report Posted February 22, 2003 I'm sorry but speech impediments make it hard for me to take someone seriously on the mic. This is true, and I've made such a comment before regarding the Hurricane, although I don't remember a huge backlash. So you're probably safe. Besides, the REAL New Ric Flair is Kurt Angle. Everyone is jobbing to him (well, except that one Great Big Muscled Guy. Or the Big Old Guy. And the New Ex-con Guy) and he's STILL making everyone look great.
Guest Spaceman Spiff Posted February 22, 2003 Report Posted February 22, 2003 It's so hard to imagine Flair as good on the mic, as pretty much the whole time I've been watching wrestling (pretty much the mid-90's up until now, with a few tidbits of the late 80's thrown in ) I just imagine him a slurring old man. I'm sorry but speech impediments make it hard for me to take someone seriously on the mic. **awaits old school smark backlash on that one** I take it you've never seen the "Fire me! I'm already fired!" promo he did in WCW?
Guest deadbeater Posted February 22, 2003 Report Posted February 22, 2003 Rock is playing the guy the fans want to get his ass kicked. That he is more willing to job than any other man in wrestling adds to his mystique.
Guest Vitamin X Posted February 22, 2003 Report Posted February 22, 2003 Rock is playing the guy the fans want to get his ass kicked. That he is more willing to job than any other man in wrestling adds to his mystique. Right, which is why he and Austin are the 2 best main eventers the WWE has, unless you consider Y2J and Angle main eventers. It's kind of hard to do so, seeing as how well especially Angle even as World Champ gets no respect. I also think Angle would be able to keep up with Rocky in a mic war. As a matter of fact, I think Rock's heel act seems pretty damn similar to Angle's, like the "whoa whoa hold on a second don't get all crazy now" and the cowardly tactics. Did anyone else also see Rock looking like austin? the bald head, the leatehr vest, the big belt buckle...well I don't think Austin would wear the big belt buckle but that is a Texan kinda thing.
Guest Basswitch Posted February 22, 2003 Report Posted February 22, 2003 First off, Jericho is awsome on the mic, when he is not being forced to job to Test. I mean, how can you try to put down someone who calls his fans testicles. He is basically making fun on himself. Anyways only several people can keep up with the rock charisma wise. Jericho Austin Angle Paul Heyman Those are the people who would do best in a fued against i suppose. But there are also people liek Chris Benoit who i think could still manage to get over pretty easily as a face against the rock, booker T also.
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now