OVW- How much longer?

[Guest ShooterJay]

OVW, for the past couple of years, has been the only source of WWE's "rookie" talent besides Tough Eno(ugh), (minus newcomer Spanky.) From what little I've seen of them, the promotion itself is pretty swank, with old school wrestling. gimmicks, and angles, with enough of the modern style to provide tons of action and entertainment.

 

However, WWE shot their wad all at once when it came to bringing up their talent, and so far the transition hasn't been good. Lesnar is a success only by sheer willpower from management, Orton has bombed, Cena has bombed (regrettably-more WWE's fault than OVW's), the Island Boyz have bombed (and almost killed a few people) Johnny the Bull bombed HUGE (and he had WCW prior experience too). Rico is a comedy gimmick. Jury is still out on Batista, Shelton Benjamin has disappeared, as have Jindrak and O'Haire after their half-hearted intros on Heat. Doug Basham won't do well either.

 

Even worse, after these call-ups OVW has NO ONE anywhere near ready, and WWE will be hurting for undercard talent within a year or so after injuries. retirements and (hopefully) elevation take place. And with JR's dreadful recent talent choices (Nathan Jones? Malice? Matt from TE2?) OVW is pretty screwed.

 

I think it's time for WWE to go back to taking talent they think is polished enough directly from the indies, like they did with Spanky and Guido. It could be really effective in plugging holes in their divisions.

 

For example, they need tag teams BADLY. There are a billion good tag teams in the indies who can adapt to the big leagues: Divine Storm, Briscoe Brothers, SAT (if given lessons in ring psych and overall polish) Backseat Boyz, H8 Club (even though they're a little stiff, I think they'd be very marketable) Rachies, Chris Harris and James Storm, Hatebreed, Yang and Estrada- this is just off the top of my head.

 

Cruisers? That's 90% of indy wrestling today, and the fact that they still don't have a decent division is shameful. Here's just a few who they could pick up: Chris Daniels (duh). AJ Styles, Amazing Red, Jody Fleisch, Jonny Storm, Paul London and Michael Shane (two guys who could be megastars IMO).

 

Want more "realistic" wrestling? You could get American Dragon, Doug Williams or Donovan Morgan.

 

Want guys with "the look" and some skill? How about Xavier or Sonny Siaki?

 

Nope, instead we get Nathan Jones and Malice. Oh joy, more hosses.

 

Seriously, I hope at least one of these three things happens soon:

 

1. JR gets canned as head of talent relations and replaced with Johnny Ace or Shane McMahon

 

2. TNA gets a TV deal.

 

3. Someone gives CZW/ROH/both a shitload of money to put together some sort of national expansion.

[Guest Zack Malibu]

While I agree that many have come out of OVW greener than a piece of lettuce, I find that the failures of these guys are mostly due to the WWF machine. Look at the statistics:

 

Batista:OVW Champion as Leviathan, had a sick look and a marketable gimmick. WWF/E acts high on him everytime they have a chance, and then debut him as a Deacon to help D-Von's failed Reverend gimmick.

 

Randy Orton:Green yet watchable in his first few Smackdown outings, though he's given no gimmick other than he's a third generation athlete. Sheesh, his dad wasn't exactly "over like Rover", so who the hell would get into Cowboy Bob's son anyhow? On RAW, was set for the Killer Push, until his injury got in the way, yet it still receiving the push via promos and interviews.

 

John Cena:Supposedly one of the best all around developmental guys, with a good workrate, excellent promo ability, and gimmick (Prototype), he's thrown on TV with a real name as a vanilla babyface. Workrate wise, Angle and Jericho made him look like a star, but why take someone with so much potential and ruin him by turning him into bland Joe Schmoe.

 

Island Boyz:Wouldn't say they bombed, as many fans got into the "3 Minute" gimmick. They are definetly too stiff for their own good, and recent booking decisions (loss to the Big Show) is what is killing them right now.

 

Rico:I was pretty po'd when the "most talented star on the OVW roster" was taken in as a gay stylist to a Lex Luger copycat and a guy who's recieved as many pushes as Luger. Rico took the ball and ran with it, and was able to turn the character into a heat magnet, getting some of the loudest receptions of the night. Again, it's not his fault he's meant to look like a jobber.

 

The jury is still out on the WCW guys. JTB, O'Haire and Jindrak have basically been thrown on HEAT with no explanation other than "hey, look who it is!". O'Haire can be a megastar with his look and intensity. JTB could be a valued midcarder if they take his gimmick and build on the popularity of The Sopranos. Jindrak is the blandest one of all, so maybe by either putting him in a team (reunite Jindrak and O'Haire, or find someone else who would benefit from a tag team.) I wouldn't criticize OVW as much as I'd criticize WWE for hyping these guys up, then not delivering.

[Guest subliminal_animal]

Yeah...where has Benjamin gone? He gave a little promo implying he'd be going from Heat to Raw and then he *poofed* into nothingness.

 

Johnny hasn't really bombed either. I heard some things that can't put a match together for shit, but he's entertained me enough on Heat. He was thrown out there like Jindrak and O'Haire too remember...only he hasn't been injured. The guy's big break so far was a twenty minute Hardcore reign that started and ended with Bradshaw.

 

Island Boyz:Wouldn't say they bombed, as many fans got into the "3 Minute" gimmick. They are definetly too stiff for their own good, and recent booking decisions (loss to the Big Show) is what is killing them right now.

I'm guessing that was partly punishment for hurting Patterson. Still, after you build those guys up like that, you don't have them lose to a big guy who'd been made out to be an ineffectual mess for about three months prior in a handicap match with an EXTRA GUY ON THEIR TEAM. I don't like the Island Boys, but that whole thing made me want to throw something at the TV.

[Chunk 0]

Here's just a few who they could pick up: Chris Daniels (duh). AJ Styles, Amazing Red, Jody Fleisch, Jonny Storm, Paul London and Michael Shane (two guys who could be megastars IMO).

 

Want more "realistic" wrestling? You could get American Dragon, Doug Williams or Donovan Morgan.

I heardin a radio interview that Chris Daniels would sign with WWE if he was given the chance. However, as for AJ, havn't they been down that road to no effect before. Im a huge fan of Aj Styles, but didnt he turn Vince McMahon down on an offer or $50,000?

 

I couldn't agree with you more when you say "Jonny Storm, Jody Fleisch and Doug Williams". Some English talent is just what the WWE needs. The only thing is, I would'nt be able to see these guys in FWA shows anymore

 

Plus, I think you have to remember that even if the likes of these guys joined the WWE, would they get used? I highly doubt it. If your not huge, then your not good, in the eyes of the WWE.

 

Personally, I rather see the likes of AJ, Jonny, Jody and Doug in the Uk and on tapes main eventing shows, rather than being stuck in 2 minutes cruiser battles on Velocity and the Start of Smackdown.

 

ChUnK!